Originally posted by SofaKing:
Originally posted by elhebrewhammer:
In regards to this thread. Like I said previously...I think a lot of people are being major homers complaining and making it seem like some major insult to have Patrick Willis at #23. The difference between 23 and some in 10-15 really is not that much when you are dealing with the top 100 players in the entire NFL. 23 still represents the top 2% of the league.
Some guys were even saying that he should be top 5 and maybe number one. That's just blind stupid homerism.
That's a good point, but I don't think it's a stretch to say he should be ranked in the top 10. In 4 years, he's a 4-time probowler and 3-time 1st team All-Pro. He is better at this point in time than Ray Lewis hands down, yet Lewis will be higher on this list. I thought this list was Best Players of 2011, not Best Players of 2000-2010. It is inconsistent in some spots.
I can see an "argument" for top 10, but I just don't think he there is at this point. Honestly, I think he's more 15 - 20, but playing MLB with the 49ers doesn't help him. Teams have learned to play around him a bit and even though he still is making plays and an impact, I think he still has room to grow.
He's already the best MLB in the NFL IMO and is an elite run stopper, but I think he can improve everywhere else in his game. I also think the new coaching staff will be a better job utilizing him more. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Singletary and Manusky were bad linebacker coaches, but their conservative focus on stopping the run type philsophy hindered a lot of the Niners players (especially the secondary) including Patrick Willis.