WHAT DO NINERS DO AT ILB??

49er4life1979 · Post #1 » by **49er4life1979** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:17 pm

What do Niners do in 2015 at ILB?.....When all 3 healthy, Bowman, Willis, and Borland, someone will obviously be backup. But how do you justify benching Borland? Do you think Wilhoite is gone in free agency? I know he is restricted, but what can Niners get for him? This is a good problem to have.

Jikkle · Post #2 » by **Jikkle** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:30 pm

As long as they are healthy it'll be Bowman and Willis because they are still simply better than Borland.

Both Bowman and Willis are way better in coverage and they are both better attacking outside the tackles.

Don't get me wrong I really like Borland. He's a monster between the tackles, he's good at diagnosing plays, and he has a high motor but over all Bow and Willis are still better.

Ease_Ur_Storm · Post #3 » by **Ease_Ur_Storm** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 5:41 pm

I would honestly try and trade Willis for a viable #1 WR threat. The defense is playoff ready without him and with the regime change now would be the ideal time to do it vs. holding on too long to a piece that's not getting us anywhere anytime soon. Borland gives us the luxury of making this move. Get a #1 WR and can probably get a little something to help revamp our CB situation.

49rangER · Post #4 » by **49rangER** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 6:50 pm

Ease_Ur_Storm wrote:I would honestly try and trade Willis for a viable #1 WR threat. The defense is playoff ready without him and with the regime change now would be the ideal time to do it vs. holding on too long to a piece that's not getting us anywhere anytime soon. Borland gives us the luxury of making this move. Get a #1 WR and can probably get a little something to help revamp our CB situation.

That's s really hard move to make and tough sell. I doubt it happens. It will be bow and willis starting and Borland filling in to give the 2 guys a breather when needed.

(previously h0ckeysk83r)

shouldakepowens · Post #5 » by **shouldakepowens** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 7:35 pm

Go 4-3 if Borland keeps it up. I'm not good at determining who would be good at what position but DL of Aldon,Smith,Dorsey and lynch sounds good with bowman Borland and Willis begins them

Post #6 » by **CalamityX12** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 8:04 pm

How you justify benching Borland?

Three words: healthy Willis n Bowman

arich35 · Post #7 » by **arich35** » Tue Dec 9, 2014 8:50 pm

I am sure with Willis getting older and Bowman coming off a huge injury, Borland will still get reps throughout the games to keep the other 2 fresh

Ease_Ur_Storm · Post #8 » by **Ease_Ur_Storm** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 12:34 am

Yes, I agree this would be a very tough move considering Willis' face is synonymous for the 49ers itself. For relative value it makes sense though. If a sweet offer is presented that gives us a true #1 WR with a kicker for say added depth at CB, the correct difficult decision is to go for it. Every single player has his price, and we'd trade Willis for an elite QB in a heartbeat. With all the other distractions ahead this offseason can wash it out in the dumpster fire. Looking at this from another team's perspective that would also be a real tough move to make as well. Would be a huge hit to their offense and they'd be sacrificing a premium position for an ILB. Don't think this move will happen based on the impact to the locker room - but if we were forced at gunpoint to make a move out of those three Willis makes the most sense long term (assuming Bowman bounces back close to what he was).

ChrisPozz · Post #9 » by **ChrisPozz** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 12:53 am

Ease_Ur_Storm wrote:Yes, I agree this would be a very tough move considering Willis' face is synonymous for the 49ers itself. For relative value it makes sense though. If a sweet offer is presented that gives us a true #1 WR with a kicker for say added depth at CB, the correct difficult decision is to go for it. Every single player has his price, and we'd trade Willis for an elite QB in a heartbeat. With all the other distractions ahead this offseason can wash it out in the dumpster fire. Looking at this from another team's perspective that would also be a real tough move to make as well. Would be a huge hit to their offense and they'd be sacrificing a premium position for an ILB. Don't think this move will happen based on the impact to the locker room - but if we were forced at gunpoint to make a move out of those three Willis makes the most sense long term (assuming Bowman bounces back close to what he was).

I have a hard time seeing any team giving up a "true #1 WR" for Willis, let alone giving up CB depth, too. 18-21 teams at the trade deadline this season were looking for cornerbacks of various skill levels (none were traded), and while Willis isn't real old, he's not young anymore and he plays a position that not a lot of teams put a ton of value and importance into, especially if it's going to probably cost you a large piece on your offense.

I like dealing with names, though. Can anybody throw out a team that they think might be willing to part with their #1 for Willis or Willis and CB depth?

clyde21 · Post #10 » by **clyde21** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:15 am

How do we justify benching Borland?

Oh I dunno, Patrick freakin' Willis?

shouldakepowens · Post #11 » by **shouldakepowens** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 1:39 am

clyde21 wrote:How do we justify benching Borland?

Oh I dunno, Patrick freakin' Willis?

You not down with the 4-3? OLB depth won't be as good next year losing Brooks and Skuta. I'm just curious what everyone thinks. I know when we used to get hit with injuries the question always came up about switching.

49er4life1979 · Post #12 » by **49er4life1979** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 2:12 am

shouldakepowens wrote:
clyde21 wrote:How do we justify benching Borland?

Oh I dunno, Patrick freakin' Willis?

You not down with the 4-3? OLB depth won't be as good next year losing Brooks and Skuta. I'm just curious what everyone thinks. I know when we used to get hit with injuries the question always came up about switching.

Can we get any value for Wilhoite since he is a restricted FA? What about Jerod-Eddie who is an EFA?

Post #13 » by **CalamityX12** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 3:41 am

BTW can we give Willis n Bowman more respect for the seasons they've performed vs the few games Borland has played?

clyde21 · Post #14 » by **clyde21** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 4:31 am

shouldakepowens wrote:
clyde21 wrote:How do we justify benching Borland?

Oh I dunno, Patrick freakin' Willis?

You not down with the 4-3? OLB depth won't be as good next year losing Brooks and Skuta. I'm just curious what everyone thinks. I know when we used to get hit with injuries the question always came up about switching.

No. We're best suited to play a 3-4, especially with our best pass-rushers being Lynch and Smith.

Look, Borland has played great, but you're kidding yourself if you think he offers the playmaking ability and sideline-to-sideline presence that Bowman and Willis offer. He's not nearly that athletic. He plays well when everything is in front of him, not when things are moving away from him.

Ease_Ur_Storm · Post #15 » by **Ease_Ur_Storm** » Wed Dec 10, 2014 5:14 am

The disparancy of what he's worth to us to what another team would cough up would kill any deal. To be clear I wouldn't consider moving him for anything less than highway robbery.