Saying Good-Bye to a Legend- The Niners should trade Patrick Willis

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

All good points! I could see an up and coming team with a young defense wanting a leader but that would still not bring a high pick. Willis is an impact player and any returned picks would not replace that impact. Would like to see MD suggest possible scenarios for a trade though.

Based on his age, there is no way that I could see the 49ers getting fair value back for Willis. I could see another team trading a 3rd round pick perhaps, thats not even close to replacing his value as a performer and leader on this defense.

I think of the points I listed I am least sure about how there wouldn't be a large market. Perhaps there are many teams looking for a short term solution at ILB that is not a contender.

Still, any "right price" for the other team would not be the right price for the 49ers.

I'll try to answer the "which players would be lost via FA if Willis' large contract is on the cap?" question while admitting I know little of the cap. Player and approximate value of per year contract if re-signed.

Cox $5
Cully $3
Iupati $7
Crabs $7
Skuta $2 (I think he's pending FA)

Anyone feel free to add or remove errors. I don't see a combination of players that would be worth the +$8 cap savings and upper mid round pick from trading Willis. Should we call it a 3rd rounder?

Willis is the heart and soul of this defense. Bowman may never fully recover. Borland needs more time to improve his coverage skills. It would be a huge error to trade Willis.

I think he is a trade candidate at some point but not this year

Willis just had season ending surgery, and while there is on paper a ton of depth at middle lb, Bowman is still injured and wasn't able to even practice this year. I think right now Pat has the least amount of value to another team, and our depth while good on paper in no way sufficient to think about trading Pat. I think this conversation more appropriate after the 15 season when Pats value likely raised if he's able to return and play well plus we should know by then whats up with Bow and if he's been able to return to form.

Edit: Even if he becomes a trade candidate at some point he is to important, I see a fair extension happening for both sides in the future.

That settles it! 9moon is Mad dog's alter ego

But in all seriousness… no thanks

Originally posted by English:
Kind of surprised to see you suggesting this. IMO it is too early to crown Borland as his replacement.

I love Willis, however MD's proposal makes sense. Borland has been a tackling machine in college and continued at the same level in the pros. It isn't like these few games in the pros have been some unexpected revelation. The guy is a Football Player. He just gets it.

No, he doesn't have the speed Willis once had, and his arms are two inches shorter, but he has met or exceeded Willis' tackle numbers in every game. He is ready, IMO.

Originally posted by Pillbusta:
I firmly believe that when Willis comes back off this surgery he will be a stud. He won't be liable in the run game or the pass game. He will be elite and he is way too knowledgeable in this defense. This is a HOF player we are talking about here so I say no. We have savings at other spots such as Brooks at LB where we can shed some fat. We are aiming to be in Super Bowl 50 next February and we will most certainly need Willis to get there

We need to solve our quarterback issue before we can start talking about Super Bowls. I remain to be convinced a new HC/OC are the answer to that problem.

I disagree Maddog. Pat is the heart and soul of the defense. Kind of how gore is to the offense. While Borland has impressed and Willis' salary is high, I think trading Pat would be a huge mistake because of the fire and leadership he brings to the team. Its usually Pat that is giving the team the pre-kickoff speeches on gameday to fire up the team. Borland may drop off next year, Bowman may not become the player he once was prior to his injury. If Pat is traded and those things become reality it would really hurt the team.

If the price is right anyone can be traded but I would not give him away. I don't think any team would give enough to say this trade would make since. Having 3 ILB is a good problem to have and I think the salary cap can be helped in other areas.

When I first saw the title I was like , and had to check to see if this was another after-loss-troll post.

But at the end of the day, this is the life of a GM. Baalke has to think about and entertain every single possible way to make this team better...even trading his coach or one of his best defenders now. This was also the Bill Walsh-way as well.

At the end of the day, he may have to entertain moves like trading Harbaugh, Willis, one of our two NT's, dropping Brooks, letting Crabtree walk, restructuring Davis, etc.

Per MM, per Joel Corry of the National Football Post, we're anywhere from 2.2M-5.4M over the projected cap (3rd most committement). We do have 4.5M of space that can be rolled over for next year plus the cap is expected to rise from 138.6M to 141.8M.

Originally posted by dj43:
I love Willis, however MD's proposal makes sense. Borland has been a tackling machine in college and continued at the same level in the pros. It isn't like these few games in the pros have been some unexpected revelation. The guy is a Football Player. He just gets it.

No, he doesn't have the speed Willis once had, and his arms are two inches shorter, but he has met or exceeded Willis' tackle numbers in every game. He is ready, IMO.

And Borland's injury history? He's out for the rest of this season...his first in the NFL. Not suggesting he isn't a very good rookie but if he starts and Bowman doesn't make it back...who are the next three MLBs? Wilhoite, Moody and a rookie?

Once again...

BORLAND IS A HUGE LIABILITY IN COVERAGE.

Do we really want him trying to cover with his short arms and slow feet? He's not a complete linebacker at all.