Some Perspective

Originally posted by monsterzero789:

Willis does so much more than tackle. Dude is so underrated in coverage. And he's also the spiritual leader of that defense

True. Bowman can't come back soon enough. He is the spiritual successor to Willis. I have a lot of confidence in him and Borland.

A positive thread that begins with IF.



It's like 2007 once again.

Originally posted by monsterzero789:
Willis does so much more than tackle. Dude is so underrated in coverage. And he's also the spiritual leader of that defense

Well duh. In his prime, especially. Again, the last time he played at his peak was in 2012 for a full season. But putting up 174, 141, 152, 128, 97, 120, 104 and 34 tackles takes a toll on an ILB. We can't pretend or assume the Patrick Willis NOW is this same type of player. If he was, he'd probably be less inclined to retire...esp. if he was 100% healthy and didn't have another calling.

I'm just showing you that we're not that far off from replacing production on the field as much as fans think.

Borland is undersized with injury concerns (same concerns as Brian Bosworth) of his own. Would not bet on him.

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by monsterzero789:
Willis does so much more than tackle. Dude is so underrated in coverage. And he's also the spiritual leader of that defense

True. Bowman can't come back soon enough. He is the spiritual successor to Willis. I have a lot of confidence in him and Borland.

We have lost Harbaugh, Fangio, Gore...and Willis and Justin may be next to go.

Not just about on-field production. They were 5 leaders of the team...don't see how we can replace that in one or even two off-seasons.

Originally posted by verb1der:
I hope you're right, because I think Justin Smith made our LBs jobs easy. Smith took on two defenders most of the time, do we even have anyone who can replace him? I highly doubt it, and that's why I believe production in the LB core is going to take a nose dive.

You know, honestly, I think it will be "different." Instead of Justin "holding" two DL to allow Aldon to swoop in, we'll probably see more Tank slash and pass rush inside and Aldon outside. Something like that...move Aldon, Lynch, Tank, Dockett around...then remember, we'll have Williams and Dorsey back 100% healthy...together (first time ever). And Dial is my guy to watch at LDE...he's going to be a monster if he gets snaps. He is one of the most active 6'5" 318 pound LDE you'll find and LDE is his natural position! Not NT (although he did well there for us last year)!

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by glorydayz:
With Borland on the field on first down all a team would have to do is come out in it's base formation (2 RB's, 1 TE, and 2 WR's) and then shift to a 5 wide set.
Just throw to the guy that Borland is covering from that point.

Willis is a huge loss! We don't have a guy on this team that can truly fill his shoes.

Can'y say I blame him for retiring though...

Willis' ONLY weakness was his coverage abilities...that is actually Bowman's big strength over Willis...so much in fact we'd sub out Willis for Bowman in the 'big nickle' for coverage. Now Willis is 30 and has a smashed up toe. That said, Willis was still probably better athletically for coverage in his prime.

In regards to coverage skills, Willis looks like Deon Sanders when compared to Borland!

Originally posted by 4ML:

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by monsterzero789:
Willis does so much more than tackle. Dude is so underrated in coverage. And he's also the spiritual leader of that defense

True. Bowman can't come back soon enough. He is the spiritual successor to Willis. I have a lot of confidence in him and Borland.

We have lost Harbaugh, Fangio, Gore...and Willis and Justin may be next to go.

Not just about on-field production. They were 5 leaders of the team...don't see how we can replace that in one or even two off-seasons.

Totally get that one. But this is a changing-of-the-guard. There are still leaders here and new ones will emerge. And don't underscore the coaches to lead this younger team now too. These players will be impressionable. Leaders WILL emerge.

Originally posted by glorydayz:

Originally posted by NCommand:

Originally posted by glorydayz:
With Borland on the field on first down all a team would have to do is come out in it's base formation (2 RB's, 1 TE, and 2 WR's) and then shift to a 5 wide set.
Just throw to the guy that Borland is covering from that point.

Willis is a huge loss! We don't have a guy on this team that can truly fill his shoes.

Can'y say I blame him for retiring though...

Willis' ONLY weakness was his coverage abilities...that is actually Bowman's big strength over Willis...so much in fact we'd sub out Willis for Bowman in the 'big nickle' for coverage. Now Willis is 30 and has a smashed up toe. That said, Willis was still probably better athletically for coverage in his prime.

In regards to coverage skills, Willis looks like Deon Sanders when compared to Borland!

LOL. Yeah, I doubt Mangini uses his ILB to stay in pass coverage all game long too...Borland will probably add more tackles and more STF's but lose in the category of coverage. We'll see how Borland's intangibles are too. Willis is a big loss...the Willis of 2012.

Originally posted by 4ML:

Originally posted by SofaKing:

Originally posted by monsterzero789:

Willis does so much more than tackle. Dude is so underrated in coverage. And he's also the spiritual leader of that defense

True. Bowman can't come back soon enough. He is the spiritual successor to Willis. I have a lot of confidence in him and Borland.

We have lost Harbaugh, Fangio, Gore...and Willis and Justin may be next to go.

Not just about on-field production. They were 5 leaders of the team...don't see how we can replace that in one or even two off-seasons.

Agree with you. I'm browsing the roster looking for those who will elevate to the leadership roles. The tenured veterans have to step up. Staley, Bowman, Bethea, Boldin. These dudes have to command the locker room. Tomsula and his staff first needs to get these guys to buy in. If they do that, the rest of the team will follow.

I truly believe that Borland is a better LB than Willis right now. Of course Willis had an outstanding career, but Borland is better right now and thats what counts. If Bow can come off that knee injury in good shape then i think we wont miss a step back there

Originally posted by NCommand:
Totally get that one. But this is a changing-of-the-guard. There are still leaders here and new ones will emerge. And don't underscore the coaches to lead this younger team now too. These players will be impressionable. Leaders WILL emerge.

True...it'll just take time. Not sure about the current coaching staff...but there is still lot of good talent on the roster.

I'm totally ok with Hyde becoming no. 1 RB and we all knew Justin Smith was 50-50 going into this off-season. Willis is the big surprise and we may be able to make up for his stats but as you know - there is way more to any sport than just stats.

Willis made players around him better...and that's where we will miss him the most.

Originally posted by THEB:
I truly believe that Borland is a better LB than Willis right now. Of course Willis had an outstanding career, but Borland is better right now and thats what counts. If Bow can come off that knee injury in good shape then i think we wont miss a step back there

LMAO

Actually Willis' tackling numbers came down as he was doing a lot of coverage. willis was great in coverage