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September 25, 2007

Hey, Beer Man! 49ers cut Williams, sign Lewis

Brandon Williams, the 49ers' third-round pick in 2006, was cut today in order to make way for long-time New Orleans Saints special teams ace, Michael Lewis. Williams had been a mostly sure-handed return man -- he fumbled a punt last week in St. Louis -- but showed little burst in his returns. He had five fair catches on the season and averaged a ho-hum 6.4 yards per return. Lewis, meanwhile, is familar to special teams coach Al Everest having played for Everest's former team, the Saints, from 2001 until this past June when he was cut. His nickname in New Orleans was "Beer Man" because he drove a beer truck before getting a tryout with his hometown team at age 29. Lewis is the Saints' all-time leader in both kick and punt returns. He turns 36 in November. The 49ers also signed linebacker Tyson Smith to their practice squad. Smith played in three games last year for the Giants.

Posted by Matthew Barrows at 4:22 PM | Comments |