Alaska Darin Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Gayle Sayers. 145333[/snapback] NOTHING like Gayle Sayers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Willis is pretty unique. He has qualities of several running backs like Dickerson, but his stright arm, ability to bounce things and blitz pickup are sort of unique. In my opinion Emmitt Smith seems to be a fair comparison but again nt exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardy Pyle Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Jonathon Linton.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Tuesday Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 NOTHING like Gayle Sayers. 145337[/snapback] Well, guess that's settled. Thanks Darin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Eric Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Until he regains that breakaway speed and great cut back ability that he had at Miami, I'm gonna say Eddie George. Right now McGahee's more of a power back that can make the occasional man miss, not a finesse back that occasionally pounds people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Well, guess that's settled. Thanks Darin. 145352[/snapback] You're welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_eyedog_* Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Really, where the hell did you come up with Sayers ? No comparison at all. They are almost opposites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coach Tuesday Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 I dunno - the gracefulness, mixed with the power. I think when Willis drops some weight next offseason you'll see him become more of a glider, like Sayers. I don't think what we're seeing this year is his *real* running style. That being said, if he keeps the weight and just adds a bit more glide, I think ED is a good comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest_eyedog_* Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 I like the physical running style Willis has. He can grind out the tough yards. Something that is definitely needed behind this line. I do think though next year we will see more of the breakaway "glider" type runner you refer to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34-78-83 Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 I wouldn't say quick feet, either. He ran out of way more tackles than he avoided. Powerful guy and a smart football player. Quick feet? Maybe when compared to Jamie Nails. 145224[/snapback] He was actually noted by Marv Levy (which is why I remembered that about him) when playing for Miami for having really quick feet. And if you go back and watch any old highlights you'll see what they were talking about. He's not quick laterally, but purposely took shorter steps and maintained better balance that way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 He was actually noted by Marv Levy (which is why I remembered that about him) when playing for Miami for having really quick feet. And if you go back and watch any old highlights you'll see what they were talking about. He's not quick laterally, but purposely took shorter steps and maintained better balance that way. 145416[/snapback] I guess we have a different definition of it (my definition has to do with being able to change direction abruptly). I do remember him taking steps similiar to Barney Rubble driving his car, though - especially around the goal line. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34-78-83 Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 I guess we have a different definition of it (my definition has to do with being able to change direction abruptly). I do remember him taking steps similiar to Barney Rubble driving his car, though - especially around the goal line. 145424[/snapback] Heh, good analogy You and I agree he definitely couldn't change direction quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 OJ Anderson, Chuck Muncie, George Rogers. 145175[/snapback] Chuck Muncie, huh? Good comparison! I think that WM is a better all around player and FAR more sane, but Muncie, from what I remember, was much stronger, and at least as fast, before he completely lost his mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRH Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 but I don't think Willis would ever turn out to the sideline the way Franco regularly did. 145164[/snapback] And for proof all you have to do is look at the play in the Rams game where he jumped over the oncoming safety in full stride, somehow kept his feet inbounds and continued down the sideline for a touchdown. The play got called back for holding, but Willis showed a killer instinct on that play. Franco Harris never made a play like that in his life. Franco would have stepped right out of bounds when that safety came. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 And for proof all you have to do is look at the play in the Rams game where he jumped over the oncoming safety in full stride, somehow kept his feet inbounds and continued down the sideline for a touchdown. The play got called back for holding, but Willis showed a killer instinct on that play. Franco Harris never made a play like that in his life. Franco would have stepped right out of bounds when that safety came. 145443[/snapback] No doubt. Franco was a good player and some of his longevity came from his "to the sidelines" attitude. Still, it never really sat right with me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JStranger76 Posted December 4, 2004 Share Posted December 4, 2004 Why does he have to be compared to any back? He's just Willis and hopefully he helps this team win a championship. To compare him to guys like Brown, Payton, Sayers, or even Emmit or Harris, well, you should get bitchslapped for being too giddy. Look, he's turning into a real good back, but let's save all the greastest running backs of all time comparisons for a few years down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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