Patrick Willis value takes a hit? (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

Possible

Here's the gory detail. Part One.

The team’s top overall pick, Patrick Willis of Mississippi, has played only inside linebacker in a 4-3 scheme. He won the Butkus Award as college football’s top linebacker as a senior. The 49ers have him slated to work at the inside position on the weakside with veteran Derek Smith.

“I’m a tough person and I’m confident. I would like to play in any defense, so just teach me how and I’ll show you,” Willis said.

Niners assistant head coach Mike Singletary said he is not concerned about Willis’ ability to adapt to an unfamiliar scheme.

“If he can play in a 4-3, he can play in a 3-4,” Singletary said. “He certainly makes our defense faster. He certainly adds speed. He gives us some versatility.”

Part Two.

Willis instantly becomes the 49ers' linebacker on passing downs, where the team goes with five- and sometimes six-defensive backs. He'll also compete for the starter's job at weak inside linebacker in what's expected to be a 3-4 defense, a role that demands a quick, tackle-mad player. The position is held by Derek Smith, who's coming off surgery to repair a damaged eye muscle.

The tackle-mad comment is interesting. Generally speaking, today's 3-4 defenses tend to highlight the LILB (strong side player) as the primary tackler. Mike Nolan cut his 3-4 teeth with Wade Phillips with Denver in the 1990s. Phillips defenses have tended to highlight the LILB -- Donnie Edwards -- in recent seasons.

But...Nolan's seasons running a 3-4 in Baltimore are tough to read. Here's a post from February with a bunch of detail about Nolan, Ray Lewis, and Ed Hartwell and who produced what in which position. So this may not be as ugly as it first appears, especially with Willis clearly expected to assume primary nickel duties. I'd temper expectations all the same for now, however.

**BTW, the second note means the current blurb on Rotoworld suggesting that Brandon Moore will be benched could well be wrong. He could be atop the depth chart at LILB ahead of Jeff Ulbrich.

 

[Chaos Commish]

You're fear mongering.

 

[Jene Bramel]

You're fear mongering.

Maybe. That's why I added the post about Nolan's scheme maybe being a little different. But I sure wish I'd have known which side Vilma was playing on at this time last year....

 

[Jene Bramel]

You're fear mongering.

Maybe. That's why I added the post about Nolan's scheme maybe being a little different. But I sure wish I'd have known which side Vilma was playing on at this time last year....

Some more followup here. Looks like Nolan's defense is a little different than Phillips' with regard to the responsibility of the ILBs. With the exception of one of Lewis' seasons listed at LILB in Baltimore, the RILB has been fine in this system. SF 3-4 D 2005

RILB (comb) 94-29

LILB (comb) 67-26

I'm not saying Willis should be dropped off the radar altogether like Vilma (and the stats say he shouldn't). I'm saying that it needs to be watched closely. He looks like he'll be fine, though, especially as the three down backer.

ETA:

You want some real fear-mongering? Maybe Donnie Edwards was so good that he skewed the results of the ILB value in Wade Phillips' scheme. Maybe it'll be the RILB that performs well in San Diego and Dallas this year. Maybe the Phillips 3-4 ILBs are mucho differento than the Belichick 3-4 and our eyes have deceived us lo these many seasons.

Maybe...

All right, I'll stop. Seriously, though, understanding the scheme and responsibility matters.

 

[Rovers]

Jene, ya shoulda just trusted me on Vilma last year! I honestly don't think it matters that much which side Vilma is on. Barton was outpointed by Vilma anyway.... Vilma will never approach the numbers he put up in Herm Edwards' defense, which funnelled tackles to the MLB, not in this 3-4 anyway. He, like the NE inside backers will never be a big FF scorer. He'll stay in that #20 to #40 ranking. The 3-4 that allows Farrior and a guy like Donnie Edwards to put up good numbers is different than the hybrid Mangini (and Belichick) runs.

