Willis: ‘They will not run the ball on us’
Posted by on December 12, 2009 – 5:13 PM
The Arizona Cardinals have strived for increased balance on offense, seeking to add a potent running game to complement an already impressive passing attack.
Linebacker Patrick Willis doesn’t see this Monday night playing out like the Cardinals may hope.
“We know they’re going to throw the ball and they’re going to try to run the ball,” Willis said. “We’re not worried about them running the ball. They will not run the ball on us. We’re not worried about that, but we will have to stop their pass.”
The 49ers defense did just that in Week 1 when they intercepted Kurt Warner twice and held him to just 26 of 44 passing.
“We made plays when we were supposed to and we made plays for ourselves,” Willis recalled. “That’s what we’re going to have to do this week.”
The 49ers should be well prepared this Monday after having what Willis called a very focused week of practice. While the team’s playoff chances may be slim, the Pro Bowl linebacker has been pleased with what he’s seen from his teammates despite the circumstances.
“At 5-7, we go out there and work our tails off,” Willis said. “Other 5-7 teams probably hang it up and work on next year. We’ve had a great week of practice. It gets to the point where you also have to play for pride. We’re better players than that and we have more character than that.”
Staley on the Mend
Joe Staley is listed as questionable on the injury report after going through his first week of practice since Week 8.
“I think it’s going to be decided on game day or tomorrow,” Staley said about whether not he will suit up against the Cardinals.
Sitting out for the last five weeks has been difficult for Staley, who’s not accustomed to watching from the sidelines.
“Of course I’m anxious,” Staley said. “But I’m not going to be dumb about it. I’m going to be smart and make a good decision. I’m not going to risk it to the team, trying to be a tough guy. But if it feels good and I want to be out there, I’m going to be out there.”
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Tags: Joe Staley, Patrick Willis
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66 Responses
to “Willis: ‘They will not run the ball on us’”
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By Maria Flores on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
I know our defense will hold.would not miss this game.That’s why I am flying in from Philly.Go Niners
By sertz49 on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
On 4th or 3rd and inches put Battle or Robinson behind the center and quarterback sneak. Teams will catch on to this,then what you do is a pitch to Gore when they stack the middle or maybe a playaction pass to Davis. BE CREATIVE!!!
By Chris EPT on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
I strongly believe 49ers defense is more than capable of playing the cardinals physical seeing that it will be one of the keys to winning this game. As far as the offense goes Alex simth is looking more confortable and productive to get the 49ers in good position to go the distance and pull out a win. Get ready for an air show!!
By josh on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
all i haave to say is that im tired of saying :nexf year we will get umm: but ill always remain faithful
By Tristan on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
Great! Now get out there and prove it!!
By Jose Flores on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
Go 49ers!!!
By Diana123 on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
i loovee you niners my son is only 3 years old and when we sit there and watch the games he yells goooo patrick willis . hes so cute and when you loose he really has a bad day… coome on defense i know you guys have mad potential and its time to show it this monday night game lets get a win….
By FireNolan on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
I’m calling for Singletary to be fired and for Raye to be fired along with Scot MtCloughan. Do not buy or renew your tickets for next year. Send a strong message that the Yorks must sell this team.
By Marco on Dec 12, 2009 | Reply
Goooo niners!!! it’ll be an exiting monday night game! I’ll have my coronas ready and a larg pizza from cosco.
By Emanuel Burciaga on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Patrick Willis will be in the Hall of Fame when his 49er Career is over.
By Emanuel Burciaga on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
I don’t about the rest of the 49er fans out there but the team is headed in the right direction under Singletary. They play harder and never give. In the near future Coach Singletary will lead us to the playoff.
