Aldon Smith shows cobra-like striking ability

SANTA CLARA -- If you slow down the video of Aldon Smith's last moments before striking, it's still a blur.One scout compares Smith's innate ability to ensnare quarterbacks to a cobra springing forward violently at its prey.Smith, whom the 49ers selected with the No. 7 overall pick from Missouri, is quick off the snap of the ball and has showcased plenty of power, too. But another unique aspect of his game is his ability to quickly finish the job, 49ers director of college scouting Joel Patten said.
Smith lashes forward with uncanny timing to quickly take down quarterback when he reaches striking distance. His burst might be only 6 inches or a foot, Patten said, but it's a unique gift that is rarely seen in players of any experience level.And Patten said Smith's gift is something that usually cannot be detected without the help of slow-motion replays. Patten spoke briefly with CSNBayArea.com on Monday night outside the 49ers locker room after watching Smith turn in another outstanding game.
Smith recorded 2.5 sacks in the 49ers' 20-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had another sack nullified when a 49ers defensive back was called for illegal contact. (Smith shared a sack with Ray McDonald, as McDonald was given credit for a forced fumble on Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.)Smith leads all NFL rookies with 13 sacks. Denver's Von Miller is second with 11.5 sacks. Smith is closing in on Jevon Kearse's all-time rookie record of 14.5 sacks in 1999. He has already set the franchise record for rookies, breaking Charles Haley's record of 12 sacks in 1986.Smith has placed himself on the short list of candidates for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. It's an honor that he considers a goal, he said."I hope so," Smith said when asked if he thought his performance Monday won him some votes. "I was just out there playing. If it happens, it happens."His cobra-like striking ability is just one of Smith's many rare pass-rushing attributes. He is listed at 6-foot-4, 258 pounds. His hands are powerful. His arms are long. He has the quickness of a speed rusher. He has deceptive strength that enables him to bull-rush offensive tackles, such as Pittsburgh's Max Starks, who struggled against Smith on Monday."There are some unique things we saw when we were first evaluating him," 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said. "The fact that he could athletically avoid defenders in tight spaces, especially inside the tackles. He showed that at Missouri."The other thing is he was always on his feet. He was rarely off his feet -- even when he was knocked off his feet. He had a way of stopping himself just short of hitting the ground or popping back up like a spring. He's got some real gifts of God."