Love vs. Willis

[El Guapo]

I think Willis often benefits from A.) still very limited "tape" of him in our offense; B.) often entering into scenarios where defenses have predominantly schemed/gameplanned for Love; C.) a simplified offense/much more limited playbook and favorable "on-script" situations

If I were Brian Flores this weekend, I would mostly plan for Willis. It's a crapshoot about whether Love, Willis, or Tune will start. Tune doesn't scare me, Love is a known quantity and may sit to avoid injury, and Willis has the hot hand right now (and a bum shoulder).

I would be shocked and eat my words if Willis starts this week and does well. The Vikings defense is playing outstanding right now.

 

[milani]

Good points 13. Safe to say we were all pretty excited about every game Willis has been used. His running electrifies a crown and fanbase - but yeah, running QBs usually don't have long careers. It's starting to look like Jackson is done in Baltimore. Allen is the best running QB I've ever seen, and he can take a hit. Hurts is a good runner and he picks his spots. And he is incredbly strong, able to squat 550 lbs. That's lineman/LB strength.

Willis has made a lot of plays for GB. It's tempting to think he would bring more to the position than Love. I'm not so sure, and there is only a 5-game sample of his play.

I thought the best was Muchael Vick. But he was not so good as a passer.

 

[rmontro]

There are a lot of teams that would take a chance on him, including the Vikings. They need to bring in a Willis type of player that is expected to either win the starting job or be a competent backup when the incumbent gets injured.

It would be just like Minnesota to sign him. But I think Willis wants to be a starter, and going to Minnesota he might find himself a backup again.

 

[GreenBaySlacker]

Eye roll emoji...

 

[Heyjoe4]

The temptation is the problem. He looks good when in the games, but LaFleur has consistently dumbed down the offense. While many say "so what" or "we should do that anyway if it gets better play," I'm not so sure. Willis is essentially looking at one read. If he doesn't like what he sees, he takes off and runs. That has worked because defenses haven't prepared for it and he has good legs.

However, run that scheme for an entire season and teams will easily clamp down on him. He has surely gotten better and only he knows his potential, but I think that Love is by far the smarter QB with the brains and athleticism to truly carry a team. The problem is that he hasn't been doing it consistently. The big question is if that is the QB or the coach.

Nice summary of the Love/Willis issue. The problem is that while Willis has played very well, he hasn't been asked to do all the things Love does. As for defending Willis, there is very little video of him playing, and even then, it's in a "dumbed down" offense. Once opposing Ds have more to look at it, they'll scheme better when playing him.

Willis will get a decent pay day and a chance at a starting job somewhere. It won't and shouldn't be GB.

I am grateful that Gluten gave up a 7th round pick for Willis. His play as backup has been outstanding.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If you look solely at Willis limited snaps this season alone and compare them to Love, of course many of the metrics will make you think Willis is a better QB and more capable. However, Love can and does make throws which Willis simply doesn't nearly as well - honestly some of Love's balls are likely only done by handful of guys in the league. Love's vision and anticipation is one of the best in the league (not quite on par with prime Rodgers, but getting there).

Some of the throws Love makes which I've yet to see Willis make are those throws where he has to clear a front defender and under throw the back defender to a guy - it is an incredibly hard throw to master and is one of the reasons why Stafford feasts when he is on, or Rodgers did back in the day. Most even good QBs in the league fail at this and have to shade left or right of the defender underneath.

I also cannot simply erase Willis's seasons while in Tennessee as if they didn't exist. Yes, coaching staff and roster wasn't as good BUT the throws he made were autrocious at times - that is on him. Now he's barely played over the years, even here limited. Is he a Tyler Huntley type who lit it absolutely unfire when called upon and now settled back into his back up role - one which he excels at OR is he going to be like Matt Flynn and get a chance and burn out.....or could he be like Aaron Brooks and looks promising and go on to be a starter for years but most people forget about because while good he was never great? No one knows, but all I know is GB is crazy fortunate to have Love who has proven for years now to be upper echelon of the active QBs and Willis who has played high level starting level ball this year when called upon.

