Oliver’s twist: He’s out for the season

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, June 08, 2007  |  Comments( 4 )

San Francisco 49ers
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The problem of how much playing time the San Francisco 49ers can give Melvin Oliver this season has, unfortunately, been solved. Or so it seems.

Oliver tore his right ACL during OTAs on Tuesday, probably relegating him to the sidelines for all of 2007.

A starter at right defensive end in the 49ers' 4-3 scheme last season, Oliver became the odd man out when the team went to a 3-4. With Bryant Young and Marques Douglas at ends and free-agent signee Aubrayo Franklin clogging the middle at tackle, that left Oliver as Young's backup.

But a seasoned one. Only a sixth-round draft choice in 2006 despite leading LSU's 2005 defensive line in sacks (nine), the 6-foot-3, 282-pounder moved onto the first unit by Week 3 and wound up with 50 tackles, a forced fumble and a sack (of Denver's Jake Plummer in the final game).

"Has shown the ability to collapse the pocket at times," the team website said of Oliver.

He was also the first rookie defensive lineman in 49er history to score a touchdown, picking up a botched lateral by Andrew Walter and returning it 12 yards to the endzone against Oakland.

His injury, which was first thought to be a sprain, was suffered in a non-contact drill -- and it made the 49ers look positively psychic for having earlier agreed to terms with ex-Philadelphia Eagle Sam Rayburn, who should move into Oliver's spot behind Young.

Ronald Fields will be the first sub for Douglas, and the unexpected vacancy gives new hope to newcomers Zach Anderson and Darius Saunders. Rookie Ray McDonald, from the NCAA champion Florida Gators, is also in the mix.

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CommentsComments: 4  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Byoung4ever		01:31 PM
06/08/2007
Great, Oliver picks of Walter and now follows him to the sideline, simply great. Where's the no contact in OTAs?? I can't imagine...
No.2
SP		01:44 PM
06/08/2007
If Nolan plan only to keep 5-6 defensive linemen, his job just got easier. I still think though that the Niners need to trade...
No.3
Daveofferson		02:53 PM
06/08/2007
Oliver did indeed hurt his knee in a non-contact situation. He was dropping off the line into coverage and twisted the knee in...
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