SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The way things have gone for the San Francisco 49ers recently with issues off the field, general manager Trent Baalke finds himself being questioned about the importance of drafting for character.
The Niners' top three selections from the 2011 draft have been involved in off-the-field situations in recent weeks, resulting in a negative hit for the team's image. Most notably, star linebacker Aldon Smith was arrested at an airport last month and authorities say he used the word "bomb."
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick was linked to a Miami police report involving a woman who passed out in a hotel and later woke up in a hospital not knowing how she got there. Kaepernick has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Cornerback Chris Culliver — who made anti-gay remarks before the 2013 Super Bowl — has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor hit-and-run charges and felony possession of brass knuckles.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
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