49ers falcons

Player Feature Story
Aldon Smith Continues to Progress
By Taylor Price, 49ers.com
The Pro Football Writers of America’s 2011 Defensive Rookie of the Year is hard at work, looking to
improve on last year’s 14-sack campaign.
Probably not the news opposing NFL quarterbacks wanted to hear, but it’s true.
Aldon Smith, last year’s ferocious rookie pass-rusher, complete with his own brand of entertaining sack
celebrations, is working on improving all facets of his game as he continues to adapt to his role as an
outside linebacker in the 49ers defense. With the NFL’s 32 offseason programs stressing non-contact drill
work, Smith has been able to put power rush moves aside so he can strictly practice pass coverage
techniques, in addition to working on his ball skills.
Smith even participated in the gauntlet receiving drills that took place at the 49ers Football School
sessions. Sprinkled in the drills with the likes of Michael Crabtree, Randy Moss, Mario Manningham and
other pass-catchers, Smith flashed the athleticism that had him recruited out of high school to play wide
receiver and tight end collegiately. The natural catching ability of the No. 7 overall pick in last year’s draft
came into better focus, however, in linebacker drills led by position coach Jim Leavitt.
“I feel like I’m getting better every day,” the 6-foot-4, 258 pounder said of the practice periods that stress
linebackers back pedaling and opening their hips to locate passes thrown over the middle of the field.
“The more reps I do, the more I’m getting better at it.”
The better he is in pass coverage, the more opportunities there will be to rush the passer for Smith, the
first 49ers player to record double-digit sacks since Andre Carter totaled 12.5 in 2002.
In a limited role as a first-year player where he primarily served as a pass rusher in the team’s nickel
defense, Smith still managed to carve out his own memorable moments in Vic Fangio’s system.
Coincidentally, some of Smith’s best pass-rushing moments came in tandem with fellow Missouri alum
Justin Smith, as the two routinely worked effective stunts that helped the rookie’s sack total increase.
All of Aldon Smith’s production was quite impressive considering the former Missouri defensive end didn’t
have a full offseason to prepare for the demands of a 16-game NFL schedule, or 18 games in the case of
last year’s 49ers team which reached the NFC Championship Game.
Now, Smith enters a period of his career when coach Jim Harbaugh sees players making their biggest
strides, that being from year one to year two.
As one of the team’s top returning defensive difference-makers, the 22-year-old Smith has been working
alongside arguably the league’s most complete defensive unit throughout the 49ers offseason program.
Iron sharpening iron as the saying goes.
“It helps with keeping relationships with the guys and getting into a rhythm of staying in the football
mindset,” Smith said. “It’s all helping, so when the season rolls around, we won’t miss a step.”
Smith is optimistic that a full offseason will have him improve on last year’s early-season performances
when he got off to a slow introduction into Fangio’s defense. Smith recorded one tackle in his first three
games, but truly came on strong from Weeks 4 through 17.
In that 13-game stretch, Smith registered all 14 of his sacks and made a push to be considered for NFL
Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.