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chico49erfan
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Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
Almost done rewatching the game against the Lions. I am so impressed with how well Willis covered Pettigrew. He is one of Staffords primary targets and Willis covered him like a blanket. How many LBs can do that ALL GAME?
So many great plays/tackles/broken up passes. Unbelievable game by Patrick Willis on Sunday. That Bowman kid is somethin' special too!
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TexasNiner
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You know, there are times watching games when I've thought this. Sometimes, it almost seems like he's just standing in the middle of field waiting for something to happen.
But if you watch more closely, you realize, his presence stops many plays. People don't run or throw his way if they can avoid it. He shuts down a portion of the field. Often his plays come from making up where someone else didn't stop a play and it's now up to him.
It's like asking why Revis or Asomugha don't get more interceptions. They combined for ZERO picks last year. Because people just didn't throw their way, or when they did they made sure to keep the ball away from them.
Willis shuts things down just by being there and then cleans up the messes elsewhere on the field. He will never have as many sacks as an OLB and things like INTs and fumbles/recoveries are as much dumb luck as anything else.
He makes a HUGE impact on the game, even if he doesn't put up the stats or have an obvious signature "big play" every game.
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ace49ers
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Originally posted by TexasNiner:
But if you watch more closely, you realize, his presence stops many plays. People don't run or throw his way if they can avoid it. He shuts down a portion of the field. Often his plays come from making up where someone else didn't stop a play and it's now up to him.
Thats what happened in one of A.Smiths sacks, he went to throw it over the middle to the TE but Willis was covering him so Stafford pulled it down and went to move to his right. Thats all A.Smith needed and got there for the sack, and thats in part to Willis. I beleive that TE was the 'go to guy' on that play.
You remember that highlight of Willis chasing down a wide receiver, catching up and tackling him from behind? Yeah...those "awesome highlights" don't happen when the rest of the team gets pressure, makes tackles and just pays better
Willis isn't standing out as much cuz the rest of our D is playing rock solid.
why isn't this thread locked yet?
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miked1978
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Keep it open so we can continue to laugh at the OP.
Plain and simple. PWillis is so technically sound that he never gambles. He's more concerned with tackling the ball carrier properly than making a highlight reel hit. Watch him tackle, and you'll see he never dives at the player. It goes in pass coverage as well, he's more concerned with being in position to make the tackle then to cut angles and go for INTs.
I just rewatched the Lions game and was really impressed with Patrick Willis' cover ability. I thought he was as good as he was going to get but he has really improved. The Patrick Willis of years past would have given up the touchdown to Pettigrew a few times.
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SFATeflonDon
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Cuz teams don't run or pass in his direction!
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overthemiddle
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In todays football they try to take away your playmakers. You do that by not running plays in that direction. VD has the same problem but he gets lots of double coverages. Willis is playing excellent ball and so is the rest of the defense. I wouldnt worry about Willis at all.
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D-NOTTE
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Maybe he's not selfish and trusting his teammates and they're doing their jobs.
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kray28
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Originally posted by chico49erfan:
Hell of a post here.
Shows you the power of a reputation doesn't it? Ray Lewis' reputation and his loudmouth antics are bigger than his actual game.
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Sunshine
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Watching games by braille must be hard...
Originally posted by gamechanger:
Originally posted by rtj03:
First, I LOVE P WILLY and think he is a very good linebacker BUT I just feel he never makes any really game changing plays like forced fumbles, ints, sacks (I know he doesnt blitz that often), defensive TD's. He is a tackling machine and deserves credit for that.
I just look at Ray lewis and some ohters and they always make big plays like big 4th qt tackles and other things.
What do you all think
I feel the same way about him. Don't get me wrong, he's an absolute beast but he really needs to make a bigger impact with some game changing plays.
are you guys kidding me? two touchdowns passes swatted during the lions games isnt game breaking????
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Allx9er
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p-52 is the BIG PLAY!!!