Patrick Willis to retire

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Buckybird

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I was wanting the Cards to add ILB/OLB but this likely will change his status
 

Cheesebeef

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WTF?!

I'm stunned by this. Man, the Niners are DUNZO. Enjoy playing out the string of your career on an awful team, Dickett!
 

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Great player. Hell of a career. I feel bad that he had to go out like this but better too early than too late. Great to see the miners losing players and leaders.
 
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Patrick Willis and Justin Smith to retire.. According to some 49ers insider..
 

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Baalke's gonna have to prove it was him and not Harbaugh starting now.
 

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Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Chris Borland was everything for San Francisco that we were hoping Kevin Minter was going to be last year.

San Francisco is gambling that some of their young draft picks are going to step forward, but there's reason to believe that this 49er defense isn't going to take a huge step back. Navarro Bowman barely played for them last year, and they were still the #5 defense in the NFL by DVOA.
 

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Justin Smith would also be a huge loss because without his defensive holding, Aldon Smith is much less effective.
 

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Taken from PFT. Interesting looks like remake of team


The San Francisco 49ers continue to see dramatic changes in a franchise only a year removed from three straight NFC title game appearances.

From coach Jim Harbaugh leaving (mutually or otherwise) to running back Frank Gore signing with the Eagles on Tuesday to the unexpected departure of receiver Michael Crabtree to the possible loss of guard Mike Iupati, the exodus of talented players continue.

The next two dominoes to fall will be linebacker Patrick Willis and defensive lineman Justin Smith.
 

DVontel

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Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Chris Borland was everything for San Francisco that we were hoping Kevin Minter was going to be last year.

San Francisco is gambling that some of their young draft picks are going to step forward, but there's reason to believe that this 49er defense isn't going to take a huge step back. Navarro Bowman barely played for them last year, and they were still the #5 defense in the NFL by DVOA.

But let's not forgot they lost their DC.
Borland is a good fall back option, but he is a extremely liability in coverage.
 
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Buckybird

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Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Chris Borland was everything for San Francisco that we were hoping Kevin Minter was going to be last year.

San Francisco is gambling that some of their young draft picks are going to step forward, but there's reason to believe that this 49er defense isn't going to take a huge step back. Navarro Bowman barely played for them last year, and they were still the #5 defense in the NFL by DVOA.

I can't disagree with this K9.

The HC inspired a lot of that defensive talent to be good & will bring a nasty attitude with him, plus there's still some very good players on that side of the ball. IMO more concerned about all the peeps we've lost (before FA) plus Bowles & a 1st time DC. We'll shall see...
 

kerouac9

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But let's not forgot they lost their DC.
Borland is a good fall back option, but he is a extremely liability in coverage.

Yup. But Borland had 5 passes defensed and 2 INTs in just 8 starts last year.
 

Chopper0080

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Not a shock. The team was looking to move on from him anyway with Borland, his age, and his contract. Justin Smith was rumored to be in his last year, last preseason. Big losses for a team in transition.
 
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