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Alex Smith News & Rumors

Emboldened 49ers quarterback Alex Smith gets called out by Cam Newton's Carolina Panthers teammate
May 26
San Jose Mercury News
 
"This isn't necessarily about Cam Newton. Or about 300-yard passing games. Or about a Carolina Panthers defender attempting to, well, defend his quarterback. It's about Alex Smith's newfound moxie. Smith piped up Wednesday to once again downplay the value of a 300-yard passing game. He's had to do this repeatedly throughout his career, which includes only a pair of 300-yard-plus outings in 70 career games. He altered his script Wednesday by invoking the name of last season's NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: Newton. Cue up a Panthers player channeling his inner Terrell Owens (see: "That's my quarterback!" with tears flowing behind shades). "Alex smith, don't hate on Cam Bc your stats"
49ers' QB Smith looks to tune air attack
May 24
Sacramento Bee
 
"Alex Smith concedes that the 49ers' passing attack could stand to improve in 2012. But don't bring up last season's paltry yards-per-game average, and whatever you do, don't cite the lack of 300-yard passing games over his career. "This is the honest truth," Smith said after Wednesday's practice. "I could absolutely care less about yards per game. I think that is a totally overblown stat because if you're losing games in the second half, guess what, you're like the Carolina Panthers and you're going no-huddle the entire second half and, yeah, Cam Newton threw for a lot of 300-yard games. That's great. You're not winning, though.""
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith has lots of new toys
May 24
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"It was just an OTA in May, without pads or large consequence, and at decidedly less than game speed. But you could not fault Alex Smith for looking especially lively on the 49ers practice field Wednesday, as the sun shined and his receivers galloped all over the field. Randy Moss to the right. Michael Crabtree to the left. A.J. Jenkins and Mario Manningham ready to go on the next snap. "It's like waking up on Christmas," Smith said afterward. "You've got a lot of new toys out there, new presents." Moss, in particular, seemed to be in tune with Smith; at least 60 percent of Smith's throws in full-squad drills went to Moss, who dropped none of them. Again, it's only May, and Moss is a"
Alex Smith's mantra: Stats are for losers
May 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Before last season's divisional-playoff game against the Saints, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith got a little testy when asked if he would throw for more yards than Drew Brees. "I really don't care," Smith said. "I'm looking to outscore him. He can throw for as many yards as he wants." Four months later, Smith is still spreading his stats-are-for-losers mantra and using last year's No. 1 overall pick to illustrate his point."
Pitching coach House helps 49ers' Alex Smith rearm
May 15
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Last year, Alex Smith had the best season of his career under the guidance of Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback hailed for his ability to coach players at that position. Now, in an effort to take the next step in 2012, Smith has teamed with Tom House, baseball's version of the 49ers' head coach. A former major-league pitcher with a doctorate in sports psychology, House, 65, is best known as a professorial pitching coach who has counseled legends such as Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson. His expertise on the science of throwing led him to start working with NFL quarterbacks about a decade ago, and his pupils have included New England's Tom Brady and New Orleans' Drew Brees."
Baseball man helps Alex Smith rediscover groove
May 13
NFL.com
 
