Justin Smith, one of the all-time best 49er defensive linemen appreciation thread.

That 6.436 mil will certainly help on our cap and maybe we use that extra money to extend Aldon (front load this year, unlikely we extend him now) or even Williams/Wilhoite, etc. Too bad this means brooks will likely be around since we don't need his cap savings as much anymore. To be fair though he would cost us like 5.5 mil or 2.7x2 if he's a june 1st cut. Much better to cut him after this year and save like 6.5 with only 3.2 dead (or 1.8x2 if june 1st cut). So add that to the other bright spot of all these guys retiring or leaving in FA. We lost some of our best players but saved a lot to extend players of our future like Aldon, Lynch (although cant for 3 years yet), maybe Ian Williams, Carradine (1 year yet), Reid (1 year yet), etc.

Also, the age of our team is dramatically going down. With Brian Jennings, McDonald, Smith, Willis, etc leaving these past few years and possibly Brooks/Vernon/Dawson/Lee/Boldin/Dockett in the next year or 2 we will be a much younger team. Although, in a way that's good but can also be bad. If that happens that would take away 6 of our 7 oldest players leaving Pears (32), Bethea (30), Bush (30), Staley (30). Wheeler, Bishop and Dahl are 30, 30 and 29 but they could be gone as well. As I said after 2013 expect a youth movement for the new stadium. We are getting a lot younger and baalke's many draft picks are reloading this team.

Originally posted by Gore_21:
That 6.436 mil will certainly help on our cap and maybe we use that extra money to extend Aldon (front load this year, unlikely we extend him now) or even Williams/Wilhoite, etc. Too bad this means brooks will likely be around since we don't need his cap savings as much anymore. To be fair though he would cost us like 5.5 mil or 2.7x2 if he's a june 1st cut. Much better to cut him after this year and save like 6.5 with only 3.2 dead (or 1.8x2 if june 1st cut). So add that to the other bright spot of all these guys retiring or leaving in FA. We lost some of our best players but saved a lot to extend players of our future like Aldon, Lynch (although cant for 3 years yet), maybe Ian Williams, Carradine (1 year yet), Reid (1 year yet), etc.

Also, the age of our team is dramatically going down. With Brian Jennings, McDonald, Smith, Willis, etc leaving these past few years and possibly Brooks/Vernon/Dawson/Lee/Boldin/Dockett in the next year or 2 we will be a much younger team. Although, in a way that's good but can also be bad. If that happens that would take away 6 of our 7 oldest players leaving Pears (32), Bethea (30), Bush (30), Staley (30). Wheeler, Bishop and Dahl are 30, 30 and 29 but they could be gone as well. As I said after 2013 expect a youth movement for the new stadium. We are getting a lot younger and baalke's many draft picks are reloading this team.

Problem is we still need cap room, right now we would be $11M over the cap with all 90 players signed. Plus we need to factor in almost $8M for Aldon Smith and 12 other players who we would/might need to payback bonus money. So something has to be done, likely Kap redo.

I don't think we'll ever get a player like Justin again. Boy did we luck out.

he was the PERFECT all around player!

One of the best 3-4 DEs in NFL history!!! He was a guy who redefined the position and ended the stereotype that 3-4 DEs aren't able to be pass rushers. He actually helped revolutionize the position and play a hybrid who could rush the passer lined up inside and outside. HOF in my book! A revolutionary player!!!

Originally posted by SonocoNinerFan:

It seems like the helicopter ride was just yesterday.

Lol this. It was fun being in the forums investigating if he was signed or not. People calling hotels lol. Thanks Justin Smith!

push play, stare into Justin's eyes and see how long you can make it before shedding a tear. I made it like 4 seconds.

Welp, he'll be divorced in a year....

Originally posted by ElephantHaley:

Originally posted by smithgdwg:
If we had a chance at the postseason this year, Justin would have stayed. He knew that the big overhaul this offseason pretty much killed our chances at being competitive.

I agree with this POST. I am hopeful but realistic.

You all are entitled to your opinions, but please provide the words spoken by Justin Smith that even come close to supporting your inferences.

