The return of a forgotten QB
By: Kevin Dunleavy
Examiner Staff Writer
10/25/09 9:58 PM EDT
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Trailing at Houston, 21-0, Sunday, San Francisco coach Mike Singletary had seen enough. After watching his offense struggle for the previous six quarters, he replaced quarterback Shaun Hill with Alex Smith.
The Niners lost, 24-21. But with the quarterback change, Singletary might have re-discovered a one-time prodigy and re-directed the course of the season.
Smith, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft, completed 15 of 22 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns, all to tight end Vernon Davis, to rally San Francisco to the brink of victory. Smith threw an interception in the final minute to seal the Niners' fate, but he's likely to be under center next Sunday when San Francisco (3-3) travels to Indianapolis (6-0).
With the inclusion of Smith and the addition of rookie wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who made his NFL debut Sunday (5 catches, 56 yards), the Niners have a swift injection of talent and firepower.
A style adjustment will be necessary, and perhaps painful. The Niners had won seven of nine games bridging 2008 and 2009 using Singletary's signature smash-mouth style. But with a more weapons and more ability to throw downfield, San Francisco can discard its low-risk, manage-the-game offense and think big.
It won't take much to win the NFC West. This is the most winnable division in the NFL. The first-place Arizona Cardinals were 3-2 going into Sunday night's game at the New York Giants. San Francisco beat Arizona, 20-16, in the season opener.
Sunday's action was the first for Smith in a regular-season game since Nov. 12, 2007. He produced on his first drive, marching the Niners 63 yards in five plays, after they had gained only 50 yards in the first half under Hill (6 of 11, 45 yards, sacked twice).
Smith suffered through a harrowing rookie season under coach Mike Nolan, throwing one touchdown pass and 11 interceptions. He showed vast improvement in 2006, but the following year was hampered by a shoulder injury. When the injury lingered into 2008, Smith landed on injured reserve, didn't throw a pass all season, and was labeled a "bust."
But now, at age 25, Smith might finally be ready to fulfill the promise and bring his improved team along for the ride.
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