Running back Frank Gore and linebacker Patrick Willis are two young guys who are turning into leaders in the 49ers' locker room. But neither had much to say after the team's loss to the Patriots on Sunday.
They are young players, and figure to be a big part of the future of the team. Although it might not sound like a big deal, it's important for leaders to talk after games -- win or lose. (OK, especially, after losses.) Teammates look around and see who is standing up when things aren't going well. They notice those things. Nobody wants to get the reputation as a front-runner -- someone who's only willing to talk when things are going well.
Both Willis and Gore spoke today in the 49ers' locker room at their training facility in Santa Clara.
* * *
Gore started speaking with the media after the game. He answered a couple questions before declaring he didn't want to talk any more. This was a one-time occurrence. Gore was voted by the beat reporters as the winner of the Garry Niver Award last season for his professionalism in dealing with the media. He takes the game very seriously. He doesn't let these losses just roll off his back. The fact he felt so bad after yesterday's game was completely understandable.
Just minutes ago, he answered questions from the media for several minutes. Gore said he has confidence that things will get better. "Man, we're going to be fine," he said. "We just have to play as one."
He said he likes to do different things in the offense, and especially liked the challenge of being split out wide with a cornerback covering him. Gore ran a perfect post route and scored a touchdown. It's the first time in his career he caught a pass from a wide-receiver position.
* * *
Willis declined to answer questions after the game. He also did not want to talk after the opening-game loss to the Cardinals. As Willis gets more mature he'll learn that leaders speak up. They don't pass the buck onto teammates to answer questions.
"It was just frustrating to know we should've won the game and we didn't win the game," Willis said today. "It should hurt after every loss. But this game right here hurt worse. . . . It was no offense to you all."
Willis said the 49ers' main problem in Sunday's game was their attention to detail. Willis had an outstanding game last season against the Patriots. He was credited with 18 tackles at the time of the game. In the coaches' film review, Willis' number was adjusted to 22 tackles (14 solo, 8 assists). Gore and Willis are two fantastic players.
* * *
Today was a good day for both Gore and Willis. The fact they made themselves available to the media shows that it's important to them to be true professionals and do things the right way.
* * *
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: jerry (11/10/2009 9:21:03 PM)
Comment: [url=http://www.uggga.com/]Fake ugg Replica ugg [/url]
[url=http://www.uggga.com/]buy ugg boots [/url]
[url=http://www.tblmall.com/]tblmall[/url]
[url=http://www.tblmall.com/]online shop[/url]
[url=http://www.tblmall.com/]High-quality timberland shoes[/url]
[url=http://www.nfldiscount.org/]nfl[/url]
[url=http://www.nfldiscount.org/]2009nfl[/url]
[url=http://www.nfldiscount.org/]jerseys[/url]
[url=http://www.nfldiscount.org/]nfl football jerseys[/url]
[url=http://www.nfldiscount.org/]natural materials[/url]
[url=http://www.shoesseach.com/]Adidas shoes[/url]
[url=http://www.shoesseach.com/]Puma shoes[/url]
[url=http://www.shoesseach.com/]Replica shoes[/url]
[url=http://www.shoesseach.com/]Fashion shoes[/url]
Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (12/10/2008 10:30:38 PM)
Comment: I am done with this crappy team. Until the Yorks learn what football is all about this team will continue to lose.
Posted By: mike in MD (07/10/2008 2:21:24 PM)
Comment: Arizona has found themselves a REAL HEAD COACH & OL COACH. I KNEW they would turn the corner with those two. We have an INCOMPETENT GUTLESS FRAUD for a HC & a questionable OL Coach & we will NEVER GO ANYWHERE 100% GUARANTEED with Nolan onboard. HE NEEDS TO GET AXED ASAP!! HE HAS LOST THIS TEAM!!
