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He was known as an athletic freak when he was at Kansas State, where he had 11 1/2 sacks as a senior, and the Bengals took him in the third round in 2017. But Cincinnati didn’t take advantage of his elite speed and quickness. Instead, they bulked him up to 280 pounds and asked him to be a run stuffer. He was cut two years later and picked up by the Jets, who hardly used him at all. That’s why they traded him to San Francisco where Kocurek was intrigued by his burst off the line of scrimmage.
Willis got off to a staggered start here, too. He was suspended for the first six games of the 2021 season after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. He spent the first half of this season on injured reserve after having a clean-up procedure on his knee.
That surgery, however, has been part of his ascent. He said it was an issue that dated back to his final season at Kansas State and that he feels as fast as ever. The fact that he’s part of the 49ers’ kickoff coverage team — he’s the biggest player on that unit and came away with a half tackle against the Commanders — underscores that.
“I had played literally six years with that injury,” he said. “(The surgery) definitely benefited me coming back because I’m playing faster than I’ve ever played. I’m more confident in my body and I just feel good.”
Last year from Matt Barrows
At this rate there will only be a smitten of players left this year from the old regime...
Raiders Sign DL Jordan Willis
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JRaider17
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JRaider17
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On the brighter side 7.5 sacks in the last 3 years.vtraider wrote Mon Mar 20, 2023 12:24 pm:10.5 sacks in 8 years. Depth
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vtraider
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TrueJRaider17 wrote Mon Mar 20, 2023 12:30 pm:On the brighter side 7.5 sacks in the last 3 years.
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HesterLayes
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Attyla
Well, of course. I am the Supreme Being, I'm not entirely dim.
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Southshield
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He was known as an athletic freak when he was at Kansas State, where he had 11 1/2 sacks as a senior, and the Bengals took him in the third round in 2017. But Cincinnati didn’t take advantage of his elite speed and quickness. Instead, they bulked him up to 280 pounds and asked him to be a run stuffer. He was cut two years later and picked up by the Jets, who hardly used him at all. That’s why they traded him to San Francisco where Kocurek was intrigued by his burst off the line of scrimmage.
Willis got off to a staggered start here, too. He was suspended for the first six games of the 2021 season after violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. He spent the first half of this season on injured reserve after having a clean-up procedure on his knee.
That surgery, however, has been part of his ascent. He said it was an issue that dated back to his final season at Kansas State and that he feels as fast as ever. The fact that he’s part of the 49ers’ kickoff coverage team — he’s the biggest player on that unit and came away with a half tackle against the Commanders — underscores that.
“I had played literally six years with that injury,” he said. “(The surgery) definitely benefited me coming back because I’m playing faster than I’ve ever played. I’m more confident in my body and I just feel good.”
Last year from Matt Barrows
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RunOverByHubbard
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- RunOverByHubbard
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BigJerk
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Forgive me if I'm not popping corks over here.JRaider17 wrote Mon Mar 20, 2023 12:30 pm:On the brighter side 7.5 sacks in the last 3 years.
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eastcoast128
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Jeevo
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F'ing Almost Arden looked pretty good last year. His win rate, whatever that is exactly, was 6th among ends.RunOverByHubbard wrote Mon Mar 20, 2023 3:57 pm:The 49ers sign all of our rejects, now we have one of theirs. I am sure his stats were helped by playing with a talented group of defenders. Still, he should be better than Arden Key ever was for us.
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Jeremyturner1976
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Almost Arden got paid pretty well also. 1 year at 4 million to the Jaguars. Such a perfect nickname.Jeevo wrote Mon Mar 20, 2023 4:25 pm:F'ing Almost Arden looked pretty good last year. His win rate, whatever that is exactly, was 6th among ends.
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Ismail86
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I agree, but those guys also kept him off the field as well. Apparently a decent amount of 49er fans are upset about losing him. Some say he didn't get enough credit as well. We'll see.RunOverByHubbard wrote Mon Mar 20, 2023 3:57 pm:The 49ers sign all of our rejects, now we have one of theirs. I am sure his stats were helped by playing with a talented group of defenders. Still, he should be better than Arden Key ever was for us.
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16 to 88
True ignorance is not the absence of knowledge, but the refusal to acquire it.
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When the #1 defense in the league isn't working to retain you and you sign a 1 year flyer elsewhere that speaks volumes. I remember Shanacan't professing to the world how he fleeced us out of Key and Hurst. lol...Ismail86 wrote Tue Mar 21, 2023 3:09 am:I agree, but those guys also kept him off the field as well. Apparently a decent amount of 49er fans are upset about losing him. Some say he didn't get enough credit as well. We'll see.
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16 to 88
True ignorance is not the absence of knowledge, but the refusal to acquire it.
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Man are they overturning this roster.
At this rate there will only be a smitten of players left this year from the old regime...
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