"The San Francisco 49ers went after Peyton Manning this offseason, and then settled for keeping Alex Smith. That's the bad news. The good news is that Smith should continue to mature under Jim Harbaugh. The head coach is confident Smith has already made "dramatic improvement" in one area: his throwing motion. That change came from an odd place. Smith spent a week under the tutelage of former Major League pitcher Tom House. "The cool thing is he's thrown perfectly in his life before -- before he hurt his shoulder," House told the San Francisco Chronicle. "It was just a matter of rediscovering what he did before his initial surgeries.""
Pitching coach House helps 49ers' Alex Smith rearm
May 13
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Last year, Alex Smith had the best season of his career under the guidance of Jim Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback hailed for his ability to coach players at that position. Now, in an effort to take the next step in 2012, Smith has teamed with Tom House, baseball's version of the 49ers' head coach. A former major-league pitcher with a doctorate in sports psychology, House, 65, is best known as a professorial pitching coach who has counseled legends such as Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson. His expertise on the science of throwing led him to start working with NFL quarterbacks about a decade ago, and his pupils have included New England's Tom Brady and New Orleans' Drew Brees. On the"
Alex Smith makes 'dramatic improvements' to his throwing motion, Jim Harbaugh says
May 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Quarterback Alex Smith has made "dramatic improvements" to his throwing motion, according to 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh. Part of those strides can be attributed to Smith's visit to motion specialist Tom House over a month ago. "Alex was using his head where he'd have a late posture change to get his release point accurate," House, a former major league pitcher, said Friday in a phone interview. Smith's previous shoulders injuries, House believes, caused him to compensate for a lack of strength, and Smith would move his head to the left as his arm accelerated. Smith spent a week under House's tutelage at USC with fellow quarterbacks Carson Palmer, Tom Brady and Matt Cassel. Using 3-D video"
49ers QB Alex Smith already is hard at work
May 9
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Monte Poole
"The newest 49ers convene this weekend for their first NFL minicamp, where they'll spend three days running and grunting, as well as dodging the heavy equipment required for that major construction project. What the rookies won't do is catch passes from quarterback Alex Smith, who most assuredly would like to participate. Instead, Smith will have to wait until next week when the veterans take the practice field. Meanwhile, he's doing what he always does. He's doing his part to prove, once again, that he can be a successful NFL quarterback. Never mind San Francisco's 13-3 record last season, which proves he already has passed that test on most objective grade sheets."
Alex Smith volunteers in search for missing teen Sierra LaMar
April 3
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"To those who know Alex Smith, it's not surprising he showed up to search for missing Morgan Hill teen Sierra LaMar. Smith started his own foundation focused on foster youth during his second season with the 49ers (2006) and has advocated for legislation in Sacramento to help foster youth. On Saturday, Smith was one of the 581 volunteers who showed up to scour a 20-mile unincoporated section of Morgan Hill where LaMar, 15, vanished on March 16. Smith's arrival impressed Marc Klass, who runs the KlassKids Foundation, the group that organized the search for LaMar."
Smith gets another challenger
March 23
Sacramento Bee
 
"On the same day one of Jim Harbaugh's quarterback protégés, Stanford's Andrew Luck, worked out for NFL scouts, Harbaugh signed another former pupil, Josh Johnson, to a two-year deal with the 49ers. Johnson, 25, played for Harbaugh at the University of San Diego, where he set school records in touchdown passes (113), completions (724), attempts (1,065) and passing yards (9,699). Johnson, whom Harbaugh once called a "beloved son," joins fellow quarterbacks Alex Smith, Colin Kaepernick and Scott Tolzien on the roster. Smith is the presumed starter, but now he has both a veteran in Johnson and a high-round draft pick in Kaepernick behind him. Smith said Wednesday he has accepted that there"
49er's Smith signs sweetened deal with smile on his face
March 22
Sacramento Bee
 
