Do you think that Patrick Willis has finally surpassed Ray Lewis as the best MLB?

[wwharton]

Re: Do you think that Patrick Willis has finally surpassed Ray Lewis as the best MLB?

I am not making a big deal and if this happen a few years ago then no big deal. I didn't make a big deal about Shawn Marriman getting blown up by Maurice Jones. Things happen in context in a football game but when players get older I notice it lil bit more. This is more of an age discussion than his greatness as a player.

The play when the te went pass him look mor like Ray was playing zone and maybe he should have some help over the top. I was just making an observation.

Sounds like you're just looking for reasons to think he's declining. Doesn't matter how old a player is, if they start getting beat or run over more then there's reason to believe the end may be near. If it happens once in a preseason game and you'd ignore it if it wasn't for his age then that's just reaching.

[grunt]

Re: Do you think that Patrick Willis has finally surpassed Ray Lewis as the best MLB?

Sounds like you're just looking for reasons to think he's declining. Doesn't matter how old a player is, if they start getting beat or run over more then there's reason to believe the end may be near. If it happens once in a preseason game and you'd ignore it if it wasn't for his age then that's just reaching.

Of course he is declining. Ray is going into his 14th year. I am not reaching, it is a fact. All I said Ray doesn't have 3 years left in the league. There aren't too many linebackers that play in their 16th and 17th year.

[wwharton]

Re: Do you think that Patrick Willis has finally surpassed Ray Lewis as the best MLB?

Of course he is declining. Ray is going into his 14th year. I am not reaching, it is a fact. All I said Ray doesn't have 3 years left in the league. There aren't too many linebackers that play in their 16th and 17th year.

It's your reasoning that seems off. If you're saying it just bc it's rare for it to happen, I can buy that. Saying you saw two plays in one preseason game, one of which he may have been in zone... that's reaching.

[grunt]

Re: Do you think that Patrick Willis has finally surpassed Ray Lewis as the best MLB?

It's your reasoning that seems off. If you're saying it just bc it's rare for it to happen, I can buy that. Saying you saw two plays in one preseason game, one of which he may have been in zone... that's reaching.

Show me another 17 year inside linebacker/mlb in the NFL. I mean ever in the NFL. (Clay Matthews played 19 years.) Wow Some will say that outside of the running back position the mlb take the most punishment. I am saying Ray is at the stage where age will begin to show. His coaches know better and time will tell if he is next year Derrick Brooks and if his body can hold up for another NFL season.

I gave 2 plays an example. I watching Takeo Spikes on the 49ers and I notice how he didn't have that subtle explosion anymore. How the Eagles use Dawkins in the box because he lost some range.

I notice something with Teddy Bruschi in his last pre season game and this is the honest truth. The game was between Redskins and Cooley had a 73 yard reception and in the play it seem like Teddy didn't get deep enough depth in his drop. I just said hmmmm. When players get older it isn't dramatic it is just those little things.

The thing I will remember about Ray in his prime that he explode on contact and it will be interesting to see can he do it again this season.

[yamabushi]

Re: Do you think that Patrick Willis has finally surpassed Ray Lewis as the best MLB?

Over the past 10 years, IMO, London Fletcher has been just as good as Ray Lewis. Yet Lewis probably has 10 pro bowls and Fletcher zero.

Fletchers one of the most under-rated LBs Ive ever seen.

Rays getting old.
Id put Tatupu(sp) Beason, Willis, and Ryans ahead of him at this point.