Maiocco: 49ers defense — Player-by-player review

Aug. 22, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE
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The 49ers' defense recorded two interceptions, three sacks and surrendered just 214 yards of total offense in a 17-3 victory over the Raiders in the second exhibition game.Here's a player-by-player look how the 49ers' defense and specialists performed:
Defensive linemen (9)
61-Sealver Siliga: Entered at nose tackle for the third series of the second half and rotated with Ian Williams the rest of the way.
63-Will Tukuafu: Entered the game at left defensive end at the start of the second half. . . . He peeled off a block attempt of Raiders lineman Bruce Campbell to stop Rock Cartwright for a 1-yard gain in third quarter for his only tackle.
64-Ian Williams: Opened the second half at nose tackle, as he took over for Ricky Jean Francois. He split time at nose tackle in the second half with Siliga. . . . Credited with one tackle.(Follow on Twitter @IWilliams95
71-Brian Bulcke: Entered game at right defensive end for the second series of the second half. . . Didn't get blocked and got a big hit on Raiders quarterback Kyle Boller as he was releasing to force an incomplete pass in the third quarter.
78-Demarcus Dobbs: Entered the game at right defensive end at the start of the second half. . . . Completely bowled over Raiders left guard Alex Parsons to throw Boller for a 9-yard loss on a sack. . . He finished with three tackles.
90-Isaac Sopoaga: Started at nose tackle and played most of the first half, as he returned last week from a hamstring strain that kept him out the first two weeks of camp. . . . Credited with one tackle.
91-Ray McDonald: Started at left defensive end and played the first half. . . Got good penetration that freed up teammate NaVorro Bowman to make a stop for just a 1-yard gain in the first quarter.
94-Justin Smith: Started at right defensive end and played the entire first half. . . Although not officially credited with any stats, he was responsible for a sack and forced fumble on Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell in the second quarter.
95-Ricky Jean Francois: Entered the game as part of the 49ers' goal-line defense in the second quarter. . . He got outstanding penetration to help stack up Raiders fullback Marcell Reece for a 1-yard loss on a third-and-goal from the 1. . . Saw action, mixing in with Sopoaga, at nose tackle in the first half. He started second half, but played just one series. (Follow on Twitter @Freakyjean95)Linebackers (13)
47-Monte Simmons: Did not see any action on defense.
50-Kenny Rowe: Did not see any action on defense.
51-Blake Costanzo: Did not see any action on defense, but was on the first-team special-teams units for kickoff coverage and kickoff return.
52-Patrick Willis: Started at middle linebacker and played the entire first half . . . He closed quickly to tackle Campbell on a bootleg near the end zone. Willis dropped him for a 1-yard loss. . . . He was in coverage against Michael Bush on a 12-yard reception. . . . He finished with three tackles. (Follow on Twitter @PatrickWillis52)
53-NaVorro Bowman: Started at inside linebacker and played the entire first half. . . He made his presence felt immediately when he made the first two tackles of the game, then beat the attempted block of Michael Bush to put a hit on Campbell to force a third-down incompletion. (Follow on Twitter @NBowman53)
54-Larry Grant: Entered the game at the start of the second half. . . . On a third-and-1, he filled the gap nicely and stuck running back Michael Bennett for a 1-yard loss. . . . He was credited with one solo and one assisted tackle. (Follow on Twitter @LarryGrant59)
55-Ahmad Brooks: Started at left outside linebacker and played the entire first half. . . His hit on Campbell knocked him out of the game. Campbell was going to the ground to recover his own fumble when Brooks delivered the blow.
56-Scott McKillop: He saw practice time last week but he did not play in the game. (Follow on Twitter @smckillop56)
57-Keaton Kristick: Entered the game on defense at the start of the second half. . . . Came on a blitz and probably would've gotten a hit on the quarterback, if it hadn't been for Cartwright holding him (and getting penalized for it). . . . Credited with one tackle. (Follow on Twitter @KKRISTICK32)
58-Alex Joseph: Did not see any action on defense.
96-Antwan Applewhite: Entered the game at left outside linebacker at the start of the second half. . . . Made a quick move at the snap to get inside tight end Richard Gordon to stop fullback Manase Tonga for no gain in the third quarter. . . . Finished with two tackles.
98-Parys Haralson: Started at right outside linebacker, and played most of the first half. . . Got around Raiders left tackle Jared Veldheer to drop Campbell for a sack on a fourth-and-goal from the 2.