Yes, Love makes some throws that only a few guys can make. Mahomes does it the best IMO. At times, the elite QBs are literally throwing around a defender, rather than over. It's hard to do, especially out of the pocket and on the run. These QBs are Gumby-like in the way they contort their body and arm to get a completion.

I haven't seen Willis do that yet. Maybe he will develop the skill when it is required of him as a full-time starter. Sticking with Love is not even a decision, it's a given. Gluten has a LOT of other things on his to-do list. QB isn't one of therm, thankfully......

 

[milani]

Eye roll emoji...

Only a few games to go.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Only a few games to go.

Yep. The queens - a game I likely won't watch, for the first time this season.

And then on to - almost certainly - Chicago. That requires a Chicago win or a Philadelphia loss. It seems like the Packers and Bears are destined to meet for a 3rd time this year.

How will that go? Momentum says the Bears will clobber the Packers. I say the Packers will give the Bears all it can handle. The Packers did enough to win the first game, and actually played better in the 2nd game. Costly blunders in the last 2 minutes and OT were enough for a Chicago win.

I'm a realist. I would be ecstatic with a win over the Bears in the 1st round. After that, and just my opinion, the Packers are playing with house money. One win in the playoffs, given the injuries and sundry other setbacks, would be a successful season IMO.

 

[PackFan727]

What upside? He really hasn't progressed over the past two seasons, so it's reasonable to conclude that he's hit his ceiling at this point. Fact is, his accuracy comes and goes, he's one of the least mobile QBs in the game. His pocket awareness is average and his escapability is poor. He doesn't handle pressure well at all most of the time. What does he bring to the table that Willis doesn't? Because it's clear what Malik brings that Love can't.

 

[PackFan727]

What upside? He really hasn't progressed over the past two seasons, so it's reasonable to conclude that he's hit his ceiling at this point. Fact is, his accuracy comes and goes, he's one of the least mobile QBs in the game. His pocket awareness is average and his escapability is poor. He doesn't handle pressure well at all most of the time. What does he bring to the table that Willis doesn't? Because it's clear what Malik brings that Love can't.

I agree. Willis is as just as capable a passer as Love, however, he is a much more elusive runner than Love. Unfortunately, next season Willis will be a starter elsewhere and will likely do great.

 

[milani]

I agree. Willis is as just as capable a passer as Love, however, he is a much more elusive runner than Love. Unfortunately, next season Willis will be a starter elsewhere and will likely do great.

If Willis was the QB MLF would construct a slightly different offense over the course of a season.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If Willis was the QB MLF would construct a slightly different offense over the course of a season.

Agreed. The playbook has been limited for Willis. His execution has been outstanding, and most opponents have never played against him.

All that changes over time. Willis has certainly highlighted some flaws in Love's play, as Broken Arrow noted above.

I don't think that's nearly enough reason to replace Love with Willis. But Love can't carry the day the way Favre and Rodgers could. He's still a v good QB. He does need a lot of talent around him though - well if SB aspirations for the team are to be real.

 

[El Guapo]

It would be just like Minnesota to sign him. But I think Willis wants to be a starter, and going to Minnesota he might find himself a backup again.

The problem is that Willis won't get starter money. At best he will get Sam Darnold money. His best bet, if he truly believes in himself, is a one year contract so that he can earn the really big starter payday.

 

[OldSchool101]

They’re trying to get things in tune at QB. Reports Clayton gets the start.

 

[milani]

Agreed. The playbook has been limited for Willis. His execution has been outstanding, and most opponents have never played against him.

All that changes over time. Willis has certainly highlighted some flaws in Love's play, as Broken Arrow noted above.

I don't think that's nearly enough reason to replace Love with Willis. But Love can't carry the day the way Favre and Rodgers could. He's still a v good QB. He does need a lot of talent around him though - well if SB aspirations for the team are to be real.

Willis has the uncanny ability not only to take off but run with some of the elusiveness and speed of a back. Defenses have to determine if he is running by design or just to escape. I think that Love takes more time to read the progression whereas Willis will pull it down sooner and try to escape from the pressure. And that is simply because of instincts and lack of reps.

