Justin Smith overlooked...+ Ray McDonald

I don´t want to sound like a total homer, but I think if Justin Smith keeps playing like he did this game and the entire last season, he may have a realistic shot at being called the best 3-4 DE in the entire NFL.

I mean, the last few years the best 3-4 DE in the league would arguably be Richard Seymour, because he was a dangerous pass rusher as well as an able run stopper in New Englands 3-4 defense and he did have his share of big plays, which is kinda unsual for a 3-4 defensive lineman.

But now that Seymour is in Oakland (which is predominantly 4-3 team), are there any other 3-4 DEs in the league who can compare to Justin Smith? I don´t know, all the other successful 3-4 teams in the league like Pittsburgh or Dallas have solid, but unspectacular 3-4 Ends, who are good run stoppers and free up their LBs well, but do no seem to generate much pass rush by themselves.

That would make Justin Smith kinda unique right now in the NFL among 3-4 Ends, which would put him into elite territory.

I guess it´s just me being delusional after the win, but having the best 3-4 DE in the NFL sure sounds great to me

Justin Smith had a nice year last year, but he was an absolute monster yesterday. He's a kind of player in the Bryant Young-mold: works hard, does the dirty work, keeps his mouth shut (well, except for that one unsportsmanlike play ).

McDonald. Man, he looked pretty good. If we can get Balmer to play with that kind of speed and leverage, well, we'll be unstoppable.

Originally posted by HessianDud:
Justin Smith had a nice year last year, but he was an absolute monster yesterday. He's a kind of player in the Bryant Young-mold: works hard, does the dirty work, keeps his mouth shut (well, except for that one unsportsmanlike play ).

McDonald. Man, he looked pretty good. If we can get Balmer to play with that kind of speed and leverage, well, we'll be unstoppable.

I remember when we got Ray McDonald. He was projected to go higher but was injured at the time, and we didn't really get to see what he could do. When we finally got to see, it was amazing how quick he was off the snap. He has some serious twitch reflexes, because it looks like false start on almost every play. But then you see in slow motion that he is going with the snap count like everyone else. He is not the most stout defender, but he is getting better. He might break out this year, we'll see.

Originally posted by HessianDud:
Justin Smith had a nice year last year, but he was an absolute monster yesterday. He's a kind of player in the Bryant Young-mold: works hard, does the dirty work, keeps his mouth shut (well, except for that one unsportsmanlike play ).

McDonald. Man, he looked pretty good. If we can get Balmer to play with that kind of speed and leverage, well, we'll be unstoppable.

I thought Balmer had a good game. If you look at some of those replays, it is Balmer eating up two tackles to free Smith and other rushers.

Originally posted by RedWaltz24:

Originally posted by HessianDud:
Justin Smith had a nice year last year, but he was an absolute monster yesterday. He's a kind of player in the Bryant Young-mold: works hard, does the dirty work, keeps his mouth shut (well, except for that one unsportsmanlike play ).

McDonald. Man, he looked pretty good. If we can get Balmer to play with that kind of speed and leverage, well, we'll be unstoppable.

I thought Balmer had a good game. If you look at some of those replays, it is Balmer eating up two tackles to free Smith and other rushers.

Great point about Balmer IMO the sack that Smith got was because Balmer had a great push up the middle forcing to guys to block him and not letting Warner move.

I find it ironic all the love Smith is getting now when he was signed majority of people whined about his lack of sacks and he is a 4-3 guy etc.. With a good season last year and a nice start to this year Smith and Paralson could become a dominating force and each get 8-10 sacks.

Nice to see Balmer contribute even got a tackle and Mc Donald do allright.

I like the move Smith made on his man. instead of meeting him outside, he juked inside and ran unblocked at Warner.

I see it as you look at guys around the nfl, and say who could that team be if they didnt have a certain player or players, where would thet be, and i say Justin Smith is one of them, he was a huge signing, that gets overlooked, and he is a key to the pass rush.

Other guys on the niners like that are of course, Gore, Willis, and IMO Nedney and Staley, and soon Morgan and Rachal.

Originally posted by NinerFan1977:

Originally posted by DaFaro49ers:

Originally posted by Reckless:
Man, this guy just flies. What an awesome signing seriously. As a 3-4 defensive end he is rarely over matched. And he cannot be stopped it seems. If he can stay at this pace our defense will only get better!

Also, I think Ray Mc really showed he is going to be huge for us! Gotta find ways for him to get on the field!

When he made that game winning Sack, i jumped and said...THATS WHY WE SIGNED YOU!

I yelled nice f**king game Justin Smith. You the f**king man. I tried yelling some more and cheering but I lost my voice and had a headache. I was yelling from play one.

Haralson also looked good.

Originally posted by NinerGold39:
Haralson also looked good.

He was burning Levi Brown all day. Brown was the 5th overall pick... at that spot you should be a dominate LT, not a mediocre RT.

Originally posted by ApatheticIAm:

Originally posted by kujon11:

Originally posted by Ninefan56:
Good to hear that Lawson contributed to the pass rush. How about Balmer, Sop, and Franklin?

sop and franklin actually had some pretty good stuffs. as for kb, he contributed on this play where he takes on two guys which enables justin smith to get around
. play to end the game. i thought for sure they were going to throw a flag on nedney because those refs were idiots today

Seriously I think the league doesn't take us seriously and gives us brand new refs to get their feet wet in the league

That one ref was just terrible announcing out the penalties.

I think my buddy said it best when he said "Justin Smith likes beer"

the unsportsmanlike conduct on the FG attempt was because one of the 49ers players was attempting to simulate the "hike" call and caused the cards guy to jump. we're lucky that didn't burn us!

Alot has been said about how we need a big hulking 330 pound fatty clogging up the middle (Williams, Wilfork, Hampton), but is it really necessary for a defense?

If the guys are good enough that they can get consistent push against an oline and collapse the pocket, they will get doubled. That's true for any lineman regardless of scheme. So if we have 3 good lineman that command double teams does it really matter if they are 310 pounds or 330 pounds?

Originally posted by Hopper:

Originally posted by ApatheticIAm:

Originally posted by kujon11:

Originally posted by Ninefan56:
Good to hear that Lawson contributed to the pass rush. How about Balmer, Sop, and Franklin?

sop and franklin actually had some pretty good stuffs. as for kb, he contributed on this play where he takes on two guys which enables justin smith to get around
. play to end the game. i thought for sure they were going to throw a flag on nedney because those refs were idiots today

Seriously I think the league doesn't take us seriously and gives us brand new refs to get their feet wet in the league

That one ref was just terrible announcing out the penalties.

it was his first game as the lead official, give him a break he was nervous, it didnt help that patrick willis was on the same field as him thats scary man give the dude a break