Notable studs, duds from 49ers Week 13 flop of a loss vs. Seahawks
By Peter Panacy
49ers Stud: Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair
The 49ers have a problem, and it’s a good one.
Without starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw (groin), who missed Week 13 along with fellow backer Fred Warner, the Niners have watched backup linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair turn into a quality defender.
And Week 13 was arguably Al-Shaair’s best game as a pro.
During the CBS broadcast, play-by-play commentator Kevin Harlan noted how Al-Shaair seemed to be all over the place on every play, and judging by the final stat tally, Al-Shaair was. He finished with an impressive Warner-like 16 tackles, half a sack, one tackle for a loss and a forced fumble.
If it weren’t for Al-Shaair, one could make the argument San Francisco’s loss would have been more of the lopsided variety.
Greenlaw could return soon, but that shouldn’t automatically mean Al-Shaair loses his starting job.
The latter has been the better player by far.