By jo on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
FIRE SINGLETARY!!!! THAT JUS SOUNDS DUMB BRUH,ANYWAYS, IVE BEEN WAITIN 4 PATRICK WILLIS TO SPEAK UP, IM CONVINCED P.WILLY, HOWEVER, LIKE THE GREAT SINGLETARY SAYS, “DON’T TELL ME, SHOW ME.” WE THE FANS ARE LOYAL AND STILL WATCHING NO MATTER WHAT THESE HATERS HAVE TO SAY. WERE ALL READY FOR A SHOW LETS MAKE THIS ONE COUNT..NINERS FOR LIFE.
By turtleman03 on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
FireNolan you have officially lost your 49er Faithful Card. I can’t believe you’d say something so idiotic and inconsiderate. Singletary needs TIME with the team. Yes, Jimmy Raye was a little one-dimensional at first but he now agrees with spreading the offense. Geez… thank God YOU’RE not coaching the Niners.
By Tim Brown on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Give Sing at least 2-3 years to turn it around.But never agreed with the hiring of Raye it might be Sings downfall.
By E-Gastelum42 on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
I think we are at the point were we are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. And though we will continure to take the bumps and bruises that come along with haveing a young team, i think we are comming together as a unit just fine…I think all the adjusting has been made, and the fine tunning is starting to begin…. If we just go out and play the way we are capable of playing we will win Monday night… It makes me happy to hear that the team character is to not give up on the season, because we still have some games to win… TEAM “Together Everyone Accomplishes More” GO NINERS!!!!
I dont know were FIRE NOLAN came from but you need to go and crawl back in the hole that you came from….
By Jake on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
i dont think we need to fire any of are coaches if we do that will set us back 3 years i dont want to wait 3 more years to get to the playoffs i still have a little hope of us makeing this year if we dont i know we can make it next year lets go 9-7 go niners
By ricky on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
before we start fireing people lets build up our ol and dl first threw trad and draft and go from there im still not sold on alix smith how bout bringing tebo or vick in for a try at starting qb or maybe or 3rd string qb and let shawn hill and isac bruce go to give us more money to trade with
By Patrick Garcia on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
I live in mesa az, am so tired of hearing about the cardinals, and how they going to beat the 49ers. To the piont! just do all of us a favor and kick the crap out of the cardinals. That alone would be awesome x-mas gift.
Thank You, have a great hoilday
By micheal on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
LETS GO 49ers let show those birds how the top dog
By Rafael Flores on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Niners all the way I dont care what anybody Say’s where going to the playoffs this and next year.. Monday Night FootBall lets do this im going to Smoke some ribbs and drink beer for this game cause we gonna win..”" SUCKA FREE”
By gustavo on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
cosch singletary is a gooid coach.
alex needs to stay for next year i belive he can still be our qb. we can win this game. as for the future i say a ol, db, s, and wr in the draft.
By Erick on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Ight about time, Patrick “THE BEAST” Williscomes out and says something. Al we have to do is of course put points on the board and disrupt kurt warner.
GO NINERS.
HIT EM’ IN THE MOUTH
LETS GET A W!
By Jon on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
we dont need to fire any coaches. that will only set us back further. this year playoffs are a no go. We blew it. cant lose 6 out of 7 and make it. maybe next year. need o and d linemen! a good draft and free agents will get us to the playoffs. once again lets finish strong and hope for next year. cant wait for next year.
By Diana123 on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
iim soo tireed of people telling me dat the cardinals are going to smash us . i knoow were a better team than them we just have to play together and have a no mistake game .. coome on niners let get a w
By bruce on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
I agree sing needs to go,and so does mccloughan.and the yorks need to sell. it’s high time to blow this team up and start over. This team will continue with no success until this is done.
By bruce on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Season over, niners will get creamed monday night, it will be over by half time.
By BigPun1687 on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Wow that guy is an idiot. We need Frank back!! I like this airing it out attack, but realistically putting the ball in Frank Gore, and Vernon Davis hands is our best option. Frank needs to touch the ball at least 20 times a game!!! Arizona has been playing well, but the Niners know how to beat them, its one of those rivalry division games!!!!! We need work on our offensive line, and secondary this offseason, especially our secondary, even though that will change a bit when Nate Clements comes back.
