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

It is no secret that the 49ers top issues were first defense pass rush, and second offensive line.  It would not matter if it is Alex Smith, David Carr, or second round draft pick Colin Kaepernick has the ball in their hands if the offensive line breaks down.   The 49ers suffered forty-four sacks, almost one in every ten passing plays.  We all expect that 2010 draft picks Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis will improve over last year however injury still haunts a line that knows too much of it.  Introduce Jim Harbaugh, and Trent Baalke’s choice in the seventh round Mike Person.

Mike was born, raised, and played football in Montana.  He stands 6 foot 4 ½ inches, and weighs in at 299 lbs.  His 32 inch arm length and 9 ½ hand size allowed him to anchor a line that had no sacks his senior year.  Constantly recognized for his leadership, and tough mentality, he was awarded the Chuck Karnop Award for Toughness and D’Agostino Family Strength awards.  He offers a high understanding of the game, fantastic run support, especially in the secondary, and holding up against a straight up bull rush.  His mental toughness and work ethic will fit right in with the Jim Harbaugh system.

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