Right now, if you look at the way they play, it's obvious that Willis is the best LB in the NFL, and it's obvious that Harris is near the top. But that's right now. It wasn't too long ago that I thought Asomugha was the best in the league with Revis just near the top - now it appears that Revis may be the best in the business. Things change.
This is such a typical "jet fan" answer (myself included) we never compare our players favorably to others teams players. Perhaps Willis is a step up on Harris but its not Night and Day as you make it seem. There is know way to guage this because its not something that can be kept in stats but David Harris "plants" everyone he tackles. Not flashy flying hits just solid "painful" tackles every time. He just drives ballcarriers in the turf time and time again. Hell when he makes a tackle from behind you think he is gonna get called for horse collar as he is so strong he just collapses the rusher. I would say Harris is the type of guy who will make running backs want "out". You have running backs who wears down defenses, he's a linebacker who wears down ballcarriers. Harris is a hell of a player, he falls behind Willis in speed and atheticism but as a pure football player and the impact he has on the game he is right there with Willis. We tend to forget Harris played hurt all last year. Mangina's Regime "never speak of injury" I feel forced Harris to play hurt as the severity of his injury was never discussed. We heard it was a groin injury thats it. I believe it was a sports hernia- he tried to play with, then had surgery and rushed back from.
That's a great tool, this thread was worth that alone. Fun to play around with and get the info right next to each other.
Great for MLBs.!!! Willis Beason Harris are the best in that order. Beason is a great player. Timmons is turning out to be decent after a slow start. Paul Pos...isn't bad if he can stay healthy. Hard to believe Jax took Durant instead of Harris, they had a need at both OLB & MLB.
They're having similar years statistically... but that's where the similarities end. Willis is devastating, Harris is great but he's just not a physical freak like p will.
I'll take Harris. In the scheme we play, and the production Harris has shown, there's no need to waste top-11 money where we wouldn't get significant ROI. 2nd/ 3rd round picks that pan out into productive starters are what builds great teams. Can only afford to play top money to a few guys and ILB usually aint where that $$ is best spent.
way to contribute to the conversation. The question wasn't asking who is the more physically gifted LB, it was who would you rather have in Rex Ryan's scheme. I used to have respect for you as a poster, its dwindling away though
My response IS pertaining to your question. Willis would still be the better lb in Rex Ryans Scheme, hands down and I don't think its up for any argument. Yeah they can both lay a lickin, but Willis is so much more athletic when it comes to pass coverage. I am obviously quite satisfied with Harris and would never want to trade him, but imo comparing the two is like comparing Cotchery to Larry Fitzegerald. Cotchery Does a great Job but Fitz is just on another echelon. Don't the 49ers play a hybrid 3-4 like us? I feel that its almost disrespectful to Willis, Name a lb in the lg right now that is better than Willis. I'd Say at the top right now its Willis and Demarcus in 3-4 lb scheme and then everyone is a drop off. I only say Ware because of how destructive he is as a pass rusher. But is pass coverage doesn't compare to Willis. There aren't that many players in this lg that can line up at any lb position like these guys and be as productive and important to their team as they are. You have your Jerome Harrison's and Jerry Porter's but they can't drop back into coverage like Willis, nor do you see them ever lining up inside. Merriman hasn't done anything since he got caught taking steroids. And then I believe you have Your David Harris', Karlos Dansby's, Nick Barnett's and Jerod Mayo's And I honestly have not been extremely pleased with Bart Scotts play. I honestly expected a lot more big plays but I guess his tenacity, toughness, and leadership, makes up for all of his whiffs on tackles. Is this a better answer that contributes to the conversation?
I don't know why you're talking about 3-4 linebackers in general, ILB and OLB in the 3-4 is a massively different position and players should not be compared to each other. Obviously, Dware's pass coverage isn't as good as Willis'... HE'S AN OLB. But if you must compare for some reason, you have to add in Elvis Dumervil. He's clearly outplayed everyone at the OLB spot this year and it isn't even close.
I know that the ilb and olb position in the 3-4 is extremely different positions and that is why I think players like Willis and Ware are so ahead of the pack. In any given game you will see them at any lb position.