Posted By: 49er jim (07/10/2008 12:10:10 AM)
Comment: yes its time to fire nolan and scott they tried but failed to reach the next level.
but the problem is the owner they don't care, and there so stupid they can't even figure out it's time to sell. Al Davis might be a crazy old coot but he still has the balls to make decisions and not afraid to shake thing up ..maybe the dorks can hire Al as a consultant to fire the failed nolan/scott regime. Everyone turn off their tv's on sundays there is alot better things to do..spend some time with kids and wife I prefer yelling at them then the 49er failures
Posted By: Jose Adrian (06/10/2008 10:52:40 PM)
Comment: Where is Charles Haley when you need him?
Someone in that locker room has to call that coach out.
Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (06/10/2008 10:40:58 PM)
Comment: Matt, something caught my eye from an earlier thread comment Isaac made about guys wanting it, and now Frank using the playing as one remark? Has there been any indication of a weak link or, individuals not buying into the plan? I see a team that appears to be standing in line rather then leading the march? Also, is it me or does JTO run himself out of the pocket too quickly? Hard to focus on network TV angles as to where the pressure is in terms or distance, but whenever an end reaches depth with him, he seems to run out, rather then step up too often? The good QBs play slow, he reminds me of Garcia and Happy Feet all of a sudden? Wish he could learn to run more like Steve while he's out there at least, LOL. We are also in serious need of a NT. What's Ted Washington doing these days? Any chance he might have another 12 weeks left in the tank? We SUCK inside. Add one bonafide channel marker DT, and we might have something, (assuming we can play press coverage sometime soon).
Posted By: LodiGrapePicker (06/10/2008 9:58:31 PM)
Comment: I can't blame Gore and Willis for not talking. What are they supposed to say...the truth..."our coach sucks"? Honestly, they can't speak the truth about why things are going south for the team, so they are left saying politically correct things that really mean nothing. On the brighter side of things, the Chickenhawks are no longer the masters of the division. That title goes to the Cardinals, who have finally put together a playoff caliber team. Maybe Nolan should spend some time in Arizona and learn how to turn a team around.
Posted By: Paul (06/10/2008 8:26:03 PM)
Comment: It is time to start looking for a head coach. Bye Bye Mike & Mike! Dear Dorks! Sorry I meant Yorks. Denise, wake up from that haze you have been in since your beloved brother left us. You know the guy who loved football and did everything in his power to win. It's okay to act like him, if you can't stomach it just pretend. One word of advice stay away from coaches with the name Mike. You saw where that got you lately and yes I am referring to the overweight guy in Seattle. Just in case you don't know, "He stinks!" How about someone with the first name Bill?? I think the last Bill did pretty good? I am thinking about Bill Cowher, hell you might as well think of Bill too. I can hear all the people screaming at this blog "BILL COWHER WHAT THE %$^#(I don't want the sensor police edit my crap). His attitude, toughness and defensive mind would be outstanding in the weak western division. Do I dare say Tuna? That is another Bill for another blog. Come on 49er fans it is time to help the Dorks find a new coach and not one named MAD MIKE.
Posted By: shobbrobb (06/10/2008 8:12:04 PM)
Comment: Have u guys heard Scott McCloughans justification for the status of his draft picks?,,,,,,Utter B.S.....Here we have Chilo Rachal and Cody Wallace for the most part inactive on a team where one of its most glaring weakness is Offensive Line,Not only is the the line one of the worst,but they have been shuffling because of injury and these guys cant get any playing time...these are the guys that McCoughan picked instead of Quentin Groves and DeShaun Jackson...and my favorite Chad Henne. As bad as this team has been,We had accumalated many draft picks,Not only draft picks in quanity but many quality picks and we have only 2 legitimate star players and a decent lineman in Staley,Do u guyts really call that good personel work.Do u want McCloughan drafting again. There is NOTHING SPECIAL SCOTT MCCLOUGHAN!!!!!!
