05-19-2015, 04:00 PM
(05-19-2015, 01:48 AM)Shake n Blake Wrote: 7 years with Bengals: averaged 67 tackles and 6.2 sacks
7 years with 49ers: averaged 59 tackles and 6.2 sacks
He actually had the same exact sack total (43.5) in Cincy and SF. Justin Smith was just as good here as he was in SF.
The only thing that changed was perception. Here he was stuck on below average defenses with teams that barely contended.
In SF, he was on an elite defense with teams that went deep in the playoffs. Also, people didn't appreciate him here because he didn't meet sky high expectations.
The big difference is where he was getting his sacks. In a 4-3, as a defensive end, you better be able to get consistent pressure and sacks. He was never that guy here, and not worth the money.
In a 3-4, his sack totals were pretty good, hence the reason why he was viewed as a better player in SF.
People always forget that they tried him out at LB and he didn't live up to the contract. When they moved him inside, he was much better.