I'm not X's and O's savy enough to explain it, but it's there in the numbers. The Jets seem to try and funnel ball carriers to different sides with their scheme. Similar to teams that say they don't have a WLB or SLB, it's left and right. Mangini tries to be unpredictable on defense to be more difficult to game plan against. Sometimes Barton would come up to fill a gap, sometimes Vilma. It seems to me that in SD Edwards was always the LB who stayed back to react.... which is why people liked to talk about his tackles always being 5 yards downfield. Mangini's scheme is more complex, and both ILB's have to learn to play both types of defensive assignments. Vilma is still making the adjustment, and I expect his numbers to go up a bit this year, but not dramatically. Sometimes both ILB's will fill a gap with a safety run blitz for the read, react, tackle role.

Rhodes is often the guy to do that, and it shows up in his gaudy numbers. I haven't seen enough of the SF D to really offer any valuable comment on how Willis will do in that scheme, because I don't have any sort of solid grip on how it's supposed to work.

 

[Warpig]

He just went at the 1.8 pick in our 16 team dynasty.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Jene, ya shoulda just trusted me on Vilma last year! I honestly don't think it matters that much which side Vilma is on. Barton was outpointed by Vilma anyway.... Vilma will never approach the numbers he put up in Herm Edwards' defense, which funnelled tackles to the MLB, not in this 3-4 anyway. He, like the NE inside backers will never be a big FF scorer. He'll stay in that #20 to #40 ranking. The 3-4 that allows Farrior and a guy like Donnie Edwards to put up good numbers is different than the hybrid Mangini (and Belichick) runs.

Barton rotated out frequently after the bye week last year. Add in Brad Kassell's stats over that period and the LILB out-tackled the RILB 88-67. There's no way Barton/Kassell are 20 tackles better than Vilma in a purely left-right scheme with Vilma in a pursuit role. No way. Neither does that explain the clear difference in Andra Davis' value after Leon Williams caused a position switch.

I'm not X's and O's savy enough to explain it, but it's there in the numbers. The Jets seem to try and funnel ball carriers to different sides with their scheme. Similar to teams that say they don't have a WLB or SLB, it's left and right. Mangini tries to be unpredictable on defense to be more difficult to game plan against. Sometimes Barton would come up to fill a gap, sometimes Vilma. It seems to me that in SD Edwards was always the LB who stayed back to react.... which is why people liked to talk about his tackles always being 5 yards downfield. Mangini's scheme is more complex, and both ILB's have to learn to play both types of defensive assignments. Vilma is still making the adjustment, and I expect his numbers to go up a bit this year, but not dramatically. Sometimes both ILB's will fill a gap with a safety run blitz for the read, react, tackle role. Rhodes is often the guy to do that, and it shows up in his gaudy numbers. I haven't seen enough of the SF D to really offer any valuable comment on how Willis will do in that scheme, because I don't have any sort of solid grip on how it's supposed to work.

Every defender in the front seven fills a gap(s), the MLB in the Belichick scheme and the strong side inside backer in the other schemes have "better" gap responsibilities than their counterparts. There is some read and react, but nobody "hangs back" to see what gap to attack. Donnie Edwards made plays downfield because he's among the best pursuit backers in the game. That same group of stats showed that Edwards made a ridiculous 20% of his team's "plays" in 2005 (tackles, sacks, INT, PD). Nobody else was close.I'm learning a little each day guys and I didn't mean to come across as ultra-negative on Willis. Hence the question mark in the title, the "possible" thumb down and the attempt to deflect concern by posting thoughts and stats about how Nolan's scheme may be different (as Parcells always was).We're working under incomplete information without up-to-date playbooks, gameplans, and coaches tape. I may be awful and anal about the scheme thing. But it's predictable. I was with you on the NT thing last year but that's not enough to drop a player like Vilma's tackle stats fully in half. Had I known he was playing RILB before Week 2, I wouldn't have had him in my top 20. It sucks I didn't get on the right wagon until then, but I was quick to post here and in my weekly column that Vilma was in big, big trouble for the foreseeable future. I've seen some (not here) project a big rebound for Vilma now that "he knows the defense". It ain't happening. And it's traceable to scheme.

