WitP: LaBoy making noise, Veikune Q&A, Manuwai, Forney, Bess

The AP profiles Travis LaBoy.

LaBoy collected a sack and three hits on Minnesota quarterbacks in his 49ers debut Aug. 22 during a 15-10 victory over the Vikings. But his second-quarter sack that knocked Oakland quarterback Jason Campbell(notes) out of the game during Saturday’s 28-24 victory over the Raiders was his most impressive play yet in a San Francisco uniform.

The 250-pound LaBoy used his power to engage and push back Oakland left tackle Mario Henderson(notes), then used his speed to beat Henderson around the edge and blast Campbell from the blind side.

Despite his recent performance, LaBoy is still not assured a roster spot. David White of the San Francisco Chronicle has a feature article on LaBoy, with encouraging words from 49ers coach Mike Singletary.

"He was all banged up and beat up when he got here," head coach Mike Singletary said Monday. "We're just trying to nurse him back. The value that he does bring when he's on the field makes a big difference."

Keep in mind, Singletary is the one with control over the 53-man roster that gets finalized Saturday, not personnel chief Trent Baalke or 49ers President Jed York.

Singletary sees a man who brings an outside pass rush to a passing defense that must get to the quarterback more often. That alone could give LaBoy bonus points at a backup position usually reserved for special-teams players.

"Sometimes you don't know, you just have to give it a shot," Singletary said. "I just felt like it was a good fit for him to come in and really work at getting back on the field. Just let him grow into a role, depending on what the role is.

"He has to determine that."

Another player who is "on the bubble" is David Veikune. Ohio.com has a "player spotlight" on him, which includes a Q&A.

On if he was overwhelmed during his rookie season: "I wouldn't say overwhelmed. But, yeah, it was definitely a challenge. I wasn't very football smart. I guess you could say I was book smart, but not football smart. I'm getting there, though. I'm getting better and better and smarter and smarter on the field. Linebacker, that's something totally different. I've never played that my whole life. A lot of guys make that transition. It can be a challenge, but I like the challenge."

Vince Manuwai talks about the uncertainty of the business.

Did Vince Manuwai regain his starting job at guard, which he has held since his rookie season in 2003 but had lost to Kynan Forney for the first two games of the preseason? Forney was unable to play on Saturday due to a sore back and Manuwai stepped back into the lineup.

“I don’t know. I just try to see what kind of role I’ll have; just come to work and do what you’re told,” Manuwai said. “When you get older, you understand more that it’s a business. You know that one day it’s going to happen,” he added of the prospect of being cut, “but you keep fighting.”

Speaking of Forney's injury, he was back to practice on Monday.

MiamiDolphins.com has a video interview with Davone Bess. Among other things he talks about what it feels like being a veteran receiver tutoring the rookies.