Posted By: NJM (06/10/2008 8:01:50 PM)
Comment: Marco is spot on. In fact, Matt...it may be time to ask a question that has been avoided until now: Has Scot McCloughan been over-hyped? Here's my rationale... There's been a lot of love shown to Scot by posters here and elsewhere, but it's getting to the point where you have to ask if what we're seeing in the way of poor execution is all coaching. Let's do a quick recap: 1) Alex Smith -- bust. The No. 1 pick in the 2005 draft cannot beat out a very ordinary JTO this pre-season. 2) David Baas -- bust. Look, I love Baas "when he plays," but he was one pick removed from being a #1 draft pick (fist pick of second round)...and he's still sitting on bench in his fourth year. That's a bust for an O lineman. 3) Vernon Davis -- bust. I don't care what Nolan says...you don't use the #6 pick in the NFL draft on a blocking TE. You use a #6 ROUND pick on that. And I've seen enough after several years to say VD reminds me of Roberto Duran (i.e., "Hands of Stone). He makes Jeremey Stevens look like Fred Bilitnikof. 4) Brandon Williams -- bust. Never showed any spark. 5) Manny Lawson -- semi-bust. He was drafted to be an edge rusher. That appears to be a big miss. Thank goodness he has cover skills or he'd be the best #1 pick on special teams in the NFL. I know he's coming back from a knee injury, but where is the kid right now? Watching the "big sub" from the sidelines with the rest of us, presumably because he cannot make a big enough impact to get into the lineup 6) Nate Clements -- bust. Yes, he's a very good football player, but a lock-down corner he is not...and purely on a "value" play, Scot way overpaid for his services (and yes, I know it wasn't $80MM -- but the price tag is still too high for a guy who gets to read the name on the back of too many WRs' uniforms.) 7) Sopoaga -- bust. He was signed, Douglas was allowed to walk. How's that looking right now? (Anyone out there who wouldn't take Douglas back right now for the habitually disappointing Soap?) 8) Jonas Jennings. No need to elaborate. 9) This year we pass on Merling and take Balmer. Keep an eye on this one sports fans... 10) Cody Wallace? I'm still trying to figure this one out. Okay, there's a Top 10. But think about the focus on building an O line since 2005 with Staley, Baas, Snyder, Jennings, Wallace, Rachal...and the best we can do is worst sack total in the NFL? And what has Scot done to shore up the D line? It's terrible -- even with the signing of a very good player in Smith. You know what, if I'm Scot McCloughan and I really think I've done a good job, then I must get rid of Nolan, because he's making me look bad. If I think Nolan is a decent coach, then it may be time for me to consider tendering my resignation to Dr. York. Because this team continues to come up short four years into a rebuilding plan.
Posted By: ancientniner (06/10/2008 7:56:07 PM)
Comment: Bailing:
Not going to spend another year watching this train wreck. Farewell notes.
1. Most readers asked for a draft of a nose tackle, stud linebacker or game breaker like Sean Jackson. They were right and the Niner "braintrust" was wrong. Sad commentary.
2. I never called for Nolan's head. Am now. He's the D guy and we have our D backs playing ten yards off the receivers. St. Mary's Academy can forge an eight minute drive with this pussy attitude. Give Moss two TD's but don't let the D stay on the field from lunch to dinner.
3. Offensive calls were offensively timid. Twice, at least, Gore takes the time to slant towards the tackle on third & two. If your line is superior, good calls. If your line is getting pushed around, pitch it out, quick pass - anything else, esp when the game is on the line. Martz didn't look gutsy at all.
4. This game could have been much closer, but the score didn't indicate how much the Niners were outplayed. I'm taking up kniting or bowling. See ya next year & check out the new coach.
Bye.
Posted By: shobbrobb (06/10/2008 7:52:22 PM)
Comment: Not only do we have a coaching problem we have a front office issue Scott McCloughan has to be held accountable.When Mike Nolan gets his walking papers so should Scott McCloughan.........Its time for Mike Holmgren
Posted By: MARCO from New York (06/10/2008 7:07:37 PM)
Comment: Nolan is a JOKE! Vernon Davis does two out of three. Who drafts a TE with the #6 pick of the draft and justifies him by defending his blocking. VD is the perfect example of looks like Tarzan/plays like Jane. When it comes to #1 picks, Nolan/McCloughan are batting right around the Mendoza line. Not acceptable in either sport.
