Solomon Wilcots Top 5 inside linebackers

Originally posted by TheSixthRing:
I have no problem with this - Lewis does so much reading pre-snap, he makes his teammates better be letting them know where they need to be to make the play.

Willis isn't there yet- hopefully he'll get there.

Agreed, physically right now obviously Willis is the man. But reading the D and getting his guys aligned, Lewis is awesome. This is the reason he is still great at his age. Also, his leadership and motivation he gives is almost second to none. Willis is talented guy who is still finding a leadership role. But he will reign for years.

IMO, Willis and Demeco are the top MLBs in the league. Ray's intangibles give him the nod and I can deal with that. Beason has been extremely productive, so no gripes there either.

Based on talent alone, I'd stick Mayo at #5. He just needs to stay healthy and show his game. I'd stick Urlacher, D. Harris, Barnett and Lofton before Lofa. I think Lofa is in the group of Crowder, Morrison, Vilma, DJ Williams... Good, solid players, but not emerging stars.

With Lofa out last year, Hawthorne stepped in and was just as productive. I don't see where that pick came from.

I'm sorry but this is a joke. I love Ray Lewis and the fire he plays with but at this point in time he's not #1.

What's even funnier is he lists his reasons for his rankings at #1 is being the so called field general of the defense....yea cuz clearly that's the #1 thing a linebacker should be doing. In fact I think Wilcots had Bill Belichick close to the top 5 list due to his abilities to read an offense and tell everyone on defense where to lineup.

They show the stats for all the guys and it shows Willis leading NFL in tackles, while Lewis was #5 in the NFL...yet he's #1? Not anymore. He doesn't have the speed he used to and can't do the same things Patrick can do.

I hate when guys get bumped up these lists because of stuff they've done in the past. If you're ranking the guys RIGHT NOW...then base it on their current play.

Originally posted by Dajanksta:

Originally posted by smashmouth51:
Lewis deserves #1 because he has forgotten more football than Willis knows.

This. If Willis can get his mind game like lewis that's when he will become a legend.

Heir apparent to Raye-Raye?

I'm good with that.

Most of the national broadcasters are biased toward the Eastern teams...that's just the way it is. I think Willis is at least on par w/Lewis...he may not be quite the terror RL is, but he's quicker to the ball.

Originally posted by TheSixthRing:
I have no problem with this - Lewis does so much reading pre-snap, he makes his teammates better be letting them know where they need to be to make the play.

Willis isn't there yet- hopefully he'll get there.

No way Tatupu belongs on that list anymore. He's worn down already, playing that style and being that small.

Originally posted by ninergold:
No way Tatupu belongs on that list anymore. He's worn down already, playing that style and being that small.

i see tatupu having a bounce back year, but i think 4 or 5 better mlb's have entered the league since lofa's best years in 05 and 06, i would have tatupu at #10 at best

people need to stop blowing ray lewis, willis is obviously the best ILB in the league, any blind man could see that. not to take anything away from ray but as of right now Willis is top dog

Originally posted by elguapo:
willis IS THE BEST ALL AROUND LB, lewis is still very good even great but Willis is better in every ON FIELD category except leadership.....which is important.....but then again Brooking is a great leader on the field and that does not cut it. To me, that was like taking Favre #1 over Manning even though Manning is better. El guapo has spoken

this

Originally posted by Memphis9er:
Patrick Willis never killed anyone.

Yeah, thats too bad. maybe by next offseason.

Wilcots lists have been sketchy.

He had Aaron Kampman 5th rated edge rusher, my boy Rod Woodson ripped him for that.

I watched our boy Jerry Rice own Solomon Wilcots last night on NFL network when they were playing superbowl XXIII. He must have some secret hatred for the 49ers.