Justin Smith did not say anything indicating that "the big overhaul this offseason pretty much killed" the 49er chances of being successful.

Respect the player,

Respect what the player says.

Stop pretending that Justin Smith words are evidence supporting your point of view.

Pay attention to what the man actually had to say.

He wasn't just really strong with excellent technique, he was also really savvy:

http://blogs.sacbee.com/49ers/archives/2012/01/justin-smith-mind-the-gaps-vs-drew-brees.html#storylink=cpy

Justin Smith knows a thing or two about stepping into the B-gap and swatting down passes. The 49ers' defensive end did just that in the final seconds of a win over the Giants in Week 10 as Eli Manning was attempting a potentially game-winning pass on fourth down. Smith said that getting into Drew Brees' - at 6-feet, he's one of the shortest starters in the league -- throwing lanes is one of the keys to disrupting the Saints offense.

Said Smith: "He's just a really smart guy the way he attacks the pass rush. He knows where those B-gap windows are going to be and he baits the outside rushers by dropping back and then he steps up and slides to where he needs to be for his open receivers."

Smith outsmarted the "really smart guy" Brees. The bull rush that he did in that game that almost led to a sack will always be etched in my memory, but I think that him calling out "watch the b-gap" and then swatting down that pass was at least as memorable. Thanks for all the memories Justin.

From PFF signature stats (for the last two years)

Originally posted by AB81Rules:

Problem is we still need cap room, right now we would be $11M over the cap with all 90 players signed. Plus we need to factor in almost $8M for Aldon Smith and 12 other players who we would/might need to payback bonus money. So something has to be done, likely Kap redo.

I thought only the top 53 count against the cap?

Originally posted by eastcoast49ersfan:

Originally posted by KRS-1:
3 starters on defense had to be replaced (RayMac, Willis and Cully). On offense we replaced 3 starters as well (Crabs, Gore and Iupati). How is that a rebuild ?

3 starters on offense (Crabs, Gore, and Iupati)
5 starters on defense (RayMac, Justin Smith, Willis, Cully, Cox)

Cox may be debatable, but he played better early on in the season than Brock ever has. Drafting a punter in round 5 seems to be a look towards the future and the same could be said for Armstead because he's not likely to make a huge impact in year 1 (or maybe year 2 depending on how long Dockett hangs around). I liked the Armstead pick for what it's worth and I think looking towards the future (rebuilding) is the right move.

Gonna have to disagree on Cox vs Brock....Brock graded out as the 14th best CB in 2013 and Cox was the 35th best CB in 2014 based on PFF, not sure what playing better the first couple weeks has to do compared to a whole season?

IMO I wouldn't call it rebuilding because a lot of this players that are taking on bigger roles have been on the team for over a year.

Dam even in college he's taking out the entire backfield. Salute

Originally posted by NYniner85:

Originally posted by eastcoast49ersfan:

Originally posted by KRS-1:
3 starters on defense had to be replaced (RayMac, Willis and Cully). On offense we replaced 3 starters as well (Crabs, Gore and Iupati). How is that a rebuild ?

3 starters on offense (Crabs, Gore, and Iupati)
5 starters on defense (RayMac, Justin Smith, Willis, Cully, Cox)

Cox may be debatable, but he played better early on in the season than Brock ever has. Drafting a punter in round 5 seems to be a look towards the future and the same could be said for Armstead because he's not likely to make a huge impact in year 1 (or maybe year 2 depending on how long Dockett hangs around). I liked the Armstead pick for what it's worth and I think looking towards the future (rebuilding) is the right move.

Gonna have to disagree on Cox vs Brock....Brock graded out as the 14th best CB in 2013 and Cox was the 35th best CB in 2014 based on PFF, not sure what playing better the first couple weeks has to do compared to a whole season?

IMO I wouldn't call it rebuilding because a lot of this players that are taking on bigger roles have been on the team for over a year.

Agreed with you on Cox/Brock, but that still means we're talking about replacing 1/3rd of the starters (and a punter) in a single season.

It was inevitable and save for Willis we all knew it was coming and there weren't really any surprises, but given the consistency on the team for the last few years, this year really is a MAJOR changing of the guard.