Remember when Patrick Willis laid out Reggie Bush on that screen pass in Week 2?
Of course you do. That was a classic oh-my-gosh-did-you-see-that Willis moment, the type that have many already ticketing the 25-year-old three-time Pro Bowler for Canton.
Now, do you remember another similar highlight-reel play from Willis this season?
It’s OK if you’re still thinking. It sure seems like there haven’t been too many.
You don’t have to tell Willis. He’s well aware.
“The first five weeks, I kind of let it get to me,” Willis said. “Last
week, I said, ‘I’m just going to play.’ The rest of the season, whatever
happens — big play or no play — I just want to win and do everything I
can to help my teammates win. You turn on the film, you see me going
all out. To me, as long as I can put my head down at nighttime and know
that I gave 100 percent, I’ll be all right with that — big play or no
big play.”
After a Hall-of-Fame start to his career, Willis has been, relatively
speaking, ordinary this season. After leading the NFL in tackles twice
in his first three seasons — he ranked second in 2008 — he is tied for
15th this season with 47. He hasn’t had more than 10 tackles in five
straight games, the longest drought of his career, and his six tackles
against the Raiders were a season-low. Last week, Mike Singletary said
teams, apparently sick of being terrorized by Willis, have made an even
more concerted effort to game plan for him this season.
Perhaps that began in 2009. Willis finished last year with four straight
games without 10 tackles. After posting 22 10-tackle games in his first
44 career starts, he’s had just one in his past 10 dating back to last
year. He’s averaged 7.6 tackles in his past 10 games after averaging 9.9
in his first 44.
Willis has noticed the increased attention. He said he remembers times
when he used to roam free. Those memories, however, aren’t too fresh.
“Now, you know, (I’m) starting to feel something from every angle,” he
said. “But that’s part of the game. It’s just like anything. You say,
‘We have to put a hat on one of the best players at all times.’ And
they’re doing that. I just have to keep playing.”
• C Eric Heitmann (neck) and TE Delanie Walker (ankle) have been ruled
out of Sunday’s game at Carolina. On Monday, Singletary said Walker
would likely be listed as questionable for next week’s game against the
Broncos in London. It’s probably safe to assume Walker won’t be back
until after the bye week when the Niners host the Rams on Nov. 14.
C David Baas (not injury related), CB Nate Clements (ankle) and DT
Justin Smith (hand) did not practice today. TE Vernon Davis (knee), LB
Manny Lawson (rib), WR Josh Morgan (thigh), TE Delanie Walker (ankle)
were limited.
• The 49ers will take off for Charlotte on Friday, will travel to London
after Sunday’s game and won’t return home until Nov. 1.
Willis started travel preparations Tuesday.
“I did, I started packing last night and I realized, ‘Man I think I
packed too much,'” he said. “Now I got to go back and take some stuff
out. I think I’m going to keep it simple. A collared shirt, two collared
shirts, a couple t-shirts and some sweatpants and I think that should
be enough.”
The Broncos won’t arrive in London until Oct. 29, two days before the
game. Alex Smith said the Niners will have the advantage of being
acclimated to the time zone and weather while Denver will be able to
stay in its standard pregame routine.
“I guess they felt it was more of an advantage to get that week of preparation at home,” Smith said.
• In a 23-6 loss to the Bears on Oct. 10, the Panthers became the first
NFL team in 11 years to start a rookie quarterback (Jimmy Clausen) and
two rookie wide receivers (David Gettis and Brandon LaFell).
On a conference call with the Bay Area media today, Carolina coach John
Fox said of starting such a rookie trio, “I wouldn’t recommend it.”
No kidding. Clausen, who was replaced by Matt Moore, had a 29.7
quarterback rating and Gettis and LaFell combined for 4 catches for 48
yards. With Moore reassuming the starting spot and Pro Bowl wide
receiver Steve Smith expected to return from a sprained ankle, only
Gettis is expected to start Sunday against the Niners.
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