Dashon Goldson: For two guys who didn't know each other before last season, Goldson — a former Washington Husky — and Donte Whitner sure look like they belong together on the back end of the San Francisco 49ers' defense.

The hard-hitting safeties have picked up this summer where they left off last season, patrolling the deep middle, making the calls for the secondary and working in tandem as though they've been playing side by side for years.

Goldson had a career year at free safety and was named to his first Pro Bowl. Whitner led the secondary in tackles and gave the Niners the physical presence they were looking for at strong safety.

Their play was a big reason San Francisco climbed to fourth in the NFL rankings for total defense and was playing as well as any unit in the league by the end of last season.

"We did some good things last year and we've got a chance to do something special here," Goldson said. "It's very important for us to start fast and finish faster. There's a lot of stuff that needs to be sharpened up on the defensive side."

The Associated Press