 

[Rovers]

I was looking at some games from last year when it appeared, at least to me, that there was a sort of "run blitz" thing the Jets were doing with the LB's. By read and react, I don't mean dropping back... it looks more like one of the ILB's would aggressively move, and even try to penetrate the LOS on some running plays, while the other ILB would simply cover a gap. This did seem to direct the RB towards the ILB who wasn't attempting to penetrate. This wasn't done on every play, but it seemed to be a part of the defensive scheme against expected running play downs. Rhodes would play up closer to whichever ILB was trying to penetrate and disrupt. That much I could clearly see.

I don't watch enough other 3-4 defenses to know really if this is something unique that the Jets try to do or not, but I can say that this is a defensive call that the Jets do make and execute.... especially in a second and 4 type of situation. They also did it on some 1st and tens.

I'm still learning, and will always be learning. I need to watch more 3-4 teams run their defenses to get a better picture of how the Jets scheme compares to others, no doubt. Kassel also spelled Vilma at ILB, but granted, not as much as he did Barton.

Not looking to argue the point, but I still feel that in the Jets scheme there is less of a diffeence between RILB and LILB vs. other teams, but I don't have the data to make a strong counterpoint.

Tell ya what.... as a project this year, I will manually tabulate every single down the Jets defense plays. Every tackle, and which LB's were on the field at which positions on every play. If Kassell makes 4 tackles, I'll know if he was in at the L or R side. I'll track just how many tackles come from each spot. That oughtta keep me busy.

 

[Jene Bramel]

I was looking at some games from last year when it appeared, at least to me, that there was a sort of "run blitz" thing the Jets were doing with the LB's. By read and react, I don't mean dropping back... it looks more like one of the ILB's would aggressively move, and even try to penetrate the LOS on some running plays, while the other ILB would simply cover a gap. This did seem to direct the RB towards the ILB who wasn't attempting to penetrate. This wasn't done on every play, but it seemed to be a part of the defensive scheme against expected running play downs. Rhodes would play up closer to whichever ILB was trying to penetrate and disrupt. That much I could clearly see. I don't watch enough other 3-4 defenses to know really if this is something unique that the Jets try to do or not, but I can say that this is a defensive call that the Jets do make and execute.... especially in a second and 4 type of situation. They also did it on some 1st and tens. I'm still learning, and will always be learning. I need to watch more 3-4 teams run their defenses to get a better picture of how the Jets scheme compares to others, no doubt. Kassel also spelled Vilma at ILB, but granted, not as much as he did Barton. Not looking to argue the point, but I still feel that in the Jets scheme there is less of a diffeence between RILB and LILB vs. other teams, but I don't have the data to make a strong counterpoint. Tell ya what.... as a project this year, I will manually tabulate every single down the Jets defense plays. Every tackle, and which LB's were on the field at which positions on every play. If Kassell makes 4 tackles, I'll know if he was in at the L or R side. I'll track just how many tackles come from each spot. That oughtta keep me busy.

I'm not intending to be argumentative either. And you well know that I'm very appreciative of the homer insights. Your notes on the Jet safety situation allowed us to peg Kerry Rhodes cpntinued high value over Eric Coleman very early. And you definitely drove the Vilma discussion.If you do go through with the above, mark the ILB as strong and weak rather than right and left. And prepare to be frustrated when you do a Patriot game -- the ILBs are going to be flipping all over the place before the snap with those multiple TE sets. In all three games I was able to see last year before the playoffs began, it was a pretty clear strong-weak alignment -- Vilma and Barton often changed positions presnap.