By Les on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Willis is right on. The Niners will stop the run. The only problem with that is the Niners secondary can’t stop a pass. 3rd and 16 and the secondary gives up a 17 yard pass play. Over and over. Then the Niners can only convert 1-14 on 3rd downs. They will not beat the Cards or the Eagles. I am a Niner fan since the 50′s but I am realistic too. We need a good draft to protect whoever is at QB and a pass rush to compliment the secondary. Willis and Crabtree are money. I would rather see V.Davis go to a Receivers Clinic instead of the Pro-Bowl. Good Luck
By bayareafastgunna510 on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
THE OFFENSE IS MOVING THE BALL, ITS TIME FOR THE DEFENSE TO PUT THEIR FOOTDOWN WIN WE HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN THE GAME (GB, SEA, MIN) THE DEFENSE NEED TO BRING IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By bayareafastgunna510 on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
AND WHERE WAS THAT MENTALITY IN THE GAMES WE HAD A CHANCE TO WIN IN THE 4QTR BUT COULDNT STOP THE RUN TO GET THE BALL BACK AND HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN. WE BETTER ROCK ZONA ON MONDAY NIGHT
By DAVID on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
LETS GO NINERS!! SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WE ABOUT!!!
By Joe on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Following some of the comments here I am a little supprised. The team is definetly heading in the right direction. That is indicative of good management, good coaching and good players working harder. I say use “Raye Gun” offense and give the Cardinals a game they will never forget. This is the niners playoff game. This thing definantly isn’t over yet.
By CardsFan4life on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
No doubt it’s going to be close. Just look at the recent history of these two teams. You guys are gonna crumble though. Week 1 you din’t play the Cards; you played the Cards MINUS Breaston, Wells, and a healthy Boldin. We’re talking 3 serious offensive threats you barely managed to beat us without. Plus, out D has gelled in a big way. You’ve got some real talent in SF, but the truth is, you guys are re-building, re-structuring. This isn’t going to be your year. Here’s to a nail biter that we’ll come out on top of. Cheers!
By Daniel on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
niners cant play man to man on the backfield we all know that
they should forget about stop the run and play zone coverage
its the way you can keep warner fail on hes attempts
lets be realistics if niners wants to win and keep hopping for winning nfc west and going to playoff..they should keep warner out of the field.
GO DEFENSE!
p.s. “Raye Gun” its a good move but when you are going to put GORE BACK IN THE GAME?!!
By rob jackson on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
HEY WIN OR LOSE IM THERE GUYS IVE BEEN A NINER FAN SINCE MONTANA SHOWED THEM ALL HOW TO DO IT. GO OUT AND HIT EM IN THE MOUTH THATS WHAT IM TALKIN ABOUT
By DALSR on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
LETS GOOOOOOO!!!! NINERS BABY….FOR ALL THOSE IDIOTS WHO THINKS THAT THIS YEAR IS DONE FOR US….YOU BETTER TUNE INTO THE GAME…ITS NOT HOW YOU START, IS HOW YOU FINISH….WE GOT THIS MANG….
By Larry on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
I love the niners and will always stand by my team no matter what. I can’t wait for the game I have to work but I will be watching it on my phone. I just hope I don’t get caught or I will get fired. But its worth the risk please kick the cardinals butts this monday make us loyal fans proud of you guys.
By Larry on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
The key to win arizona is to keep Kurt Warner on his backside or put a lot of pressure on him so he doesn’t have a lot of time to make them pass’s. Put a extra one or two in the box and mix up the blitz’s like we did when we played the colts and I know we will win big.
By Larry on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
I see too much cover 2 or nickle situations that we have to get in and thats why we give up too much passing yards. I wish we had taller corners and faster corners that we could do more man on man coverage.
