Lawson Wants to Remain With 49ers

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Manny Lawson would like to stay in the Bay Area but expects a new contract.

Lawson is in the final season of his five-year, $7.5 million deal but is only scheduled to make $630,000 this upcoming season. Lawson is being paid less than two of the team's other outside linebackers despite leading the team in sacks last year.

"I would like a new contract," Lawson said. "I want to be here. I want to be a San Francisco 49er. But everybody wants a new contract, and I'm about everybody getting what they deserve."

The fifth-year linebacker missed all of the team's offseason voluntary workouts but believes he is in the best shape of his life.

Lawson said he needed a change of scenery and worked out at a training facility in Arizona, where he focused on improving his strength, coverage skills, and explosion off the line.

"I'm proud of the results I've been getting," Lawson said. "I've been here all of my offseason for four straight years, and I wanted to kind of step offside and get a new look."

Lawson returned to San Francisco Thursday for a mandatory three day minicamp that will complete the 49ers' spring practice program.

"When you step away and come back, it's almost like you're on a new team, like it's brand new," Lawson said. "So now I'm feeling more excitement."

During the offseason San Francisco strengthened their depth at outside linebacker by adding free-agent Travis LaBoy who signed a one-year, $1.6 million deal. The 49ers also gave 5th year veteran Ahmad Brooks a new two-year, $4.2 million contract.

LaBoy missed the entire 2009 season due to major ankle surgery and most recently played for the Arizona Cardinals in 2008.

Lawson may want to concentrate on his situation on the field rather than worrying about a new contract.

Last season, Brooks was used during third-down rushing situations over the final six regular season games which reduced Lawson's playing time. Brooks also finished second in the league over the final five games of last season with five sacks and finished the year with a career-high six sacks.

Brooks has taken Lawson's place with the first-unit defense so far during spring drills so an outside linebacker competition could be on the horizon.

Brooks "was in there because I was away," Lawson said. "Now I'm back. Now we're going to step in and go back and forth with each other. Competition is where it's at. Everybody has to fight and work for that position. It's not going to be just handed out."

Lawson had a career-high 78 tackles and tied a franchise record with four forced fumbles. He also ranked fourth among NFC linebackers in sacks with 6.5.