Jonas Lewis was a standout special team’s player. He was quick, could return kicks and was a punishing when it came to coverage duties. On the field, he looked good to - making the 49ers roster in two consecutive seasons. His release seems to indicate that the 49ers want to give another youngster a shot. Heading into training camp the 49ers have eight and a half running backs on their roster - Kevan Barlow, Garrison Hearst, Fred Beasley, Terry Jackson (who has not resigned with the club yet, but is expected to - hence the half), Paul Smith, Jasen Isom, Saladin McCullough, Jamal Robertson and Matt Stanley.

While I can completely understand the 49ers wanting to give a player like Jamal Roberston a shot at making the team, certainly Lewis was worth keeping over McCullough and Isom. Robertson, the NFL Europe MVP is about the same size as Lewis and about equally versatile. The only reason I can think that the 49ers cut Lewis instead of Isom (who plays primarily fullback), or McCullough is that Lewis would have prevented Robertson from getting a real look in training camp.