Who Was Better: Bruce Smith or Reggie White

[Phil The Thrill]

For the longest time there has been a debate with my friends about who the greatest Defensive End was during the time we started watching football in the late 80’s and into the 90’s.

 

Back then we thought we had the best DE in the NFL in Bruce Smith.  Others considered Reggie White, from Philly, at the time to be the best. 

 

Now that we have the benefit of hindsight, the question is...who was really better?

 

Statistically there really isn’t much difference.  Reggie played 15 seasons with 198 sacks.  Bruce played 17 with 200 sacks.  Of course, Bruce is the all-time leader.   Both men should be considered toward as the best DE’s ever.

 

I hate to say it, but I’m going to give the edge to Reggie.  I think he was a much better leader and impacted the game more than Bruce did.  

 

For many years, I would argue in favor Bruce but one game made me change my mind.  What sealed the deal for me was in a 1996 playoff game.  Bruce had the flu and was questionable to play.  This happens quite a bit in the NFL and players usually play through sickness.  So I was really shocked when he missed the game.  Pittsburgh scored 40 points so the team definitely could’ve used Bruce.

 

I immediately thought of the Thanksgiving game against Dallas where Reggie played with a severely injured arm.  He should have missed several weeks but he played through it.  Thinking of that made me say “It’s official, Reggie is better.”  

 

 As an adult, I can see the flawed logic there, but forgetting that incident, it doesn’t change my answer.  Bruce was fantastic, but I think Reggie was the greatest of all-time.

 

[DJB]

Come on. Being a Bills fan without question its Bruce.

 

If any y'all choose White you can go cheer for the Patriots

[Jay_Fixit]

It’s close, and although they had very different styles, I think Reggie has a slight edge.

 

Bruce was definitely more explosive but Reggie was pure power and you needed a Hippo to block him.

 

I don’t want to admit it, but I am for this thread.

 

And just for reference, Reggie White had 198 sacks in 232 games.

 

Bruce had 200 in 279.

 

 

5 minutes ago, DJB said:

Come on. Being a Bills fan without question its Bruce.

 

If any y'all choose White you can go cheer for the Patriots

Being a human without question it’s whoever said human thinks it is.

Edited June 6, 2019 by Jay_Fixit

[klos63]

4 minutes ago, Phil The Thrill said:

For the longest time there has been a debate with my friends about who the greatest Defensive End was during the time we started watching football in the late 80’s and into the 90’s.

 

Back then we thought we had the best DE in the NFL in Bruce Smith.  Others considered Reggie White, from Philly, at the time to be the best. 

 

Now that we have the benefit of hindsight, the question is...who was really better?

 

Statistically there really isn’t much difference.  Reggie played 15 seasons with 198 sacks.  Bruce played 17 with 200 sacks.  Of course, Bruce is the all-time leader.   Both men should be considered toward as the best DE’s ever.

 

I hate to say it, but I’m going to give the edge to Reggie.  I think he was a much better leader and impacted the game more than Bruce did.  

 

For many years, I would argue in favor Bruce but one game made me change my mind.  What sealed the deal for me was in a 1996 playoff game.  Bruce had the flu and was questionable to play.  This happens quite a bit in the NFL and players usually play through sickness.  So I was really shocked when he missed the game.  Pittsburgh scored 40 points so the team definitely could’ve used Bruce.

 

I immediately thought of the Thanksgiving game against Dallas where Reggie played with a severely injured arm.  He should have missed several weeks but he played through it.  Thinking of that made me say “It’s official, Reggie is better.”  

 

 As an adult, I can see the flawed logic there, but forgetting that incident, it doesn’t change my answer.  Bruce was fantastic, but I think Reggie was the greatest of all-time.

 

He wasn't even able to get out of his bed, it sucks, but it happens. How would he have helped?

[Phil The Thrill]

1 minute ago, Jay_Fixit said:

It’s close, and although they had very different styles, I think Reggie has a slight edge.

 

Bruce was definitely more explosive but Reggie was pure power.

 

I don’t want to admit it, but I am for this thread.

Being a human without question it’s whoever said human thinks it is.

 

Don’t you think Reggie overall had a bigger impact on his team too?  It always seemed like he was the heart and soul of the GB defense.  Bruce was phenomenal but I don’t remember thinking the same thing about him.

Just now, klos63 said:

He wasn't even able to get out of his bed, it sucks, but it happens. How would he have helped?

 

Well that’s what was reported.  My thinking is that Bruce Smith at 40% health is probably better than whoever was his replacement. 

[Gugny]

Reggie White and I barely had to think about it.

[MJS]

I do wonder what Bruce would have done as a DE in a 4-3.