 

[Toads]

I was looking at some games from last year when it appeared, at least to me, that there was a sort of "run blitz" thing the Jets were doing with the LB's. By read and react, I don't mean dropping back... it looks more like one of the ILB's would aggressively move, and even try to penetrate the LOS on some running plays, while the other ILB would simply cover a gap. This did seem to direct the RB towards the ILB who wasn't attempting to penetrate. This wasn't done on every play, but it seemed to be a part of the defensive scheme against expected running play downs. Rhodes would play up closer to whichever ILB was trying to penetrate and disrupt. That much I could clearly see.

I don't watch enough other 3-4 defenses to know really if this is something unique that the Jets try to do or not, but I can say that this is a defensive call that the Jets do make and execute.... especially in a second and 4 type of situation. They also did it on some 1st and tens.

I'm still learning, and will always be learning. I need to watch more 3-4 teams run their defenses to get a better picture of how the Jets scheme compares to others, no doubt. Kassel also spelled Vilma at ILB, but granted, not as much as he did Barton.

Not looking to argue the point, but I still feel that in the Jets scheme there is less of a diffeence between RILB and LILB vs. other teams, but I don't have the data to make a strong counterpoint.

Tell ya what.... as a project this year, I will manually tabulate every single down the Jets defense plays. Every tackle, and which LB's were on the field at which positions on every play. If Kassell makes 4 tackles, I'll know if he was in at the L or R side. I'll track just how many tackles come from each spot. That oughtta keep me busy.

I'm not intending to be argumentative either. And you well know that I'm very appreciative of the homer insights. Your notes on the Jet safety situation allowed us to peg Kerry Rhodes cpntinued high value over Eric Coleman very early. And you definitely drove the Vilma discussion.If you do go through with the above, mark the ILB as strong and weak rather than right and left. And prepare to be frustrated when you do a Patriot game -- the ILBs are going to be flipping all over the place before the snap with those multiple TE sets.

In all three games I was able to see last year before the playoffs began, it was a pretty clear strong-weak alignment -- Vilma and Barton often changed positions presnap.

I'm trying to follow all this with Victor Hobson in mind. Hobson outpointed all the ILB's and is listed as the starter at (S) OLB. Why is Hobson a better point scorer than all those guys? Has to be the three down work?And, I've read that Bryan Thomas is listed as an OLB this year....not a DE. Is there any hope that Thomas will produce to exceed Hobson?

 

[5Rings]

I love Willis. As a 49er fan, I will overdraft him if he's available in any of my drafts....

That said, I don't think he'll put up the same fantasy pts as he would have, in say, Buffalo, or any other team running a 4-3.

The good news is he's "competing" with Derek Smith for the key ILB spot...the spot in Nolan's D which generates most of the tackles. Your two articles above kinda covered this. The competition will be short and sweet--Derek Smith is done. The guy is a horrible tackler, can't take on blockers, and at this point in his career is too slow to do anything but dive at guys ankles 6 yards down the field. Willis will win the spot quickly.

As for Smith, I think he's on the border about even having a roster spot this year with his $5M cap #. I expect Nolan to keep only one of Smith/Ulbrich as a "veteran mentor" to the youngsters.

Unfortunately, the guy whose value takes a hit with this acquisition is Brandon Moore, imo, who I've been shamelessly pimpin for the last few years.

I expect about 100 tackles this year, with 5-6 big plays (sack/int/fumble).

I still have him as the #1 rookie IDP guy, but I believe the fall-of after him is tremendous as compared to recent years.

 

[Rovers]

I was looking at some games from last year when it appeared, at least to me, that there was a sort of "run blitz" thing the Jets were doing with the LB's. By read and react, I don't mean dropping back... it looks more like one of the ILB's would aggressively move, and even try to penetrate the LOS on some running plays, while the other ILB would simply cover a gap. This did seem to direct the RB towards the ILB who wasn't attempting to penetrate. This wasn't done on every play, but it seemed to be a part of the defensive scheme against expected running play downs. Rhodes would play up closer to whichever ILB was trying to penetrate and disrupt. That much I could clearly see.

