Best D in NFL?

[TheLowlySquire]

Not even hyperbole. Seriously, how many teams can say their defense is clearly better than the Niners'? I can't think of any.

Smith and Willis are the best players in the NFL at their positions imo. Bowman is close. Aldon Smith is maybe the best defensive rookie in the league. Carlos Rogers has tied for most INTs in the league. We good.

[Dalbi]

Not even hyperbole. Seriously, how many teams can say their defense is clearly better than the Niners'? I can't think of any.

Smith and Willis are the best players in the NFL at their positions imo. Bowman is close. Aldon Smith is maybe the best defensive rookie in the league. Carlos Rogers has tied for most INTs in the league. We good.

I am still worried about our defense facing a QB like Rodgers or Brady. Our secondary has really stepped up but a good passing team can still pass against us.

Also Aldon Smith is not at this point the best defensive rookie. Von Miller is having an incredible season and will win the award. I watched a bit of the Broncos and Jets game and it was quite impressive how he dominated the O-Line. Aldon Smith is great but he is not the same as Miller this year.

[TheLowlySquire]

**** you're right, completely forgot about Von Miller. No wonder I never hear about Smith and DROY.

Of course the strength is in the run D, but so far they've really done well against the pass. Lucky for us we won't be facing any great QBs during the regular season -- unless you count Big Ben as great. I'd actually be pretty **** excited to see how the Niners would match up against Rodgers or Brady this season.

[Sandlot]

Let's not forget how our offense helps the defense. (Weird to say when remembering the last several years) Our offense can hold on to the ball and sustain drives. The focus on the run allows us to use a lot of clock. We have an offense that could actually keep teams with great QB's from getting a lot of opportunities.
In other news, how big of a loss is Goldson for the Ravens?

[Wolfay]

The FOX announcers working the game suggested that Goldson would be suspended for his actions, although NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the Chronicle that a fine was more likely than a suspension.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... als-doucet

It seems we'll likely have Goldson available for Thursday.

[Sandlot]

Wow! Well I hope so. We need to be at our best this week. Anyone know the chances of Ray Lewis sitting out?

[Nicky Nix Nook]

The FOX announcers working the game suggested that Goldson would be suspended for his actions, although NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the Chronicle that a fine was more likely than a suspension.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/20 ... als-doucet

It seems we'll likely have Goldson available for Thursday.

Great news, I hope he's right.

[Dalbi]

Lucky for us we won't be facing any great QBs during the regular season -- unless you count Big Ben as great.

I would say that is unlucky for us because we can't prepare. I would want to face the Packers in the regular season just so we know how much we can be exploited.

Anyone know the chances of Ray Lewis sitting out?

Ray Lewis is practicing but it still is unsure. If it was up to him he would play but coaches might want to rest him since it was a short week.

[Sandlot]

Lucky for us we won't be facing any great QBs during the regular season -- unless you count Big Ben as great.

I would say that is unlucky for us because we can't prepare. I would want to face the Packers in the regular season just so we know how much we can be exploited.

Let's not forget the passing game changes with the weather. If we play the Packers in Lambeau in January the weather will be a huge factor. The cold/rain or snow will hinder the passing game a lot more than it will a strong running game. That might be a lot to hope for, but it is something to consider looking down the road.

[RIPskaterdude]

Von Miller will probably win ROY, but let's not forget that Smith only really comes in on 3rd down or passing downs, so for him to have so many sacks already is very impressive. I believe Miller starts and plays most of the snaps.

[Sandlot]

Von Miller will probably win ROY, but let's not forget that Smith only really comes in on 3rd down or passing downs, so for him to have so many sacks already is very impressive. I believe Miller starts and plays most of the snaps.

That's true, but he also plays in coverage. Aldon really comes in as a defensive end. So Miller may only be rushing the QB the same amount of times as Aldon. Miller Probably has more attempts, but I'm not sure it would be a significant gap.
That being said, I believe Aldon can develop into a better pass rusher than Miller.

[Dalbi]

Von Miller will probably win ROY, but let's not forget that Smith only really comes in on 3rd down or passing downs, so for him to have so many sacks already is very impressive. I believe Miller starts and plays most of the snaps.

That's true, but he also plays in coverage. Aldon really comes in as a defensive end. So Miller may only be rushing the QB the same amount of times as Aldon. Miller Probably has more attempts, but I'm not sure it would be a significant gap.
That being said, I believe Aldon can develop into a better pass rusher than Miller.

I love Aldon Smith, but I don't see him developing into a better pass rusher than Miller. I think he could become similar but Miller is an already elite pass rusher. Check out the website I am linking. It is pro football focus article about the rookies. If you don't know what pro football focus is then the basics are they rate every player on every play and give them a total score for each game and overall season. Really interesting site. But Miller's score for the season is incredible. It doesn't therefore have just to do with Miller playing more.

[Sandlot]

Our pass defense is clearly not the best but we have the best rush defense in the NFL. Our offense has to be consistent to help our defense.

[Sandlot]

This was from an article about the Rams game on Pro Football Focus:

"Lets keep things on the defensive side of the ball where the 49ers have had success all year long. Aldon Smith is a name that you won’t want to forget because he is becoming a truly dominant pass rusher on limited opportunities. Against the Rams, he only saw 14 chances to pin his ears back and get after the passer. What did he do in those attempts? He recorded two sacks, three quarterback pressures, and one hit. This season he has rushed the passer 253 times and recorded 10 sacks, which means he is getting a sack once every 25 times he rushes the passer. By comparison, DeMarcus Ware records a sack at exactly the same rate."

[RIPskaterdude]

Yeah, and if he keeps it up while Von Miller sits out, anything is possible, especially if the Niners get the #2 seed and the Broncos miss the playoffs.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

This was from an article about the Rams game on Pro Football Focus:

"Lets keep things on the defensive side of the ball where the 49ers have had success all year long. Aldon Smith is a name that you won’t want to forget because he is becoming a truly dominant pass rusher on limited opportunities. Against the Rams, he only saw 14 chances to pin his ears back and get after the passer. What did he do in those attempts? He recorded two sacks, three quarterback pressures, and one hit. This season he has rushed the passer 253 times and recorded 10 sacks, which means he is getting a sack once every 25 times he rushes the passer. By comparison, DeMarcus Ware records a sack at exactly the same rate."