Which type of DE would you rather have

[Dodub]

Well they really play (excel at) two different positions. Justin Smith is by far an away the better 3-4 DE, it is not even a competition. In the 4-3 BY is certainly the better player.

I think we are comparing apples to oranges here. As Clyde said, JS and Watt would be a better question.

 

[RobertPhD01]

I would take a look at Tank, the NT from Tennessee, and DB Swearinger from South Carolina!!

 

[NinerSickness]

I would take a look at Tank, the NT from Tennessee, and DB Swearinger from South Carolina!!

Wrong thread?

 

[threelittleturds]

The two barely compare... in 4-3 BY was a dominant DT and a very good DE in Nolan's 3-4 hybrid. With the Bengals Justin Smith was a pretty good DE out of the 4-3 and even then he never got double digit sacks.

They are like mirror images in a sense. In the 4-3 BY was a god, but also very good as a 3-4 DE. In the 3-4 Justin Smith has been a god, but just very good as a 4-3 DE.

All I can see is that the next All-Madden 49ers team should be a 3-4... BY, Ted Washington, Justin Smith on the DL. Haley, Bowman, Willis, Aldon Smith as the LBs. It will be very tough to crack that lineup for an all 49ers team

 

[Dodub]

The two barely compare... in 4-3 BY was a dominant DT and a very good DE in Nolan's 3-4 hybrid. With the Bengals Justin Smith was a pretty good DE out of the 4-3 and even then he never got double digit sacks.

They are like mirror images in a sense. In the 4-3 BY was a god, but also very good as a 3-4 DE. In the 3-4 Justin Smith has been a god, but just very good as a 4-3 DE.

All I can see is that the next All-Madden 49ers team should be a 3-4... BY, Ted Washington, Justin Smith on the DL. Haley, Bowman, Willis, Aldon Smith as the LBs. It will be very tough to crack that lineup for an all 49ers team

This!

 

[NinerSickness]

I don't agree that BY was "pretty good" as a DE in a 3-4. He was one of the best in the entire league IMO.

The defense a whole wasn't very good back then though.

 

[RobertPhD01]

B.Y. was excellent before and after the rod and pin were implanted! Go 49ers!!

 

[Flyingiguana]

smith is good, but BY was amazing.