Saturday, September 22, 2001
[ NFL HAWAII ]
Like a kid at the playground, Jeff Ulbrich just wants to be on the field. Ulbrich making most
of NFL experienceBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comAny position would do, but linebacker is where he loves to be, and that's where he will be for the San Francisco 49ers against the St. Louis Rams tomorrow.
Ulbrich, a second-year pro, won a starting role after training camp, and he's loving every minute of it.
"This has definitely been an awesome ride," Ulbrich, the former Hawaii standout, said. "I really didn't think I had a shot in the NFL until my senior year. Yeah, I thought I could play, but I didn't think I'd ever get that opportunity. It's been unbelievable. I wake up every morning with a big smile on my face."
And who wouldn't be smiling? Ulbrich is just three seasons removed from Hawaii's 0-12 debacle. He was a major part of UH's turnaround season in 1999, helping the squad to a share of the Western Athletic Conference title and an Oahu Bowl victory over Oregon State.
A year ago a shoulder injury limited Ulbrich to appearances in just four games as a backup.
But so far this year is a completely different story. Ulbrich made six tackles in the team's season-opening 16-13 victory against the Falcons.
"That game is definitely my biggest highlight as a pro," he said. "I played the whole game, I played well and we got the win.
"Last year, the shoulder kept dislocating, separating, but it was a good learning experience, playing behind two great players, Ken Norton Jr. and Winfred Tubbs (both are no longer with the team). And now, after surgery, the shoulder is doing great. I haven't had a problem, so cross your fingers."
Born: San Jose, Calif., Feb. 17, 1977 Jeff Ulbrich
Position: Linebacker
School: Hawaii
Drafted: Selected by 49ers in third round (No. 86 overall) in 2000 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot, 249-pound linebacker is always trying to strengthen the shoulder in hopes that the same injury won't happen again. He said rehab may never end.
Ulbrich credits Warriors coach June Jones with helping him believe in himself, and he fondly recalls the not-so-long-ago days at Hawaii.
"Dennis McKnight, the special teams coach, brought that old-school football mentality," Ulbrich said. "And I've never met a coach who cared for his players more than Greg McMackin, the defensive coordinator. And George Lumpkin, obviously, taught us a lot as linebackers."
Ulbrich believes tomorrow's game against the Rams will go a long way in determining where the 49ers fit in.
"The Atlanta game was a positive sign," he said. "They've got a good, young offense and (running back) Jamal (Anderson) is the real thing. If it wasn't for a 40-yard pass interference leading to a TD that the officials made a bad call on, we would have given up just six points. We gave up 13 points, which we'll take any time.
"Now, we're up against the Rams with their explosive offense, and we know it's going to be a real test, especially for our defense. And our offense has a lot to prove. People have only seen the tip of the iceberg of what we're capable of doing on offense."
While the opening win over Atlanta was encouraging, Ulbrich has bigger goals for himself and the team this season.
"I want to play all 16 games, stay healthy, contribute and help in any way I can to get this team to the playoffs, because we have a chance to do that," he said.
As he did in Hawaii, Ulbrich, 24, brings a lot of youthful enthusiasm on the field with him.
"Being young, I'm not the kind of guy who is saying 'Been there, done that,' which is something a lot of guys on a lot of teams do," Ulbrich said. "I try to keep everybody up and try to help make it fun for everybody."
Just like the kid in the playground who just wants to be on the field.
It figures that the hard-hitting Ronnie Lott, the 49ers Hall of Fame defensive back, is the player Ulbrich looks up to most. What other linebacker would dare to say a defensive back is his role model?
"And because I'm here in San Francisco, I've been fortunate enough to meet him a bunch of times," Ulbrich said.
In his spare time, Ulbrich spends time with and takes walks with his wife, Cristina, and his baby daughter, Samantha.
"Having a daughter is awesome," he said. "And it works two ways. She's so special, it makes football seem insignificant. At the same time, it makes football even more important, because it's what I do to support her."
And he's working hard to do that, trying to maintain what he does well and improve what he needs work on to ensure that his stay with the 49ers is a long one.
On the field, Ulbrich sees his strengths as his hustle and determination as well as his ability to recognize and anticipate things as they're happening.
"I give it my all on every play," Ulbrich said. "But on some special situations, it would be more beneficial for me to relax and stay composed. On film, it's obvious to see those couple of plays where I'm flying one way and the pass is coming back the other side. But, that's to be expected, having started only one game. With experience, it will come."
For those looking to break into the NFL, Ulbrich has this piece of advice: "You gotta work harder than everyone else, that's the name of the game. Only a handful of guys can get to the NFL by pure athleticism. If you think the guy next to you is working harder than you, you gotta work harder."
Jeff Ulbrich knows. He did it.