Week 17 NFL Power Rankings and the 49ers
by David Fucillo on Jan 8, 2010 1:00 PM PST
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintThe wrap-up of the 2009 season includes one final set of power rankings. I wanted to focus in on one particular comment from Fox Sports:
Linebacker Patrick Willis should become a star next season on a defense that allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league this season...
Bamm Bamm was elected the starting inside/middle linebacker for the NFC Pro Bowl team this year. The vote is a 1/3 split between fans, players and coaches. Wilis finished first in the fan vote. It's arguable how valuable that is, but at the very least it shows he gets love from the people, and people know about him. Given that the 49ers weren't getting national coverage in terms of highlights, people at least could read his name at the top of the tackles list each week. Clearly we all love Patrick and know how awesome he is, but where exactly do you think he fits in the national landscape in terms of being considered a "star" ?
ESPN - #19 (21) - Continuity at offensive coordinator should help, no matter what you thought of Jimmy Raye.
- Arizona - #8 (6)
- Seattle - #27 (26)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
Fox Sports - #19 (20) - OFFSEASON DIAGNOSIS: Mike Singletary didn't get his team to the playoffs, but he must be proud of what's starting to come together by the Bay. Linebacker Patrick Willis should become a star next season on a defense that allowed the fourth-fewest points in the league this season, a defense that kept opponents under double digits in five of the 49ers' final eight games (all wins).
- Arizona - #8 (9)
- Seattle - #30 (29)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
CBS Sports - #19 (21) - I think Alex Smith showed well enough to earn the spot for next season. Do the 49ers think that?
- Arizona - #9 (9)
- Seattle - #25 (25)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
Pro Football Talk (via NBCSports.com) - #18 (20) - The 49ers have gotten back to .500 for the first time since 2002, the last time they went to the playoffs.
- Arizona - #9 (6)
- Seattle - #30 (29)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
NFL.com (Brandt) - #17 (21)
- Arizona - #8 (7)
- Seattle - #29 (28)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
NFL.com (Brooks) - #19 (22)
- Arizona - #9 (5)
- Seattle - #27 (27)
- St. Louis - #31 (32)
NFL.com (Carucci) - #18 (20)
- Arizona - #8 (8)
- Seattle - #30 (24)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
WhatIfSports.com - #20 (20)
- Arizona - #14 (15)
- Seattle - #26 (26)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
Average 49ers Ranking: 18.63 (20.67)
Average Cardinals Ranking: 9.13 (8.11)
Average Seahawks Ranking: 28.00 (26.56)
Average Rams Ranking: 31.88 (32.00)
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That's what I was thinking
But as a 49ers fan it’s easy to get engrossed by your own guy and not know what others think about him.
by David Fucillo on Jan 8, 2010 1:41 PM PST up reply actions
He’s never going to be that “Ray Lewis” kind of LB, in terms of his fame and everyone knowing his face. I read somewhere on a post theres never been a camera Ray Ray doesn’t like, and I agree. Not that that’s a bad thing. That’s just how Lewis is. He makes himself very easily recognizable. I don’t see P-Willy that way. I don’t think you’re ever really going to see him talking trash in front of a camera, which I’m totally fine with. Recognition for his play on the field is enough for me, and I’d bet Patty would say the same
Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!
by Brave Neander on Jan 8, 2010 1:47 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe if Bamm Bamm
got himself on trial for murder, he could be a respected superstar like Ray Lewis.
good point...
He could rape a girl in CO too, I’m sure that could only help. It worked for some guy named Kobe….
Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!
by Brave Neander on Jan 8, 2010 2:04 PM PST up reply actions
Maybe after five Pro-Bowls in a row
he’ll start getting that recognition.
Yes Drew K, Tim Tebow will get picked in the first round.
.
Star? no hes not a star…Hes a superstar!!! Best linebacker in the leauge
by forty9ers3298 on Jan 8, 2010 1:48 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
Willis is a star
but he’s not as nationally recognized as a true superstar type player. Of course, not a ton of Linebackers are – but I definitely don’t think he has the national recognition that someone like Ray Lewis has or Urlacher had during his heyday. I think it would take the Niners being in the playoffs for that to happen – but even so I don’t think Bamm Bamm has that type of personality
A hearty thank you to Rich Aurilia for all the good memories, and to the Niners for finally getting the uni's (mostly) right.
Absolutely a star!
Here in the midwest I talk to a lot of Bear fans and a lot of them will admit they would much rather have Willis over Urlacher even in his prime. I’m sure Willis will start to get more recognition over the years once the 49ers start getting to that playoff caliber. That’s when the sportscasters will start to talk about him.
It's true, It's true
Much easier, all-mighty Megatron, then attacking the real threat...The Autobots moonbase!!
by Brave Neander on Jan 8, 2010 3:58 PM PST up reply actions
I think he qualifies as a star
Maybe not to the casual “I love my hometown team when they’re winning” fan, but anyone who loves the NFL knows how good he is. I mean, I love the NFL, and two guys who come to mind as comparisons would be Jon Beason and D’Qwell Jackson. The Browns and Panthers don’t exactly get a ton of national exposure, but I consider those two guys to be star LBs. Barrett Ruud in Tampa Bay comes to mind as well. But for the most part, I agree with the sentiments above: make the playoffs as a team, and people will talk about Willis.
Don't worry about me Thurgood, I'll be fine. The robbery is what's important now.
My Wife made me shirt that said...
My middle linebacker is better then your middle linebacker.
So Star he is.
Do you worry?
That he may wind up a Cowboy somewhere in the future???
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