Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: The All-Decade Team from 2010 through 2016

By Peter Panacy

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49ers linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
49ers linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker

Inside Linebacker: NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis

Outside Linebacker: Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks

These are no-brainer selections. At least at the inside position.

Linebackers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis probably should be listed on San Francisco’s all-time team, let alone the team of the 2010 decade. This group has a combined seven Pro Bowl nods and seven First-Team All-Pro selections dating back to 2010, and many view this tandem as among the best to line up alongside each other in NFL history.

Willis retired just before the 2015 season, but Bowman remains one of the best players on the Niners current roster.

Outside linebacker Aldon Smith may be known more for his off-the-field problems, but there is no doubt surrounding his impact on the field between 2011 and 2013.

November 11, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) sacks St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) during overtime at Candlestick Park. The against the San Francisco 49ers tied the St. Louis Rams 24-24. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
November 11, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Aldon Smith (99) sacks St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford (8) during overtime at Candlestick Park. The against the San Francisco 49ers tied the St. Louis Rams 24-24. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

During that stretch, Smith registered 42 sacks and nearly broke former New York Giants defensive tackle Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record in 2012.

Fellow linebacker Ahmad Brooks might be seeing his production and role decline with the 49ers, currently. But fans shouldn’t forget he was named to the Pro Bowl in 2013 and had a nearly equally productive season the year before.

Next: Defensive Line