Denver Broncos Free Agent Review: Matthew Willis

by Jezru on Feb 19, 2012 5:00 PM MST in Strictly My Opinion

An undrafted free agent out of UCLA in 2007, Matthew Willis came to the Denver Broncos after an unimpressive rookie year with the Baltimore Ravens. On December 23, 2008 Willis was signed to the Broncos practice squad. In 2009 he would see the field in only one game. 2010 was again a rough one for Willis (as it was for all of us Broncos fans) wherein Willis appeared in only six games amassing only 1 reception for 17 total yards.

Willis' 2011 season was something else entirely. Willis played in fifteen games and caught the ball 18 times for 267 yards and a touchdown with two fumbles. Though his stats are slight, it's helpful to remember that under the Tebow-led offense that the Broncos didn't pass all that often. What is telling is that he averaged 14.8 yards per catch and I remember him most the 2011 season as reliable receiver who regularly moved the chains when it was needed most.

Matthew Willis

#12 / Wide Receiver / Denver Broncos

Height: 6-0

Weight: 190

Born: Apr 13, 1984

College: U-C-L-A

	Receiving						Kickoff Returns					Punt Returns
G	Rec	Yds	Y/G	AVG	Lng	TD	KR	YDS	AVG	Lng	TD	PR	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
14	18	267	19.1	14.8	42	1	8	163	20.4	29	0	0	0	0.0	0	0

2011 Highlights

Against Miami on October 23rd, Matthew Willis had one catch. Though as catches go, it was a doozy. With under five minutes to go in the 4th quarter caught a short pass from Tim Tebow and turned it into a 41-yard monster gain that helped set up a necessary touchdown reception by Demaryius Thomas. The Broncos would go on to win 18-15 in overtime thanks to great defensive play by DJ Williams and a Matt Prater fieldgoal.

Then against the Chicago Bears on December 11th with exactly :30 seconds left in the ballgame, Willis again caught a short pass and turned it into a 19-yard gain - putting Matt Prater in position to make the game tying 59-yard fieldgoal.The Broncos would go on to win 13-10 in overtime. Willis would finish the game with 4 catches for 75-yards, his best showing of during the 2011 season.

Willis was playing on a one year extension in 2011 and made $480,000. In 2012 he would stand to make $700,000 should the Broncos choose to bring him back.

I think that the Broncos will bring Willis back. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he's clutch, but he did make plays when they were needed most. His production as a receiver has steadily increased in each season of his career. He seems to have earned the trust of Tim Tebow and as Tebow's develpoment progresses so shall Matthew Willis'. I would be surprised and a little upset if Willis doesn't return.

Go Broncos!

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He could be upgrade with a lot of other players, there’s no need getting all giddy over subs who are FAs. What this team needs is upgrades in a lot of positions and he ain’t one of them. If EFX re-sign him then I will understand, but I wouldn’t offer him too much…

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by bfree2bronc on Feb 19, 2012 5:11 PM MST reply actions

Agree on this my friend

We spend way too much time wondering who will be the next UDFA or late round stud and dont appreciate the one who are. I don’t think Willis is all that great personally and I would offer minimum to bring him back and not feel bad if he left.

What makes Chris Harris so special is that he is a stud who slipped. Willis didnt slip, he was a mid 6th rouc projection who no one needed and has contributed like that.

Davis and Smith to the Hall!

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by Jon Tollerud on Feb 19, 2012 9:14 PM MST up reply actions

Willis

Willis was doing great in the middle of the season. However, it seemed like he lost some concentration late in the season, with some key drops.

According to PFF, he actually scored better overall than Eddie Royal, but he doesn’t have Royal’s upside at kick returning.

by tunesmith on Feb 19, 2012 5:12 PM MST reply actions

Special Teams

I think special teams is where Willis’ best value is held. His play in coverage teams is fantastic and there were a few times when he was Colquitt’s best friend inside the 20. I hope he stays. He’s not the worst 4th or 5th wide receiver in the league and his ST play makes up the difference in his value.

