(04-28) 23:02 PDT — Stunned the 49ers drafted a little-known linebacker from Missouri in the first round of the NFL draft?

Imagine how Aldon Smith felt when the 49ers chose him, and not Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert, with the No. 7 overall pick Thursday.

“I had no idea,” Smith said in a conference call. “Amazing, amazing, amazing. I visited them … went to dinner with them. It was a good visit.

“When I left, I didn’t know they had that much interest in me.”

He was wrong, as was every mock drafter who tried to guess who the 49ers would take. Most thought they would go with Gabbert, or trade back for a quarterback. Others pegged them with a cornerback to help their weak secondary.

Instead, general manager Trent Baalke addressed Hole No. 3 on their 6-10 roster: Someone who can get to the quarterback from the outside, which no 49er has done on a long-term basis since Charles Haley.

“It was a chance to add a pressure player with prototypical size to a position in need of help on this roster,” Baalke said.

Or, as new 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh put it: “Football teams need pass rushers. I don’t know if we’re saying anything revolutionary, though.”

What Baalke is saying with this pick is how much he values upside over extensive experience.

He showed it last year, his first running an NFL draft, when he took 20-year-old right tackle Anthony Davis in the first round. He did it again Thursday when he went with a 21-year-old sophomore who played 23 college games as a 4-3 defensive end.

Baalke prefers long-term projections over quick-fix solutions to the franchise’s eight-year playoff drought.

“We understand there’s going to be a learning process,” Baalke said. “The ability for us to mold him into the type of player we think he can be is really what it came down to.

“He’s young. There’s growing pains that go along with that.”

Pain, Smith can handle.

Smith broke his right fibula midway through last season and returned to the field before it was healed. He played hurt with a limp and it showed on film. Harbaugh loved it.

“That struck a chord with me,” Harbaugh said. “I know bones usually take 4-to-6 weeks to heal. There’s a toughness aspect there that I was impressed with.”

Smith said, “I think I let people know I had a heart. I love this game and I’m not a wimp. I’m a tough guy.”

The 49ers didn’t have any outside linebacker tough enough to get to the quarterback on a regular basis last season. Their four-man rotation – Parys Haralson, Manny Lawson, Ahmad Brooks and Travis LaBoy – combined for 21 1/2 sacks, but none had more than five.

Smith had 17 himself in two seasons, including 11 1/2 as a freshman to break the school record previously held by 49ers defensive end Justin Smith.

The 49ers think he has the speed to get around offensive tackles, the burst to turn speed into power, and the size to hold his own when he goes inside. He has the body of Willie McGinnest and wants to play like Julius Peppers.

But what about getting a quarterback?

“Like any position, it’s a priority,” Harbaugh said.

It has to be. The 49ers have one quarterback under contract – third-stringer David Carr. Former starter Alex Smith has not accepted their one-year contract offer. Baalke “understands” the 49ers need more quarterbacks, but won’t say when they will pick one.

The first four quarterbacks were gone in the top-12: No. 1 Cam Newton (Panthers), No. 8 Jake Locker (Titans), No. 10 Gabbert (Jaguars) and No. 12 Christian Ponder (Vikings).

Barring a trade, the 49ers don’t go again until the 13th pick of the second round. Until then, they are happy enough to have a quarterback chaser of the future.

“Was there pressure to look at a player like Blaine? Yeah, there was,” Harbaugh said. “You want to make sure you do your homework and make the best pick for our football team.

“And that’s what we did.”

Inside

Complete recap of first round. B6

Quiet first day without a pick for Raiders. B7

Cal’s Cameron Jordan goes to Saints at 24. B9

More picks

TV: ESPN, NFL Network

Today: 2nd, 3rd rounds,

3 p.m. (ESPN2 at 6 p.m.)

Saturday: 4th-7th rounds, 9 a.m.

49ers’ picks: 45 (2), 76 (3), 108 (4), 115 (4), 141 (5), 174 (6), 190 (6), 211 (7), 231 (7), 239 (7), 250 (7)

Raiders’ picks: 48 (2), 81 (3), 113 (4), 148 (5), 181 (6), 219 (7), 241 (7)

This article appeared on page B – 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ

AP Sports Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – The San Francisco 49ers would welcome back quarterback Alex Smith if the 2005 first overall pick wants to return.

General manager Trent Baalke said Wednesday that the 49ers have extended an “olive branch” to Smith to come back to the only NFL team he has ever known. All that started before the NFL locked out the players in the ongoing labor dispute.

