49ers linebacker Smith charged with DUI

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Aldon Smith (CP)

MIAMI -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith was charged Saturday with driving under the influence in Miami Beach.

Miami-Dade County jail records show Smith was booked Saturday morning and held on US$1,000 bond. Jail records did not show whether Smith was represented by a lawyer.

A Miami-Dade County Corrections spokeswoman said Smith was arrested by Miami Beach police. A police spokesman said he had no information immediately available about the arrest.

Smith was drafted as the seventh overall draft pick in 2011. During his first season, he had 14 sacks, a franchise record for a rookie linebacker. He also ranked first in the NFL in sacks among rookies.

The 49ers said in a statement Saturday that they were aware of the arrest.

"We take these issues very seriously, but will reserve further comment at this time, as this is an ongoing legal matter," the team said. "The 49ers will continue to gather the facts and monitor the developments closely."

Curfew for Giants

One of the biggest challenges for a coach during Super Bowl Week is to keep the players focused on football while the rest of the city is partying. The biggest example of that was Eugene Robinson of the Falcons arrested for soliciting a prostitute the night before Super Bowl XXXIII, but Giants player Adrian Awasom also was arrested for a DUI in Phoenix during the week of Super Bowl XLII. (He was on injured reserve at the time.)

Tom Coughlin said he will institute a curfew for the Giants' players, but just as in Super Bowl XLII he conferred with team leaders before making any decisions.

"The main thing is that they're professionals and they understand they're going to the biggest sporting event in the world," Coughlin said. "They want to make sure that they prepare themselves properly for this great occurrence. We've talked about different aspects of this all week long. There's no way that anyone wants to do anything to embarrass himself, his family name, his franchise. That's all been stated, but I think this group is really, really interested in being as good as they can possibly be."

Bears have new GM

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears have hired Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery as their new general manager.

Emery was an area scout for the Bears from 1998-2004 and replaces Jerry Angelo, who was fired after an injury-riddled 8-8 season.

Emery and New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht were finalists and both interviewed twice. The Bears also interviewed San Diego Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye, New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross, and current director of player personnel Tim Ruskell.

Emery's hiring comes after a major collapse marked by season-ending injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte, as well as a drug scandal involving backup receiver Sam Hurd. The Bears dropped five in a row after a 7-3 start, spoiling a promising season before closing with a win at Minnesota.

-- from the news services

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 29, 2012 B7