this was an almost comical evolution for me. First BBQ was just a sauce you put on meats (this would have been my gasser days.) Then I thought BBQ was smoke (electric smoker days). Now BBQ is just so much more: brine, cure, marinade, inject, rub and smoke.
So yes, over-smoked BBQ is just that. A balance of smoke and rub is what I'm going for. I don't even do much with sauces anymore outside of pork.
DK