Dec. 06--The assignment: Beating 49ers left tackle Joe Staley
Staley's measurables: 6-foot-5, 315 pounds
Assigned: Bears edge rushers Pernell McPhee, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston
Notable numbers: A first-round pick in 2007, Staley is the longest-tenured 49ers player. He has made 75 consecutive regular-season starts and 125 overall. ... McPhee, Houston and Young have combined for 13 of the Bears' 22 sacks.
Scouting report: The 49ers surrendered 28 sacks in their first eight games but only four in the three games since Blaine Gabbert replaced Colin Kaepernick at quarterback. Staley is the most accomplished of the 49ers' offensive linemen, a Pro Bowl selection in each of the last four seasons. His athleticism is his greatest asset and he is also, in coach Jim Tomsula's words, "a lot stronger than people think." Staley's agility and quickness always have been reliable recovery tools, allowing him to make up for any missteps. His intelligence and aggression also make him a reliable run blocker.
Words from within: "You have to be able to use your feet more against an athletic tackle. You've got to mix in different looks because most things they're going to try to cancel out with their athleticism. So you have to be ready to look for counters and opportunities to take advantage of their athleticism to get it to work in your favor." -- Houston
