Willis and Lee make Pro Bowl team
Rookie linebacker Patrick Willis and punter Andy Lee made the NFC Pro Bowl team, it was announced this morning. Both are first-time invitees to the NFL all-star game.
The entire teams, including starters, will be announced at 1 p.m. (PT) on the NFL Network. The game will be played Feb. 10 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.
The 49ers have four alternates for the game: guard Larry Allen, cornerback Nate Clements, running back Frank Gore and defensive lineman Bryant Young.
Lee, a sixth-round draft pick in 2004, leads the NFC in gross and net punting with averages of 48.3 and 42.4. No punter in league history has ever averaged 40 yards or more on net punts in a season.
Lee was driving home on Highway 101 when he received a call from coach Mike Nolan on his cell phone to inform him of the honor.
"I want to thank all my coaches and all the 49ers fans and all my players, especially my guys on the punt team and coach (Al) Everest for sticking in there and playing hard for us and covering my punts," Lee said.
Willis becomes the first 49ers rookie since Ronnie Lott in 1981 chosen to the team. The list includes: Lott, FB Ken Willard ('66), E Dave Parks ('65), HB Dave Baker ('59), HB Jerry Mertens ('58), HB Dick Moegle ('55), HB Hugh McElhenny ('52), and T Leo Nomellini ('50).
Willis was just notified in a defensive meeting when Nolan entered to relay the news.
"It's a combination of everything," Willis said. "I start with my teammates. My teammates are tremendous guys. The defensive line played great all year. Being a 3-4, people know how tough that can be. And my linebackers Derek Smith, Jeff Ulbrich and Brandon Moore, they've really been helpful. When I have a question, they answer it."
Willis also credited coaches Mike Singletary and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky on working with him to get in this position.
"I want to go there and represent the 49ers as best I can," he said.
Rookie linebacker Patrick Willis and punter Andy Lee made the NFC Pro Bowl team, it was announced this morning. Both are first-time invitees to the NFL all-star game.
The entire teams, including starters, will be announced at 1 p.m. (PT) on the NFL Network. The game will be played Feb. 10 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu.
The 49ers have four alternates for the game: guard Larry Allen, cornerback Nate Clements, running back Frank Gore and defensive lineman Bryant Young.
Lee, a sixth-round draft pick in 2004, leads the NFC in gross and net punting with averages of 48.3 and 42.4. No punter in league history has ever averaged 40 yards or more on net punts in a season.
Lee was driving home on Highway 101 when he received a call from coach Mike Nolan on his cell phone to inform him of the honor.
"I want to thank all my coaches and all the 49ers fans and all my players, especially my guys on the punt team and coach (Al) Everest for sticking in there and playing hard for us and covering my punts," Lee said.
Willis becomes the first 49ers rookie since Ronnie Lott in 1981 chosen to the team. The list includes: Lott, FB Ken Willard ('66), E Dave Parks ('65), HB Dave Baker ('59), HB Jerry Mertens ('58), HB Dick Moegle ('55), HB Hugh McElhenny ('52), and T Leo Nomellini ('50).
Willis was just notified in a defensive meeting when Nolan entered to relay the news.
"It's a combination of everything," Willis said. "I start with my teammates. My teammates are tremendous guys. The defensive line played great all year. Being a 3-4, people know how tough that can be. And my linebackers Derek Smith, Jeff Ulbrich and Brandon Moore, they've really been helpful. When I have a question, they answer it."
Willis also credited coaches Mike Singletary and defensive coordinator Greg Manusky on working with him to get in this position.
"I want to go there and represent the 49ers as best I can," he said.