Smith can’t sign with San Francisco – or any other team – until the labor situation is settled and free agency begins.

New coach Jim Harbaugh already has expressed confidence in Smith as a quarterback in his system, and Baalke made it clear that the 49ers made an offer for the free agent to return.

“It’s up to Alex to make the decision on whether he wants to be a 49er again,” Baalke said. “I think Jim’s made it clear. We’ve made it clear through the process that the olive branch has been extended.”

A call to Smith’s agent, Howard Skall, and an email to the quarterback seeking comment weren’t immediately returned.

Smith was demoted and promoted several times last season and has had a different offensive coordinator every year since coming out of Utah. He has fallen out of favor with fans – many of whom have booed him on several occasions – and has failed to lead the 49ers to the playoffs.

With the lockout canceling offseason workouts, postponing free agency and threatening training camp, San Francisco is at a disadvantage perhaps more than most teams. David Carr is the only quarterback on the roster, and asking a rookie to take the reins with a shortened offseason could be even more difficult.

The 49ers have the No. 7 pick in next week’s NFL draft and will likely take a quarterback at some point.

Team president Jed York, speaking on a conference call forum with some 5,000 fans Wednesday night, had a little fun with the idea of Harbaugh’s NFL playing history.

“If we don’t have a quarterback at least our head coach has been a quarterback in the league and we might suit him up for a couple of games. Jim has been working out hard,” York said. “Obviously the quarterback position is the most important position on the field and (Trent and Jim) are going to figure out who the best guy is. They said today they’d like Alex to be in the mix, but it’s up to Alex to decide if he wants to be here.”

While fans have wavered on Smith’s ability to lead San Francisco, Baalke believes the quarterback’s experience in the West Coast offense – which Harbaugh plans to run – and his time with the team make him a valuable option in an offseason of uncertainty.

“He understands this building. He understands the system that coach is interested in running,” Baalke said. “From a dynamic standpoint, they obviously hit it off in their discussions. There’s a lot of comfort in having somebody, especially in the situation we’re in where there are so many unknowns.”

Harbaugh, hired away from Stanford in January to replace the fired Mike Singletary, hit the field for a local pro day Wednesday featuring some 50 players – his first time in a formal group practice situation. Dressed in a gray 49ers hoodie, black sweats and a black cap, Harbaugh greeted prospective draft picks on the final day the team could host players at its facility.

He didn’t specifically talk about Smith, but said there are certain tangibles he looks for in a quarterback.

“Guys that can win, guys that can figure things out, guys that really have the DNA to be quarterbacks,” Harbaugh said.

While he hasn’t had the opportunity to study Smith in person, there’s plenty of recent history to revisit.

Smith took over the starting job midway through 2009 and was entrenched as the starter heading into last season. After separating his non-throwing left shoulder Oct. 24 at Carolina, then-coach Singletary turned to 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith for the next five games – even after Alex Smith was healthy again.

Troy Smith went 3-2 as a starter, then it was Alex Smith’s turn again for two games, including a commanding win over eventual NFC West champion Seattle. After a flop at San Diego, Singletary turned back to Troy Smith for a must-win game with the Rams on Dec. 26.

That 25-17 loss cost the coach his job with one week to go. Jim Tomsula, serving a single-game stint as interim head coach, went with Alex Smith for a win against Arizona in the season finale.

San Francisco finished 6-10, leaving the 49ers without a winning season since their last trip to the playoffs in 2002. Still, with limited options this offseason, the 49ers are open to seeing what Smith can do under Harbaugh’s direction.

“I don’t know how to keep beating the drum on this: Coach is very comfortable with him. I’m very comfortable with him,” Baalke said. “Will Alex choose to come back here? You’ll have to get him on the phone and ask him that question. He’s certainly a guy we would like to throw into the mix.”

___

AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this story.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

By ANTONIO GONZALEZ

AP Sports Writer

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) – The San Francisco 49ers would welcome back quarterback Alex Smith if the 2005 first overall pick wants to return.

General manager Trent Baalke said Wednesday that the 49ers have extended an “olive branch” to Smith to come back to the only NFL team he has ever known. All that started before the NFL locked out the players in the ongoing labor dispute.

Smith can’t sign with San Francisco – or any other team – until the labor situation is settled and free agency begins.

New coach Jim Harbaugh already has expressed confidence in Smith as a quarterback in his system, and Baalke made it clear that the 49ers made an offer for the free agent to return.

