The San Francisco Examiner from San Francisco, California • 34

C8n'WfAR Aug. 7, 1983 S.F. Sunday Examiner Chronicle marks Walsh still faces many question after opener which probably accounts for his upright running style. Not a true, slam-bang fullback, but runs hard, cuts well and is a decent receiver. Coaches want to see how he stands up to game-to-game pounding in NFL.

Best play the Raiders in 1978 out of Kansas Acquired as an emergency fillin last season when Paris was injured. Started all season, but had a lot of problems learning the system. Has been attempting to change his stance from 4 'i 3 I .1 4 4 ii 'ti From Page CI the Rams, and fullback Roger Craig, this year's top draftee from Nebraska. Seeing them function in the 49ers' system last night was a big test. The 49crs have a Pro-Bowl calibre player at left guard in John Ayers, but he is coming off knee surgery and was not even scheduled to play against the Raiders.

The possibility of lingering knee problems raises the question of who could fill in. That competition Is among veterans Walt Downing and George Collins and impressive rookie Jesse Sapolu. Punter Jim Miller's job is also in jeopardy and former Houston Oiler Cliff Parsley Is challenging there. Walsh also was interested in seeing how other newcomers could perform, such as dazzling rookie free agent running back Carl Monroe, who was slated to be used at halfback and as a kickoff returner. And, some familiar players were due to be scrutinized in new or extended roles.

Wide receiver Renaldo Nehemiah saw quite a bit of playing time. And due to Francis' absence at tight end because of an injured finger, backup Eason Ramson was to get a look as a starter. This also would have been a good opportunity to see former fullback Earl Cooper in his new role as a tight end, but he was not expected to play because of a tight hamstring. Here is a closer look at those positions and players of particular interest in the 49ers" preseason opener, and how they fared last night: INSIDE LINEBACKERS and forced a couple of passes on blitzes, and was CtOSO to 8 88Ck GARY MOTEN, 64, 215, seventh-round draftee, SMU According to performance in training camp, he was a steal in the draft. Often more impressive than Montgomery.

Moten slithers through traffic with a great knack for avoiding blockers. Intense, active and of all the rookies shows the most natural instinct for reading and reacting. Played good portion of game, but biggest standout play was on special teams, when he blasted a kick returner. NOSE TACKLE PETE KUGLER, 255, sixth-round pick, Penn State, 1981 After a brief stint as an offensive lineman last season, was moved back to defense and started five games as either an end or nose man. Needs to show enough quickness andor strength to attract attention from offensive blockers, thereby helping to free at least one linebacker to pursue play.

Also must shed blockers and make plays himself. Early training camp performance was not impressive, possibly because he was beset with personal problems which caused him to leave camp for a couple of days. He showed excellent pursuit last night, and on one pitch to Marcus Allen he got outside and made tackle for two-yard gain. He also got In on key sack late In the game. JEFF STOVER, 6-5, 275, signed as free agent rookie, 1982 Track man at Oregon with no college football experience.

Made team against long odds last year and is used often in the nickel, four-man line. Great quickness (4.7 in the 40) to go with impressive strength. Only drawback seems to be the lack of a nasty disposition which is often helpful as a defensive lineman. Played In nickel defense which put considerable pressure on Raider quarterbacks. LEFT TACKLE right handed (right hand down, right foot back), to left-' handed, which should make it easier to take on those quick right defensive ends.

He was not required to do this with the Raiders because he could set up to pass block much deeper. Did not distinguish himself last night. ALLAN KENNEDY, fr7, 275, signed as a free agent rookie out of Washington State, 1981 Although he is 6-7, 275, he Is not built like an offensive lineman because he is narrow in the hips. Still, he worked hard in the off season on his strength and has become an adept technician. In training camp he has been the most consistent left tackle despite the fact he seems to have the least God-, given ability.

Last night, was mediocre. LEFT GUARD WALT DOWNING, 6-3, 270, second-round draft pick out of Michigan, 1978 Never has played up to that high draft status but has been a survivor because he is versatile. He can play both center and guard and, unlike his competition, already knows the system. Started last night. -GEORGE COLLINS, 64, 265, fourth-round pick out of Georgia by St.

