Willis helped make up for 49ers’ poor season

By Hugo Guzman  |   Monday, February 04, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

San Francisco 49ers
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San Francisco fans enjoyed for years watching a Pro Bowl that looked like the 49ers vs. the AFC instead of the NFC vs. the AFC with as many as 10 players on the roster; this year, they'll have two: a punter and a rookie linebacker.

Let's face it, gone are the days of John Madden singing the praises of Joe Montana on "Monday Night Football," of corny 49er songs and Steve Young to Jerry Rice; now the former finesse team is compiled of players you hardly know and a coach who is known more for what he wears on the field than his sideline abilities.

However, despite high hopes for this past season and the team's extensive offensive woes, there is one component that helped make up for the 49ers' 5-11 record: Their young and talented, Patrick Willis-led defense.

Willis became the first Niners' rookie to make the Pro Bowl since Ronnie Lott in 1981 and also nabbed NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. It had been 17 years since the last time San Francisco had a rookie win the coveted award (Bryant Young in '94).

With Willis on track to join an elite history of 49ers defensive greats such as Lott, Dwight Hicks and Fred Dean, it gives fans the hope that maybe an offensive player will be the pleasant surprise that Willis was this year in 2008. That side of the ball sure could use the mojo.
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About Hugo Guzman

Trying to bring an objective approach to NFL analysis.
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