Heartiest congratulations to young Bam Bam, the only two-time winner of the GMC NFL Defensive Player of the Week. At the end of the regular season, five players will be nominated for GMC Defensive Player of the Year. Aside from winning the weekly award twice, Patrick Willis has been such a beast on defense that I would be surprised if he was not one of the nominees. If he is in fact nominated, we will definitely have to work overtime to get out the vote and get him the yearly honor.
The question in my mind is where Willis falls in the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award balloting. I would think definitely top 10, possibly top 5? I realize there is the statistic for tackles per play on the field which he was not leading. The 49ers are third in the NFL in total plays from scrimmage for their defense, due in large part to an offense that was inept at best much of the season. However, Willis is now 29 tackles ahead of the next best player. He's reaching a point where he has to be in the running in my opinion.
In the meantime, voting is still going on for the Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Week award. Willis currently holds 50% of the voting, leading New York Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw by 21%. I think he's going to pull this one out.
And of course, don't forget to continue voting for my predicted Defining Moment if you get a chance.