"Not only did Alex Smith understand the 49ers' pursuit of Peyton Manning last week, he said he would have "relished" an opportunity to compete with the four-time NFL MVP for the starting quarterback job. It's hard to believe that the 49ers would have signed both Smith and Manning, but the statement underscored Smith's insistence Wednesday that he wasn't offended by the flirtation with a high-profile passer and is as happy as ever with coach Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers. "As good as they've always been and getting better," Smith said of his relationships. "The thing from Day One when I first met coach Harbaugh is that he's always been upfront, he's always been honest with me. And he continued"
49ers' Manning fling didn't irk Smith, he says
March 22
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Evidently Alex Smith's breakout 2011 season didn't just net him the three-year, $24 million contract he signed Wednesday. It also gave an unmistakable swagger to the 49ers quarterback who routinely has been described as polite and deferential throughout his seven-year career. During his post-signing media conference call, for example, Smith dropped this stunner: He viewed future Hall-of-Fame quarterback Peyton Manning as his potential competition – not his replacement. "Not offended at all," Smith said emphatically when asked if his team's pursuit of Manning irked him. "In fact, I would have relished the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job with Peyton Manning.""
We should believe Alex Smith
March 22
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Are we to believe Alex Smith when he says there's no healing to be done with the 49ers? I believe the answer is yes. Smith said he was in constant contact with coach Jim Harbaugh during his protracted contract negotiations with the team. He said that he was not "offended at all" that the 49ers considered signing Peyton Manning. As Smith said during his conference call with reporters, he's been "through way worse than this" during his rocky seven-year career. That included having his toughness questioned by his first NFL head coach Mike Nolan, and his leadership challenged by his second coach, Mike Singletary. What Smith got with Harbaugh was consistent support throughout the season and"
An angry Alex Smith could be a good thing for 49ers
March 21
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Mark Purdy
"Alex Smith is back with the 49ers. He has either signed with the team, or will sign Wednesday, or shall have signed by the time you read these words. That is, unless you choose to doubt a report on the NFL Network -- and who would doubt the mighty force that controls the whereabouts of Rich Eisen? It's what most of us figured would happen all along. After Smith took the 49ers to the NFC title game last season, it seemed a formality that he would re-enlist with the team, forsaking his free agent rights to go elsewhere. Didn't go down quite that way. The "formality" of Smith's re-signing took a wild left turn over the past week when the 49ers decided to give Peyton Manning a tryout and Smith"
49ers sign Smith; Harbaugh terms relationship 'strong'
March 21
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers and quarterback Alex Smith have agreed to terms on a three-year contract, the NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported. The financial details were not disclosed, but ESPN reported it's worth about $8 million annually. Before free agency began on March 13, the Niners offered Smith a three-year, $24 million contract which reportedly included about $10 million guaranteed. The amount of guaranteed money included in the contract was one of the final details being negotiated before an agreement was reached today."
Alex Smith, 49ers reportedly agree to 3 years, $24 million
March 21
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"A week after head coach Jim Harbaugh traveled to Durham, N.C., to work out Peyton Manning, and two days after Alex Smith trekked to Miami to explore his options, the 49ers and their quarterback reunited in California and agreed to extend their relationship. After a series of dramatic and unexpected twists, the 49ers and Smith came to terms Tuesday on a three-year deal that will pay about $8 million annually, ESPN reported. The amount of guaranteed money has not been disclosed. The contract is presumably similar to the three-year, $24 million offer the team had on the table prior to the start of free agency March 13. At that time, Smith's return for an eighth season in San Francisco"
Report: 49ers sign Alex Smith
March 20
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers and quarterback Alex Smith have agreed to terms on a three-year contract, the NFL Network's Michael Lombardi reported. The financial details were not disclosed, but ESPN reported it's worth about $8 million annually. Before free agency began on March 13, the Niners offered Smith a three-year, $24 million contract which reportedly included about $10 million guaranteed. The amount of guaranteed money included in the contract was one of the final details being negotiated before an agreement was reached today. Smith, who visited the Dolphins on Sunday, had few options available if he didn't return to San Francisco for an eighth season. The Dolphins signed veteran David Garrard on"
With Manning gone to Denver, 49ers resume efforts to re-sign Alex Smith
March 20
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Peyton Manning isn't coming to the 49ers. Is Alex Smith coming back? That multimillion-dollar question faced the 49ers once Manning opted Monday morning to join the Denver Broncos and launch his comeback from four neck surgeries. A day after Smith took a free-agency visit to the Miami Dolphins, the 49ers resumed contract talks with the incumbent starting quarterback in an effort to lure back their 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick, ESPN reported. Smith had been hoping for a stronger commitment than the 49ers' three-year, $24 million offer that included some $10 million guaranteed, a potential deal that's been there even during the 49ers' courting of Manning. "We have a contract on the table,"
Alex Smith's visit with Miami Dolphins is no surprise
March 19
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Mark Purdy
"Well, what did you expect Alex Smith to do? Sit around the caddie shack and wait for a phone call? Hardly. The 49er quarterback had a very predictable response when he discovered that the 49ers and coach Jim Harbaugh were quietly working out Peyton Manning in North Carolina -- a session that presumably was supposed to be a secret to Smith, or else why would Harbaugh try to keep it secret at all? Usually, to create interest among fans and sell tickets, NFL teams publicize it like crazy when a free agent such as Manning shows up for an audition. Given the situation, Smith reacted exactly the way you'd expect. He went out and found a semi-secret workout of his own. It turned out to be in"
49ers' bid for Manning has Smith testing market
March 19
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The 49ers' pursuit of Peyton Manning became a high-stakes gamble Sunday as their fallback option, Alex Smith, ended the day discussing contract terms with the Miami Dolphins. Smith, the Niners' free-agent quarterback, arrived in south Florida on a red-eye flight early Sunday morning. By evening, he was in negotiations with the team on a multi-year deal worth about $8 million annually, the Denver Post reported. "This is the NFL. I guess nothing surprises me anymore," Smith told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel after landing at Fort Lauderdale Airport. "I never thought a year ago (Peyton) Manning would be a free agent either. I'm never surprised by anything.""
Smith visiting Dolphins; Garrard also coming in
March 19
Miami Herald
 
