SFGate.com · Jul 24, 2015
Will risk pay off with 49ers special teams?
Special Teams
The 49ers are taking a chance with their special teams. Rather than pay Andy Lee a $2 million salary, they traded him to Cleveland for a conditional seventh-round choice. Lee, among the best in league history, will now be replaced by the strong leg of former Clemson player Bradley Pinion. But can Pinion equal the consistent excellence of Lee, particularly since the 49ers had plenty of salary-cap room to pay him after the unexpected retirements of tackle Anthony Davis and linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland.
