SANTA CLARA -- Linebacker Patrick Willis was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday after recording 10 tackles, an interception and two passes defensed in the 49ers' 34-0 victory at the New York Jets on Sunday.Willis, who made the Pro Bowl each of his first five NFL seasons, was part of a 49ers effort that limited New York to 145 total yards and 2.9 yards per play as the 49ers posted their first road shutout since the 2001 season."I want to thank my teammates, especially those guys in the front seven," Willis said. "I don't think Id' be half the guy I am today without those guys. I'm thankful for those guys and I'm appreciative for my coaches."I never think about any of that stuff (awards). I try to do my job the best I can and give our team the best chance to win and our defense the best chance to be successful."This is Willis' second career Player of the Week Award. He won last season in Week 5. He is the first 49ers linebacker to be named Defensive Player of the Week multiple times. And the previous 49ers player to win the honor in back-to-back seasons was safety Tony Parrish in 2002 and '03.
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