Posted at 1:49 a.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2007
NFL: Rookie Staley unseats vet on 49er offensive line
Advertiser Staff
San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan said rookie Joe Staley is the new starter at right tackle.Staley, the No. 28 overall selection in the draft, unseats veteran Kwame Harris. The two have been battling throughout the summer for the job.
Harris, the team's 2003 first-round draft pick, has started each of San Francisco's 32 games the past two seasons at right tackle and has a streak of 37 consecutive starts. Harris started the final five games of the 2004 season at left tackle.
"Starting positions on our team are earned," Nolan said. "Nobody is handed a starting role. Both Joe and Kwame had outstanding camps. It was a very close competition. Joe was more consistent. Joe earned the starting position based on his production on the football field both in practice and in the games."
