Aldon Smith wore a big grin beneat

SANTA CLARA, Calif. Vinnie Hinostroza Jersey . - Aldon Smith wore a big grin beneath his facemask, even when linebackers coach Jim Leavitt good-naturedly let him have it after the ball didnt wind up in his hands during one drill.Aldon! You wont be able to sleep tonight! Leavitt hollered as Aaron Lynch patted his teammate on the helmet.At his best, Smith is one of the NFLs most menacing sack masters who instil fear into opposing quarterbacks.After nine games on the sideline and 14 missed the past two seasons, its unclear how long it might take for the San Francisco star to regain his fearsome top form on one of the leagues stingiest defences.Smith believes he will be back doing his thing in a hurry following a nine-game suspension by the league for violations of the NFLs substance-abuse and personal-conduct policies.You keep hearing your name, youre like Oh, man, obviously Im missed out there, Smith said. It just put that much more in my drive when I was preparing, whether if it was with my working out or whatever I was doing to mentally be prepared to come back. Its just something I put in the back of my head.Smith is set to make his 2014 debut Sunday at the New York Giants in some capacity, though even coach Jim Harbaugh is unsure exactly what the linebacker will bring.Thats a good question. He did participate in training camp 11 weeks ago, Harbaugh said Wednesday. I would refer back to last year, he missed five weeks and was able to come back and play snaps his first week back. So, good question. Well see, take it day by day.The addition of Smith means a lot during a tough week when linebacker Patrick Willis was lost for the season to an injured left toe that will require surgery.Smith has been attending meetings and working out at team headquarters, but wasnt allowed to practice during his suspension.The Giants are preparing for Smith to make plays.We know that he has been in the building and worked in the conditioning area. I would expect hes a player who has been in on all the meetings and conditioned himself very, very well, Giants coach Tom Coughlin said.Im sure that theyre just not going to throw him out there in his first game back, but I would imagine that he would have a fixed amount of plays and he may very well be in there as part of the third-down package.Smith is enjoying all of the little things about being part of a team again — including his high-energy position coach, Leavitt.Geez, you guys look good! Our numbers are growing, Leavitt cheered. Quick feet, Aldon!Quarterback Colin Kaepernick looked forward to seeing No. 99 across the way on the practice field, and in uniform come Sunday.A big lift. Hes a freak of nature on the field, Kaepernick said. Hes a huge component to our defence, so very happy to have him back.The 25-year-old Smith, one of the NFLs top pass rushers, last fall underwent treatment at an inpatient facility following his DUI arrest on Sept. 20, 2013. Last November, he pleaded not guilty to three felony counts of illegal possession of an assault weapon, stemming from a June 2012 party at his home.In the spring, the 49ers picked up his 2015 contract option despite his legal troubles. Smith was arrested April 13 at Los Angeles International Airport. Police said Smith was randomly selected for a secondary screening and became unco-operative with the process, telling a TSA agent that he had a bomb. No charges were filed.Theres the joy of being around the team and training and meeting and you miss the joy of practice, Harbaugh said.Linebacker Michael Wilhoite figures Smith is ready to wreak havoc.Hes been here but hes been quiet. Hes done what he needs to do and goes home, Wilhoite said. When you take nine games away from a guy, thats like taking away your job for nine of the 12 months.Smith has enjoyed doing community service and spending time with family and his young son.For those wondering whether he can stay on the right path now, Smith plans to do his part to earn back the trust of his teammates, coaches and fans.Im not going to sit here and give you some crazy answer, Smith said. Time will show.Notes: LB NaVorro Bowman was scheduled for an MRI on his surgically repaired left knee to better determine whether he will soon return to practice and perhaps play down the stretch this season.___AP freelance writer Rick Eymer contributed to this report.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Wayne Gretzky Jersey .S.