Willis Proves He’s Still Pro Bowl Bound
49ers Blow-out Rams 35-0

“He (Patrick Willis) can be better than me. He’s an athlete.”--Mike Singletary

10-04-09
By Larry Garcia: Bay Area Sports Drive

Sunday the 2-1 49ers took on a struggling 0-2 Rams with confidence behind the helm of Mike Singletary who has given the 49ers new life.

Indeed the 49ers defense has proven to the NFL thus far they are a force to be recon with for this year.  The 49er defense is the key to winning games as the Chicago Bears were under the Mike Ditka era.  Ok-maybe, they are not the Chicago Bears, however-at this point, the 49ers are doing it their way with “D”.  Singletary is giving a taste of his past to opposing foes. In the past when teams played the 49ers, it was “No Respect” as Rodney Dangerfield used to say, but now for opposing teams it’s a spoonful of respect and teams are opening there eyebrows when it comes to the scarlet red and gold.

The Rams started by winning the coin toss as SF elected to defend the south goal. San Francisco took control of both south and north as they dominated the Rams on both offense and especially defense.

49er's Patrick Willis #52 LB showed why he has earned his spot as a Pro-Bowl player for the last two seasons.  Willis dominated and contributed to help give the 49ers a 3-1 record. The 49ers registered their first shutout in 119 games. Willis' had two and a half sacks and a TD.  Head Coach Mike Singletary told the press after the game, “Oh, he can be better than me. He’s an athlete.” On the speed factor, Singletary said, “I was an athlete, but not a 4.3”.

Ram’s QB Boller only threw for 108 yards and offensively 177 yards total.  Yes, the Rams are winless, but the 49ers are beating teams they are supposed to beat, that’s one of the key factors.  They do not let their guards down due to their foes record. "We made a step today, and I know a lot of people are going to say it was just St Louis. But that doesn't matter," said Patrick Willis. Willis went on to say, "To come out and play a 60-minute football - that's what we did today. It makes you excited when you see it."

Defense is carrying the 49ers thus far into the season.  That was Willis second career interception for a TD and his third interception for the season. This marked the 7th time that the 49ers shut out the Rams, the first since September 8, 1996 (34-0) in San Francisco. Sunday also marked the first time the 49ers scored 3 non-offensive touchdowns in a game since December 11, 1966 vs. Chicago. The 49ers defense held the Rams to only 9 first downs. That is the fewest first downs allowed since September 7, 2003 vs. Chicago (8).

QB Shaun Hill was 24 of 14 for 152 yards and 2 TD’s. Glen Coffee rushed 24 for 75 yards and had 4 receptions for 32 yards. Vernon Davis was 3 for 43 yards and one TD. J Morgan had 2 receptions for 39 yards and one TD.

Next Sunday the 49ers get ready for the Atlanta Falcons in San Francisco.

Notes to note:

The San Francisco 49ers announced Monday that they have released WR Dobson Collins from the team's practice squad.

Collins was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Niners in April of 2009. The Stone Mountain, GA, native starred collegiately at Gardner-Webb
 

Injuries:  Linebacker Jeff Ulbrich (concussion) and cornerback Dre Bly (elbow) and the two will be looked at again today. Injuries to linebacker Marques Harris (hamstring), Manny Lawson (nose) and Dashon Goldson (stomach) are not believed to be serious.

--- BASD ---