To me: It's Willis - New England Patriots Forums

***PATSNUTme*** · 03-12-2007, 08:21 AM

I have been dancing around with who the Patriots should pick in the first round.

I have looked at all of the players, WR, DE's, OLB,ILB, CB, FS, SS, OT, & RB. to me the only player that makes sense for the Patriots to draft is Patrick Willis. ILB's who can play in the Patriots D ar getting harder to find. Willis can do that. We need a guy who can eventually replace Tedy. We need a guy who can play next to Tedy and learn from him. Willis is the only guy in this draft that can do that and is as close to a sure thing as you can get. Also, this would allow Vrabes to move back outside in a rotation.

I believe that we can find a FS or SS later in the draft that will be good ones.

Now we may have to trade up to get him using both of our first rounders. If we find a willing trading partner, like GB, we should be able to get a second or third rounder in return as well as Willis.

So on 3/12/07 I'm declaring Patrick Willis as the only logical Patriots first round draft pick. This could be subject to change if additional information comes out.

Now tell me where I am wrong. But, be gentle.

PatDaPatriot · 03-12-2007, 09:37 AM

I think you have to jump Buffalo in order definitely get him...

TheBaronPatriot · 03-12-2007, 10:15 AM

I like Willis as well.
He's tough and there was as story I read about him a while back about his maturity and growing up in adverse conditions.

He's been on his own since he was 4 years old.
Mother left, father was a deadbeat.
He was cooking meals at the age of 6, working in the cotton fields at 10.
As a teen Willis learned his father was abusing his sister and called DSS on him.
Last summer his 17 yo brother died drowning.

When asked about his situation ""There were complications with my dad, and my mother was never really around."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/...bn_nfl_combine

another quote worth mentioning
"My real-life experience taught me how to compete through adversity," he said. "No matter what happens, if someone knocks you down, you have to find a way to get up and get the job done. That's what you have to do."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/...bn_nfl_combine

His character is top notch. He's got no BS leader written all over him.

Now to speak to his football play.
I haven't seen much film of him but I have seen some.
He plays the game in a violent fashion. Always full speed.
He attacks the hole, he doesn't just fill it.
He explodes into ball carriers and punishes and really tackles through his target. In football terms, coaches teach that you want to tackle somebody as if they are about 3 yards behind of their actual position so the impact and force you hit with is extended. Willis does this better than any LB (in this draft). His tackling aggressiveness and technique remind me of Vilma's out of Miami.

Throw in 4.51 speed, character, coach ability, toughness, and violence and you end up with a perfect match for this team.

***PATSNUTme*** · 03-12-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBaronPatriot

I like Willis as well.
He's tough and there was as story I read about him a while back about his maturity and growing up in adverse conditions.

He's been on his own since he was 4 years old.
Mother left, father was a deadbeat.
He was cooking meals at the age of 6, working in the cotton fields at 10.
As a teen Willis learned his father was abusing his sister and called DSS on him.
Last summer his 17 yo brother died drowning.

When asked about his situation ""There were complications with my dad, and my mother was never really around."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/...bn_nfl_combine

another quote worth mentioning
"My real-life experience taught me how to compete through adversity," he said. "No matter what happens, if someone knocks you down, you have to find a way to get up and get the job done. That's what you have to do."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/...bn_nfl_combine

His character is top notch. He's got no BS leader written all over him.

Now to speak to his football play.
I haven't seen much film of him but I have seen some.
He plays the game in a violent fashion. Always full speed.
He attacks the hole, he doesn't just fill it.
He explodes into ball carriers and punishes and really tackles through his target. In football terms, coaches teach that you want to tackle somebody as if they are about 3 yards behind of their actual position so the impact and force you hit with is extended. Willis does this better than any LB (in this draft). His tackling aggressiveness and technique remind me of Vilma's out of Miami.

Throw in 4.51 speed, character, coach ability, toughness, and violence and you end up with a perfect match for this team.

