Since he was drafted, 49ers pass-rusher Aldon Smith has done two things consistently — sack quarterbacks and end up in the news for bizarre off-field incidents.
And according to a pre-draft personality report, it’s not inconsistent with what some predicted.
According to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports, a report from North Carolina-based scouting service Human Resource Tactics said Smith: “Has some past experience with getting into trouble and is a higher-than-average risk for this sort of behavior in the future.”
His latest incident, an arrest Sunday for allegedly making a bomb threat at Los Angeles International Airport is far from his first. He’s also been arrested twice for DUI (the second of which led to a stint in rehab), was stabbed at his home, was arrested on gun charges and was involved in wreck in which the car he was in flipped after swerving to avoid a deer.
A portion of that would have been enough to end the careers of a lesser player, but he has 42 sacks in 43 career games.
But his HRT report from prior to the 2010 draft suggested problems might be around the corner.
“Smith’s upside potential is limited by his poor work ethic,” the report stated. “Although he will not use injuries as an excuse, he will not always give his best and stay focused in practice. Smith does not seem to understand the link between preparation and game performance. Instead of paying the price time and again to improve his skills, coaches will see that he will slack off occasionally and will try to get by with sporadic levels of preparation and effort in practices and the offseason.
“He does not consistently show the kind of passion and commitment to the game that we see in successful players.”
Of course, his output on the field suggest he’s doing enough. It’s being able to stay on the field, and out of trouble that has been the bigger issue.