I don't watch enough other 3-4 defenses to know really if this is something unique that the Jets try to do or not, but I can say that this is a defensive call that the Jets do make and execute.... especially in a second and 4 type of situation. They also did it on some 1st and tens.

I'm still learning, and will always be learning. I need to watch more 3-4 teams run their defenses to get a better picture of how the Jets scheme compares to others, no doubt. Kassel also spelled Vilma at ILB, but granted, not as much as he did Barton.

Not looking to argue the point, but I still feel that in the Jets scheme there is less of a diffeence between RILB and LILB vs. other teams, but I don't have the data to make a strong counterpoint.

Tell ya what.... as a project this year, I will manually tabulate every single down the Jets defense plays. Every tackle, and which LB's were on the field at which positions on every play. If Kassell makes 4 tackles, I'll know if he was in at the L or R side. I'll track just how many tackles come from each spot. That oughtta keep me busy.

I'm not intending to be argumentative either. And you well know that I'm very appreciative of the homer insights. Your notes on the Jet safety situation allowed us to peg Kerry Rhodes cpntinued high value over Eric Coleman very early. And you definitely drove the Vilma discussion.If you do go through with the above, mark the ILB as strong and weak rather than right and left. And prepare to be frustrated when you do a Patriot game -- the ILBs are going to be flipping all over the place before the snap with those multiple TE sets.

In all three games I was able to see last year before the playoffs began, it was a pretty clear strong-weak alignment -- Vilma and Barton often changed positions presnap.

I'm trying to follow all this with Victor Hobson in mind. Hobson outpointed all the ILB's and is listed as the starter at (S) OLB. Why is Hobson a better point scorer than all those guys? Has to be the three down work?And, I've read that Bryan Thomas is listed as an OLB this year....not a DE. Is there any hope that Thomas will produce to exceed Hobson?

Teams ran at Hobson's side often, which helped his numbers. Part of the reason for that was that is the side Kimo VonOellhoffen was on, and he spent more time in a 3 point stance that included his butt last year than one hand and two feet. That also explains why Thomas, on the other side put up lower numbers than Hobson did too... they didn't want to run at Ellis and Thomas that often. Replacing vonOldhoffen with Coleman, the DE from Dallas should improve the run defense on that side, and Hobson will have to beat out the newly aquired Bowen, who will try to convert from part time pass rushing DE for Miami to an OLB, as Thomas did last year. Thomas should see more tackle opportunties with the improvement of personnell on the other side.

The Thomas relisting is not set in stone just yet, but it's 95% likely that he gets properly listed as an OLB this year. Sorry to hijack the Willis thread....

 

[Rozelle]

I still expect Willis to be an IDP stud.

 

[Rovers]

I still expect Willis to be an IDP stud.

He may work out like that, but he's my #3 or 4 LB in this rookie draft, dynasty format. How many teams run a 3-4? And how many of those LB's show up in the top ten? I'll let someone else take him... I have my eye on Poz....

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

I still expect Willis to be an IDP stud.

He may work out like that, but he's my #3 or 4 LB in this rookie draft, dynasty format. How many teams run a 3-4? And how many of those LB's show up in the top ten? I'll let someone else take him... I have my eye on Poz....