The only question on him is coverage. He hasn't been asked to do much there. But he is suppose to be smart so he can learn how to cover.

Also keep in mind he played on a bad defensive team. He had very little help.

TheBaronPatriot · 03-12-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PATSNUTme

The only question on him is coverage. He hasn't been asked to do much there. But he is suppose to be smart so he can learn how to cover.

Also keep in mind he played on a bad defensive team. He had very little help.

In terms of coverage. Vrabel, Bruschi, Willie, were all guys who were DEs and learned to cover. I think given Willis' physical tools he will be able to learn how to cover. But good point nonetheless that was a question mark with him. Though in the senior bowl reports stated he did a decent job.

Bad defensive team with little help - to me translates to Offenses were gearing to stop him at all costs and he was still able to produce and make plays.

One knock I have heard on this guy is that he gets engulfed by large blockers.
I think that's ok, since I'm willing to bet he was never taught how to stack and shed at Ole Miss.

Rather he was probably taught to chase and tackle. Again, based on his high level character/coach ability etc. I think he can learn the correct techniques to taking on guards and produce on running downs while he learns pass coverage.

I doubt he will be there at 24 as the #1 ILB on most boards.

kurtinelson · 03-12-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PatDaPatriot

I think you have to jump Buffalo in order definitely get him...

Buffalo needs major help at CB and ILB. They will have an interesting decision to make as they will likely have the choice of their top rated CB or their top rated LB. If you were Buffalo, would you draft Willis at No. 12 and then take say Aaron Ross, Josh Wilson, Eric Wright, Tanard Jackson or another projected 2nd or 3rd round CB, or draft Leon Hall, Revis or Houston and take a projected 2nd, 3rd or 4th round LB like David Harris, Buster Davis, Zak DeOssie, etc.?

I think most scouts would agree that Willis is not a top 12 pick, however, last year showed that Buffalo is not afraid to "reach."

***BelichickFan*** · 03-12-2007, 11:42 AM

I like Willis too. But you still have to get past that Belioli has NEVER drafted a LB for the Patriots on the first day. That doesn't mean they never will, and I know the stories of guys like Vilma who they say they would have taken, but the fact remains. I won't believe we take on on the first day until I see it, never mind the first round - and to trade up in the first round ?

***patchick*** · 03-12-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurtinelson

Buffalo needs major help at CB and ILB. They will have an interesting decision to make as they will likely have the choice of their top rated CB or their top rated LB. If you were Buffalo, would you draft Willis at No. 12 and then take say Aaron Ross, Josh Wilson, Eric Wright, Tanard Jackson or another projected 2nd or 3rd round CB, or draft Leon Hall, Revis or Houston and take a projected 2nd, 3rd or 4th round LB like David Harris, Buster Davis, Zak DeOssie, etc.?

I think most scouts would agree that Willis is not a top 12 pick, however, last year showed that Buffalo is not afraid to "reach."

Good question...if I were Buffalo, I think I'd go CB first. They're too scarce and too pricey to pass on.

***PATSNUTme*** · 03-12-2007, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

I like Willis too. But you still have to get past that Belioli has NEVER drafted a LB for the Patriots on the first day. That doesn't mean they never will, and I know the stories of guys like Vilma who they say they would have taken, but the fact remains. I won't believe we take on on the first day until I see it, never mind the first round - and to trade up in the first round ?

No they never have. But, if you look at the ILB's availible in FA and the draft, deduct those not suited for a 3-4 defense, who do you have left?

Of all the players that fit a need for the Patriots, Willis is as close to a sure thing that there is, IMO. I think that he is the best ILB prospect, for a 3-4, that has been out there in the past several years. And, he can play outside if needed.

Again, BB & Scott should and do know 100X's more than I do, so if they don't go after Willis I'll say IBWT and see what that looks like 3 years from now.

PonyExpress · 03-12-2007, 12:56 PM

Dividing your assets reduces the risk of random injury wiping out your investment. Trading two first rd talents for one seems like poor risk management.