August 26, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Caleb Hanie (16) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers linebacker Larry Grant (54), nose tackle Ian Williams (93), and defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois (95) during the second quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Today the San Francisco 49ers announced that they have signed NT Ian Williams to a two-year contract extension through the 2015 season. Williams, an undrafted free-agent out of Notre Dame has been with the 49ers organization since signing with the team for the 2011 season. Through two seasons with the team, Williams has registered seven tackles in four games. The deal is one that GM Trent Baalke is pleased with saying:

We are very pleased to extend the contract of a young, talented player like Ian. He will have the opportunity to continue to grow in our defense, and we look forward to his future development. Paraag and Drew deserve credit for working hard to put this deal together.

The extension of Williams could signal the end of current free-agents NT Isaac Sopoaga and/or NT Ricky Jean-Francois as both of those players will command a significant amount of interest once free-agency opens up tomorrow. Especially Jean-Francois, who has been rumored to be of interest to the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs.

If both of those players do in fact depart, Baalke was wise to lock up Williams as an insurance policy, as he will be the next man up under 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s 3-4 scheme at nose tackle.

Aside from the team’s surprisingly strong 4-1 record the 49ers have had a few pleasant surprises this season that have been very interesting to watch develop. First is the play of Alex Smith, has anyone beat the odd’s more than this guy in 2011? Alex’s play under pressure and improved decision making has made Jim Harbaugh look like a genius for bringing him back.

Next is the play of Navarro Bowman, I think even Trent Baalke the guy who pulled the trigger on Bowman in the draft and let Takeo Spikes walk away in favor of him still couldn’t think Bowman would be THIS good THIS fast. Please do not get me wrong here, I think Patrick Willis is the best Inside Linebacker in the NFL right now and will be for a long time. With that said Navarro Bowman would make a lot of teams happy as their version of Willis or other feature ILBs like Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher you get the picture. The point is the guy is a STUD. The one element of his game he may actually have on Willis is his pass rush ability, combined with Patrick this could be the best ILB combo in the NFL today.

How about the play of Trent Baalke’s 2011 draft class? While Colin Kaepernick’s career has consisted of some awkward handoff’s and 3 passes thus far the other 49er rookies have shined. First round pick Aldon Smith currently leads the team with 3.5 sacks after breaking out vs. the Eagles with 1.5 sacks only to follow that up with a fantastic 2 sack performance the next week. Fourth Round Pick Kendall Hunter led the NFL in rushing during the preseason and has given the 49ers something they desperately needed the last few seasons, a change up RB to pair with star Frank Gore. Hunter has shown big play ability as a rusher and a receiver and has already came up big in week 3 scoring the go-ahead TD with Gore on the sidelines. Then there’s Chris Culliver, the Cornerback turned Safety in college turned CB in the NFL with the 49ers when they made him their 3rd round pick. Culliver has proved at least in the short term he has what it takes to play CB in the pros after playing significant time in week 4 and again in week 5 Culliver has come up big. Several other rookies including Bruce Miller who is making a nice transition to Fullback after playing defense in college along with Colin Jones, Demarcus Dobbs, Ian Williams, Mike Person, Daniel Kilgore and Scott Tolzien have found their way onto the 49ers roster this season.
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San Francisco 49ers (1-1) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-1)

Paul Brown Stadium

Kickoff: 10:00 AM (PST) 1:00 PM (EST)

Michael Crabtree is active this week for the 49ers although his role is still unknown.   For the Bengals former 49ers Safety Taylor Mays is inactive however Wide Receiver Jerome Simpson is active for the Bengals despite a recent drug charge.  Bruce Miller will also see his first offensive action of the season with Moran Norris out while Dashon Goldson makes his first start at Safety.

Inactives
49ers: QB Scott Tolzien, WR Braylon Edwards, FB Moran Norris, OL Daniel Kilgore, OL Mike Person, NT Ian Williams, DE Demarcus Dobbs

Bengals: LB Dontay Moch, WR Jordan Shipley, DE Robert Geathers, OG Otis Hudson, S Taylor Mays, WR Andrew Hawkins, S Robert Sands