"One day after meeting with Packers free agent quarterback Matt Flynn, the Dolphins are getting a surprise visitor to camp: 49ers free agent quarterback Alex Smith. Smith's visit to camp was initially reported Sunday morning by ESPN's Adam Schefter and later confirmed. The Dolphins and Flynn have mutual interest but have not been able to come to an agreement on terms. Flynn is believed to be seeking far more than Miami will offer. A source reiterated that the Dolphins want Flynn, but at their price. Indications are that Flynn would like to join Joe Philbin in Miami, but has been waiting for a bigger offer from the Dolphins. But Flynn might not get any offers higher than Miami's current one."
49ers QB Alex Smith visits Miami Dolphins
March 18
Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel
 
"The Miami Dolphins' hunt for a quarterback continued on Sunday with the arrival of Alex Smith, the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL draft. Smith, a free agent who started 66 games for the San Francisco 49ers, arrived in South Florida early Sunday morning, and will spend the day with the Dolphins because talks have stalled with the 49ers, which are one of three finalists to land Peyton Manning. "This is the NFL. I guess nothing surprises me anymore," said Smith, who led the 49ers to the NFC Championship game last season. "I never thought a year ago (Peyton) Manning would be a free agent either," Smith told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "I'm never surprised by anything." The Dolphins made"
Smith ponders firing rep with link to Manning
March 18
Sacramento Bee
 
"Creative Artists Agency represents nearly half of the NFL quarterbacks who were their team's primary starters last season. That number, however, is in danger of dropping by one in the coming days. Alex Smith is considering firing agent Tom Condon, CAA's top sports agent, according to a report Saturday by SF Gate. Condon has represented Smith since the 49ers chose him first overall in the 2005 draft, and he has negotiated three contracts on Smith's behalf. But Condon also represents Peyton Manning, and both quarterbacks are in play for the 49ers' starting job. There are doubts about whether Condon can work in Smith's best interest if his top client, Manning, is vying for the same opening."
Smith wants agent who's not Manning's
March 18
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Alex Smith always has had the reputation for being smart and rational, so it's not surprising that the 49ers' unsigned quarterback is considering changing agents. Smith is represented by Tom Condon, who has another client, Peyton Manning, whom the 49ers are reportedly pursuing. Seeing a conflict of interest, Smith, according to a league source, might drop Condon and his agency CAA, which represents several NFL quarterbacks. Condon figures to make a lot more money negotiating Peyton Manning's next contract than Smith's. Reportedly, Denver has offered Manning a five-year, $90 million deal. Manning, who was sidelined last year with a neck injury and released by the Colts this month, is"
Free agency begins today for Smith, other 49ers
March 13
Sacramento Bee
 
"The 49ers' goal this offseason is to keep the gang together, but they enter free agency today with several members of their 2011 gang poised to hit the open market. The most prominent: quarterback Alex Smith, who has had a three-year contract offer on the table for weeks now but who, as of Monday night at least, has not signed it. At 1 p.m. today, Smith and several teammates become unrestricted free agents, meaning they can sign with any team that wants them."
Smith calls himself happy with 49ers' three-year contract offer
March 12
NFL.com
 
"San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith said he is happy with the three-year contract being offered by the 49ers and is nearing a deal on the eve of free agency, CBS5 in San Francisco reported Sunday. Calling reports of his demand for a five-year contract "completely false," Smith told CBS5 that his agent is finalizing the details of the deal. "It's going," Smith said, via CBS5. "They know I want to be back. I think they want me back. It's just a matter of working out the details…I'm just waiting for it to get done.""
Alex Smith contract: What's the snag?
March 8
Sacramento Bee
 
"The 49ers don't just have an offer on the table for Alex Smith, as reported by NFL Network and CSN Bay Area, it's been on the table for some time. So what's the hold up? Smith has been exceedingly open about wanting to return to the 49ers while the 49ers - namely, Jim Harbaugh -- have been even more effusive in their desire to have him back. It should have been done by now, right? According to a source with knowledge of the negotiations, the snag is the length of the deal, and with it the amount of guaranteed money. The 49ers are offering a shorter-term deal, believed to be three years. Smith's agent, Tom Condon, is pushing for a longer deal, believed to be five years. The 49ers' trump"
49ers have sights set on Alex Smith, not Peyton Manning
March 8
San Jose Mercury News
 
