48 of 50 AP voters pick 49ers linebacker as NFL defensive rookie of year
By Dennis Georgatos, MEDIANEWS STAFF
Article Last Updated: 01/05/2008 02:50:02 AM PST
SANTA CLARA — Patrick Willis parlayed some common sense advice from veteran teammates into a sensational season that brought the San Francisco 49ers linebacker recognition Friday as the Associated Press 2007 NFL defensive rookie of the year.
A forceful tackler with sideline-to-sideline range, Willis made his presence felt starting in the season opener, finishing with a league-high 174 tackles. The No.11 pick from Mississippi had double-digit tackles in 10 games, including a high of 20, with two sacks, in a Week 16 victory Tampa Bay.
Willis, a Pro Bowl selection, never hit the so-called "rookie wall," and he credited fellow linebackers Jeff Ulbrich and Derek Smith and defensive end Bryant Young for helping him to avoid any first-year pitfalls.
"They told me, 'You're ayoung buck. Make sure you eat right and get your rest,'" Willis said. "They were really big on that. And just to see those guys who have been there for years continue to come out and work, I felt like if they could do it, I could do it, too."
Willis, 23, was a runaway winner of the award, receiving 48 votes from a national panel of 50 writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the NFL. He got the news of his selection when he awoke to a slew of text messages and voice mails on his cell phone.
It was the fifth year in a row that a linebacker won the award. Willis becomes the third 49er to win the defensive rookie honors and the first since 1993, when defensive tackle Dana
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Stubblefield won. Cornerback Bruce Taylor (1970) is the other 49er to be so honored.
"I can't give enough credit to my teammates, especially to my front seven," Willis said. "The defensive line was unbelievable this year, and my linebacking corps just really helped me find my way in the defense. Also, to my coaches, for believing in me, and for coach (Mike) Singletary for working with me, and helping me become a better linebacker."
Willis remains a candidate for defensive player of the year, scheduled to be announced by AP on Monday. But he won't be losing any sleep over it.
"If it happens, you're honored and you're happy," he said. "But I learned a long time ago that you shouldn't expect things to happen, so if they don't you're not devastated or upset."
Besides, Willis said he got the ultimate compliment earlier this week from the retiring Young, who passed the torch of 49ers' defensive leadership to his young counterpart after the team's season-ending meeting .
"It's yours now. Take it," Young told Willis.
NOTES: The 49ers have accepted an offer to coach in the Senior Bowl on Jan.26 in Mobile, Ala. Coach Mike Nolan and his staff will lead the South team for the third straight year. The Senior Bowl gives the staff and early look at some of the top college prospects, which paid off last year with the drafting of Willis and offensive tackles Joe Staley. ... Former Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey, a two-time NFL offensive coordinator and former coach of the Dallas Cowboys, will be the first to interview with Nolan for the vacant offensive coordinator job. Others being considered are Mike Martz and Cam Cameron.