 

[milani]

They’re trying to get things in tune at QB. Reports Clayton gets the start.

Smart move. We may get destroyed but it doesn’t matter. We have to have a healthy Love AND Willis in hope of stealing one the next week.

 

[OldSchool101]

I hope Willis does do great but in the AFC. Could be talking about some nice Compensatory kickback. I’m expecting 2 of the group of Quay, Romeo and Rasheed to hit outside FA. Those should all offset any new adds and then some. I fully expect Malik to net us in area of a 4th. Even if we bring a couple FA’s into the fray, we should net some good draft equity because we likely see several starter level players depart.

As much as I like Willis, I don’t think he’s better than Jordan either. I do think he can maybe top out in that Top 16 area though. That wouldn’t surprise me. He could also get on an inferior team and struggle some to get recognized. His best bet would be with a Coach like Kyle Shannahan, but that would take Purdy being out.

 

[milani]

I hope Willis does do great but in the AFC. Could be talking about some nice Compensatory kickback. I’m expecting 2 of the group of Quay, Romeo and Rasheed to hit outside FA. Those should all offset any new adds and then some. I fully expect Malik to net us in area of a 4th. Even if we bring a couple FA’s into the fray, we should net some good draft equity because we likely see several starter level players depart.

He could go back to Tennessee. They have gone nowhere since he left.

 

[OldSchool101]

He could go back to Tennessee. They have gone nowhere since he left.

That’s fine by me. Although I don’t see him single handily lifting a team. He really needs to be on a team like the Vikings. Hate to say it.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The problem is that Willis won't get starter money. At best he will get Sam Darnold money. His best bet, if he truly believes in himself, is a one year contract so that he can earn the really big starter payday.

Agree. He would be better off taking a starter job on a one year prove it kinda deal. Maybe $15 mil - $20 mil. Hard to say. but teams are willing to take more risk at QB.

Fortunately, he won't land in the North. Well, unless the queens give up on JJM, and that's not likely for next season.

If he plays well for a full season, his agent could negotiate a longer (3 year) deal at substantially more money.

 

[Heyjoe4]

That’s fine by me. Although I don’t see him single handily lifting a team. He really needs to be on a team like the Vikings. Hate to say it.

Yeah or he could go to Vegas, but he's not gonna win immediately, even if he plays consistently well. The queens won't be interested. JJM has been playing better of late and Willis doesn't have to take a backup job. And the queens want to give JJM a chance to succeed.

 

[Heyjoe4]

He could go back to Tennessee. They have gone nowhere since he left.

Tennessee or Vegas are his most likely landing spots, well as of now and ahead of the draft. I'm ok with either as it keeps him out of the NFC.

TN and Vegas will also have a shot at Indiana's Mendoza, who is almost certain to be the first guy drafted.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I hope Willis does do great but in the AFC. Could be talking about some nice Compensatory kickback. I’m expecting 2 of the group of Quay, Romeo and Rasheed to hit outside FA. Those should all offset any new adds and then some. I fully expect Malik to net us in area of a 4th. Even if we bring a couple FA’s into the fray, we should net some good draft equity because we likely see several starter level players depart.

As much as I like Willis, I don’t think he’s better than Jordan either. I do think he can maybe top out in that Top 16 area though. That wouldn’t surprise me. He could also get on an inferior team and struggle some to get recognized. His best bet would be with a Coach like Kyle Shannahan, but that would take Purdy being out.

He's not going to land with a team that is set at QB. He is certainly more energetic than Love, but that's a low bar.

 

[Heyjoe4]

That’s fine by me. Although I don’t see him single handily lifting a team. He really needs to be on a team like the Vikings. Hate to say it.

He'll go wherever he has a chance to start, and that won't be with a contending team. No QB could lift TN or Vegas with the rebuilding they need to do.

It's also likely Indiana's QB will go first. That's a valuable pick and could be traded.

 

[rmontro]

He's not going to land with a team that is set as QB. He is certainly more energetic than Love, but that's a low bar.

Love is the Perry Como of the NFL.