Lowell Cohn on Aldon Smith

Originally posted by GhostofFredDean74:

Originally posted by dj43:

Originally posted by DarthNiner:

Originally posted by modninerfan:

Originally posted by forty9ers49:

Originally posted by SnakePlissken:

Originally posted by kidash:
BUT... BUT... HE'S A BUST! (as some already proclaimed)

- 98

I've been pretty neutral on this pick, but I think it's literally the "Tyson Alualu" pick of 2011. -Everybody's thinking he should have been picked in the 'teens', but everything will work itself out in the end.

I Agree. I wasn't overly excited but wasn't upset either. The more I thought about, it the more I thought about the Jags pick last year. He ended up doing pretty well. Also Smith's size makes me think he has a better chance to be succesfull as opposed to Lawson coming out (240 lbs)

What the hell are you guys smoking? Tyson Alualu? nobody had Alualu going in the first round, let alone top 10. Aldon Smith was a top 15 pick, top 10 by many. If this pick was a reach it wasnt by much.

This next part isnt necessarily pointed at you guys above, but I gotta say it. Everybody flipping out over this pick is annoying the hell out of me... it only shows how little you know about this kid and what little research was done on your part. Aldon Smith was a top prospect plain and simple. How so many of you guys slept on him is beyond me. OTC, Maddog, etc... they can say what they want because they've done their homework and IMO have all the right in the world to voice their concern... But for those of you who have never heard of Aldon Smith and are giving up on the pick are only embarrassing yourselves.

with all that said i'm outta here, gonna go back to the Parking lot where the majority of posters arent a bunch of chicken littles

For the record, OTC and MadDog had Aldon Smith at #11. Not really a reach in my opinion.

Considering the need issues and the other players available at the time, Aldon was the most logical selection.

Kinda disagree. I think (along with most draftniks and experts) Robert Quinn is/was a better pure 3-4 OLB prospect than Aldon Smith (who, now that he bulked up, seems to be more of a Justin Tuck type of combo 4-3 DE/DT)...obviously JH and TB didn't think so, and that's all that matters.

Don't get me wrong, I love me some Aldon Smith, but I think Quinn would've been a better pick.

I don't put a lot of stock in draftniks and "experts", but I was on the Quinn bandwagon too. The tipoff in Quinns favor was his championship caliber athleticism in a related sport . . . wrestling. That requires quickness flexibility and strength and will translate well to being a pass rusher and change of direction specialist.

Now our division opponents get him. I'm not happy about that.

I cannot help but believe that he was downgraded by the Niners out of medical concerns. If so, their decision cannot really be criticized.

And I actually am quite optimistic about the Aldon pick. He's still growing and could turn out to be a stud. This is the first Niner pick in a long time that wasn't a vanilla, media-type pick. Could be that the Niners are finally focused on their evaluations and have the conviction to act on it. As opposed to keeping one eye on what is perceived to be the smart pick. That course hasn't worked out too well in the recent past.

[ Edited by Rsrkshn on Apr 29, 2011 at 09:45:38 ]

Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:
I wanted QB and laughed at Cohn's remarks on QBs. QB is nearly as important as all other positions combined. That said I get the pick and have read up on Aldon Smith and am eager to watch him excel.

I concur.

Cohn's remarks are idiotic in the extreme. Using his logic, you never draft a QB in the first. Rookie QBs go through a phase where they're not so impactful in their first year. You just have to go through that growing phase. You gameplan around that.

Pass rusher was the team's second biggest need. Niner's could have landed a great one. Let's wait and see.

Originally posted by Travisty13:

Originally posted by OregonNiner87:

Originally posted by Travisty13:

Originally posted by OregonNiner87:
If I'm drunk and get a boner, that isn't gay, right?

Not unless a guy is sitting in your lap at the same time.

Thanks for clarifying.

Drafting Aldon Smith pick definitely reminds me true NFL scouts knowing a little bit more than these draftniks and others know, and less of a "reach".

No problem.

And I agree. It shows Baalke and Harbaugh think for themselves and don't do what all the talking heads tell them they should do. I support this pick.

Exactly!

Still seems like a bit of a reach, simply because he probably could have been had lower. But if no one wants to trade up to 7, then what can you do. Take the best player available that fits a need. Our pass rush has been non-existent for the last few years, we needed this as much as we need QB help, and none of the QBs excite me.

Originally posted by Otter:
Still seems like a bit of a reach, simply because he probably could have been had lower. But if no one wants to trade up to 7, then what can you do. Take the best player available that fits a need. Our pass rush has been non-existent for the last few years, we needed this as much as we need QB help, and none of the QBs excite me.

The Niners talked trade with at least four teams – Baalke termed them “serious discussions” – but couldn’t find a suitable partner for the No. 7 pick. Baalke said they looked into moving up or back from their first-round spot.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen tweeted that San Francisco tried to move back into the “11-13” range. Presumably, the Niners were still looking to select Smith at that spot while netting a draft pick or two.

“At the end of the day, all the teams that were in and around us just wanted to stand pat,” Baalke said. “So there just wasn’t an opportunity to do anything.”

