San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis has been a good player since he arrived in 2007, but the 25-year-old was his best in 2009 and he's promising that 2010 will be even better. He's more vocal, more of a leader and in the wake of a new five-year, $50 million ($29 million guaranteed) contract more willing to push his personality on his teammates and the opposition. He told Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News that he feels the part of the veteran and sage now. "I know who I am as a player; I know who I am as a man,'' Willis told the newspaper. "And I feel like, as anything, you have to earn the right first, to be able to tell a guy who's played 12 years or played a lot longer than you, to say hey, 'This ain't it. You've got to get this right.' For me, I'm a guy who had to earn that right. And each day I come out I'm going to make sure I keep that right.'' He said the 49er defense has to lead the way in San Francisco, and he's ready to make sure that it does. I just feel like a new light has hit me. I feel like there's a new level that I'm at, and I'm excited to go get this year started. I'm not here to say and promise this or that, but I will go on record that the fans, the NFL, whoever, has yet to see my best play. My best football hasn't been played.'' Source: NFL Fanhouse
dude best be the leader, hes one of the best at his position in his league, let alone the best player on his D.
