Are the Bills targeting Willis? - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

AzPatsFan · 03-28-2007, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebman2112

Harris has been somewhat injury free, since his ACL tear in '03, second knee injury in '04, and an ankle sprain in '05.

Harris has short arms (only 30in, all other LB prospects are longer), needs to work on his hand technique, is slower than Willis, and doesn't really have the size advantage some on here seem to think. Harris is 6'2, Willis 6'1". Harris played at 239lbs in college, and Willis 240lbs in College. Willis has better coverage skills, and seems tougher since he plays through injuries, when Harris sat out with lessor injuries.

I like Harris, but at SILB, and I like Willis at WILB, they are different backers, and their size is pretty similar, although Willis seems to have better size at WILB, than Harris does at SILB....

I think you have nailed it. I would take Willis if he fell to us or above 20.

Willis IS the beat MLB. But he is not that incomparably great as a 3-4 ILB. Harris is his equal as a SILB, if not a little bit better as a SILB. Harris is a better run-stuffer with the ability to carry more size as he is a "thicker" body type, and at least an inch taller. Although Willis has more talent that is not really applicable at that position.

Willis might be a pretty good as a WILB, but he hasn't demonstrated the blitzing ability that you would like at that position, so he isn't perfect there. He has all the other perquisites though. His competition in this draft is Posluzny as a WILB and its close, IMO.

In summary, Willis is a better MLB hands down than either Harris or Poz; but that is not what the Patriots are looking to draft. They are looking for a SILB, for TJ who they haven't replaced; and Harris is better candidate than TJ was as a SILB,because his pass coverage ability is superior. The Patriots are looking for a guy to groom to take Tedy's job at WILB, and Willis has the talent to excel, but he isn't as good as Tedy in Blitzing pass rush. Nor is Posluzny either, bu t both are above average, to go with other superlatives.

In summary, I wouldn't move up much at all for Willis over the other two,although I'd choose him first amongst the three. All in all, I'd rather have two picks than one Willis. If the Patriots were a 4-3 team my decision might be different, though.

Once again, I don't give a damn what 4-3 scouts think about Willis; its what 3-4 scouts think, that counts.

VJCPatriot · 03-28-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebman2112

Harris has been somewhat injury free, since his ACL tear in '03, second knee injury in '04, and an ankle sprain in '05.

Harris has short arms (only 30in, all other LB prospects are longer), needs to work on his hand technique, is slower than Willis, and doesn't really have the size advantage some on here seem to think. Harris is 6'2, Willis 6'1". Harris played at 239lbs in college, and Willis 240lbs in College. Willis has better coverage skills, and seems tougher since he plays through injuries, when Harris sat out with lessor injuries.

I like Harris, but at SILB, and I like Willis at WILB, they are different backers, and their size is pretty simular, although Willis seems to have better size at WILB, than Harris does at SILB....

I gotta agree here. Those who are trying to sell Willis as undersized and Harris as bigger... Umm I'm not buying it. Both guys are about the same size, Harris is an inch taller. I don't see Harris as a better fit for the Pats than Willis and I think most Harris boosters would concede that Willis is more talented and athletic overall. I also disagree with the notion that SILB is more valuable to us than WILB. The WILB has the responsibility to drop back in coverage and cover tight ends/slot receivers. Guess where we got burnt against the Colts? That's right, by tight ends and slot receivers.

I doubt the Patriots move up for Willis, although I like him very much. I think they can get a decent linebacker prospect by trading down from #28. However if a stud offensive guy like Lynch/Meachem is there at 28, I'm gonna take em without thinking twice. A number of quality 2 down SILB types can be had on the second day, if run stuffing is ALL that you're looking for. I also am in FAVOR of drafting DeOssie although by all accounts he projects to OLB.