Hall of Fame LB, Patrick Willis

Willis and Warner are pretty close - I'm not complaining.

Willis and Bowman were my favorite duo but as a group it would be hard to beat the bunch from the early to mid 80s. Willie Harper, Jack Reynolds and Keena Turner backed up by Dan Bunz and Riki Ellison. That's some depth. Turner and Mike Walter were also a great duo in the late 80s and early 90s. One season they combined for 9 sacks, one INT and 2 fumble recoveries. Then in 1994 we had Norton, Plummer and Woodall. We've had some good ones over the years.

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Willis and Bowman were my favorite duo but as a group it would be hard to beat the bunch from the early to mid 80s. Willie Harper, Jack Reynolds and Keena Turner backed up by Dan Bunz and Riki Ellison. That's some depth. Turner and Mike Walter were also a great duo in the late 80s and early 90s. One season they combined for 9 sacks, one INT and 2 fumble recoveries. Then in 1994 we had Norton, Plummer and Woodall. We've had some good ones over the years.

Totally agree! And we had even better DB's!

Originally posted by elguapo:
Leonard imo is as good as Willis I never thought I'd say that but he may be the best LB I've ever seen. His stats are f**king phenomenal.

U talkin about the kid in INDY ???

Originally posted by mayo49:
Willis and Warner are pretty close - I'm not complaining.

They are not lol

Originally posted by SteveWallacesHelmet:

Originally posted by mayo49:
Willis and Warner are pretty close - I'm not complaining.

They are not lol

Willis was elite straight out of college, Warner had an above average rookie season and a very good year 2. He hasn't quite hit elite level yet IMO but if he takes his game up one more notch this season he'll be elite in my mind.

I like Warner but hes no where near the impact player willis or even bowman where

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Willis and Bowman were my favorite duo but as a group it would be hard to beat the bunch from the early to mid 80s. Willie Harper, Jack Reynolds and Keena Turner backed up by Dan Bunz and Riki Ellison. That's some depth. Turner and Mike Walter were also a great duo in the late 80s and early 90s. One season they combined for 9 sacks, one INT and 2 fumble recoveries. Then in 1994 we had Norton, Plummer and Woodall. We've had some good ones over the years.

Weren't Willis, Bowman, Aldon and Brooks all pros in 2012? Hard to top that imo

Originally posted by mayo49:

Willis and Warner are pretty close - I'm not complaining.

Yea no

Originally posted by Tman:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Willis and Bowman were my favorite duo but as a group it would be hard to beat the bunch from the early to mid 80s. Willie Harper, Jack Reynolds and Keena Turner backed up by Dan Bunz and Riki Ellison. That's some depth. Turner and Mike Walter were also a great duo in the late 80s and early 90s. One season they combined for 9 sacks, one INT and 2 fumble recoveries. Then in 1994 we had Norton, Plummer and Woodall. We've had some good ones over the years.

Weren't Willis, Bowman, Aldon and Brooks all pros in 2012? Hard to top that imo

People forget how good that defense was. Absolutely filthy and they all complimented each other well.

Originally posted by DaBeegDeek:

Originally posted by Tman:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:
Willis and Bowman were my favorite duo but as a group it would be hard to beat the bunch from the early to mid 80s. Willie Harper, Jack Reynolds and Keena Turner backed up by Dan Bunz and Riki Ellison. That's some depth. Turner and Mike Walter were also a great duo in the late 80s and early 90s. One season they combined for 9 sacks, one INT and 2 fumble recoveries. Then in 1994 we had Norton, Plummer and Woodall. We've had some good ones over the years.

Weren't Willis, Bowman, Aldon and Brooks all pros in 2012? Hard to top that imo

People forget how good that defense was. Absolutely filthy and they all complimented each other well.

Don't forget Justin Smith and Goldson wer on that all pro team too. That D was nasty in a beat you up in a back alley and take your lunch money kind of way.

Im not big on buying jerseys but Willis is one that I own.

Nick bosa will be my second one

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by DaBeegDeek:

Originally posted by Tman:

Originally posted by CatchMaster80:

Willis and Bowman were my favorite duo but as a group it would be hard to beat the bunch from the early to mid 80s. Willie Harper, Jack Reynolds and Keena Turner backed up by Dan Bunz and Riki Ellison. That's some depth. Turner and Mike Walter were also a great duo in the late 80s and early 90s. One season they combined for 9 sacks, one INT and 2 fumble recoveries. Then in 1994 we had Norton, Plummer and Woodall. We've had some good ones over the years.

Weren't Willis, Bowman, Aldon and Brooks all pros in 2012? Hard to top that imo

People forget how good that defense was. Absolutely filthy and they all complimented each other well.

Don't forget Justin Smith and Goldson wer on that all pro team too. That D was nasty in a beat you up in a back alley and take your lunch money kind of way.

That defense is one of the greatest to never win a chip.
They were absolutely incredible and the reason why we were As good as we were. If people remember correctly, we were a terrible red zone team and kicked field goals, played great special teams, and greater defense. Our offense was by far our weakest link. We had good games here and there but the offenses lack of third down ability and red zone was absolutely the reason we didn't win a chip or two.

People hate to say it but that was the difference between us and the Seahawks. That is why they won a chip and went to two Super Bowls.

https://theathletic.com/2229762/2020/12/03/49ers-patrick-willis-rescue-playoff-hero/

If not for Pillers, "The Catch" would have likely been just a nice touchdown in a losing effort and another heartbreaking loss by the 49ers to Dallas in a big game.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

A #49ers thread: Patrick Willis heard that an unsung hero from the 1981 Super Bowl team was struggling with COVID-19 and unlikely to survive. He'd never heard of Lawrence Pillers, but he sprang into action anyway.

— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) December 2, 2020

Willis sent Pillers a get well message on social media - and soon more than 25,000 if his followers chimed in (and, like Patrick, learned more about Pillers' sack after 'The Catch')

— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) December 2, 2020

Pillers spent 11 days in the hospital. He now credits Patrick Willis and his followers for giving him 'a purpose.' He just celebrated his 68th birthday. Pillers and Willis became fast friends, and remain in touch.

— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) December 2, 2020

Here's Patrick Willis on why he reached out to Lawrence Pillers, and the power of the human connection pic.twitter.com/12o48UZqwP

— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) December 2, 2020

You can tell Patrick Willis and Lawrence Pillers have an easy camaraderie. 'Pat, you're ready to go play a game now, aren't you?' pic.twitter.com/Z7TvZ0D6xP

— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) December 2, 2020

Lawrence Pillers: 'Patrick has always been one of my heroes'
Patrick Willis: 'Oh, man Mr. Pillers' pic.twitter.com/4PuutFuC64

— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) December 2, 2020

Patrick Willis says goodbye to Lawrence Pillers with one last word of encouragement. 'Football player to football player, much respect to you' pic.twitter.com/v6DUQ9PqoK

— Daniel Brown (@BrownieAthletic) December 2, 2020

https://theathletic.com/2229762/2020/12/03/49ers-patrick-willis-rescue-playoff-hero/

If not for Pillers, "The Catch" would have likely been just a nice touchdown in a losing effort and another heartbreaking loss by the 49ers to Dallas in a big game.

For those wondering, here's the sack by #65 #LawrencePillers in the '81 NFC Championship Game vs Dallas. "The Catch" put them over the top, but Pillers sealed the game. Class act, @PatrickWillis52! pic.twitter.com/dGFZY2s1l2

— Daniel (@danandhisbass) December 2, 2020

That was when football was great.