Posted By: Steve (06/10/2008 6:48:34 PM)
Comment: Its not surprise they don't want to talk to the media during any state of emotion, you never know how Nolan will use it against them later.
Posted By: 9er1 (06/10/2008 6:44:35 PM)
Comment: The future only looks bright if we get rid of McFRAUD ASAP and find ourselves a real qualified coach with real credentials. The sooner we get rid of Mr Sauve suit & tie guy, the better off we are. We are about to lose at least 4 in a row....it is imperitive that Nolan is canned. ANd as far as I'm concerned, he can take McNumbskull with him. I've had enough of below average drafts which yield us below average players. The 2 things Nolan vowed to do 4 years ago was beef up the O-line for the "next great" 9er QB(well, Smith was a bust so we know how that went!), and build a defense. 4 years later we are still waiting for both of these things. The O-line is junior-varsity, and the D is just putrid, forget all the millions spent on it. So let's see....2 big goals, 2 huge failures. FIRE this fool immediately if not sooner and let him take McNumbskull with him. I've had enough, I want the Niners back!!!
Posted By: San Bruno 49er Fan (06/10/2008 6:12:24 PM)
Comment: If these two aren't future leaders, then no one is.
I hope they start speaking up. Their teammates and fans care what they say.
Posted By: Stampede (06/10/2008 5:44:36 PM)
Comment: There's no doubt the future certainly looks bright with those two. It's a bonus that we have one on each side of the ball.
Search
Recent Postings
- New location for Matt Maiocco's 49ers blog
- Gore, Willis as leaders are works in progress
- Nolan on Davis: Two out of three ain't bad
- Blitz was not the 49ers' friend vs. Patriots
- Somber post-game 49ers locker room
- Bloggin' live from the 49ers-Pats game
- Patriots don't look so imposing without Brady
- Reflective TBC to make season debut against Pats
- Talking 'big sub' and 'sub' with Manusky
- Niners' post-practice (for Pats) update
RSS Feeds
Blog Calendar
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 |
Categories
Links
- Press Democrat Sports Section
- Welcome to Instant 49ers (video)
- "Roger Craig's Tales from the 49ers Sideline" by Roger Craig and Matt Maiocco
- "49ers: Where Have You Gone" by Matt Maiocco
- 49ers official Web site
- ESPN's NFC West blog (Mike Sando)
- Depth charts of every NFL team
- Breaking NFL news
- "A Method for Planning a Game," By Bill Walsh, 1983
- NFL.com
- NFL records and rules
- Individual/team statistics from Washington Post/STATS, Inc.
- NFC/AFC Conference Standings
- NFL Draft Scout
- USA Today's NFL salary database
- Unofficial 49ers salary cap status
- Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Draft pick trade chart
- NFL draft first-round order (updated weekly)
- Mike Nolan bio
- Passer-rating calculator
- 2008 NFL TV coverage maps
- Brad Mangin: Expert Bay Area sports photographer
- Eric Gilmore's Bay Area Sports Beat
- Who is J.T. O'Sullivan?
Archived Posts
- November, 2009
- October, 2009
- September, 2009
- August, 2009
- July, 2009
- June, 2009
- May, 2009
- April, 2009
- March, 2009
- February, 2009
- January, 2009
- December, 2008
- November, 2008
- October, 2008
- September, 2008
- August, 2008
- July, 2008
- June, 2008
- May, 2008
- April, 2008
- March, 2008
- February, 2008
- January, 2008
- December, 2007
- November, 2007
- October, 2007
- September, 2007
- August, 2007
- July, 2007
- June, 2007
- May, 2007
- April, 2007
- March, 2007
- February, 2007
- January, 2007
- December, 2006
- November, 2006
- October, 2006
- September, 2006
- August, 2006
- July, 2006
