Round 1, #7, the San Francisco 49ers selects Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri

Originally posted by northshore:
I was very disappointed with the selection until I started reading more about Smith...Not nerly as much as a reach than ninernation is claiming.

From Mayock:
14. Aldon Smith*, DE, Missouri
This young man has so much potential, it's scary. Put the 2009 game tape on against Russell Okung and Danny Watkins and you'll get a better view of what he can do. He played through a lot of pain last season.

He played great against Solder too, who the Pats drafted.

Originally posted by ElDannMann:
fml

This guy is Shaun Phillips, and D-Ware's love child!

I'm indifferent on Aldon Smith. I think he is a high risk/high reward type player. It seems to me that most ppl are freaking out b/c no one was really talking about him for our pick.

People don't seem to grasp that the scheme alone, now with Fangio and with the right personnel will improve the TO ratio, secondary x3, TOP on offense and defense and close games out. Scheme and the correct personnel in the 3-4 esp. the OLB may very well be the second most important position on the field next to QB.

We know Brooks can rush esp. if motivated (no Manusky holding him back now), Lawson is gone, we know Haralson can rush off the bench and LaBoy is healthy and may be in the mix as well. With a free Willis (very good inside pass rusher), TKO has proven he is very good down hill esp. in the pass rush, we could be looking at one of the best 4 LBers in the NFL. Imagine Fangio having not one, but FOUR Lbers who can jump out of the gate and bring this defense into the top 10. All four would be mobile part you can move all over the place and create mismatches and nightmares for the opposition which is something we have not seen with this team for a LONG time. If this is truly our pick and not a Kolb-trade, this could be a special group. And like I said earlier, this was Baalke's pick - he wanted to make his mark; he wanted to show his research will lead to something special not many saw OR lead to the QB Harbaugh needs. He can play every down and allow us to switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 on a dime although we won't see many 4-man sets under Fangio. This kid has heart...good-bye Lawson. Brooks is moving to WILL and Smith to SAM with Willis and TKO. This could be special!

Also, if you watch his tape, he rushes as well inside as he does outside and is explosive. Imagine him running stunts with Willis and TKO. He is always creating hurries and has the closing speed Lawson doesn't possess. Super long arms and great field awareness. This will be Fangio's baby to groom and you can bet he will move Smith all over the field - same with Willis and Brooks!

Let's wait and see now...

[ Edited by NCommand on Apr 28, 2011 at 20:08:25 ]

Is this dude in the mold of Jevon Kearse...?

If I'm later proven wrong that'll be great, but I highly doubt I will. I HATE THIS PICK.

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:
If I'm later proven wrong that'll be great, but I highly doubt I will. I HATE THIS PICK.

Because? Who would you have picked?

Strike 1 for Harbaugh.
Going with Alex Smith next year will be strike 2.
Strike 3 right around the corner.....

Who will be the next coach?

ESPN Outlook

[ Edited by JBatta49erfansince81 on Apr 28, 2011 at 20:37:14 ]

Originally posted by JBatta49erfansince81:
Strike 1 for Harbaugh.
Going with Alex Smith next year will be strike 2.
Strike 3 right around the corner.....

Who will be the next coach?

maybe you should apply since you know all.

Scouting Report from NFLPOST:

A tall, extremely long-armed defensive lineman with an athletic-looking frame and impressive explosion in all areas of his game. Possesses natural bend when asked to sit into his stance, coils up well and consistently takes a positive first step off the line and does a nice job keeping his pad level down off the football. Is a bit inconsistent extending his arms into blocks when run at and at times seems content to simply drop his shoulder and drive his way toward the football. However, seems to really have good instincts when asked to find the football and is very violent with his arms when asked to shed blocks. At times will allow defenders to gain leverage under him and can be initially driven off the ball. But, fights hard in order to disengage, uses his length and violent hands well to shed and possesses impressive closing range in pursuit. Is also very sudden and fluid for his size and has the footwork/balance to cleanly side step defenders who are trying to get into his frame, keep himself clean and close quickly on the ball carrier. Breaks down well in space and uses his long pterodactyl-like arms to wrap on his man.

Is a gifted pass rusher who fires off the snap quickly and has a real savvy about his game getting after the quarterback. Plays from both a three- and four-point stance and does a great job quickly getting into the pad level of opposing linemen in the bull rush and initially driving them into the backfield. Allows his pad level to rise, which negates some of his strength when trying to finish, but is long enough to shed. Does a nice job using his long arms and violent hands in order to keep himself clean, loves to work the club to the outside, slowly playing it off the snap before accelerating past the tackle. He also has impressive lateral fluidity in balance working the inside arm over and club off his speed rush in order to cleanly side step blocks and accelerate toward the quarterback. Allows his pad level to get upright again once he gains a step and can be slowed through contact, but the motor seems to run well all the time. Has the ability to drop his pad level when flattening out around the edge once he gains a step, but doesn't often simply work the speed rush to the corner, likes to change gears and directions in order to reach the QB.

Also, is a bear to block inside as a down defensive tackle, played some three-technique and has the first step to shoot gaps inside, but it's his lateral suddenness and length that allows him to consistently slip blocks inside and accelerate toward the quarterback.

Missed some time in 2010 with a fractured fibula in a non-weight bearing bone in his leg and will need to check out medically.

Impression: A downright dominant defensive lineman with an impressive physical skill set and great length. Showcases impress savvy, fluidity and violence as a pass rusher and should be able to further develop in the run game and mature into a potential Pro Bowl-caliber NFL defensive lineman.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by LAFortyNinerfan:
If I'm later proven wrong that'll be great, but I highly doubt I will. I HATE THIS PICK.

Because? Who would you have picked?

Fresh Prince of Nebraska. I would have only been happy with Smith if we traded back and acquired more picks.

Haters gonna hate

Are we still complaining about this pick?

Im happy with Aldon, initially shocked, but looks like a solid pick.