morasp
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- By Chris Wesseling
- Around the NFL Writer
- Published: Aug. 29, 2014 at 04:42 p.m.
- Updated: Aug. 30, 2014 at 01:39 a.m.
Vic Fangio's San Francisco 49ers front seven was widely viewed as the NFL's best entering last season.
Now that All-Pro pass rusher Aldon Smith has been suspended for nine games, that won't be the case this season.
In guessing the length of Smith's absence, this was essentially a worst-case scenario.
With All-Pro inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman stashed on the PUP list for at least six games and run-stuffing nose tackle Glenn Dorsey recovering from a torn biceps, Fangio will have to make do with less talent for half of the season.
While there is plenty of depth on hand thanks to recent draft picks such as Corey Lemonier, Tank Carradine, Chris Borland and Quinton Dial, the drop-off from first-team All-Pro to role player is steep.
The 49ers have to brace for the possibility that Bowman, the best linebacker we studied on Game Rewind last season, won't be a difference-maker after reconstructive knee surgery.
It's Smith's absence that could be the most debilitating, however. Entering his fourth season, he has averaged the most sacks per game (0.98) since it became an official statistic in 1982.
If Justin Smith takes a step back in his age-35 season, Fangio will have to make scheme adjustments to cobble together an effective pass rush in September and October.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...ldon-smith-ban-leaves-49ers-pass-rush-hurting