-Cuba relations means baseball prospects get off the island and into the major leagues without payoffs to smugglers and threats from kidnappers, its hard to see the downside. Cheap Coyotes Jerseys . Argentina, who have yet to beat New Zealand in 17 meetings, rocked the All Blacks with an early converted try to backrower Juan Manuel Leguizamon and led 7-0 after five minutes. But Smiths double in the 23rd and 26th minutes - when Argentina was reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of hooker Eusebio Guinazu - turned the tide of the match and set up New Zealands third straight Championship win.Johannesburg, South Africa (SportsNetwork.com) - After Charl Schwartzel surrendered a 4-shot lead over his final five holes, Andy Sullivan went on to birdie the first playoff hole and defeat the South African to win the South African Open Championship on Sunday. Schwartzel, who led Sullivan by four shots heading to the 14th hole, made two bogeys and a double-bogey down the stretch to blow his lead and force a playoff with the Englishman. From the left rough and under a tree on the first playoff hole, Sullivan hit an incredible approach shot to within 10 feet and he knocked in the subsequent putt to earn his first career victory on the European Tour. Its unbelievable, Sullivan said. After Saturday I didnt think I stood much of a chance with Charl getting ahead that far. I just dug in there yesterday and today and found myself in a position where I had a chance to win. My caddie said over the last few holes no regrets and Ive definitely got no regrets over the last few holes, especially the playoff hole. Sullivan, the second-round leader, rebounded after a 74 on Saturday and fired a 5-under 67 Sunday, while Schwartzel carded a 2-over 74. The duo finished regulation tied at 11-under-par 277. To just play on the European Tour is something Ive wanted to do my whole life, so to win an event just caps it all off and to do it in South Africa where I have always enjoyed playing, it has just been an incredible week, said Sullivan. Lee Slattery finished with a 3-under 69 and he ended alone in third at 10- under 278. Pablo Martin Benavides also shot a 69 and he finished in fourth at 9-under 279. Schwartzel entered the final round with a 5-shot lead over Matthew Fitzpatrick and David Drysdale, while Sullivan sat seven shots back of the lead. Fitzpatrick shot a 73 to end tied for fifth with six others at 7-under 281, while Drysdale (74) finished tied for 11th at minus-6. Playing five groups ahead of Schwartzel on the final day, Sullivan appeared to have only a slim chance of catching the leader. In fact, Sullivan made the turn at just 1-under for the day with birdies on two and six to go along with a bogey on eight. Schwartzel was even par through seven after a birdie on five and a bogey on seven. Sullivan moved to within five of the leader with another birdie on No. 10, but the big shot that gave Sullivaan momentum came on No. Martin Hanzal Jersey. . 12. With Schwartzel through eight, Sullivan chipped in from off the green for eagle on the par-4 12th to move to minus-10, just three behind Schwartzel. It was virtually a two-player race down the stretch, although it appeared as if nobody was going to catch Schwartzel. The 30-year-old South African made a gain on 12, while Sullivan later poured in a birdie of his own on 16, keeping Schwartzels lead at three. Another birdie by Schwartzel on 13 had him looking good with a 4-shot lead, but then it all fell apart. With Sullivan finished at minus-11, the downfall started for Schwartzel when he missed a short par putt on the par-3 14th, dropping his advantage back to three. Two holes later, Schwartzel flew his approach on 16 over the green. His chip shot went well by the hole and he three-putted for double-bogey. Just like that, Schwartzels lead was down to one. It only got worse for Schwartzel as his tee shot on the par-3 17th went well right. All he could do was chip on and two-putt for bogey, tying him with Sullivan. Schwartzel nearly made a long birdie putt at the last to win, but he settled for par and headed to the playoff with Sullivan. Back on the 18th hole, Schwartzels tee shot was errant to the right and Sullivans went well left. All Schwartzel could do was lay up in the fairway and watch Sullivan stick a spectacular second shot to within 10 feet. Schwartzel did well to put the pressure on Sullivan when he stuck his approach to three feet and all but secure par. Sullivan came through in the clutch, however, as he drained his birdie putt for the win. My caddie said expect him to hole (his third shot) and he nearly did, said Sullivan. I was just delighted just to hit the green and have a chance to win and Im just glad I took it. NOTES: Six of Schwartzels nine European Tour victories have come in South Africa, but he has never won this event ... Schwartzel finished tied for second here back in 2005 ... Prior to this event, Sullivans best finish on tour came last season at the Trophee Hassan II, where he ended runner-up ... Sullivan also shared the first-round lead with Jbe Kruger ... Sullivan earned 158,500 euros with this victory ... Next up for the European Tour is the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship next week, where Pablo Larrazabal won last season. ' ' '