Warriors in the Pros

Isaac Sopoaga had a great game yesterday in a 49ers preseason game against the Bears.

Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga, playing in place of the injured Aubrayo Franklin, turned in perhaps his best game as a 49er, regular season or no. Sopoaga and his 334 pounds filled up the middle well and he recorded three tackles, two for losses.

And from a 49ers report card from the San Jose Mercury News.

Who helped themselves

Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga stuffed Chicago runs for no gain or negative yardage four times in the first half.

Teammate Ashley Lelie did well as well.

Lelie productive again: Newcomer Ashley Lelie was on the receiving end of four of Dilfer's completions, again getting open both down the field and on short routes, while leading the 49ers with 48 receiving yards.

Teammate Jeff Ulbrich served as special teams captain and finished with two tackles.

======

Samson Satele did well against the Tampa Bay Bucs.

Rookie center Samson Satele had a good night – again – and was key during a first-down conversion on a 3rd and 1 quarterback sneak.

Samson also had precautionary x-rays taken last night, but he should be fine, according to Stephen Tsai. Reagan Mauia sat out the game recovering from wrist surgery. Didn't read anything about Tala Esera.

On the other side of the field, Chad Owens returned two kicks for 50 yards and 2 punts for 15 yards.

======

Ikaika Alama-Francis had a sack against the Colts and finished with two tackles.

======

Pisa Tinoisamoa had an impact in his game against the Raiders.

But linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa, who was all over the field in the first half, forced a fumble, with fellow linebacker Witherspoon recovering in the end zone for a touchback.

======

Timmy Chang finally got some playing time after a few week's watching the Hamilton Ticats' offense sputter. He finished 4 of 6 for 38 yards. And Timmy might be seeing a lot more playing time in the near future.

It wasn't all Jason Maas' fault but he was terrible, fumbling twice inside the Montreal five-yard line to cost chances at majors.
And it appears Maas will pay the price.
"He didn't play particularly well," Charlie Taaffe said of his starter.
But then this:
"We have to answer some questions about Timmy Chang if in fact he can play. If one guy isn't doing it we have to give the other guy a chance. We're never going to find out about him if he isn't out there playing."
I don't know about you but that sure sounds like Chang starts Labour Day.

======

And finally, let's hope Nate Ilaoa gets a lot of playing time today as the Eagles play the Steelers on NBC today. Be there!