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Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
49ers defensive coordinator Greg Manusky was direct and honest when reporters asked him about the biggest question mark facing the defense this season: "I think we have to get guys who can beat those one-on-one matchups and pressure the quarterback more."
Amen, NFC West brothers.
The 49ers' Parys Haralson and Justin Smith actually led NFC West pass rushers in sacks last season, but Haralson ranked only 17th and Smith 26th among NFL players. NFL sack leader Demarcus Ware had 20 sacks, 10 fewer than the 49ers' team total.
All four NFC West teams face serious questions about their pass-rush abilities. The best pass rushers in the division are older players with recent injury concerns, led by the Seahawks Patrick Kerney and the Rams' Leonard Little. The Cardinals' established outside pass rushers -- led by Chike Okeafor and Bertrand Berry -- are also older players.
Manusky wants more individual victories in one-on-one matchups. It's tough to suddenly start winning those battles less than two weeks before the regular season.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.