/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/5282797/20120916_kkt_st3_016.0.jpg)
NinersNation's David Fucillo and I decided an interesting poll/discussion for the run-up to this week's game might be to ask ourselves - if we could gank one player from the opposing team for our roster, who would it be?
I thought about it -- but I didn't have to think all that long - I would take Justin Smith in a heartbeat. Of course, there are others to consider - Mike Iupati is playing at an All-Pro level, Joe Staley is money, Patrick Willis and Navarro Bowman are perennial Pro Bowlers, Aldon Smith is wreaking havoc on the league, Vernon Davis is a freak, Andy Lee is a superb punter (not that I would Al Davis it in this case), Isaac Sopoanga and Ray McDonald are really solid... goddamn it this 49ers roster is seriously stacked. I haven't even gotten into some of the younger players like Colin Kaepernick, LaMichael James, Michael Crabtree, and so on and so forth.
Imagine Justin Smith on the Seahawks' defensive line. He could play the Red Bryant role at the 5-tech position, bully tight ends and tackles and get consistent pressure on the quarterback without giving up anything in run support. In passing downs, he could move to the inside and rush from the NT or 3-tech position, to collapse the pocket and force quarterbacks backwards, allowing Chris Clemons and Bruce Irvin to clean up the mess. Paired next to Brandon Mebane, Seattle's interior line would be a force to be reckoned with.
There may be no player in the NFL that is stronger at the point of attack than Justin Smith, and Seattle's interior stonewall would cause significant issues for opposing offenses as they look to protect their quarterback. Teams would have to gameplan to take away Smith, which would free up players like Jason Jones and Greg Scruggs to do their thing.
But, alas, it just will not be.
I am anxiously awaiting word as to whom David chooses for the Niners - as I said, their roster is ridiculously stacked, so his choice will be an interesting one as well. I will link to that when he posts, but in the meantime, tell me who you'd take for the Seahawks, and why, in the comments below.
UPDATE - Fooch's post below:
49ers vs. Seahawks: Who would you swap in? - Niners Nation
We take a look at which Seahawks player we would like to see on the 49ers roster...