Louis Cardinals, 1978 Acquired by 49ers in off-season, one-for-one trade of dissatisfied players (Dan Audick). In training camp, Collins has not shown the ability one should expect of a sixth-year veteran who has started 26 games in his career. This could be because he is learning a new system. Saw some action last night. JESSE SAPOLU, 64, 260, 11th round draftee, Hawaii Last player the 49crs drafted this year has been impressive in training camp.

Appears quicker and stronger than his more experienced competition. Saw action, but did not distinguish himself. RUNNING BACK WENDELL TYLER, 5-10, 200, originally a third-round pick by L. A. Ranis out of UCLA, 1977 Acquired by 49ers in off-season trade (came with DL Cody Jones for 49ers' second and fourth-round picks).

Had spectacular seasons with Rams, including two plus years. Great natural running instincts, both inside and out. As a receiver he will help stretch the field vertically. Last night, played first half, carried five times for 23 yards. FULLBACK ROGER CRAIG, 6-0, 222, second-round draftee, Ne last night was an 11-yard burst up the middle, stats: Six carries, 17 yards.

Knocked out by rib Injury. Failed to gain a yard on key thlrd-and-goal situation and. dropped a crucial screen pass while wide open. PUNTER JIM MILLER, 5-11, 183, third-round pick out of Mississippi, 1980 Has lacked the consistency to live up to his college reputation. Bottomed out last year with an average of 38.1 as he alternated styles and dress kicking straight or to the side and with and without shoe.

Has kicked well barefoot in training camp. First punt last night was a 41-yard dandy to the Raiders' 1-yard-line. Later, he kicked a 42-yarder. CLIFF PARSLEY, 6-1, 212, originally a sixth-round pick by New Orleans out of Oklahoma State, 1977 Traded to Houston in 1977. Has never been a long punter, with best average of 40.7 in 1981, but is adept at placing the ball in corners.

True to his history, he has been kicking shorter but more accurately than Miller in training camp. Did not. distinguish himself last night, hitting 40-yarder, nine-yarder which he took too long to get off, 41-yarder and a 36-yarder In OT. OTHERS OF INTEREST RENALDO NEHEMIAH, WR, 183, Maryland -Celebrated world-record hurdler now in second season of transition td pro football. Natural ability shone through as rookieHands are as good as should be expected now, but best trait other than his obvious speed may be a natural ability to run with ball after the catch.

Made one catch last night of 19 yards on first ball thrown to him. Made nine yards on his own. Late In the game, he appeared to be open on an apparent long gainer but was underthrown by OB Guy Benjamin. CARL MONROE, RB, 5-8, 166, Utah Free-agent rookie whose lack of size may be the only factor that isn't impressive about him. Led nation in all-purpose running and finished second only to SMU's Eric Dickerson in rushing last season.

Exciting, quick, darting, low-to-the-' ground runner with lateral moves that leave defenders grasping air. Willing blocker; Led nation as kick returner -and will have to be impressive in that category to make team although in training camp he has been one of the most conspicuous runners from scrimmage. Began his career last night by fumbling Opening kickoff, but 49ers recovered. ED JUDIE, 62, 233, signed as free agent rookie out of Northern Arizona, 1981 Ample speed and strength necessary for any linebacking position, but has yet to show his ability consistently because of a history of injuries that goes back to his college days. Sat out the 1981 season on injured reserve.

Seems to lack stamina which leads to inconjistent performances. Blocked one pass last night, and was hurt on play. Extent of Injury Isn't known. RIKI ELLISON, 2, 220, fifth-round draftee, USC -Ornery slugger, reminiscent of old-time middle linebackers. Is willing to create head-on collisions and does his sharelof damage.

Unfortunately, some of that damage has been to his knees, which have undergone three operations. That hot only makes him a physical risk for the 49ers, but surely hasn't enhanced his sjeed and quickness, which are borderline. Played most of second half and didn't distinguish himself one way or the other. BLANCHARD MONTGOMERY, 236, third-round draftee, UCLA Fluid runner, pursues ball well, but does not meet plays right at him with authority. Coaches want to see him show toughness.

