San Francisco 49ers top draft pick, linebacker Aldon Smith, has been impressing the coaches more and more with his play, and ended the preseason with a breakout game against the San Diego Chargers, where he recorded two and a half sacks, seven tackles, and four quarterback hits.
Although Smith has played solid football through training camp, he has yet to work into a starting role with the team. He is currently listed as the backup to veteran Parys Haralson at right OLB.
After the Chargers game, head coach Jim Harbaugh said of Smith, “Saw him playing with some passion there, with some emotion. The light’s coming on more and more and [he’s] making really good progress.”
Smith shared the credit with undrafted rookie defensive lineman Demarcus Dobbs who, although he didn’t record any tackles or sacks, was helpful in applying pressure and freeing Smith to rack up some big numbers.
“We were both able to get really good pressure,” Smith said of Dobbs. “He got pressure inside and I got pressure outside. We’re able to meet back there and make some plays.”
Smith is happy with the way the team is coming together, saying that they are, “learning [about] each other and just going out there and making plays. We’ve got a team full of playmakers and every week hopefully someone will come out and make a play.”
ProPlayerInsiders caught up with Smith and was able to ask him about who he credits most with his development as a player. He gives credit to his college coaches with helping to get him organized and make him more serious about sports in general.
In 2010 for Missouri, Smith recorded 48 tackles and 6 sacks while playing in 9 games and decided to forgo his final two years of eligibility by applying for the 2011 draft. The risk was rewarded when the 49ers made him the seventh overall selection in this year’s draft.
Smith also talked about what he does off the field for fun, where he unwinds with “video games, watching movies, or anything outdoors. I like four-wheeling and stuff like that. I’m a big outdoors guy.”
With the season starting up, he’ll have less time for relaxing in the next four months as he tries to earn a full time starting position. If he can continue to build on the performance he had against the Chargers, he’ll not only earn a starting position but make a huge contribution to the 49ers this season.
