The way the 49ers play defense lately is truly a pleasure to watch. They hit hard, cause a lot of turnovers, get sacks, and generally do things that end up on ESPN.
Anchoring the defense from the middle linebacker spot is Mr. All-Everything Patrick Willis. His accolades go on and on, but one thing that really sticks out to me is his ability to take down literally everyone he’s aiming for. Since he was drafted in ’07, I can only remember one time when someone broke his tackle – it was against the Rams and he ended up hurting his hamstring, causing him to miss a few games.
Here’s the thing: when watching 49ers games, Willis has a very distinctive form. I’m not talking about his tackling form, or how he lines up, but literally his physical form. Like I can always tell if that’s him making a tackle, even from the side angle that games are broadcasted on.
But lately there’s something peculiar going on, and was more noticeable last season. The Niners will be on defense, and the opposing running back will get the ball. He’ll bounce outside the tackles and attempt to cut up field. Then he’s promptly taken down by Patrick Willis.
But when Willis gets up, the commentator says, “What a nice tackle by Bowman!”
He’s talking about NaVorro Bowman, the Niners 3rd round pick in 2010. And that’s the startling thing: this guy looks like Willis, walks like Willis and even takes down running backs and forces fumbles like Willis.
In fact, sometimes when Bowman makes the tackle, I think, “Nice one, Patrick,” then he gets up and the jersey says 53 instead of 52. It really is mind blowing.
Also, Bowman is listed at 6’0, 242 lbs and Willis is 6’1, 240. In other words… a clone.
Last season, Bowman started in all 16 regular season games and recorded 173 tackles – a team high. He had double-digit stops in multiple games, and led the team with 14 tackles in the epic divisional game against New Orleans. He was selected to the AP First-Team All-Pro, All-Pro Team by Sports Illustrated, and even named the Defensive Player of the Year by the Dallas Morning News.
Hmm… so he gets awards like Patrick Willis, too. Interesting.
Surely someone else has noticed this strange phenomenon – the fact that the 49ers basically have two identical middle linebackers – other than me?
Well, reportedly even the 49er coaches have difficulty telling them apart when reviewing game tape.
“They’re very similar,” Coach Jim Harbaugh said. “They’re very good. They’re very athletic. They’re very tough, and they make similar plays.”
And Harbaugh is not alone. In an interview with 95.7 The Game, a radio station in San Francisco, quarterback Aaron Rodgers – of all people, Aaron Rodgers! Super Bowl MVP and as elite of a player as it gets – mentioned Bowman personally, calling him “underrated” and “one of the best linebackers in the league.”
[Note: Rodgers could have just said that to be nice and not cause controversy. Just saying.]
And apparently, these near-twins are getting along just fine.
“For me and Patrick to have the chance to be out there together this season, he’s done nothing but help me on the field,” Bowman said. “We’re a team out there.”
“We bonded really well,” Willis said. “Any time he’s had a question, he doesn’t mind asking me and vice versa. We’re in this together. We’re always looking for a way to help one another.”
