Like many NFL players, Lewis is a video game devotee -- but the former Eagles safety is recognized as one of the league's top virtual talents, winning a pre-Super Bowl tournament two seasons ago and generally thumping all of his teammates on both coasts.

Though Lewis believes Madden is getting too complicated for its own good, he's keeping things simple in his first season with the 49ers after his five-year tenure in Philadelphia ended acrimoniously. Lewis, a Pro Bowler when the Eagles reached the Super Bowl two years ago, lost his starting job to Sean Considine last year and absorbed blame for the club's struggles.

Lewis, who signed with San Francisco alongside cornerback Nate Clements on the first day of free agency, immediately became the 49ers' starting strong safety, providing a physical presence and veteran leadership for a unit that lacked both last season. Coaches praise his work ethic, and he already has landed his share of hard hits in practice and the 49ers' preseason opener.

Indeed, Lewis' biggest struggles in California seem to be happening in front of his Xbox 360.

''He's an excellent tackler and run-stopper, but he's also a determined leader,'' said 49ers cornerback Donald Strickland, who played with Lewis in college at Colorado and again with the Eagles. ''He's played in the Super Bowl, and that's where we're trying to go. He's definitely got the chemistry to bond with the players. He's a well-rounded, likable guy.''

Lewis wasn't well-liked by fickle fans when he left Philadelphia after a string of glaring mistakes last fall. He started every game in three straight seasons with the Eagles, but lost his job amid criticism that he was a glorified linebacker who's more adept at tackling than pass defense.

Though Lewis felt that certain unspecified off-field issues contributed to his fall from favor in Philadelphia, he sees the benefits of moving on.

''They went in a different direction, I went in a different direction,'' Lewis said with a shrug. ''I feel like I'm one of the top safeties in the league, and I'll show it this year. I believe things happen for a reason. It wasn't meant for me to be there any more.''

Lewis got off to a good start in his first action in a 49ers uniform, making five tackles in the first quarter of their exhibition loss to Denver on Monday.

''It was just the opportunity to play for the team I grew up watching,'' Lewis said. ''That was the main reason I wanted to come here. I grew up rooting for this team, and if you get the opportunity to play for your childhood team, I couldn't pass that up.''

''I'm still a work in progress,'' he said. ''I know there's some things I've got to work on, but as far as coming to a new team, a new system, my adjustment is where it needs to be right now.''

Jaguars release Couch: Tim Couch's return to the NFL lasted nearly three weeks.

The Jacksonville Jaguars released the former top draft pick Saturday after a handful of practices and one preseason game.

Couch, who hadn't played in the NFL since the 2004 preseason, wanted a chance to revive his career following two shoulder operations.

The Jags signed him to a two-year deal on July 29, but Couch failed to make an impression in training camp. He was 2-for-4 passing for 11 yards last week at Miami and was sacked twice. The overall No. 1 pick by Cleveland in 1999 also missed practice this week with a sore back.

Testaverde signs with Patriots: Vinny Testaverde re-signed with the New England Patriots for his 21st NFL season.

The move was expected once the Patriots completed two-a-day practice sessions last week. The 43-year-old quarterback signed with New England last Nov. 14 and played in three regular-season games, including the finale in which he extended his streak to 20 seasons with at least one touchdown pass.