NEIL CORNRICH & NC SPORTS: MANAGING THE CAREERS OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE SPORTS INDUSTRY

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Monday, November 10, 2014

Chris Borland thriving





By Eric Branch

November 9, 2014

NEW ORLEANS — There is a silver lining to the toe injury that sidelined All-Pro inside linebacker Patrick Willis for his third straight game Sunday: His absence has made it abundantly clear that the 49ers got a third-round steal when they selected Chris Borland in May.

Subbing for Willis, Borland collected 17 tackles — two for losses — and recovered a fumble in a 27-24 overtime win against the Saints. After outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks sacked Drew Brees, Borland pounced on the loose ball. Phil Dawson delivered the game-winning field goal one play later.

In his past two games, Borland has 35 tackles. His 18 tackles in a 13-10 loss to the Rams on Nov. 2 were the most in the NFL this season.


Borland, 5-foot-11 and 248 pounds, slipped to the third round after a decorated career at Wisconsin because of his size and so-so speed.

“Regardless of the 40s, and the height and the weight, you can’t take anything away from a football player,” safety Antoine Bethea said. “And that’s what he is. When he’s on that football field, he makes plays and gets to the ball.”

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