the top tier is clearly going to be Willis, Poz, and Beason in some order.Willis has the most talent so many owners will take him first, ignoring the limits of the defensive system he's in. There have certainly been plenty of ultra productive 3-4 ILBs in recent years, but I'm assuming from Jene's analysis that most played LILB. The 49ers have 2 other veteran ILB in place with Brandon Moore and Derek Smith so I'm not sure how all the playing time will get sorted out there although he will likely force his way onto the field. Regardless, defensive schemes and surrounding talent changes over time so in dynasty it does often make sense to take the best player and hope for the best. Poz and Beason both look like they have a great shot to start at MLB in a 4-3 defense. Poz is projected to take over for London Fletcher at MLB in a system similar to that used by the Bears, Bucs, Colts, etc. which have generally produced very productive players. So, he's in a great spot to rack up lots of tackles, even if he doesn't produce many big plays early on. I assume he'll be a 3-down LB with Crowell but Ellison's strength is his cover skills.assuming Morgan is done, Beason has a shot to be the new MLB in Carolina and he could even have a Vilma-like impact down there playing behind some very big DTs and Julius Peppers will draw double teams as well. He'll likely be in the team's nickel package with Thomas Davis so he should see plenty of snaps.lots to like about all of these guys, but situation certainly is much more favorable to Poz and Beason right now.

 

[Rozelle]

situation certainly is much more favorable to Poz and Beason right now.

Can't argue that ...

but like you said "defensive schemes and surrounding talent changes over time" This is why, in a Dynasty League, I would still rank Willis at the top.

 

[pyite76]

How many teams run a 3-4? And how many of those LB's show up in the top ten?

I set myself up to be in a position to draft Willis, and LB is one of my greatest areas of need. Now I am wondering if I want to take him in the first round. I was gambling he wouldn't get drafted to one of the few teams running a 3-4. My league last year had 3 LB's from 3-4 defenses in the top 10, but only 6 in the top 20. I feel I could take Poz a little later and might end up taking both.

1. Fletcher-Baker, London BUF LB 158

2. Ryans, DeMeco HOU LB ® 157

3. Bulluck, Keith TEN LB 153

4. Briggs, Lance CHI LB 148

5. Edwards, Donnie SDC LB 145

6. Thomas, Zach MIA LB 145

7. Pierce, Antonio NYG LB 138

8. Urlacher, Brian CHI LB 136

9. Morrison, Kirk OAK LB 132

10. Scott, Bart BAL LB 129

11. Farrior, James PIT LB 128

12. Thomas, Adalius BAL LB 126

13. Witherspoon, Will STL LB 126

14. Hawk, A.J. GBP LB ® 124

15. Henderson, E.J. MIN LB 122

16. June, Cato IND LB 122

17. Tatupu, Lofa SEA LB 122

18. Ware, Demarcus DAL LB 122

19. Brooking, Keith ATL LB 119

20. Brooks, Derrick TBB LB

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

My league last year had 3 LB's from 3-4 defenses in the top 10, but only 6 in the top 20. I feel I could take Poz a little later and might end up taking both.

1. Fletcher-Baker, London BUF LB 158

2. Ryans, DeMeco HOU LB ® 157

3. Bulluck, Keith TEN LB 153

4. Briggs, Lance CHI LB 148

5. Edwards, Donnie SDC LB 145

6. Thomas, Zach MIA LB 145

7. Pierce, Antonio NYG LB 138

8. Urlacher, Brian CHI LB 136

9. Morrison, Kirk OAK LB 132

10. Scott, Bart BAL LB 129

11. Farrior, James PIT LB 128

12. Thomas, Adalius BAL LB 126

13. Witherspoon, Will STL LB 126

14. Hawk, A.J. GBP LB ® 124

15. Henderson, E.J. MIN LB 122

16. June, Cato IND LB 122

17. Tatupu, Lofa SEA LB 122

18. Ware, Demarcus DAL LB 122

19. Brooking, Keith ATL LB 119

20. Brooks, Derrick TBB LB

Jason Taylor still pretty much lined up as a DE last year so I think the Dolphins defense was much closer to a typical 4-3 than a typical 3-4. I'd still consider Thomas a 4-3 MLB instea of a 3-4 ILB.I didn't watch a ton of Ravens games and I'm sure they mixed things up quite a bit given the versatility of their personnel, but I'm pretty sure their base formation was a 4-3 with Bart Scott playing WLB, Ray Lewis playing MLB, and Adalius Thomas generally playing SLB. So, I wouldn't consider Bart Scott to be a 3-4 ILB.

guys like Adalius Thomas, DeMarcus Ware, and Shawne Merriman may show up as top-20 LBs in some systems but they are 3-4 outside linebackers (Thomas will be this year in New England anyway) and play a much different position than I assume Willis will be in. They rely heavily on sacks and big plays for their fantasy value, unlike Willis who should be a tackle machine. That also will likely make their production much less consistent/predictable from week to week and year to year.

