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Trent Baalke: 'Aldon Smith ready to bounce back'

San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke is optimistic that troubled linebacker Aldon Smith will be able to return to his best form in the 2015 season.

San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke believes that Aldon Smith is determined to bounce back from his disappointing 2014 season.

The 25-year-old was suspended for the majority of the campaign for violating the league's policy on personal conduct and substances of abuse, which followed a tumultuous off-season in which he was arrested on felony gun charges.

On his return to the field, he mustered just two sacks in seven matches, but Baalke feels that there is a hunger within the linebacker to return to his best form.

"He's got a great look in his eye," Baalke told reporters. "He's doing well. For anybody that's been in a situation like Aldon's been in, every day is a process.

"But he's doing exceptionally well and he's probably in as good a shape as he's been in a long time."

Smith has recorded 152 tackles, 44 sacks and one interception in his four years in the NFL.

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49ers linebacker Aldon Smith in action against Green Bay on September 8, 2013
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