<![CDATA[Which is the Better Linebacker]]>What does the Browns board think? Please vote

Poll results from the old forum

andra davis or Patrick Willis

  • Patrick Willis: 20 votes
  • Andra Davis: 4 votes
]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/2719/which-is-the-better-linebackerRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 04:37:45 GMTWed, 28 Jan 2009 00:07:50 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:30:44 GMT]]>

@ytownbrownsbacker said:

I believe Jackson's TFL numbers would be a lot higher if he was playing behind a good pass rushing WSOLB. With McGinest, Jackson had to play back and try to string out runs. With a better SILB next to him and a solid pass rushing WILB he would be allowed to play a lot more agressively.

Jackson doesn't get to roam and move around like a Ray Lewis does. Because of his supporting cast, he has to stay a home.

I guess I'd slightly agree with that. Though I'd say if CLE ever mixed up which LB was blitzing, his might have been higher.

You are right that he was asked to play more support behind Willie and Hall (when he was in).

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38351https://brownsboard.com/post/38351Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:30:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:14:51 GMT]]>

Masters said:

Not many. But having watched SF (being on the west coast gets you a lot of their games), Willis is like Davis or Jackson, in that a good number of their tackles are coming down field. Which might also explain why there was little talk about Willis this year, after all the coverage he got last year as a rookie. He did have an unbelievably productive year as a rookie, as far as total tackles.

Jackson will never be a high TFL guy, I don't think. But I do think he fits the WILB roll very well.

I believe Jackson's TFL numbers would be a lot higher if he was playing behind a good pass rushing WSOLB. With McGinest, Jackson had to play back and try to string out runs. With a better SILB next to him and a solid pass rushing WILB he would be allowed to play a lot more agressively.

Jackson doesn't get to roam and move around like a Ray Lewis does. Because of his supporting cast, he has to stay a home.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38349https://brownsboard.com/post/38349Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:14:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:05:21 GMT]]>

Aloysius said:

Well, how many NFL linebackers notch double digit TFL's? I can't find any.

In general, higher TFL totals mean that a 3-4 ILB is making plays near (and behind) the LOS. If you go through the top guys, they usually have around 5-7 TFL's.

For that reason, it's notable that DQ only had 2 TFL's this year.

Not many. But having watched SF (being on the west coast gets you a lot of their games), Willis is like Davis or Jackson, in that a good number of their tackles are coming down field. Which might also explain why there was little talk about Willis this year, after all the coverage he got last year as a rookie. He did have an unbelievably productive year as a rookie, as far as total tackles.

Jackson will never be a high TFL guy, I don't think. But I do think he fits the WILB roll very well.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38347https://brownsboard.com/post/38347Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:05:21 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:02:03 GMT]]>Well, how many NFL linebackers notch double digit TFL's? I can't find any.

In general, higher TFL totals mean that a 3-4 ILB is making plays near (and behind) the LOS. If you go through the top guys, they usually have around 5-7 TFL's.

For that reason, it's notable that DQ only had 2 TFL's this year.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38346https://brownsboard.com/post/38346Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:02:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:57:50 GMT]]>

Aloysius said:

Davis has always gotten deceptively high TFL numbers for a crummy linebacker. He had 6 this year.

By the by, what site do you use to dig up the TFL? I have a bitch of a time finding a good sight to easily look it up.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38342https://brownsboard.com/post/38342Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:57:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:57:17 GMT]]>

Aloysius said:

Davis has always gotten deceptively high TFL numbers for a crummy linebacker. He had 6 this year.

I wouldn't ever say he is or was a crummy LB. To me he has just been asked or expected (mostly by CLE fans) to be more than he is. The only reason I compared him, Jackson, and Willis was in showing none of these guys are really that disruptive force at LB. They are all guys who get most of their tackles beyond the LOS. It isn't even a knock on any of them. They are doing their roll. Which is why they are all suited as WILB in a 3-4, or a WSLB in a 4-3. Obviously Willis has far more skills and less holes in his game than Davis. Of course Willis is also several years younger too.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38340https://brownsboard.com/post/38340Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:57:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:47:10 GMT]]>Davis has always gotten deceptively high TFL numbers for a crummy linebacker. He had 6 this year.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38338https://brownsboard.com/post/38338Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:47:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:44:30 GMT]]>

Aloysius said:

Willis had 7 TFL's both this year and last. That's pretty good.

Davis in 2007 had 9 TFL.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38337https://brownsboard.com/post/38337Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:44:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:39:31 GMT]]>Willis had 7 TFL's both this year and last. That's pretty good.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38335https://brownsboard.com/post/38335Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:39:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:37:48 GMT]]>

Aloysius said:

Doesn't Willis play WILB? I thought Takeo Spikes played SILB.

He played SILB last year I think. This year he did indeed play WILB.

My only point w/ a previous comment was that Willis, Jackson, or Davis (not to mention I was comparing year 1 in the 3-4 vs. year 1 in the 3-4) all are making tackles 5 yards off the LOS. Willis last year and this didn't have many tackles for a loss. Which is hardly being an impact. player or that stuffer guy at SILB.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38333https://brownsboard.com/post/38333Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:37:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:33:07 GMT]]>

@solon16 said:

kindof a joke.... 😉

you werent joking and thats what makes it funny

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38329https://brownsboard.com/post/38329Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:33:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:31:56 GMT]]>Doesn't Willis play WILB? I thought Takeo Spikes played SILB.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38328https://brownsboard.com/post/38328Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:31:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:29:43 GMT]]>You could have made it something like Leon Williams or Andra Davis. Not question on that one. Davis isn't a legit backup on most teams.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38327https://brownsboard.com/post/38327Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:29:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:21:18 GMT]]>again we disagree...I think willis is an impact SILB!

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38320https://brownsboard.com/post/38320Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:21:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:19:07 GMT]]>LMFAO.... Jesus dude. I feel honored that you'd go to this length. Of course if you had reading comprehension skills, you'd understand I never said Davis was better. Just that neither is truly an impact LB at the SILB in a 3-4.

But if you need to go to this length to feel better about yourself, have at it.

By the way, I voted for Willis 😛

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38318https://brownsboard.com/post/38318Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:19:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:18:44 GMT]]>kindof a joke.... 😉

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38317https://brownsboard.com/post/38317Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:18:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Which is the Better Linebacker on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:12:55 GMT]]>Come on, Solon. Is this a joke? Oh well, I humored you and voted.

It's a no brainer.

-Al

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/38315https://brownsboard.com/post/38315Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:12:55 GMT