“It’s up to Alex to make the decision on whether he wants to be a 49er again,” Baalke said. “I think Jim’s made it clear. We’ve made it clear through the process that the olive branch has been extended.”

A call to Smith’s agent, Howard Skall, and an email to the quarterback seeking comment weren’t immediately returned.

Smith was demoted and promoted several times last season and has had a different offensive coordinator every year since coming out of Utah. He has fallen out of favor with fans – many of whom have booed him on several occasions – and has failed to lead the 49ers to the playoffs.

With the lockout canceling offseason workouts, postponing free agency and threatening training camp, San Francisco is at a disadvantage perhaps more than most teams. David Carr is the only quarterback on the roster, and asking a rookie to take the reins with a shortened offseason could be even more difficult.

The 49ers have the No. 7 pick in next week’s NFL draft and will likely take a quarterback at some point.

Team president Jed York, speaking on a conference call forum with some 5,000 fans Wednesday night, had a little fun with the idea of Harbaugh’s NFL playing history.

“If we don’t have a quarterback at least our head coach has been a quarterback in the league and we might suit him up for a couple of games. Jim has been working out hard,” York said. “Obviously the quarterback position is the most important position on the field and (Trent and Jim) are going to figure out who the best guy is. They said today they’d like Alex to be in the mix, but it’s up to Alex to decide if he wants to be here.”

While fans have wavered on Smith’s ability to lead San Francisco, Baalke believes the quarterback’s experience in the West Coast offense – which Harbaugh plans to run – and his time with the team make him a valuable option in an offseason of uncertainty.

“He understands this building. He understands the system that coach is interested in running,” Baalke said. “From a dynamic standpoint, they obviously hit it off in their discussions. There’s a lot of comfort in having somebody, especially in the situation we’re in where there are so many unknowns.”

Harbaugh, hired away from Stanford in January to replace the fired Mike Singletary, hit the field for a local pro day Wednesday featuring some 50 players – his first time in a formal group practice situation. Dressed in a gray 49ers hoodie, black sweats and a black cap, Harbaugh greeted prospective draft picks on the final day the team could host players at its facility.

He didn’t specifically talk about Smith, but said there are certain tangibles he looks for in a quarterback.

“Guys that can win, guys that can figure things out, guys that really have the DNA to be quarterbacks,” Harbaugh said.

While he hasn’t had the opportunity to study Smith in person, there’s plenty of recent history to revisit.

Smith took over the starting job midway through 2009 and was entrenched as the starter heading into last season. After separating his non-throwing left shoulder Oct. 24 at Carolina, then-coach Singletary turned to 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith for the next five games – even after Alex Smith was healthy again.

Troy Smith went 3-2 as a starter, then it was Alex Smith’s turn again for two games, including a commanding win over eventual NFC West champion Seattle. After a flop at San Diego, Singletary turned back to Troy Smith for a must-win game with the Rams on Dec. 26.

That 25-17 loss cost the coach his job with one week to go. Jim Tomsula, serving a single-game stint as interim head coach, went with Alex Smith for a win against Arizona in the season finale.

San Francisco finished 6-10, leaving the 49ers without a winning season since their last trip to the playoffs in 2002. Still, with limited options this offseason, the 49ers are open to seeing what Smith can do under Harbaugh’s direction.

“I don’t know how to keep beating the drum on this: Coach is very comfortable with him. I’m very comfortable with him,” Baalke said. “Will Alex choose to come back here? You’ll have to get him on the phone and ask him that question. He’s certainly a guy we would like to throw into the mix.”

___

AP Sports Writer Janie McCauley contributed to this story.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

We welcome reader feedback! Learn more about our new commenting system. When posting, please keep this in mind:

DO: discuss the subject, express yourself creatively, be polite, and cite and link to sources.
DON’T: attack others, make unverified factual claims, excessively copy others, or use foul, derogatory, racist or violent language.

Users are solely responsible for their comments. We reserve the right to remove any comment and revoke posting rights for any reason. Please flag questionable posts click on the “Report” box by the comment. Thanks.

We welcome reader feedback! Learn more about our new commenting system. When posting, please keep this in mind:

DO: discuss the subject, express yourself creatively, be polite, and cite and link to sources.
DON’T: attack others, make unverified factual claims, excessively copy others, or use foul, derogatory, racist or violent language.

Users are solely responsible for their comments. We reserve the right to remove any comment and revoke posting rights for any reason. Please flag questionable posts click on the “Report” box by the comment. Thanks.