49ers rookie Smith mimics Cowboys' Ware

Sept. 15, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE
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Matt MaioccoCSNBayArea.com
SANTA CLARA -- When the 49ers selected Aldon Smith with the No. 7 overall pick, there were some comparisons made to Dallas Cowboys' pass-rusher DeMarcus Ware.Those comparisons appeared highly fitting this week, as 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman has enlisted Smith's help to get his unit prepared to face Ware and the Cowboys on Sunday at Candlestick Park."Every week you want to match up your scout team as best you can to what you're about to face," Roman said on Thursday. "So Aldon, when he's not taking reps, if he can give us some looks, that just helps us out."Smith said he played the role of Ware twice during Wednesday's practice. Ware is somebody with whom Smith is familiar because of the successful transition he made from defensive end at Troy State to outside linebacker in the NFL."He played with his hand down at Troy, so I've been watching how he's been able to adjust to the NFL standing on two feet," Smith said. "I've watched a lot of film on him.""We got a lot of things in common, as far as how we're built. He's a great pass rusher. And any time you can learn from somebody like that, you have to take the chance to."Ware was listed at 6-3 12, 247 pounds with 34-inch arms coming out of college. Smith is listed at 6-4, 258 with 35 38-inch arms.Those are the only comparables at this stage in their careers. Ware has not missed a game since breaking into the league as the No. 11 overall draft pick in 2005. He has recorded 82 career sacks, including two in an opening-game loss to the New York Jets.
Smith did not get any sacks in his NFL debut Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks as a nickel pass-rusher, but he did use his long arms to bat down a Tarvaris Jackson pass at the line of scrimmage against the Seahawks.There was also a notable play early in the game when a Seahawks blocker attempted to cut-block Smith. The block nearly upended him, but Smith nearly did a hand-stand with both hands on the ground. He somehow remained on his feet."I just reacted," Smith said, "trying not to get on the ground and being athletic."