Rookie Report- Patrick Willis (SF- OLB)

By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible/FFI Senior Writer

While San Francisco’s season has been nothing short of a colossal failure, the one thing both coaches and fans alike can hang their hats on is the continuing emergence of 2007 first-round pick Patrick Willis, who’s wasted no time in setting an example for his fellow teammates with both his relentless energy and unmatched work ethic.

Prior to being selected with the 11th pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the 6’ 1” 242-pound linebacker blew away observers with his astonishing power by recording a 700-pound squat at the NFL combine along with dazzling them with outstanding sub 4.5 40 speed.

It was on the field, however, that the Ole’ Miss product truly made a case for himself with 133 tackles in only nine games as a senior middle linebacker. Willis followed that up with a stellar performance at the Senior Bowl. It was during that time that 49ers assistant head coach and former linebacker Mike Singletary learned of Willis’s diligence and willingness to become one of the best at his position.

Not only did the young Bruceton, Tennessee native ask lots of questions, but he proved to be very coachable and was extremely receptive to employing different techniques requested by NFL personnel.

Willis’s physical attributes and dogged film-study habits allowed him to make an immediate impact as one of San Francisco’s starting linebackers with 11 tackles (nine solo) and a forced fumble in his first professional game versus the Arizona Cardinals.
The 2006 Butkus Award winner has continued his ascent and currently leads the league in tackles with 128 after 12 weeks.

What’s been most impressive about Willis is the fact that he hasn’t in any way been overwhelmed by the speed of the professional game. In fact, the rookie has only built upon his reputation as a tackling machine and play maker.

Those skills were on display during the overtime session of San Francisco’s win over Arizona last week when Cardinal wide receiver Sean Morey looked to be on his way to a sure touchdown off a Kurt Warner pass when---out of nowhere---Willis enters the picture to make a touchdown-saving tackle at the 24 –yard line when Morey had already run over 50 yards downfield uncontested. The linebacker’s never-say-die attitude was rewarded when Arizona kicker Neil Rackers missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.

"It's not just speed on a play like that," commented 49ers head coach Mike Nolan, "it's want-to."
Singletary has even higher praise for the instinctive linebacker by comparing him to future Hall-of-Famer Ray Lewis.

The one area where Willis can stand to improve in is his pass coverage that's sometimes compromised by a slight lack in hip flexibility.

The 23-year old's love of the game should get him through any deficiencies he has in his game in his development as the ultimate three-down defender.
Willis's toughness is another attribute that should serve him well in his with his ability to play through a litany of injuries, including a broken middle finger, a sprained knee, a foot sprain and a dislocated shoulder.

This quick study's explosiveness to the ball will continue to strike fear in the hearts of running backs looking to gain the edge on the 49ers defense, and in a division chock full of high octane offenses Willis's contributions will be sorely needed to keep a low-scoring San Francisco team in most games.

Beyond all his football skills and intangibles, Willis is also regarded as a
genuinely classy individual who makes 'please' and 'thank you' major parts of his daily vocabulary.

His strong character was put to test prior to his 2006 senior year by the drowning death of his older brother. Willis responded with a monster season which has propelled him to a promising NFL career.

It would come as no shock to this writer to eventually see the young 49er being enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame twenty years from now and be forever revered as a man who knows no obstacles.

BUSTED BRUISED & BROKEN

David Kaye, Fantasy Football Insiders

AFC Injury Report
Miami Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown (knee) left Sunday’s blowout loss to the Patriots early with a torn ACL after attempting to tackle New England cornerback Randall Gay on a Cleo Lemon interception. He will be out for the remainder of the season and in his absence journeyman Jesse Chatman will be forced into the starting role. Chatman and Patrick Cobbs are now both adequate fantasy options on a week-to-week basis.

Quarterback Trent Green (concussion) has been placed on injured reserve and will miss the duration of the season. It’s still very questionable if Green will take another snap in his football career due to constant concussions.

Cleveland Browns running back Jamal Lewis (foot) is listed as questionable for this week’s matchup with the woeful St.Louis Rams. He’s hopeful that he can play Sunday after having nearly two weeks off to rest.

Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (hip) is currently day-to-day after injuring his right hip in Sunday’s nail biting 38-36 loss to the Titans. While Schaub has an outstanding completion percentage, he has not thrown a touchdown since week four and his passer rating has dropped significantly.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young (right quad) missed Sunday’s game at Houston, but is expected to suit up this week against the 2-4 Raiders at home. Even though the electrifying playmaker is listed as day-to-day, head coach Jeff Fisher believes ‘’he’ll have a much better chance to play this coming week.’’

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard (sprained ankle) left Monday night’s game limping off the field after being sacked early in the second quarter. Monitor Garrard’s status throughout the week to see if he’s able to play Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Denver Broncos tight end Stephen Alexander (leg) was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a left leg injury. Alexander had not appeared in a game this season for the Broncos.

NFC Injury Report
Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson (knee) is probable for this week’s game against Detroit.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (broken finger) is currently wearing a splint on his right index finger and will have to wait until later in the week for the swelling to subside. Despite his poor performances every week, Jackson is still listed as the starter for Sunday’s game against the last place Eagles.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Byron Leftwich (high ankle sprain) is expected to take the team’s bye week to fully recover and be prepared to start week nine against San
Francisco. The quarterback position for the Falcons is still very much in limbo even if Leftwich is healthy and there’s a serious possibility that Joey Harrington reclaims his starting spot.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (separated shoulder) has been out of action for the past two weeks and is not expected to play in this week’s home game against the Saints.

All-Pro running back Frank Gore (ankle sprain) is uncertain if he’ll suit up for Sunday’s game after sustaining the injury during the first half of last week’s loss to the Giants.