Out of that list, I'd say the only 2 guys who played in a situation that could compare to what Willis will be doing in San Francisco are Donnie Edwards and James Farrior.

Last year seemed like a bit of a down year for 3-4 ILBs compared to the years of Jamie Sharper, Sam Cowart, Ray Lewis, etc.. Maybe they'll bounce back.

 

[WhoDat]

There is so much that needs to be determined about each player, his situation and where he might or might not play in his respective defensive scheme but...

My initial gut reaction is that I would sell or attempt to trade these guys...right now...if the price was right. That goes double for Willis...Football Gods, why couldn't he have been a Lion...and Timmons. A less astute owner or an owner with a known man crush for all things rookie would probably pay a decent price for Willis especially if he was weak at LB. He is going very high in initial rookie drafts. From a strict IDP standpoint I am not liking where Willis ended up. As is being stated, this could be temporary and could/should change but I would consider finding a buyer before I lock myself into picking him.

Willis is a no doubt about it talent but I am not so sure he turns into a FF point machine. I am comparing him to recent rookies Hawk, Simms, Ryans, O. Thurman and Lofa T. Now, we all know the difference between Willis and his potential position vs those positions played by the players listed. However, your league mates might not, which is my point. Shop the pick that could land Willis or offer Willis for an upgrade at LB. Add in rookie LB production in recent years. Mention that he is being coached by Singletary. Sell it up.

I might wait and see what happens with Beason and Poz or attempt to trade down from a clear slot for Willis and take one of these guys.

This is my first thought(s) about the draft class and the obvious high end LB.

Conversely, I am very high on what and who is available at DE this year in Anderson, Moss and Moses. Not so high on G. Adams, though. I really, really, really like Anderson and Moses.

 

[5Rings]

You'll be kicking yourself in a few months if you let the fact Derek Smith is still on the team dissuade your from takin Willis. He'll be a starting, 3 down backer in the prime tackle position in the SF 3-4.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

You'll be kicking yourself in a few months if you let the fact Derek Smith is still on the team dissuade your from takin Willis. He'll be a starting, 3 down backer in the prime tackle position in the SF 3-4.

Derek Smith isn't a concern to me. It's the 3-4. Some guys produce in it, some guys just don't.I think the top 3 LBs are all pretty close in value/potential. Willis gets dinged a bit b/c I'd much rather see him playing MLB in a 4-3 with 2 DTs protecting him, but I'd still probably take a chance that he'll be a special player.

 

[5Rings]

You'll be kicking yourself in a few months if you let the fact Derek Smith is still on the team dissuade your from takin Willis. He'll be a starting, 3 down backer in the prime tackle position in the SF 3-4. :X

Derek Smith isn't a concern to me. It's the 3-4. Some guys produce in it, some guys just don't.I think the top 3 LBs are all pretty close in value/potential. Willis gets dinged a bit b/c I'd much rather see him playing MLB in a 4-3 with 2 DTs protecting him, but I'd still probably take a chance that he'll be a special player.

I agree on the 3/4 vs 4-3 comment...but I still rank Willis in his own rookie tier because I believe he's that much better of a LB than Poz/Beason...and I everything I've seen/read about Nolan's 3-4 is that Willis' ILB spot is the guy who will be free to roam and make plays.But hey, I'm a homer....

 

[bcr8f]

In the Senior Bowl there was one breakaway play down the sideline and Willis comes flying in the picture pushing the back out of bounds. He looked like Urlacher on that play. If they are smart they'll use his speed.

WAtch this.