NFL: 49er battle heats up with Ulbrich in middle of action
Associated Press
The competition is heating up to fill the vacant linebacking spot for the San Francisco 49ers and former University of Hawaii star Jeff Ulbrich is right in the middle of it.
The 49ers are searching for a replacement for Derek Smith, the team's leading tackler from 2001 to 2005, at the strong-side inside linebacker position, or the "ted," in the team's 3-4 defensive set.
The 49ers released Smith earlier this year rather than pay him the $3.3 million owed on the final year of his contract, saving the team approximately $2 million in salary cap space. Smith is now playing with the San Diego Chargers.
Veteran Ulbrich, who started two games at the end of last season as Smith's play began to decline, continues to work as the starter. Ulbrich started 70 of the 80 games in which he played for the 49ers between 2001 and 2006. He produced 167 tackles in 2004 and is one of San Francisco's special teams stars.
But Ulbrich is being pushed by veteran Brandon Moore, San Francisco's leading tackler in 2006 along with newcomer Dontarrious Thomas and seventh-round draft pick Larry Grant. All three players have shown the team they have something to offer.
"Right now there is pretty good competition there," 49ers coach Mike Nolan said. "All three of those guys are working in and out at that position. There is no clear-cut guy right now, although if I had to start today, Jeff would be the guy."
Nolan says the 49ers continue to discuss other possibilities at the position such as free-agent veteran Takeo Spikes, whom the team visited with earlier this spring.
The winner of the competition will start next to Patrick Willis, last year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and the leagues runaway leader with 174 tackles last season.
Meanwhile, wide receiver Ashley Lelie, another former UH standout, had an MRI yesterday on a calf he injured Saturday.
Lelie missed practice for a second consecutive day.
"I don't imagine it will be more than what we think it is," said Nolan of Lelie. "It should be no more than a few days to a week."
sf49ers.com contributed to this report
