No one tackles like Willis—rookies and vets alike

By Anthony Bialy  |   Monday, March 24, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

San Francisco 49ers
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Patrick Willis is already an outstanding player, and the numbers prove it. His instinctually physical style is reflected in his astounding tackle stats, which would have impressed had they been put up by a player with a decade of NFL experience. Compared to veterans, Willis is already in a class of his own, and compared to his fellow top rookie linebackers, of whom two others particularly excelled. . . he’s slightly better.

Many Niners fans are undoubtedly aware that Willis led the league in tackles with 174 total. He didn’t just squeak into the top spot, either: the next closest player, Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams, lagged behind with 141. Some players arrive in the NFL and find that the game’s speed is immensely faster than it was during college days; in Willis’ case, there may have been pro veterans begging him to slow down.

What’s surprising is that the second-best rookie, Carolina’s linebacker Jon Beason, finished third overall with an impressive 140 tackles of his own. That said, Willis outdid him: it’s not fair to Beason, but the new Niners’ star finished far ahead and showed that he was in his own category. While both started every game of their respective rookie seasons, Willis had 135 solo tackles to Beason’s 106 in addition to the large overall total disparity; the Niner also managed four sacks, while Beason didn’t get any.

Further, Beason plays in a 4-3 defense, which means he theoretically has to cover more ground but also gets more chances for stops than an inside backer would playing in a group of four. The counter to that counterargument is that 3-4 linebackers get more opportunities to step close to the line and make tackles; instead of playing volleys back and forth, it’s fair to claim that, while that Beason is already very good, Willis is currently in a class of one.

David Harris, who made 127 stops for the Jets, was the only other rookie in triple digits; he had 90 solo tackles and five sacks while starting only nine games. An inner member of a four-linebacker scheme like San Francisco’s, he may offer the most suitable comparison.

In that regard, Willis is aided by the fact that he was out there starting from Week 1 instead of Week 9; on the other hand, it’s an indication that he was not only ahead of but also past the curve, shining from his first game. Again, it’s not to say less of a player like Harris who did a lot with less time on the field, only more of Willis.

Of course, linebackers are going to have the most opportunities for tackles. That’s particularly true for interior players, who are literally in the center of the action. In fact, Willis’ teammate, safety Michael M. Lewis, was credited with the most tackles in the NFL last season for a non-linebacker; with 104, he didn’t come in until 30th place. It is fair to point out that a defensive tackle or cornerback with Willis’ corresponding skills wouldn’t have put up the same level of numbers as the Niners’ rising star.

Still, that’s not to take away from the seasons other rookies put forth, and at the same time it’s certainly not to imply that Willis is only good due to the position he mans. The point is that, judged against stellar efforts from either established players or other first-year men, Willis was incomparable.

For a team that finished last year ranked 25th in defense, Willis brings hope that turning the corner is possible; few other players in the league could provide that kind of evidence on their own, but both his totals and his play style indicate that he’s in that spectacular category. In fact, this team could eventually consider switching to a defense where he would be the only middle linebacker on the field.

Willis might have to cope with more coverage responsibilities in a 4-3, although he did defend five passes last season; while that might take him slightly out of his element, the sole overriding factor is that he’s a difference-making player who’s a beast at attacking anywhere on his ground and has earned the right to be granted as much responsibility as possible, something he’s proven after only 16 games.
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