Each week 49ers.com will feature a column dedicated to special teams and those who play on them. These teamers will share their breakdowns of the upcoming opponent and give you some insight on some aspects of special teams you might not be too familiar with. In the fifteenth Teams Talk installment of the 2009 season, fullback 
Detroit has a bigger group of guys on special teams. They have a whole bunch of linebackers so we know they’re going to be physical. It’s going to be a great challenge for us in the special teams matchup on Sunday.
A lot of times we’re going against a bunch of speed guys, but knowing that we’re going against a physical group is something that excites me as well as the rest of my teammates who play on special teams.
I’m on the big four special teams units which are punt, punt return, kick, and kick return. I think I’m getting better with each game I’ve gotten to play in the NFL. Game time experience is the biggest thing you can really learn from.
Being an undrafted free agent and a guy like I am, I don’t have big muscles. I don’t look the part a lot of the time. I have a sweet belly. But I love proving people that I belong.
As far as proving to people that I can play, and showing them the will and the want to, that’s for the coaches to look at. They knew that I was going to come to work every day with the right attitude and mindset of trying to improve.
Now the coaches know I can get the job done and that I’d do the right thing out there on the field. In my experiences, the coaches will find you a spot if you show them that kind of work ethic every week.
I’m also looking forward to Sunday’s game because I’m pretty familiar with one of Detroit’s return men. The Lions kick return guy, Derrick Williams is a Penn State guy and I went up against him plenty of times in college when I was playing linebacker at Illinois.
I think he’s responsible for the only penalty I ever received in college. It was on punt coverage. I was looking up at the ball and I didn’t see him waive the fair catch signal. I drilled him and was flagged for the hit. I won’t do that this Sunday, but it should bring back old memories trying to chase Williams down.
He came from a great Penn State school. They had a great corps of receivers. I think all three of their big guys are in the NFL right now. He was one of those guys who got yards constantly. I’m familiar with him, but at this level, everybody steps their game up. I’m looking forward to seeing what he’s got.
Detroit’s record doesn’t tell how good they are. We know what kind of personnel they have. They have studs on special teams. And in the kicking game is where those guys will shine. That will tell the tale. If we win on special teams, we’ll be able to have a good chance of being successful.
I think the key this week is field position. It’s always important.
It helps anytime you can provide better field position for your offense. It always equates to points. We know that if we can get it past the 50, and on the other end, get them pinned, it’s great for us and for our team. If we can start well on kickoff return, we can score some points. So, we need to set the tone early and put on a great performance in our last home game of the season.
