NFL: Preseason Team by Team Observation

49ers

– RB Anthony Dixon might have catapulted himself to the backup running back role with his first week preseason preformance. Dixon who was drafted in the 6th round is competing with Michael Robinson to be the 2nd string running back. Dixon had 21 carries, 103 rushing yards, and 1 touchdown

-QB David Carr played very well. Carr was 9-11, with 98 passing yards, threw 1 touchdown, and finished with a 134.1 passer rating. Carr is competing with Nate Davis to be the backup quarterback .

-QB Nate Davis looked good. Davis was 5-6, with 84 passing yards, and had a passer rating 118.8. Davis played well but Carr did as well. It’s going to be a battle to be the backup quarterback.

– WR Kyle Williams looked good on his 1 punt return. He returned his 1 punt return for 36 yards, and had 2 kick returns for 42 yards. He is battling Ted Ginn for the return job. He could earn the punt return job with a couple of nice gains.

-RB Michael Robinson had a poor performance. Robinson had 5 carries for 13 rushing yards, and 1 touchdown. It seems Dixon will win the backup role if Robinson doesn’t step it up. Robinson although will still be used as the punch it in back from a yard or 2 out.

– WR Jason Hill who hasn’t been standing out in practice dropped a pass that went right off his hands. This didn’t help his cause with Dominique Ziegler, Kevin Jurovich, Bakari Grant, and Kyle Williams battling for a roster spot.

-Linebackers Bruce Davis, Diyral Briggs, Mike Balogun, Keaton Kristick played solid. Davis had 3 tackles, 2 assisted tackles, and 1 sack. Briggs had 4 tackles, and 1 interception for 13 yards. Bologun had 6 tackles, 1 assisted tackles, and 1 interception for 19 yards. Kristick had 3 tackles, 3 assisted tackles, and was all over the field. This is a solid game for these guys who are battling each other for some roster spots.

-Defensive Backs Reggie Smith, William James, and Karl Paymah all stood out in the secondary. Reggie Smith had the better day with 2 tackles, 1 pass deflections, 1 interception for 91 yards, and 1 touchdown. James 1 assisted tackle, and 1 interception for 7 yards. Paymah had a silent good game with only 1 tackle but played tight and tough coverage on tight ends and wide receivers.

-K Shane Andrus played great. He was 3-3 on field goal attempts including a 35, 37, and 44 yard field goals. He also was 4-4 on extra points. A longshot to make the team with Joe Nedney probably already tabbed the starter. An impressive day though.

*Trade*

The San Francisco 49ers trade DE Kentwan Balmer to the Seattle Seahawks for a 6th round pick.

*Signing*

The San Francisco 49ers signed RB Brian Westbrook to a one year deal