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**MN 49ers Fan** · 08-20-2007, 08:01 PM

Nolan announced that Patrick Willis is now the starting weak side middle linebacker, but he is replacing Brandon Moore and not Derek Smith. Smith definately cant handle the strong side. I tend to disagree with this move. Moore should be starting instead of Smith and Willis needs to be lined up against the strong side because he can matchup with any tight end in this league, based on his speed alone.

**imported_AndroidRaider24** · 08-20-2007, 08:22 PM

He had some flashes during the preseason game, but did get lost a few times, and ran over on the one play, but the best thing to do with young LBs is start them right away....

**DHNF** · 08-20-2007, 08:25 PM

Willis should be starting but over Smith, not Moore. Nolan is just trying to light a fire under Moore.

Nolan rules.

This will work.

**MN 49ers Fan** · 08-20-2007, 09:10 PM

I was thinking the same about Moore, I am sure he will make it through the pre-season and go into the opener as the starter.

bizell · 08-21-2007, 07:14 AM

why would you want willis strongside? you don't want him having to battle with guys 30+ pounds heavier than him every play. let him play weakside and run around.

**DHNF** · 08-21-2007, 07:26 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bizell @ Aug 21st ) [snapback]2079449[/snapback]</div>

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why would you want willis strongside? you don't want him having to battle with guys 30+ pounds heavier than him every play. let him play weakside and run around.
[/b]

Well he was never going to be strongside. He was backing up Derek Smith at the Mike and Moore was starting at the Ted. They moved Willis into the lineup starting at the Mike and slid Smith over to start at the Ted.

bizell · 08-21-2007, 07:27 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DHNF @ Aug 21st ) [snapback]2079460[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Well he was never going to be strongside. He was backing up Derek Smith at the Mike and Moore was starting at the Ted. They moved Willis into the lineup starting at the Mike and slid Smith over to start at the Ted. [/b]

sorry, i was responding to the opening post by MN 49ers fan, where he said that Willis should be starting strongside

**ILOVEFOOTBALL** · 08-21-2007, 09:39 AM

The strongside ILB in a 3-4 is usually taking on OL just as often as the WILL ILB. In fact, the WMLB takes on more because, usually, the NT slants to the strong side, drawing the double team between the OC and the SOG. That leaves the WOG free to get to the WMLB.

I think Willis is good enough to play either well but you need to watch out for Moore. He's a pure run stuffing MLB and i wouldnt feel safe if he was in coverage. As for Smith, he's not very good but he's better in coverage than Moore. I expect it to be a rotation between Smith/Moore at one spot with Willis holding down the other.

**Brooklyn** · 08-21-2007, 10:30 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MN 49ers Fan @ Aug 20th ) [snapback]2078831[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Nolan announced that Patrick Willis is now the starting weak side middle linebacker, but he is replacing Brandon Moore and not Derek Smith. Smith definately cant handle the strong side. I tend to disagree with this move. Moore should be starting instead of Smith and Willis needs to be lined up against the strong side because he can matchup with any tight end in this league, based on his speed alone.
[/b]

im pretty sure they know more than u u ****in idiot