[klos63]

4 minutes ago, Phil The Thrill said:

 

Don’t you think Reggie overall had a bigger impact on his team too?  It always seemed like he was the heart and soul of the GB defense.  Bruce was phenomenal but I don’t remember thinking the same thing about him.

 

Well that’s what was reported.  My thinking is that Bruce Smith at 40% health is probably better than whoever was his replacement. 

Months later, Smith was on ESPN and he talked about how having this flu bug was worse than any knee injury he ever had. He talked about how he was so out of it, that he couldn’t even walk.

[Phil The Thrill]

6 minutes ago, MJS said:

I do wonder what Bruce would have done as a DE in a 4-3.

 

Yeah that’s interesting.  He only played in a 3-4 his entire career

5 minutes ago, klos63 said:

Months later, Smith was on ESPN and he talked about how having this flu bug was worse than any knee injury he ever had. He talked about how he was so out of it, that he couldn’t even walk.

 

Ok well like I admitted, basing this on one incident was flawed.  But overall, it didn’t  change my belief that Reggie was better

Edited June 6, 2019 by Phil The Thrill

[Punching Bag]

Bruce played in 3-4 defense most of time with fast paced offense resulting in more snaps.  Bruce was better. 

BTW that flu he had was very severe with Bills trying to give him intravenous fluids trying to try to flush out virus but it did not work.

I question medical staff at time not requiring shots be up to date.

[DaBillsFanSince1973]

4 minutes ago, DJB said:

Come on. Being a Bills fan without question its Bruce.

 

If any y'all choose White you can go cheer for the Patriots

kind of ignorant to try and tell someone that may not agree with you to go cheer for the patriots.

 

honestly, it's almost to close to call

 

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-hall-of-fame/09000d5d811bfdf4/Bruce-Smith-vs-Reggie-White

 

 

[Jay_Fixit]

1 minute ago, Limeaid said:

Bruce played in 3-4 defense most of time with fast paced offense resulting in more snaps.  Bruce was better. 

BTW that flu he had was very severe with Bills trying to give him intravenous fluids trying to try to flush out virus but it did not work.

I question medical staff at time not requiring shots be up to date.

Reggie White had 198 sacks in 47 less games than Bruce. 4-3, 3-4 doesn’t matter.

 

Do you think Reggie would have been affected by playing in a 3-4?

 

Nah. 

[unbillievable]

Reggie White played in a 4-3 on the strong side.

Bruce Smith played in a 3-4 on the blind side.

 

Reggie was better all around. Bruce was a better pass rusher.

In today's NFL, Bruce would be making more money. Back then, Reggie was a better cornerstone of a defense.

[hondo in seattle]

It's easier to get sacks as a DE in a 4-3 than a 3-4.

 

Reggie was great.  Bruce was greater.  

[unbillievable]

5 minutes ago, Jay_Fixit said:

Reggie White had 198 sacks in 47 less games than Bruce. 4-3, 3-4 doesn’t matter.

 

Do you think Reggie would have been affected by playing in a 3-4?

 

Nah. 

 

That's like asking if playing DT instead of DE would have affected the sack numbers; Especially in those days.

[Haslett_Stomp]

1 minute ago, hondo in seattle said:

It's easier to get sacks as a DE in a 4-3 than a 3-4.

 

Reggie was great.  Bruce was greater.  

 

In addition, Bruce had to line up against probably the best RT/LT in the game for most of his career - Bruce Armstrong.  His sack numbers would have been higher if this were not the case.

[Jay_Fixit]

3 minutes ago, unbillievable said:

 

That's like asking if playing DT instead of DE would have affected the sack numbers; Especially in those days.

It’s actually not. 

 

It it is if you’re trying to win an argument though.

[clearwater cadet]

Reggie always seem to be the first choice ?

[DJB]

12 minutes ago, DaBillsFanSince1973 said:

kind of ignorant to try and tell someone that may not agree with you to go cheer for the patriots.

 

honestly, it's almost to close to call

 

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-hall-of-fame/09000d5d811bfdf4/Bruce-Smith-vs-Reggie-White

 

 

 

It was a joke dude!

[Phil The Thrill]

3 minutes ago, clearwater cadet said:

Reggie always seem to be the first choice ?

 

Not here...he is losing big time

[unbillievable]

9 minutes ago, Jay_Fixit said:

It’s actually not. 

 

It it is if you’re trying to win an argument though.

 

Yet there are a lot of 4-3 defensive ends with similar sack numbers, but the closest 3-4 DE to Bruce is JJ Watt at 92; less than half.

[skibum]

I've never heard anyone outside the Bills fan universe say that Bruce was better. Reggie just mauled people. He was a scary dude. 

[Chandler#81]

For longevity, Bruce is better. He’s still alive.

 

WINNING!

