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49ers Willis, Lee, and Raiders Lechler set for All-Star match
By Scary Barry February 9, 2008 |
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HONOLULU--For Patrick Willis it's not too often you see someone whose in his first year in the NFL turn Pro Bowler but here he is in all his glory at Aloha Stadium taking reps. Willis is a tackle stand out in his first Pro Bowl with his deserved awards picking up 21 tackles (15 solos) with the best tackles in a game passing former 49er Jamie Winborn who made 16 tackles (12 solos) in 2002 against the New York Giants. Willis also is second with 21 tackles which is the most by any linebacker last season, Willis trailed only David Arris of the Jets who had 24 against Washington in that game Willis received the game ball from coach Mike Nolan. Willis also had a game high of 20 tackles (12 solo) at Carolina the Panthers at that point had a great year going 12-2. Willis enjoyed his second straight game with 20 or more tackles. Willis came in second for most tackles by a 49er in 49er history with his two consecutive 20 tackle games. Willis' biggest game of the season came when he recorded 20 tackles (12 solos), two sacks, forced a fumble, the first sack was Willis' first NFL sack and his first multi career sack in a game marking three 20 sack games for Willis in his amazing rookie year. The forced fumble caused in the third quarter against the Bucs spotted the ball on the Tampa 10 yard line and later 49er quarterback Shaun Hill was able to convert a five yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis. Punter Andy Lee 49ers loving the Hawaiian sun: What can be said about punter Andy Lee that hasn't already been said. The 49er punter played first stringer for his third season this past year. In 2006 Lee had some competition when he went to camp and try to win the punting job against veteran punter Tom Rouen but won the job and went out and set career highs hitting an 44.8 yards average for punts and netted 36.8 yards and punted an amazing 3,500 yards for the third time in his career. Lee hit a big boomer an 81 yarder against the Tampa Bay Bucs on November 11 2004 when which was the fourth longest punt in 49ers history and the longest in the NFL in 2004. Lee also was the first punter on the 49ers since 1957 to lead the NFL in the longest punt that year. Lee at one time also was the holder for extra points and field goals. Punter Shane Lechler Raiders: Lechler is enjoying his fourth Pro Bowl he played in the 2001, 2004, and 2007. On September 9th last season versus the Detroit Lions Lechler punted three times for 149 yards. Lechler in that game against Detroit got the hot foot going belting a 52 yarder to the Detroit one yard line in the first quarter of that game. On September 16th in Denver Lechler punted four times and had 194 yards and kicked to the Broncos 10 twice, one of which led to Broncos quarterback Jay Culter's sack in the end zone by the Raiders Gerald Warren for a safety. On September 23rd Lechler punted three times for 165 yards and had a booming 65 yard punt in the first quarter. Lechler booted one to the Browns 10 yard line with just a minute left remaining in the game to keep the Browns in check. In Miami on September 30 Lechler hit three punts for 133 yards and did not allow a single punt return and downed one punt inside the 20. On October 21 against the Kansas City Chiefs Lechler punted for 9 times and 461 yards and six of his punts were for 50 yards or longer including a 66 yarder. Shane Lechler is the key reason why the Oakland Raiders defense has something to work with or they'd get ransacked worse than their 4-12 record reflected. Lechler was the key reason why the defense had a lot to work with and may have been the saving grace for Bob Ryan the Raiders defensive coordinator who was able to keep his job when head coach Lane Kiffin insisted that Ryan should be fired at the refusal of team owner Al Davis. Lechler will be suited in the AFC red and white trim for his fourth Pro Bowl and as he said during practice he was all set to go and suited and booted. By the way watch for some of those big hang time boots. Scary Barry is covering the 2008 Pro Bowl which is his fourth Pro Bowl of his broadcast career. Kickoff between the AFC and the NFC at Aloha Stadium is at 1:30PM Pacific and 11:30 AM Hawaiian standard time. |
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