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SANTA CLARA, Calif. - San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said Saturday that he expects the NFLs decision on a possible suspension for linebacker Aldon Smith to be announced soon, perhaps even before the preseason begins Aug. 7. Baalke also stressed that he had not been told of any specific timeline from the league — just that Smith will meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell soon and a decision should come shortly after that. "Dont have a date. We know its going to happen sooner rather than later. Certainly, this isnt something thats going to drag into the season and may not even drag as far as into the preseason games itself," Baalke said. "Its something thats going to be addressed. Weve been in contact with the league, the leagues been in contact with us, but we dont have a set date at this moment." Smith was sentenced last week to three years of probation and to spend 11 days with a work crew after he pleaded no contest to drunken driving and weapons charges. He is expected to serve on the work crew on Mondays, which are a scheduled day off for the 49ers. Baalke said 49ers owner Jed York has spoken with Goodell about Smiths expected discipline. The linebacker underwent treatment at an in-patient facility and missed five games last year following his DUI arrest, though he did play the first game after the incident. Baalke said the team can lobby on Smiths behalf and for a speedy decision but cant decide how the process plays out. "Do we have any say? We can give our thoughts. We can give our input. But its really up to the commissioner," Baalke said. Baalkes comments came during a rare and impromptu visit with writers inside the new media workroom at Levis Stadium. He addressed all team matters — or, in many cases, declined to address them — during the 47-minute session, including the contracts of tight end Vernon Davis and training camp holdout and right guard Alex Boone. Davis and Boone skipped the teams voluntary off-season workout program and mandatory minicamp, which could draw a fine up to $70,000. Davis has since returned for training camp and said hes focused on football. Baalke declined to discuss eithers contract status at length. Asked if Davis should be among the recent players such as quarterback Colin Kaepernick and left tackle Joe Staley given an extension, Baalke said "hes certainly one of those guys that deserves to be a 49er." Baalke also was asked if there had been any recent discussions with Boone or his agent, possibly trading the lineman and the teams philosophy about negotiating with training camp holdouts. Each time, Baalke said he didnt want to get into a "merry-go-round" of discussing the issues. "I find nothing positive is going to come from discussing any of this, our strategies, how we deal with players, how we deal with this situation versus others," Baalke said. "Ive never seen anything positive come from that, with anybody thats used those techniques." Baalke also reverted to that answer when asked about the contracts of wide receiver Michael Crabtree and left guard Mike Iupati. Both are entering the final seasons of their deals. But the general manager spoke of a consistent theme throughout while addressing the countless issues around that team: that the 49ers have enough talent and depth to compete for the franchises elusive sixth Super Bowl title. San Francisco has gone to three straight NFC championships and one Super Bowl without winning the Lombardi Trophy. Baalke said its up to the players in camp to come together and make it happen now. "The saying that I like to go by is, Individuals win games. You win a lot of games with individuals. You win championships with teams," he said. "Teams win championships — thats the bottom line. 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Since then, a miserable run of seven defeats and two draws has seen the club part with the Dutch coach and replace him with German Felix Magath.MOSCOW -- Canadian ice dancer Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje qualified for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Japan with a second-place finish at the Rostelecom Cup on Saturday. Weaver and Poje, both from Waterloo, Ont., finished first in the ice dancing free skate with 101.64 points for a combined 163.14 points in the Russian event. The pair scored 61.50 points for their performance in the short program on Friday. Earlier, Kirsten Moore-Towers of St. Catharines, Ont., and Dylan Moscovitch of Toronto took bronze in the pairs program to also qualify for the Japan final. Poje says he and Weaver used their disappointing short dance score as motivation heading into Saturdays event. "After not having the most positive score on the short dance we wanted to make sure we came back and showed that we have a strong free dance ... and I feel like we did that," he said. "We didnt achieve a seasons best score, but we achieved a season-best performance for us." Weaver and Poje missed out on qualifying for the ISU Grand Prix Final last year. Now that theyve secured their spot in this years event, Weaver says that means "everything." "Its the last time the judges are going to see us before the Olympics," she said. "We want to leave a lasting impression and show that we are every bit eligible for that Olympic podium. "The best teams in the world will be at that final and thats our shot to measure ourselves up against them and see where we stand two short months before the Games. It will give us a very good judgement as to what we need to work on and what has gotten better since the last time weve been up against these teams." Canadas Olympic gold medallists in ice dancing in 2010, Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir of London, Ont.dddddddddddd., have already qualified for the Grand Prix Final. Ekaterina Bobrova faltered during her free dance with Dmitri Soloviev, but the Russians held on for the ice dance gold with a total of 168.32 points. Americans Madison Chock and Evan Bates took third place. Torontos Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier finished sixth with 133.66 points. In the pairs figure skating event, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany won gold, followed by Vera Bazarova and Yuri Larionov of Russia and Moore-Towers and Moscovitch. Moore-Towers fell on her chest coming out of a lasso lift, which she casually characterized as one of "a couple of little weird things" in the routine. Despite the fall, the Canadians picked up 123.08 points, staying in third place overall with 188.73 points. They will join Meagan Duhamel of Lively, Ont., and Eric Radford of Balmertown, Ont., who have already qualified for the final pairs program in Japan. "For the most part we were strong from the beginning to the end," Moore-Towers said. "Our skating skills are improving every time out. We are excited to have made the final where we will have better performances." Moscovitch said the pair came into the competition well prepared after some solid training since Skate Canada a month ago. "Well definitely be hungry at the Grand Prix Final," he said. "Its always special to make the final, especially in an Olympic year. Its an opportunity to be among the top-six in the world and competing there will set us up well for the second half of the season." Ottawas Patrick Chan will compete in the Grand Prix Final in the mens program. ' ' '