SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers defense is bent on creating more turnovers this season. That's where promising second-year player Dashon Goldson enters the equation.

Goldson has been one of the team's defensive standouts so far in training camp with his ball-hawking mentality, and he has been making a strong bid for a starting role at free safety for a team that produced just 12 interceptions last season.

Only two of those picks came from the safety position. Neither belonged to veteran Mark Roman, San Francisco's incumbent free safety who started all 16 games last season.

With Roman missing offseason and training camp workouts due to injuries, Goldson has been getting an opportunity to shine with the first unit. He is taking advantage of the situation.

Goldson had two interceptions during team drills on the first day of camp last week and he has been around the ball consistently in practice ever since. Goldson interceptions — sometimes multiple interceptions — have been practically a daily camp ritual.

"I've got a nose for the ball and I've always had range," Goldson said. "And in this defense, I get to go sideline to sideline. I've always had a good eye for the ball and I'm comfortable reading the quarterback. Whenever I see those shoulders open up in that quarterback, I'm gone already."

Goldson played both safety and cornerback in college at the University of Washington, allowing him to better hone his coverage skills. He worked his way into defensive coverage packages last year as a rookie and finished with 15 tackles and two passes defensed.

His role figures to increase this year. The 49ers have been impressed with Goldson's play-making ability.

Coach Mike Nolan wasn't ready to say Goldson's strong play this summer has allowed him to pass Roman, a ninth-year veteran, into the starting lineup.

Roman had a solid season last year in a unit that evolved into a defensive strength by the end of the season. He's a smart player, did not make many mistakes and finished sixth on the team with 82 tackles.

But he broke up only six passes the entire season, the lowest figure for any of San Francisco's starting defensive backs. The 49ers would like their free safety to get his hands on the football much more frequently than that. Roman has recorded just one interception in his 32 games with the 49ers.

"I like Goldson a lot," Nolan said. "But I also know about Mark. Mark is a tough guy that's smart. In a base (defensive package), they're still competing for (the starting role). But Mark has got to get healthy before I say anything more."