John Crumpacker, San Francisco Chronicle
They wear the same uniform number, 52, play the same position, middle linebacker, and play it well, but do not confuse the 49ers' Patrick Willis with the Baltimore Ravens' Ray Lewis. The former is a rookie with four encouraging games to his credit, nothing more. The latter is in his 12th season and headed for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Fans of linebacker play will enjoy watching Sunday's game at Candlestick between these infrequent opponents.
Mike Nolan coached Lewis in Baltimore as the Ravens' defensive coordinator from 2002-04 and he made Willis the 49ers' No. 1 draft pick in April, so he's well qualified to discuss the disparate defensive stalwarts.
"I don't think there are any similarities other than their number," Nolan said Friday as the 49ers wrapped up preparations for the game. "Ray is very passionate. Patrick is passionate but Patrick's personality is different. Patrick's not as extroverted." Lewis fairly defines extroverted for the way he demands, and gets, attention. As for Willis... "Quiet but deadly," the rookie said. "Boom! That's just me." Through four games, Willis leads the 49ers in solo tackles (29), assisted tackles (nine) and total tackles (38, tied for third in the NFL). Basically, if it moves, Willis tackles it. He also has one forced fumble and two passes defended. For the Ravens, Lewis has 29 total tackles, 21 solo and eight assisted, to go with one interception and a pass defensed. "I like his enthusiasm, his heart," Willis said of Lewis. "I think our personalities are different, but the love we have for the game, we both have dreams to be the best and want to do everything to help our teams win."
Willis scored points on the respect-o-meter when, talking about the comparisons between him and Lewis, "I've done nothing yet. I haven't won no MVP, I haven't won a Super Bowl. The style we have, the knack for the ball, that's where the comparisons come in. We both have chances to be around the ball." Willis said he has not had a chance to meet Lewis yet but the opportunity could come after the game as players from both sides exchange greetings before heading into their locker rooms.
"When the game's over, I want his offensive line to say, 'That guy really plays. He reminds us of you,' " Lewis said.
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