[Bray Wyatt]

Deacon Jones

[Jauronimo]

2 minutes ago, skibum said:

I've never heard anyone outside the Bills fan universe say that Bruce was better. Reggie just mauled people. He was a scary dude. 

I've never heard anyone outside of Bills fans (or former players) acknowledge that Bruce played in a far less advantageous scheme for generating sacks.

[Orlando Tim]

i did not watch nearly enough Reggie to make an informed decision but Bruce was a dominant presence on a D line with lesser talent- Jeff Wright- and was able to cause much more damage on his own. As for leadership it was almost certainly Reggie since Bruce did not lead except by dping his job on field.

[Punching Bag]

4 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

I've never heard anyone outside of Bills fans (or former players) acknowledge that Bruce played in a far less advantageous scheme for generating sacks.

 

Very true!

[Bray Wyatt]

Deacon Jones - 173.5 sacks 191 games played - .91 sacks per game

Reggie White - 198 sacks 232 games played - .85 sacks per game

Bruce Smith - 200 sacks 279 games played - .72 sacks per game

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, Jay_Fixit said:

It’s close, and although they had very different styles, I think Reggie has a slight edge.

 

Bruce was definitely more explosive but Reggie was pure power and you needed a Hippo to block him.

 

I don’t want to admit it, but I am for this thread.

 

And just for reference, Reggie White had 198 sacks in 232 games.

 

Bruce had 200 in 279.

 

 

Being a human without question it’s whoever said human thinks it is.

The one difference I've seen was that Reggie was more powerful than Bruce. Bruce used his speed whereas Reggie used power and speed to dominate his opponent

Edited June 6, 2019 by the skycap

[NoHuddleKelly12]

I wonder if those of you picking Reggie would’ve changed your vote had Hostetler fumbled the ball when Bruce got to him in SBXXV and inexplicably held on with one hand? Obviously more points than a safety there would’ve won the ballgame...

[formerlyofCtown]

Bruce, not because Im a homer either.  3-4 is a lot harder to get sacks in.

[NewCastleFanBills]

I have to say Bruce. He is the reason why I became a Bills fan. He was just so fun to watch.

[formerlyofCtown]

1 hour ago, MJS said:

I do wonder what Bruce would have done as a DE in a 4-3.

230 career sacks and probably the single season record.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Apples and oranges ... 

 

Both had 8 first team all-pro selections, and both had 2 DPOY selections.  White had some of the flashier pass rushing seasons, but honestly its like 1A, 1B.  They also played on different sides - Smith rushed against LTs and White rushed against RTs.  One in a 3-4, another in a 4-3.  

[Peace Frog]

Bruce was the better pass rusher.

Reggie was the better run stuffer.

Reggie was the better overall DE.

[skibum]

20 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

I've never heard anyone outside of Bills fans (or former players) acknowledge that Bruce played in a far less advantageous scheme for generating sacks.

Maybe because it's not true? Is there any real data to support that theory, or does everyone just assume that a scheme with 4 down lineman instead of 3 makes it easier for a DE to get sacks? I mean, it sounds logical, but is it actually true, and what's the proof?

[Jauronimo]

1 minute ago, skibum said:

Maybe because it's not true? Is there any real data to support that theory, or does everyone just assume that a scheme with 4 down lineman instead of 3 makes it easier for a DE to get sacks? I mean, it sounds logical, but is it actually true, and what's the proof?

The spirit of NJ Sue lives on!!  Do your own homework.

[Stank_Nasty]

cant believe no one  has brought up the fact that white lined up over the RT most of his career. 

 

its hard for me to pick one over the other but bruce lining up over the more premier position, LT, definitely is a notch he has on white.

Edited June 6, 2019 by Stank_Nasty

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

9 minutes ago, skibum said:

Maybe because it's not true? Is there any real data to support that theory, or does everyone just assume that a scheme with 4 down lineman instead of 3 makes it easier for a DE to get sacks? I mean, it sounds logical, but is it actually true, and what's the proof?

 

I think lining up opposite RT's should be a factor too.  Bruce lined up opposite Left tackles.

 

Typically in a 3-4 he may line up between guard and tackle, and you're likely more subject to double teams as the 4th rusher can come from the other side.  This is an era of pretty conventional line up football too.  Teams ran a lot, had  21 personnel a lot etc.  

 

However, i do recall Bruce lining up with tackles more often than not so they may just have shaded the line to his side some, freeing up talley to make plays and allowing you to line up bennett closer to the line.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

So close.  Bruce was the better athlete did the more incredible awe striking. 

 

Id say he was by far more capable of totally dominating a game. 

 

Reggie was better against the run, never took a play off and was a franchise leader. 

 

Id almost classify them as playing different positions so I don’t have to choose. (3-4 end vs 4-3 end...)