By gonzo on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
i have been a niner fan for over 20 years and have always been faithful. its sad to have niner fans that dont have faith in the team. its not over till the fat lady sings!!!
By Ace on Dec 13, 2009 | Reply
Don’t tell me…SHOW ME!
Faithful for life! Crush the pathetic Cards!
By pablo on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
I REALLY BELIEVED ON THIS TEAM EARLY IN THE SEASON, AND MAYBE 2 WEEKS A GO, BUT HONESTLY RIGHT NOW I HAVE TO SAY ANOTHER YEAR…”MAYBE NEXT YEAR”…IT´S SO SAD BUT IT´S TRUE….BUUUUUUUTTTTT!!!…….I WANNA SEE THOSE CARDS LOOSE THIS MNF…..GO NINERS!!!!
By Carlos on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
Let’s go NINERZ!!!! I’ll be at my local sportz bar with my lady drinking back some pitchers of beer and rooting for dem NINERZ in my Willis Jersey and my Fitted red throwback hat cheering on my NINERS with a packed house full of NINER fans we beat them once time to do it again since we aint makeing it into the playoffs once again maybe next year I really had hoped for a better season and to see them in the playoffs but no luck to many close games and shoulda coulda but no luck anf what was up with Gore fumbleing last weekend? that killed us we where on our way to another victory then with that fumble and seattle recovery they got ahead of us so dissapointing but awell there is no likely way we will make it into the playoffs even if we do beat arizona then we still gotta beat eagles and not loose any other games then arizona has to loose every game from now on until the season is over and seattle has got to loose everygame until the season is over and well the rams are doing their part lol
but all that is highly unlikely but you never know stranger things have happened gotta keep FAITH hope the niners pick up another big Terrell Owens type next year in the draft we need bigger receivers in addition to Crabtree and Morgan and put the VET BRUCE!!!!!!!!!!!!! out there he still got some use at least on 3rd down situations and am I the only one that thinks it was a bad decision to let go out punt return specialist Allen Rossum? that was dumb choice he was good at what he does now we got Battel and Bown back there messing around dropping punts sigh! and penalties are killing us we starting to look like the raiders out there who by the way are screwed too lol their only hope in Gradkowski went down today that was rich lol now they stuck with Russell messing things up again and their back up Charlie Frye we should of kept Jeff Garcia and get rid of that other 3rd srting back up we got whats his face and try and get T.O back I know he ain’t happy in Buffalo he gonna want out next year I don’t think we got the money to get him but still would be nice to see him back in a FRISCO uniform
By Mondo on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
I dont see why the niners dont have a chance to get into the playoffs this year. I did not expect the cardinals to go as far as they did last year and look what happened. This game will tell us everything we need to know about where the 49ers are and where they are headed. I am a faithful fan and i will be watching mnf while in class. GO NINERS!!! ALEX DONT BE AFRAID TO RUN IT IN!! GORE RUN SOMEONE OVER!!!DO YOUR THANG CRABTREE YOU GOT STYLE!!! GOOD LUCK AND LET THE GAME COME TO YOU. HAVE FUN!!
By IoNa on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
I know our Niners wont let us down….and ill take PWillie’s word anytime…..Singletary got us lookin nice and we are certainly a force to be reckoned with under him…We will establish the run game early with frank gore and Arizona will have to deal with an Alex Smith they have never seen before…6-7 tomorrow and 9-7 at the end…. N9NERS 4 Life. GeT AcTiVe
By Gax on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
HA OUR FRONT SEVEN IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE LEAGUE!!! OUR SECONDARY LOST OUR BEST CORNER AND WE’RE STILL COMPETIN!
WATCH WARNER GET HIS SECOND CONCUSSION! GO NINER$$$$!
FITZ N BOLDIN ARE GETTIN SHUTDOWN..COLTS ARE BETTER THAN THE CARDS AND WE ALMOST BEAT THEM….CARDS GET BLOWN OUT 28-14
By chuckle49er on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
go niners!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By chris on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
HERE WE GO NINERS HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET’S GET AFTER EM ON MONDAY NIGHT!!!!!!!!