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by orange&blue_aussie on Feb 19, 2012 5:21 PM MST reply actions 2 recs

"Colquitt's best friend inside the 20" is a bigger deal than most even consider. Field position often determines who wins as much as turnovers.

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by BroncoCUbuffs on Feb 19, 2012 5:26 PM MST up reply actions

And IMO the coverage unit was at its best with him at gunner

Better to be quiet and thought of as ignorant than to open your mouth and remove all doubt

by broncofaninIL on Feb 19, 2012 8:32 PM MST up reply actions

especially for teams like us

who rely so much on the running game and overall methodical play

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 19, 2012 11:43 PM MST up reply actions

Bring him back

Core special teamer and at least depth at WR.

by si_ice on Feb 19, 2012 6:11 PM MST reply actions

He seems to be an enigma rolled inside a mystery...to paraphrase.

Reports by KK and others at camp are glowing. But season numbers are dim. So I’ll go with his speed, and hands. Sign him at the mini, maybe a bit more. Give him time, he could be another late bloomer Brandon Lloyd

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by azbroncomaniac on Feb 19, 2012 6:57 PM MST reply actions

even if he's not

he makes solid plays on special teams, I suggest we keep him around even for that

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by the new Bradfather on Feb 19, 2012 11:44 PM MST up reply actions

I think he can do what Eddie can do on the receiver end of things and for cheaper. I also think Eddie while decent at kick returns can be easily replaced there as well.

I like Willis and think 700,000 is a good price to pay for someone who knows our system and has been developing a decent chemistry with Tebow. I think he’ll be the #4 guy on our depth chart after FA and the draft and I’m ok with that.

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by BroncoMath101 on Feb 19, 2012 8:38 PM MST reply actions

No.

Can’t tell you how many times I yelled to cut this guy. Doesn’t block, drops balls, don’t care about special teams, you have to contribute and he doesn’t cut it. So cut him.

POP POP!!!

by Tollyvolley127 on Feb 19, 2012 9:57 PM MST reply actions

Didn't he block in the endzone on Tebow's run v. Jets?

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by littletinybroncos on Feb 20, 2012 1:59 PM MST up reply actions

You obviously don't watch very closely

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by sadaraine on Feb 21, 2012 8:58 AM MST up reply actions

I watch close enough

and don’t like him.

POP POP!!!

by Tollyvolley127 on Feb 21, 2012 2:04 PM MST up reply actions

Not a big Willis fan

Willis seems to just barely squeak by since he has been here. He does well in pre-season and TC. But honestly, he makes me cringe we he is on the field. Cut him..

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by timmaybronco on Feb 19, 2012 10:00 PM MST reply actions

I'd say he's earned the right to come back to camp

His ST coverage was great and he did show the ability to get open on offence, he really needs to work on extending his arms and attacking the ball as a receiver because he had a few catches stripped away from him last year. I say let him compete and may the best man win.

by Broncolove on Feb 19, 2012 10:33 PM MST via mobile reply actions

For the right price...

Keep him, but not for a lot. Seemed to play a little confused. I was not impressed with his receiver play, keep him as a Quan Cosby type for special teams and no more.

That one pass interference penalty was killer when he was blocking for Eddie Royal who scored the TD. Kind of a bubble screen type play: Tebow scrambled around and threw it to Eddie who took it the rest. Against the Steelers I think.

That Robert Ayers bullrush against the Steelers scared Chuck Norris.
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by BroncosFanForLife on Feb 20, 2012 8:04 AM MST reply actions

it’s easy to get attached to guys who are already here, but willis is just a guy. at some point, if the broncos are to improve, the talent level needs to increase. ratchet it up and move the talent forward instead of staying status quo. we can—and need to—do better than guys like willis. the receiving corps definitely had moments, but they weren’t great this year. inexperience factored in for sure but it’s still an area that has to be challenged.

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by oxmouth on Feb 20, 2012 9:41 AM MST reply actions