Teamwork boosts 49ers' defense

SANTA CLARA -- To lunge or not to lunge? That is the question that runs through a defensive lineman's mind as he watches a running back move along the line of scrimmage searching for the right hole to attack. The answer is not as simple as it seems. Sure, it's tempting ? a tackle for a loss would be cause for celebration. But in the 49ers' defense, the risk of getting out of position usually outweighs the reward of a big individual play. "All running backs can make those jump cuts," right defensive end Justin Smith said. "You have your Adrian Petersons and Steven Jacksons ? the list goes on and on. If you jump into the linebacker's gap to stop him and that running back shoots through your gap, that's a 70-yard play. That's huge." Smith and his defensive mates have been more concerned about collective glory than individual triumphs this season. And they insist it's the reason they enter today's game against Atlanta with ...