"The 49ers reportedly have an offer on the table to a veteran quarterback once drafted first overall: Alex Smith, not Peyton Manning. Although signs point to Smith returning with a new multi-year contract, that hasn't stopped speculation of the 49ers being an ideal landing spot for Manning. The Colts released Manning on Wednesday, citing a failed physical by the four-time league MVP who missed last season with a neck injury. Among those envisioning Manning as a 49er is former Colts coach Tony Dungy, who won Super Bowl XLI with Manning five years ago. "You put Peyton Manning in that offense and people are going to be scared to play them," Dungy told NFL Network. "There are other teams that"
Harbaugh: Unanimous within 49ers that Smith is 'our guy'
February 8
CSN Bay Area
 
"On Saturday, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith went on stage to accept the award for NFL Coach of the Year on behalf of Jim Harbaugh. The two men played golf together on Tuesday at Pepple Beach as part of a five-hole 49ers vs. San Francisco Giants charity shootout. And on Thursday, Smith will serve as Harbaugh's caddie on the first day of the AT&T National Pro-Am. Smith is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but it appears highly unlikely that he'll still be available to the other 31 teams in the league when the free-agent signing period opens March 13. Harbaugh has made it clear he wants Smith re-signed, and he said Tuesday on "Chronicle Live" that the 49ers'"
Alex Smith says he wants to stay with 49ers
January 24
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"After enjoying a career-best year under the first offensive-minded head coach of his career, it seems unlikely that 49ers quarterback Alex Smith will test the market when he becomes a free agent March 13. On Monday, Smith did nothing to dispel the belief that he'll back for an eighth season in San Francisco, and his second with coach Jim Harbaugh. "At this point I love it here," Smith said. "Love what's going on. Love this team and coaching staff, everything about it. So no question I'd love to stay here." Smith indicated he'd prefer to not have contract negotiations drag on too long. "I think sooner rather than later, no question," he said."
Alex Smith: 'I'd love to stay here'
January 23
CSN Bay Area
 
"Quarterback Alex Smith has a contract that's set to expire in March, but he figures something with the 49ers should get done prior to that. "I'm not in a crazy rush, at this point, as far as today or tomorrow," Smith said on Monday, the day after the 49ers' season-ending 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship Game. "We can take our time a little bit. I think they have until March 13th or something when the contract's up. But I think sooner than that, maybe.""
Like Alex Smith, Eli Manning had his struggles
January 22
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Who's had it worse than 49ers quarterback Alex Smith? Eli Manning! Granted, it's tough to pin down which No. 1 overall pick had a more rugged introduction to the NFL, but Smith gives the nod to his counterpart in today's NFC Championship Game pitting the Niners and Giants at Candlestick Park. As Smith noted this past week, Manning arrived in the NFL's largest media market while drawing immediate comparisons to his brother, Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, after he was the top pick in the 2004 draft. "To be Peyton's little brother, No. 1 pick, you go to New York, playing for the Giants," Smith said. "Obviously, that's a lot of pressure. I don't think anyone's been in the situation he has."
Smith, Manning not alone in finding redemption
January 22
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Gwen Knapp
"Alex Smith graciously conceded a point this past week. For all the slights and insults he has endured as a late-blooming quarterback drafted at No. 1, he acknowledged that Eli Manning, his counterpart in today's NFC Championship Game, has faced more obstacles. "To be Peyton's little brother, No. 1 pick, you go to New York, playing for the Giants. Obviously, that's a lot of pressure," Smith said. "... Those are pretty unique circumstances. Your older brother is arguably maybe the greatest quarterback ever, and a lot of expectations on you. And then you go to a big city like New York. So, I didn't have to face those things." The quarterbacks have had plenty of company in the game of proving"
49ers' magic run had beginnings at Camp Alex
January 21
San Jose Mercury News
 
