In today's edition of 49ers news, San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke has come out in defense of beleaguered linebacker Aldon Smith, showing support for a guy that many analysts have deemed a lost cause.
According to Ryan Wilson of CBSSports.com, "Forty-Niners general manager Trent Baalke spoke to the media Friday for the first time since Aldon Smith was arrested on April 13, and he made it clear that despite Smith's latest legal entanglement, the team would stand by the standout linebacker."
"We're a family," Baalke stated, transcribed by Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. "You don't just open a door and toss people out of it."
Aldon Smith was charged with falsely reporting a bomb threat just two weeks ago, and continues to work out with the San Francisco 49ers during their offseason training program.
Despite coming out in defense of Smith, Baalke made no indication one way or the other about whether the 49ers are planning to pick up Smith's 2015 contract option for $9.75 million. The deadline for that decision is May 3rd.