David Akers, Aldon Smith Take Home December/January Awards

by David Fucillo on Jan 5, 2012 12:01 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers Game Recap, Review 2011

The San Francisco 49ers award machine continues to roll on as David Akers and Aldon Smith took home monthly awards for the December/January final stretch of the season. David Akers was named NFC Special Teams players of the month and Aldon Smith was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.

There was little doubt that Akers would win the special teams award for this final month. He took home the weekly special teams award the last two weeks and has put together a dominant month. He led the NFL with 58 points and 16 field goals during the month and was arguably as important to the 49ers 4-1 month as anybody else. Add in his first career touchdown pass and it only made sense.

Aldon Smith takes home his second rookie of the month award, having also won in October. Over the final five weeks of the season, Smith compiled 6.5 sacks as he continued his strong rookie campaign. He came up just short of Jevon Kearse's single season rookie sack record, but his 14.0 sack performance was dominant nonetheless.

David Akers received his full season recognition as he was named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad. Aldon Smith was unable to make the team, but still has a chance to bring home NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He is in a dogfight with Von Miller who won defensive rookie of the month honors for November and possibly Ryan Kerrigan, who took home defensive rookie of the month honors in September. Smith is the only one of the three to take home the honor twice.

ESPN has been releasing their annual awards and they named Smith their defensive rookie of the year. Although Smith did not play every down, he brought an insane mix of athleticism and power to the pass rush and is worthy of the award.

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Love It !

Aldon is a beast. Those arms are even longer in person. I like the long sleeves hes wearing even indoors. Accentuates them and im sure its intimidating to see them coming right for you as a QB

by Mo9er on Jan 5, 2012 12:18 PM PST reply actions

I was really wishing that Aldon could have got at least 1 sack vs Rams

Im actully surprised the Rams poor O-line did a good job against our D….very puzzeling.

by BigMar on Jan 5, 2012 12:49 PM PST reply actions

I think if Justin Smith was there the entire game

Aldon would have got more than 1 sack.

by Ni9er on Jan 5, 2012 12:52 PM PST up reply actions

Possibly.... but that is why 9ers need to draft another Pass Rusher

to pair with Aldon. No team can only relay on only 1 Pass Rusher to get it done week after week.

Just think what havoc terror Aldon would cause with a 2nd legit consistant Pass Rusher on our defense…..can you spell S-c-a-r-y!

I think the 9ers recognize the Value of Pass Rushers to outcomes of games, I expect they will be wise enough to spend one of their 2012 draft picks on another Pass Rusher….a team can never have to many of those guys.

by BigMar on Jan 5, 2012 1:03 PM PST up reply actions

Strange to see Alton standing on sideline so

much in game that featured backups.

by oldfoggy on Jan 5, 2012 3:22 PM PST up reply actions

More awards to come I think...

Def MVP – Justin Smith (Suggs seems to be the trendier pick though or maybe Jared Allen)
DROTY – Aldon Smith (coin flip at this point with Von Miller)
Coach of the Year – Jim Harbaugh (Hands down but John Fox is getting some support)
Comeback Player of the Year – Alex Smith (Stafford may get this over Smith based on numbers)

by Method24 on Jan 5, 2012 1:05 PM PST reply actions