San Francisco spoke with Atlanta, which moved up 20 spots to grab Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones at No. 6. Baalke said the Falcons dealt with the Browns to ensure they got Jones.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/2011/04/inside-the-49ers/baalke-stresses-aldon-smiths-youth-and-inexperience/


We tried to trade back, nobody wanted to deal

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by Otter:
Still seems like a bit of a reach, simply because he probably could have been had lower. But if no one wants to trade up to 7, then what can you do. Take the best player available that fits a need. Our pass rush has been non-existent for the last few years, we needed this as much as we need QB help, and none of the QBs excite me.

The Niners talked trade with at least four teams – Baalke termed them “serious discussions” – but couldn’t find a suitable partner for the No. 7 pick. Baalke said they looked into moving up or back from their first-round spot.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen tweeted that San Francisco tried to move back into the “11-13” range. Presumably, the Niners were still looking to select Smith at that spot while netting a draft pick or two.

“At the end of the day, all the teams that were in and around us just wanted to stand pat,” Baalke said. “So there just wasn’t an opportunity to do anything.”

San Francisco spoke with Atlanta, which moved up 20 spots to grab Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones at No. 6. Baalke said the Falcons dealt with the Browns to ensure they got Jones.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/2011/04/inside-the-49ers/baalke-stresses-aldon-smiths-youth-and-inexperience/


We tried to trade back, nobody wanted to deal

All this reminds me of a friend who spent years in auto racing. Sometimes they would show up at the track with a set up on their car that was pretty fast but they would try to fine tune it to make it even faster. They would spend hours trying to get just a little more speed out of it but in the end it wasn't any better than what they started with...and they won the race anyway.

Let's hope that applies here.

Originally posted by dj43:

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by Otter:
Still seems like a bit of a reach, simply because he probably could have been had lower. But if no one wants to trade up to 7, then what can you do. Take the best player available that fits a need. Our pass rush has been non-existent for the last few years, we needed this as much as we need QB help, and none of the QBs excite me.

The Niners talked trade with at least four teams – Baalke termed them “serious discussions” – but couldn’t find a suitable partner for the No. 7 pick. Baalke said they looked into moving up or back from their first-round spot.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen tweeted that San Francisco tried to move back into the “11-13” range. Presumably, the Niners were still looking to select Smith at that spot while netting a draft pick or two.

“At the end of the day, all the teams that were in and around us just wanted to stand pat,” Baalke said. “So there just wasn’t an opportunity to do anything.”

San Francisco spoke with Atlanta, which moved up 20 spots to grab Alabama wide receiver Julio Jones at No. 6. Baalke said the Falcons dealt with the Browns to ensure they got Jones.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/2011/04/inside-the-49ers/baalke-stresses-aldon-smiths-youth-and-inexperience/


We tried to trade back, nobody wanted to deal

All this reminds me of a friend who spent years in auto racing. Sometimes they would show up at the track with a set up on their car that was pretty fast but they would try to fine tune it to make it even faster. They would spend hours trying to get just a little more speed out of it but in the end it wasn't any better than what they started with...and they won the race anyway.

Let's hope that applies here.

just saw the game changers show of the nfl network and he was on it...

his demeanor is lose and confident it seems to me he is just a kid with monumental potential...

just like Bill Walsh did year ago, draft players not for what they can do now but what they can do with great coaching,that how we build a great franchise...

in my opinion he will be an above average LB and a elite Pass rusher...

love the pick!!!

Say what you want about Manny, but a OLB corps of Manny/Brooks on one side and Aldon the other is pretty beastly. Our run D would be pretty funny, Manny and Aldon have the ability to force all the plays into Willis & Spikes.

You all are missing the major point. Justin Smith is from Mizzou. Aldon Smith is from Mizzou. Both are known for non-stop motors.

On a complete side note, the Detroit Lions are going to be wreaking some havoc in the NFC North. Just had to say that for my long suffering son-in-law.

so Aldon Smith is supposed to be what Manny Lawson was supposed to be

Originally posted by danimal:
so Aldon Smith is supposed to be what Manny Lawson was supposed to be

Originally posted by valrod33:

Originally posted by danimal:
so Aldon Smith is supposed to be what Manny Lawson was supposed to be

I need a cup of hot cocoa and a kiss on the head from my Mommy is what I need

Originally posted by nvninerfan1:
You all are missing the major point. Justin Smith is from Mizzou. Aldon Smith is from Mizzou. Both are known for non-stop motors.

Maybe Government Motors (formerly known as Chevrolet) should move their manufacturing to Missouri instead of staying in Detroit. Every good car needs a good non-stop motor.

Originally posted by mcbaes72:
I gotta admit, I was pretty upset on that pick. First, we didn't trade up knowing PP (my fav. draft pick) was most likely going to Arizona. Then, we didn't get any "good" trade offers (but Cleveland sure hit the jackpot). Finally, we selected a DE/OLB tweener who can pass rush, but needs work against the run?

But this article (and some time to calm down) made me realize that the logic behind drafting Aldon Smith makes a lot of sense. Even if he doesn't get a lot of sacks, if he gets a lot of pressure and disrupts the QB, then he's done his job. Plus, I didn't know he played with a broken leg, that's toughness right there! I'm still not loving the pick at all, but I'm starting to come around and like it enough to be able to sleep tonight.

We don't need more help against the run. We have a great run stopping team. It's the passing downs that kill us. Right idea on this pick.