"With the 49ers a victory away from the Super Bowl and its estimated television audience of 163 million, it's easy to forget that their journey began in a stadium so empty you could hear the beads of sweat drop. Alex Smith, who at the time was both unsigned and unpopular, orchestrated a series of offseason workouts at San Jose State. There, under the quarterback's direction, the 49ers quietly laid the groundwork for a season that has taken them to Sunday's NFC Championship game at Candlestick Park. The practices became known as Camp Alex. "It was like the first coat of paint, the primer," Smith during a break in preparations for the New York Giants this week. The 49ers were hardly the only"
Alex Smith already has game face on
January 19
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Tim Kawakami
"Game face for Alex Smith, too, at his big-tent media session today. Totally understand—it's the biggest game of his life, now is not the time to sound like he's auditioning for a future spot on the Fox pre-game show. The transcript follows, nothing revelatory, and if the 49ers do win and move to the Super Bowl, Smith, Harbaugh and the rest know they're going to get a whole lot of the same questioning—covering almost all of the same conversational territory they've been covering since August or September—for two straight weeks. Yes, the fruits of triumph!"
49ers' Staley proud of block that sprung Smith
January 17
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Left tackle Joe Staley had an epic block near the end of quarterback Alex Smith's 28-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run in the 49ers' 36-32, divisional-playoff win over the Saints on Saturday. And if you don't believe it, just ask him. "Joe told us in the locker room, 'Wait until you see my block. Wait until you see my block on film,' " head coach Jim Harbaugh said."
Alex Smith shows he can win with the best of them
January 15
Sacramento Bee
 columnist Ailene Voisin
"He was always cerebral. We knew that. He was always polite. We knew that. He was always trying to prove he was more than a first-round bust or, most recently, so much more than a seat warmer while rookie Colin Kaepernick developed. We wondered about that last part, though. We didn't know this Alex Smith. In an NFC playoff game of epic plays and emotional swings – four touchdowns in the final 4:02 – the 49ers veteran who has been doubted, booed on his own field and verbally undressed by former coaches responded with a performance that shocked the NFL world. And the New Orleans Saints. "It might be time to start giving Alex Smith a little credit," coach Jim Harbaugh facetiously suggested"
Alex Smith, 49ers silence their doubters
January 15
San Jose Mercury News
 columnist Monte Poole
"With the sun disappearing and the potent New Orleans Saints vanquished at last, Alex Smith neither wept nor danced. The quarterback simply inhaled the moment as he perceived it, victory in the most spellbinding and consequential game of his life. "We're still playing. That's what it means," Smith said after directing the 49ers to an electrifying 36-32 win over the Saints in an NFC divisional playoff game Saturday at Candlestick Park. For all of Alex's genuine modesty, this for him was considerably more than mere advancement to the next round of the playoffs, to the NFC Championship game. This was his time, his silent yet clarifying speech to the disbelieving masses. This was an emphatic"
Alex Smith delivers a dagger to the heart
January 15
San Francisco Chronicle
 columnist Gwen Knapp
"The heir to "The Catch" deserves a stronger nickname than any of the 49ers could dream up on Saturday night. "The Throw?" coach Jim Harbaugh ventured. "The Throw and Catch?" "The Grab," offered tight end Vernon Davis, the man who pulled the 14-yard game-winner into the end zone and walked off the field in tears of ecstasy. "The Catch 3?" left tackle Joe Staley suggested, showing his grasp of 49ers' playoff lore by remembering Terrell Owens' spectacular catch to beat Green Bay in 1999 as well as Dwight Clark's soaring leap into history 30 years ago. But the touchdown that brought down the exalted Saints 36-32 and sent the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game transcended football terminology."
Alex Smith finally comfortable in San Francisco
January 13
Washington Post
 
"If Alex Smith weren't playing quarterback in the NFL, his former coaches figure he'd be a big-time lawyer or head of a large corporation somewhere. "He's maybe the most intelligent guy I've ever met," said Urban Meyer, Smith's coach at the University of Utah. As it is, Smith, 27, is a football player, one who's had to keep his active mind plenty engaged. The San Francisco 49ers quarterback will make his postseason debut Saturday against New Orleans, and he'll do it with his seventh offensive coordinator in seven seasons. That means every year of his pro career, Smith has had to learn new offenses, new wrinkles, new techniques."
Former San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks have advice for Alex Smith before his playoff debut
January 12
San Jose Mercury News
 