By Ron-Cromwell on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
Run-Frank-they-cant-shut-him-down-2-games-this-season
By spud49 on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
I am a hard core niner fan a lone time though ups and downs. I been over 1oo games in very teams homes 3 playoffs games I feel i got right to say.When its time to go for six we will be ready!!! But to night not in our house!!!!! Just do it niners!!!!!!!!!!!
By Jake on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
if they can go 9-7 that might have a playoff spot all they can do is win all 4 and let the pices fall and see if thats enough to make the playoffs go niners
By Aukuso on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
Im a faithful 49er fan eversince ’94. nd i truly believe in them that they will make it no matter what.. knock ‘em out and show ‘em dat we’re for real..Willis is gonna have one HELL of a game..
By Chris on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
I’m sure FireNolan wrote his comment to get a rise out of everybody, so here it is: “YOU’RE A FRIGGIN IDIOT”. Any body who really knows football knows that you can’t build a chamopionship team in one year.It takes time. Go back to sipping wine and cheese with all your other Napa fair weather fans.
By MrCotija on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
to “FireNolan”
you think firing singleterry and raye will make things better for us? Obviously Firing Nolan didnt… Look, in order for this team to become a good team, we need to give the coaches and players a chance. Change offensive coordinators will not make us a better team, and it’s very hard for a first year coach to make a mediocre team good on his first year.
expect a winning season by 2011 into the playoffs
By MrCotija on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
ps. we need to draft a good O-LINE and SECONDARY. please!!
By BEETLE on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
Willis, you are the best linebacker ever to play the game since I started watching in 1968 when I became a 49er fan. When you speak Patrick “THRILL-US” WILLIS RAY LEWIS LISTENS. I hope, I beg PAT that you will be a NINER FOR THE REMAINING OF YOUR CAREER, PAY HIM YORK, IF YOU DON’T YOU WILL BE RUN OUT OF TOWN. HE SHOULD BE THE HIGHEST PAID MAN IN ALL OF SPORTS (CUT-N-DRY) BOOK-IT-DANO. YOU R THE BEAST OF ALL BEAST PW
By faithfuldave on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
P-Will….The best ever when its all said and done. Tonight, even though were bearley alive isnt about anything anymore except putting a woopin’ on warner! 1) For being a stinking ram and 2 for using us to get wat he wanted from the arizona chickens. To paraprase “He knew this isint where he wanted to be the first hour he was here? ” You suck you fake christian! Hit him hard and often! GO NINERS!!!!!
By Ray on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
I have totall faith in our boys! I know Alex and the rest of the crew will prevail tonight and go to the playoffs! LET’S GO 49′ERS!
By J. on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
Pat willis is a beast! you gotta love him coming out with confidence and just predicting the stop sign on the cards!
i must say I was extremely bummed last week but it’s all good. I’m still a niner for life!
As for the rest of the season, I don’t really care what happens as long as we BEAT THE CARDS!! AND BAD!!!! Let’s destroy Warner and injure Fitzgerald! Let’s show the cards that next year is our year and show them that this is their last year going into playoffs! Next yr it’s on. Niners 4 Life!
By Vernon benson on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
I hope the right people see this…..with our two first round picks this year lets get taylor mays if available or just another playmaker on d and a good olineman and we good…..we are in the right direction to get back to our glory days…..lets go niners
By Les on Dec 14, 2009 | Reply
I live and die with dem Niners and have since Y.A. Tittle and RC Owens were connecting with the alley-oop..but really guys..the Niners chances of making the playoffs this year is about as likely as Tiger Woods being on the next Wheaties box. Sorry, not for a while. Go Niners
By Marcel on Dec 15, 2009 | Reply
I cant believe how wishy washy the “fans” are. All the true “faithful” stand up. This is not over until its over. We need help, but we can still do this. One game at a time, worry about our games, not others, dont lose focus. Do that and we will see where we are after the Rams game.
