The 49ers are halfway through their season. Today, I’ll give midseason awards for the best offensive and defensive players.
Best defensive player: Runner up – LB NaVorro Bowman
Bowman is the best run-defending inside linebacker in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. He’s also one of the best at covering tight ends and running backs in the passing game.
Bowman was the front-runner to win the midseason best defensive player until the Cardinals game on Monday night when he recorded just one tackle and he allowed three receptions while playing man coverage.
That was his only bad game of the season. Expect him to rebound after the Bye week and make a serious push to become the 49ers defensive player of the year.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
Just because a LB isn’t making tackles doesn team he’s not doing his job, especially in a 3-4 defense.
@ Grant:
Do you really think Bowman had a “bad” game against the Cardinals? Given the way the 49ers shut Arizona down, I think it would be difficult to say anyone had a bad game.
Also, I thought that sacks were a subset of tackles.
Bad by his standards.
Got it.
Who do you think is better – Bowman or Willis?
Bowman seems to have more responsibility, younger and faster but P Willy is stronger in the run and seems to be the heart of the defense. I cannot answer that question one way or the other only that they are the best ILB tandem in the NFL. He and Goldson are must signs this offseason.
Tough question Grant, right now I am going with Willis but Bowman is right there too. Kind of like boxing in my thinking, to take it away from the best you have to leave no doubt who is better. Willis is still the best inside linebacker.
@ Grant:
I know I used this line earlier, but that’s like asking a parent to name his/her favorite child.
I am not sure I see all that much difference between them, but I probably would give the nod to Willis because at this time, he is more of a team leader.
Willis is better, but not by much.
Thats a question for the ages. I don’t think Bowman can ever be better than Willis. I think Ray Lewis set the bar as high as it can go. I think Willis is matching inch for inch with Lewis and I believe Bowman is going to reach that top too. I’m fine with declaring Bowman as good as Willis as long as Bowman can keep it up.
They are virtually identical. It’s scary how similar their height/weight and playing styles are. It is impossible to say one is better than the other and that is a very very high compliment to both of them.