"As just the fourth 49ers quarterback to start a playoff game in the last 30 years, Alex Smith will be measured against his predecessors. Joe Montana won his debut as a postseason starter, beating the New York Giants 38-24. So did Steve Young, a 20-13 winner over the Washington Redskins. The wins allowed both men to put the triumphs in their rearview mirror and move on to the next challenge. Jeff Garcia, however, lost to the Green Bay Packers 25-15 in Lambeau Field and can recount in painstaking detail how the 49ers came up short. The moral of the story is that losing will hurt Smith a lot more than beating the New Orleans Saints on Saturday will make him feel good."
Smith, Crabtree warmed up after chilly start
January 12
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Seven months ago, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith had no idea where to find wide receiver Michael Crabtree. When asked if his top wideout would be attending the player-organized workouts at San Jose State during the lockout, Smith said, "Great question. Asking the wrong guy." A few days later, Crabtree showed up at SJSU and seemed to fire back when asked about building chemistry with his quarterback. "Who is the quarterback?" Crabtree asked. Given the less-than-promising back-and-forth between the duo, it's not surprising coach Jim Harbaugh made sure Smith would have no problem finding Crabtree when they showed up for training camp. Crabtree and Smith's lockers were separated only by the"
Healthy Smith, Gore key to 12-4 year
January 4
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"In a year when some NFL teams lost their top three quarterbacks, the 49ers never needed to call on their second-stringer, rookie Colin Kaepernick, for anything more than mop-up duty. Alex Smith led the league in sacks absorbed with 44, yet stayed healthy and played all 16 games for the first time since 2006. Frank Gore also played all 16 games for the first time since 2006, despite spending the offseason recovering from a fractured hip that, with improper rehabilitation, could have ended his career."
49ers' success lies in Alex Smith's hands, handoffs
January 1
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Given the high stakes and degree of difficulty, Alex Smith's 41-yard pass to Michael Crabtree along the left sideline late in last week's 19-17 win at Seattle was one of his finest of the season. It was also Smith's final pass of the game. Smith followed his flawlessly executed second-and-18 pass from the Niners' 31-yard line by executing three straight handoffs, the last on third-and-6 from Seattle's 24. The result was a fourth down, a go-ahead field goal from David Akers with 2:57 left, a game-sealing forced fumble by the NFL's top-ranked scoring defense and another win for the 12-3 Niners, whose successful formula this season has featured dominant defense, superb special teams and Smith"
49ers' Smith can relate to Bradford's ordeal
December 30
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
 columnist Jeff Gordon
"San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith can feel Sam Bradford's pain. Smith has been the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. He has taken the helm of losing football teams and taken the physical and emotional beatings that come with that unpleasant assignment. He adapted to new offensive coordinators, overcame injuries and played from behind year after year. He has withstood media ridicule and withering fan criticism. Smith has had to carry the "draft bust" label like a yoke around his neck. So he is uniquely qualified to comment on Bradford's young career. "Yeah, it's tough," Smith said during his Wednesday conference call with the St. Louis media. "No one understands that at the"
Smith admits initial shock regarding Edwards' release
December 29
Sacramento Bee
 
"Alex Smith on Wednesday said he was "shocked at first" when he found out wide receiver Braylon Edwards had been released but that there wasn't much time to contemplate the decision."When you're in the middle of the season, it's hard to have a lot of time to reflect on something like that," the quarterback said. "Personnel decisions are just something that are just a part of this, week in and week out, and I found that out my rookie year and every year since."Coach Jim Harbaugh declined to offer a reason for Edwards' ouster, saying only that it was done to strengthen the 49ers' roster. "We're doing what we feel is in the best interest of the team, like all decisions," Harbaugh said.In a"
Alex Smith sacked and sacked - here's why
December 16
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"The much-improved 49ers might be going to the playoffs, but one thing hasn't changed from their inglorious recent past: Their quarterback is still getting treated like a pinata. Entering its meeting against the visiting Steelers on Monday night, San Francisco has allowed 18 sacks in its past three games, more than it allowed during any three-game stretch during its previous eight non-winning seasons. From 2003-10, the Niners had an average ranking of 24th in the NFL in sacks allowed and finished last in the league in 2007 and '08. So why is the signal-caller on a now-respected 10-3 team constantly under siege? The possible reasons might be more numerous than the hits on Alex Smith, who was"
Ron Jaworski: 49ers QB Alex Smith still lacking proper mechanics
December 15
San Jose Mercury News
 
"Ron Jaworski, who once dedicated a lengthy "Monday Night Football" segment to dissecting flaws in Alex Smith's throwing motion, was back in his office Wednesday, breaking down game film of the 49ers quarterback. It must be like looking at a different guy. Right, Jaws? Wrong. "He really hasn't made a whole lot of improvements in his mechanics," Jaworski said. "A few years go, I broke down his locked left leg. I still think that knee lock causes him some problems with his accuracy." Smith certainly looks better on the stat sheet as the 49ers gear up for their MNF showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Candlestick Park. The quarterback is enjoying career highs in completion percentage"