So much for keeping him on the bench.
The 49ers could not keep rookie linebacker Patrick Willis out of the starting lineup any longer.
Willis was elevated to the starting lineup prior to practice Monday morning. He will take over at the starting weak inside linebacker spot ("Mike"), while Derek Smith moves to strong inside linebacker ("Ted"). Brandon Moore will be removed from the starting lineup, coach Mike Nolan revealed this morning.
Willis had been working with the second-team base defense behind Smith. But his play has been so impressive that the 49ers figured they had to get him into the starting lineup. Moore, who led the team with 114 tackles and 6.5 sacks, was demoted.
The move was less about Moore's performance, Nolan said, and more "due to the what the rookie has done." Willis was the No. 11 overall pick in the draft. As a senior at Ole Miss, Willis was named the Butkus Award winner as the best linebacker in the country
Moore said he was disappointed in the move, which came as a surprise when he was informed this morning. Moore admitted he did not play as well as he had hoped in the first two games of the exhibition season. He missed two tackles in the opener, and one more against the Raiders.
"On this level, you're always fighting for survival," Moore said.
The 49ers will not change their nickel pass defense. Willis will remain on the field when the 49ers go with five defensive backs. Moore will be used as pass-rusher at defensive end on nickel downs, which should keep him fresh throughout the game, Nolan said.
Jeff Ulbrich will also switch positions from the "Ted" linebacker to the "Mike," where he'll be No. 2 on the depth chart behind Willis.
Willis said he was excited about the promotion, but said he has a lot of work to do. He said he would not be calling any family or friends because his move into the starting lineup means nothing if he doesn't take advantage of the opportunity. He said those close to him would have to hear about it via news reports.
Consider it done.
The 49ers could not keep rookie linebacker Patrick Willis out of the starting lineup any longer.
Willis was elevated to the starting lineup prior to practice Monday morning. He will take over at the starting weak inside linebacker spot ("Mike"), while Derek Smith moves to strong inside linebacker ("Ted"). Brandon Moore will be removed from the starting lineup, coach Mike Nolan revealed this morning.
Willis had been working with the second-team base defense behind Smith. But his play has been so impressive that the 49ers figured they had to get him into the starting lineup. Moore, who led the team with 114 tackles and 6.5 sacks, was demoted.
The move was less about Moore's performance, Nolan said, and more "due to the what the rookie has done." Willis was the No. 11 overall pick in the draft. As a senior at Ole Miss, Willis was named the Butkus Award winner as the best linebacker in the country
Moore said he was disappointed in the move, which came as a surprise when he was informed this morning. Moore admitted he did not play as well as he had hoped in the first two games of the exhibition season. He missed two tackles in the opener, and one more against the Raiders.
"On this level, you're always fighting for survival," Moore said.
The 49ers will not change their nickel pass defense. Willis will remain on the field when the 49ers go with five defensive backs. Moore will be used as pass-rusher at defensive end on nickel downs, which should keep him fresh throughout the game, Nolan said.
Jeff Ulbrich will also switch positions from the "Ted" linebacker to the "Mike," where he'll be No. 2 on the depth chart behind Willis.
Willis said he was excited about the promotion, but said he has a lot of work to do. He said he would not be calling any family or friends because his move into the starting lineup means nothing if he doesn't take advantage of the opportunity. He said those close to him would have to hear about it via news reports.
Consider it done.
to those who "risked" Willis in redrafts.
I misunderstood the point, BST. I thought you were listing right OLB, not rush OLB. I think we're both saying the same thing.
Its only a matter of time before that POS Smith is gone for good. The only reason I can see for benching Moore over Smith has been there performance so far. 
Moore has been extremely aggressive (as usual) this preseason, and has actually overpursued and taken some bad angles. He's missed some tackles he should have made so far. Smith is his normal self...he's in the right place at the right time and does a great job of getting pancaked by the FB, or hanging onto the RBs shoestrings until he trips 7 yards later.I guess Nolan feels its better to have a RB trip over Smith 7 yds downfield vs having Willis, Lawson (who has just been terrible), and Moore overpursue a play and allow the RB to get free in the secondary. And yes, if you need to know, this last sentence was full of heavy sarcasm.
I misunderstood the point, BST. I thought you were listing right OLB, not rush OLB. I think we're both saying the same thing.
I was VERY impressed. You can forget about the comparisons to Vilma in the 3-4 BTW. Also, if you own Brandon Moore, my condolences. Moore didn't have much work to do by the time Willis was done.
