Losing Justin Smith hurts the 49ers defense in two big ways.
No.1: Against the run. Justin Smith is the best run-stopping 3-4 defensive end in the NFC. He ties up blockers so Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman can run free and make tackles. Without Justin Smith, offensive linemen can slip past the 49ers’ defensive line and block Willis and Bowman.
No.2: Against the pass. The 49ers’ go-to play to generate pressure on the quarterback is the stunt between Aldon and Justin Smith. Justin grabs the guard and the tackle, freeing up Aldon to loop inside untouched. Without Justin Smith, the 49ers can’t pull off this play and their pass rush suffers. Now Aldon Smith has to beat tackles around the edge, and very often he has to face a double team.
Aldon Smith talked to Bay Area reporters on a conference call Wedneday afternoon about Justin Smith’s absence. Here’s what he said.
Q: How have you been dealing with not playing next to Justin Smith? Is it a learning process playing with somebody other than him?
ALDON SMITH: I guess. In a way. It’s a different person next to you. You’ve got to learn how they play and they’ve got to learn how you play. Time will do its thing. I’m sure we’ll get it worked out and keep it rolling.
Q: There’s no Justin Smith there. Do you feel the need to step up and fill the vacuum that he leaves?
ALDON SMITH: Yeah, I need to step up. With Justin not playing as much, I should definitely step up. Even if he is playing, I need to step up and be more vocal of a leader. Having a guy like that not be around, somebody needs to step up and say something. But there’s a team full of leaders, a defense full of leaders, so it wouldn’t be that hard to do.
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Then just do it, instead of saying it.
I am sorry Prime Axel. Were you talking to me?
I am really sorry Prime Axel, can you repeat that.
Prime Time is banned because he mocked Clem’s wife’s cancer, just so every reader knows.
Prime
It’s not a lie and you know it, “Santa.”
Randy, Prime, Axel, oneniner, Santa, it does not matter all you have fell out of favor here and you all are good as gone. Prime, look like a fool, mocking Clemnons wife, Bays kids and my beautiful wife, your nothing more then a juicy pimple on pigs ass. Goodbye!!
Prime You have never ever been under my skin, I am as tough as nails, but you being a primate at the dog pound, I have certainly gotten under your fur. ahahahhahahahahahhahahah
Cyber trespassing where you are not wanted should probably be a crime.
Kudos to you, Grant, for making an attempt at getting the chaos under control. It was really beginning to make the site a waste of time.
Aldon we need you to step up! Please get 4 sacks on Sunday. GO NINERS
@Neal
With all due respect, leave PT to Grant. He’s on Grant’ radar now.
That’s all the satisfaction I need.
Yup AES, I know it, he is just like a 10 second commercial, and then poof he is gone.
that a boy Aldon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey remember me? that garbage waste of a draft pick..
Put me in coach.
Hello everyone, can someone please answer my question? If the niners have to play wildcard weekend, will they play sat January 5, or Sunday January 6??? Does anyone have any idea? Thanks in advance
I think it’s the 5th.
grant your alright bro.. even if a.d hates you lol
Justin Smith is worth 10 points a game.
He has been one of the best players, not just defensive lineman, but *football* players in the entire NFL the last two seasons.
Just think about him running down Jeremy Maclin last season in Philly and putting people on skates in the playoffs. He is a football player.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngL27HFInEg
Lol this Prime banning is hillarrious..Almost maaking me forget about last Sunday!
I just want to know if J Smith is going to play again an the extent of his injury.
it would be nice to know