I have been with my 9ers since my Dad would tell me stories of RC Owens as a kid. Born and raised in San Francisco Oak and Scott. My home has changed so much and its full of east coast folks and Euro trash, but the faithful are still faithful. The problem is that damn fans that are all over the place. What is even more screwed for us…these fans have votes in SF. THIS is the reason we dont have a stadium. THIS is why my team looks outside of SF to place a stadium. THIS is why our team is being approached by other cities trying to get us to relocate.
STAND UP FAITHFUL!
DO NOT MOVE MY TEAM YORKS! DO NOT DO IT! WE ARE FINE AT THE STICK UNTIL WE CAN GET THIS RIGHT.
There is something to be said for history. Look at Lambeau (for those of us that have made the pilgrimage to football mecca). Our stadium holds many many memories and way too much history to list. Fix it, don’t look elsewhere. It can be done. It should be done. It must be done.
You (the Yorks) say that you care about the Niners and never want to seem them anywhere other than Sa Francisco…..well show us….don’t tell us.
Lest we forget…the New England Patriots were once known to all of us as the “Boston” Patriots. They moved a few miles down the road….and well what do you know. Don’t let it happen to my SAN FRANCISCO 49ers.
Faithful since 76′
By Marcel on Dec 15, 2009 | Reply
One other thing…..this guy Carlos. Dude are you for real? one sec your saying we have no chance at making the playoffs, then you say maybe, then you say keep the faith.,,,gimme a break. “wishy-washy” I dont know where you learned how to calculate, but we dont need the cards to lose every game…just “2″. We are only “2″ back and we own the tiebreaker. Seattle is of no concern as we have a better division record (since we split the head to head).
As far as T.O. in a 9er uniform. you have got to be out of your mind. We want absolutely nothing to do with that guy. HE is a large reason that we started down this path of losing years ago. He by himself tore a hole in the 49er locker room that could not be filled with all the dirt that Coach Sing ordered to create The Mountain. Do you not remember the comments about Garcia (who now wants nothing to do with the 49er organization because of it)? Think for a second here. We were in dire straits (in regards to the QB situation this offseason. Garcia has been flopping around like a fish out of water…Do you really think that we would not have placed a call to a guy like him if we felt we could get him? Jeff wants nothing to do with us after we allowed T.O.’s mouth to split our locker room and eventually our team.
I respect T.O’s numbers, but he had the chance to be the next Rice. No doubt about it, but his mouth and antics (on and off the field) has screwed him. Now look at him. Let him go into Canton wearing a Bills uniform or something…better yet, maybe a transparent jersey since its all about HIM…in his mind. I guarantee it will take him atleast three trys to get in the Hall. What a waste…….
By spud49 on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
That’s how you played the game. now let’s go bird hunting,remeber eyes on 5-7-10 like i alway say “starting a fight is half the battle finshing bring home the prizes”! GOOD JOB NINERS!!!!!!!!!!!!! now back to the next fight. GO NINERS!!!!
By rick on Dec 16, 2009 | Reply
cant beleive people are calling for sing and mccloughan to be fired. we have drafted fairly well the last couple years, and the niners aren’t pushovers like they were. used to be they would get creamed by the elite teams but this season they play indy hard, minnesota hard and dont get blown out with the exception of atlanta. thing that amazes me is how they were in those games even with the offense not doing crap
By Natefan on Dec 20, 2009 | Reply
Post Philly comment:
NOW can we try Nate Davis for at least a quarter with some pass plays to see if he has the magic that’s missing? Here’s an opportunity to see what we need and don’t need in next year’s draft. No nate does not always roll to his right. yes, nate showed that he can play in pro and shotgun sets. Give the calm and accurate man a chance.