2012-GameRelease-Divisional

Coach Jim Harbaugh called Monday's sacks spectacular, because Smith "used a lot of different moves to
make those sacks -- a bull rush, great athleticism, great balance. He used his arm one time as a leg to
stay up. It was really awesome to see."
It earned Smith his first NFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Smith said of his arsenal: "I'm in (the
game) a lot more, so you see a lot more. It's been there."
A situational pass-rusher last season, Smith is a full-time starter and every-down player this season for
the league's stingiest defense (13.4 points per game). His pass-rushing exploits are helped by the
presence of defensive lineman Justin Smith, who often lines up to Aldon Smith's left. Dean compared the
boost provided by Justin Smith to that he received from Dwaine Board and Lawrence Pillars with the
1980s 49ers.
While the sacks and wins have piled up nicely, Aldon Smith also has developed a pattern of off-field
incidents this year.
"The bottom line is he's a fun-loving guy," said Dean, now a minister in his native Ruston. "But everybody
that pats you on the shoulder is not your friend, and you have to put yourself in the best environment. I
had my encounters with people, and I knew how to keep my distance."
When Dean shows up at the Superdome, he expects "the smooth, fast surface" to turn Smith loose on
Brees, who's been sacked only 16 times. If Smith's encore tops his 5½-sack outing, Dean will be rooting
for his single-game record to fall, noting: "Oh sure, that's what it's there for."