99-Aldon Smith: Entered the game briefly in the second quarter, but saw a lot of action in the second half. Had some difficulty working against Raiders tackle Seth Wand initially, but got him with an inside move to hit Boller as he was throwing for an incomplete pass in the third quarter. . . . He finished with two tackles. (Follow on Twitter @AldonSmithJETS)Defensive backs (18)
20-Madieu Williams: Entered the game at free safety at the start of the second half. . . . Had perfect coverage on a fourth-and-2 situation on Tonga to record the interception. . . . He was credited with three tackles, plus another on special teams.
22-Carlos Rogers: Did not play due to an Achilles strain.
23-Taylor Mays: Entered the game at safety with 3:33 remaining in the game, and played final three defensive snaps.
25-Tarell Brown: Started at left cornerback and played the entire first half and one series of the second half. . . . He started in the slot and then ended up at the left sideline to step in front of Raiders receiver Derek Hagan for an interception. . . . He recorded two tackles and two passes defensed.
26-Tramaine Brock: Started at right cornerback and played almost the entire game . . . He was in coverage on back-to-back completions to rookie receiver Denarius Moore for 17 and 11 yards. . . . He would've had an opportunity for an interception had Tarell Brown not gotten in front of him and gotten the pick himself late in the first half. . . . Did a good job of wrapping up to hold receiver Shaun Bodiford to just a 3-yard gain after a quick pass. . . . He finished with three tackles. (Follow on Twitter @T26Brock)
27-C.J. Spillman: He entered the game early in the second quarter as part of the 49ers' goal-line defense. . . . Came flying up to drop Boller for a 1-yard gain on a third-and-15 situation. . . . Stopped running back Louis Rankin for a 2-yard loss with a good open-field tackle. . . . He also made a tackle on special teams. (Follow on Twitter @CJSPILLMAN27)
28-Curtis Taylor: Entered the game at safety with 3:33 remaining in the game, and played final three defensive snaps.
29-Chris Culliver: Began the game as the 49ers' third cornerback. He failed to turn to look for the ball at the beginning of the second quarter on a play in which Darrius Heyward-Bey made a 22-yard reception to the 49ers' 2-yard line. . . . Also, in coverage against Hagan on a 14-yard gain in the third quarter. . . Came up in run support to help Spillman stop Rankin for a 2-yard loss. . . . Credited with four tackles. (Follow on Twitter @Cullyinthehouse)
30-Reggie Smith: Did not play after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Aug. 15. (Follow on Twitter @superreg30)
31-Donte Whitner: Started at strong safety and played the entire first half. . . . He was not involved much in the action. (Follow on Twitter @DonteWhitner)
32-Corey Nelms: Did not play on defense.
33-Phillip Davis: Did not play on defense.
35-Phillip Adams: Got a chance to return punts, and came through with a 32-yard return late in the game. . . . Saw action as the third cornerback in the second half, and moved to right cornerback late in the fourth quarter. (Follow on Twitter @phil_adams35)
36-Shawntae Spencer: Sustained left hamstring strain in practice July 31 and has not made it through a full practice since. He did not suit up for the game.
38-Dashon Goldson: Started at free safety, seeing his first action of the exhibition season. . . . Got to the ball a step late and could not prevent Heyward-Bey reception of 18 yards in the second quarter. . . . Finished with two tackles. (Follow on Twitter @thehawk38)
40-Chris Maragos: He saw action on special teams, recording one assisted tackle. Did not play on defense. (Follow on Twitter @ChrisMaragos)
41-Curtis Holcomb: Placed on injured reserve after sustaining ruptured left Achilles on July 28. He does not count against roster limit. (Follow on Twitter @C_Holcomb24)
43-Colin Jones: Played on all the special-teams coverage units. Again, demonstrated speed to be the first one down on coverage, but did not record any tackles.
45-Anthony West: Got into the game for the final play as an extra defensive back.Specialists (4)
2-David Akers: He made a 23-yard field goal and handled the punting chores after Andy Lee was knocked from the game. He had a 44-yard punt on his first try. His second attempt was deflected, as the 49ers had just 10 players on the field and the ball traveled just 13 yards. (Follow on Twitter @DavidAkers2)
4-Andy Lee: His evening got off to a rough start after he mishandled a low snap on a field-goal attempt. Lee tried to throw a pass up for grabs (it was intercepted) and Stevie Brown planted Lee on his right hip. Lee likely sustained a hip pointer and he was unable to handle the punting chores for the rest of the game. . . . He still managed to hold on kicks. . . . The 49ers will likely look for a street free agent to fill in until Lee is healthy again.
9-Fabrizio Scaccia: He had four kickoffs but managed just one touchback. . . One of his kickoffs sailed 3 yards deep into the end zone, but Denarius Moore returned it out to the 45.
86-Brian Jennings: His snap on the first field-goal attempt was not perfect, but Lee typically handles it with no problem. (Follow on Twitter @Jennings141)-Rookies