Posted at 1:31 a.m., Friday, October 26, 2007
NFL: Ex-UH star Lelie set to start for 49ers
Associated Press
Veteran wide receiver Ashley Lelie, who did not catch a pass in San Francisco's first five games, will likely make his first start of the season against the New Orleans Saints in place of Darrell Jackson, who's doubtful with a quad injury.Lelie, who twice in his first five NFL seasons led the league in average yards per reception, saw little action until the 49ers finally worked him into their 32nd-ranked offense last week against the Giants.
The former University of Hawaii star had two receptions for 52 yards, including a 47-yard reception that is San Francisco's longest offensive play so far this season.
While 49ers coach Mike Nolan was asked throughout the past month why the team wasn't getting Lelie more involved in the attack, the sixth-year veteran patiently waiting for his chance.
"Just like the last four or five weeks when I wasn't playing, I just have to be ready when my opportunity comes," Lelie said. "I can't think about why I wasn't playing in (previous) weeks because now this week is here. I just have to keep going forward, keep making plays and keep making strides."
Lelie sees the same thing happening with San Francisco's lagging offense, which will have regular starter Alex Smith back in the lineup at quarterback after he missed all but three plays of the 49ers' past three games with a separated shoulder.
Lelie has yet to catch a pass from Smith since joining the 49ers, but he gave the offense a boost last week when San Francisco produced 267 yards of offense. That was only the second time this season the 49ers finished a game with more than 194 total yards, and Lelie says it's an indication of things to come.
"We're right there," Lelie said. "As you can see last week, we made some big plays down the field. It's almost there. We just have to keep plugging and keep fighting. We still have 10 more games to right this ship, so we don't want to start jumping ship now."
