Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Top 10 defensive pairings of all time

By Peter Panacy

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: #89 Marcedes Lewis of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by #52 Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL International Series game between San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: #89 Marcedes Lewis of the Jacksonville Jaguars is tackled by #52 Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers during the NFL International Series game between San Francisco 49ers and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on October 27, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images) /
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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – NOVEMBER 19: Jason Campbell #2 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Aldon Smith #99 and Justin Smith #94 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quater of the game at Candlestick Park on November 19, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – NOVEMBER 19: Jason Campbell #2 of the Chicago Bears is sacked by Aldon Smith #99 and Justin Smith #94 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quater of the game at Candlestick Park on November 19, 2012 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Defensive Lineman Justin Smith and Linebacker Aldon Smith

In terms of fear factor, perhaps no other defensive tandem in 49ers history had a bigger effect on opposing quarterbacks than defensive end Justin Smith and his pass-rushing partner, outside linebacker Aldon Smith.

Justin Smith had a good, if not well-recognized career with the Cincinnati Bengals before coming to San Francisco in 2008 in free agency.

That move, however, ultimately changed the Niners’ defensive outlook. Smith would become one of the premier defensive linemen in the game, going on to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 2019 through 2013.

Smith would often eat up two, sometimes three blockers, freeing up pass-rushers for easier assignments.

Including the outstanding prowess of Aldon Smith, who managed an incredible 14 sacks his rookie year in 2011. The following year, Smith nearly broke the single-season sack record by notching 19.5.

Putting it simply, the Smith-Smith duo was one that couldn’t be stopped.

Except by injury and off-field concerns, though. Justin Smith suffered a shoulder injury late in 2012, and his limitations had an effect on Aldon Smith, too.

The latter’s off-field transgressions and struggles came to dominate his story, which is tragic in many ways.

But when on the field and functioning fully, few defensive pairings could come close to Aldon Smith and Justin Smith.