Patrick Willis HOF Material?

Is this even a question?

Only 58% really?

the guy is awesome, the guy had no weakness, but just like Terrell Davis, his career is just very very short... so really, I don't think he'll be in the HOF in his 1st year of eligibility..

Originally posted by Niners99:

Originally posted by 4everFaithful:
Top 5 MLBs of all-time:

1) Ray Lewis
2) Jack Lambert
3) Dick Butkus
4) Mike Singletary
5) Patrick Willis


Willis was the most incredible athlete I've ever seen at that position. Had he played a longer career, he would've been higher on my list.

I think Willis was better than Lambert and Singletary. Lambert was a great player, but he played in an era they didnt really track defensive stats, so his reputation is more legend than hard numbers. Probably the same with Butkus, although I think he is a close 2nd to Ray Lewis.

Willis never played a down of NFL football in which he wasnt considered an elite player. Right off the bat as a rookie, he was a star. Our only memory of him will be that elite All-Pro player, which is why I think he gets in.

It would be dumb to say him playing out 2 more years of mediocre football on bad feet would put him over the top for the Hall, just because of the year total.

He played 7 full seasons, and made 7 Pro Bowls, and none of them were charity or based on rep. He was a HOF player.

Agreed. Honestly I'd put Willis #2 on that list behind Ray, but I didn't want to come off as a homer lol

Didn't Jim Brown play only 7 years? Hall of Fame called. Yes, Willis should be in when he's eligible. Hall of Fame player and teammate. Judging from the comments from his opponents, an all-around good guy and universally respected. Should be a shoo-in.

JIm Brown played for only 7 years.. yes, but that's on offense where you can showcase more talent..

It woulda been different had Willis playd for 7 years and lead the lead in sack each year...

5 all pro seasons should be enough. Athletically he's for sure better than most already in.

Originally posted by 9moon:
JIm Brown played for only 7 years.. yes, but that's on offense where you can showcase more talent..

It woulda been different had Willis playd for 7 years and lead the lead in sack each year...

I disagree with that.

For the most part, yes, it's easier to showcase your talent in a short span as an offensive player, but Willis without a doubt showcased his talent enough to be considered. For most defensive players, 7 years wouldn't have been enough, but Willis was something special.

What I'm about to say is what they WILL say about Pat, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HALL OF FAMER if he hadn't hung em up early. He was HOF potential but, I don't think he cares.

Originally posted by 9moon:

JIm Brown played for only 7 years.. yes, but that's on offense where you can showcase more talent..

It woulda been different had Willis playd for 7 years and lead the lead in sack each year...

Jim Brown played 9 years, and is considered by some to be the greatest player of all time. Thats not a good comparison for anything but years played.

Willis was a MLB. His job wasnt to sack the QB, it was to tackle the ballcarrier, which he led the NFL in total from the years he played (2007-2013).

I understand the argument that his career only lasted 8 years, but he was a no-brainer HOF player. He was HOF caliber from start to finish. The only players that need longevity to make the HOF are the borderline guys. Willis was a slam dunk.

Ultimately its going to come down to the fact that Willis was the greatest at his position for a good length of time.

Originally posted by BadgerHawk:

What I'm about to say is what they WILL say about Pat, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HALL OF FAMER if he hadn't hung em up early. He was HOF potential but, I don't think he cares.

So going 7 for 7 in Pro Bowl seasons with 5 All-Pro selections isnt enough? There was nothing "potential" about his career. He WAS a Hall of Fame player.

Rickey Jackson made the HOF. Youre trying to tell me Willis wasnt as good as Rickey Jackson? It not about length of career, its the impact your career made on the game. Obviously you cant make a HOF impact if you play 3 or 4 years, but 7-8 is enough.

Gale Sayers had a 7 year career. Dick Butkus had a 9 year career. Willis at 8 years, is in. Maybe not in year 1, but he will be recognized sooner than later.

lol the only argument people can come up with for why he isn't a HOF is "Career not long enough"....how stupid is that?

Obviously yes.

Originally posted by 4everFaithful:

Originally posted by Niners99:

Originally posted by 4everFaithful:
Top 5 MLBs of all-time:

1) Ray Lewis
2) Jack Lambert
3) Dick Butkus
4) Mike Singletary
5) Patrick Willis


Willis was the most incredible athlete I've ever seen at that position. Had he played a longer career, he would've been higher on my list.

I think Willis was better than Lambert and Singletary. Lambert was a great player, but he played in an era they didnt really track defensive stats, so his reputation is more legend than hard numbers. Probably the same with Butkus, although I think he is a close 2nd to Ray Lewis.

Willis never played a down of NFL football in which he wasnt considered an elite player. Right off the bat as a rookie, he was a star. Our only memory of him will be that elite All-Pro player, which is why I think he gets in.

It would be dumb to say him playing out 2 more years of mediocre football on bad feet would put him over the top for the Hall, just because of the year total.

He played 7 full seasons, and made 7 Pro Bowls, and none of them were charity or based on rep. He was a HOF player.

Agreed. Honestly I'd put Willis #2 on that list behind Ray, but I didn't want to come off as a homer lol

4ever you are completely wrong.

The top 5 mlb of all time:

1) Dick Butkus;


That's it.

Originally posted by brodiebluebanaszak:

Originally posted by 4everFaithful:

Originally posted by Niners99:

Originally posted by 4everFaithful:
Top 5 MLBs of all-time:

1) Ray Lewis
2) Jack Lambert
3) Dick Butkus
4) Mike Singletary
5) Patrick Willis


Willis was the most incredible athlete I've ever seen at that position. Had he played a longer career, he would've been higher on my list.

I think Willis was better than Lambert and Singletary. Lambert was a great player, but he played in an era they didnt really track defensive stats, so his reputation is more legend than hard numbers. Probably the same with Butkus, although I think he is a close 2nd to Ray Lewis.

Willis never played a down of NFL football in which he wasnt considered an elite player. Right off the bat as a rookie, he was a star. Our only memory of him will be that elite All-Pro player, which is why I think he gets in.

It would be dumb to say him playing out 2 more years of mediocre football on bad feet would put him over the top for the Hall, just because of the year total.

He played 7 full seasons, and made 7 Pro Bowls, and none of them were charity or based on rep. He was a HOF player.

Agreed. Honestly I'd put Willis #2 on that list behind Ray, but I didn't want to come off as a homer lol

4ever you are completely wrong.

The top 5 mlb of all time:

1) Dick Butkus;


That's it.

Reason I had Lambert and Ray ahead of him is because Lambert had 4 rings and 28 ints which is very impressive in my opinion. He also had the ability to play both ILB and OLB. And of course as for Ray, it's self explanatory, the longevity and effectiveness of his career will never be matched at that position.