So I was flipping through a local newspaper earlier and saw an article about Patrick Willis, the Middle Linebacker of the San Francisco 49ers.  While reading through the article, it mention that the All-Pro Linebacker has to work on his blitzing form.

This made me think, “um this is weird…middle linebackers should already know how to blitz”, due to the fact when i think of middle linebackers, i think blitzing machines.  With reading blocks and maneuvering around offensive lineman and so on so forth.

Think about this, Ray Lewis has 38.5 career sacks, Junior Seau has 56.5 career sacks and Brian Urlacher has 41.5 career sacks at the linebacking position to name a few.

In four seasons Patrick Willis, 15.0 sacks to his 460 tackles, 595 total tackles including assisted tackles, (assisted tackles are tackles that involve two or more tacklers).  Not bad considering that Willis has already has 1.5 more career sacks than Derrick Brooks (13.5) and is on pace to reach Michael Singletary’s career mark of 19 this season.

But what does he need to work on?

The technique of the blitz.  The anatomy of the blitz.  The ins and outs of the blitz.  To read and beat blocks.  To improve his timing of his blitz and how to work it in his favor.  To become a blitzing linebacker to make him a complete linebacker.

The defense that the Niners are implementing can help increase Willis’ sacks number through having him being the third, fourth or fifth option on any blitz instead of focusing on Willis as a coverage linebacker and a punishing hitter in the NFL through the 3-4 defensive front.

Willis has already thrived in a non-blitz friendly package.  But will a blitz-friendly package affect an impact player like Patrick Willis?  It could take away from his production or increase it.  Who knows.  We will just have to wait and see.