He started last night, BUBBA PARIS, 6-6, 285, second round pick, Michigan, 1982 Coming off extensive knee surgery, he first had to win the battle of the bulge, which had him tipping the scale above 330 pounds. After one week of camp his weight finally went under the 285-pound mark demanded by the coaches. Before his injury last season, Paris made rookie-type mistakes and the team paid three sacks, three holding penalties and two injured quarterbacks. In training camp this year he still has not been overly impressive, but does show steady improvement. He started last night, and did not allow a sack and was not called for holding, although his man did pressure QB once In opening quarter.

LINDSEY MASON, 6-5, 275, third round draft pick by i 'it braska Played more tailback than fullback in college, Both flash championship style as Raiders rally to nip 49ers in OT Ray Guy, set up the 49ers next score, a Wersching 47-yard field goal. Again the defense was potent as safety Dwight Hicks, hurriedly working his way out of the doghouse following a poor season last year, intercepted Plunkett's first down pass. But this time the 49crs could not capitalize as Wersching had a 36-yard field goal attempt blocked by there in the right corner of the end zone. Montana jumped up and lofted the difficult pass back to his left. Clark leaped high and caught the ball for the touchdown.

Then the defense came on the field to feature its nickel alignment and reborn quarterback crusher, Dean. The first time the 49ers used the nickel, Dean sacked Raiders quarterback Jim Plunkett for a 12-yard loss. key in getting the ball back as Cody Jones sacked Plunkett. The 49ers then marched from the L.A. 49 to the three, where rookie fullback Craig was nailed for no gain on third and goal.

Wersching came in to make it ISO on a 20-yard field goal with 8:32 left in the first half. But Wersching's highlight of the night came with 2:16 left in the half when he kicked a line drive 50 yards through the uprights, equaling the That, and a poor, 33-yard punt by tne nickel defense was From Page I hit nine of 15 passes for 123 yards and one spectacular touchdown and even added three timely scrambles for 11 yards. Wide receiver Dwight Clark, one of the few 49ers who performed well last year, continued to show his consistency by catching three passes for 21 yards, including that five-yard touchdown from Montana. The first team defense hardly showed that it missed comerback Ronnie Lott and linebackers Jack Reynolds and Bob Horn, who all sat out the game with injuries. "When the first teams were in, it was pretty even," Walsh said.

"I was very pleased with the way the first teams played. When the scrubs started, they (the Raiders) just did a better job. On offense, we just had too many missed plays." However, the nickel defense was particularly devastating, led by two sacks by defensive end Fred Dean and interceptions by safety Dwight Hicks and cornerback Eric Wright, who made his in the end zone. Rookie Tom Holmoe also added an interception. Special team play was highlighted by Ray Wersching's three, first-half field goals of 47 and 20 yards and a 50-yarder which matched the longest of his pro career.

Wersching also had one blocked by Ted Hendricks, and afterwards the veteran placekicker said, "That was the best one I hit all day." Second-year return specialist Dana McLemore also had a 50-yarder, a pretty punt return up the left sideline and through four Raiders for a touchdown. But the 49ers did have one major disapointment when fullback Roger Craig, their top draft choice, was knocked out of action with a rib injury. Before he went out, Craig showed some good flashes, carrying six times for 17 yards, including one quick hitter up the middle for 11; and one reception for eight yards. The 49ers had it almost all their way in the first half as they jumped out to a 160 lead. Their first drive was especially reminiscent of their great championship season because it featured the resourcefulness of Montana and his pass-catching buddy, Dwight Clark.

Montana kept the 78-yard movement alive with an alert 11-yard scramble and a pretty 40-yard pass to wide receiver Freddie Solomon. Then came the touchdown, a wild, five-yard pass from Montana to Clark which definitely harkened back to The Catch in that brilliant NFC championship game against the Dallas Cowboys in January of 1982. Montana rolled right, but found everybody covered. So he turned and went to his left. Still everybody seemed covered.

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