49ers quarterback Alex Smith has enjoyed an excellent offseason that has created a closer than expected competition with incumbent Shaun Hill.
According to the National Football Post, Smith may even have an advantage. Matt Bowen writes that “everyone inside the building is pulling” for Smith to become the team’s starter.
It’s unclear if the building includes players, coaches, front office staff, or all of the above.
It would be no surprise if the front office was hoping to recoup some of their hefty investment in Smith. GM Scot McCloughan drafted Smith, and doubled down this offseason when they re-worked Smith’s deal for two years and $6.5 million.
If Smith wins the starting job and performs well, that restructured deal will be an unbelievable bargain.
If Smith doesn’t come through, the franchise will have thrown good money after bad in an effort to salvage the former top overall pick’s career.
While Bowen has a 49ers source that believes Smith will win the job, most observers have called him an underdog heading into camp.
The key decision maker, after all, is head coach Mike Singletary. And Singletary’s coaching career may have only been remembered for its lack of pants if Hill didn’t go 5-3 as a starter for him.
Hill’s play last season has to be worth some loyalty, no matter how good Smith has looked in practices without pads.
just a terrible pick from terrible draft
I am pulling for Smith because he has the potential to take us to the Superbowl. Smith has had alot of bad luck so far but hopefully that will change this year. I think Hill is a good backup and can win some games if needed.
Go Niners 6-0 in the Superbowl is our goal!
I have never considered Mike Vick a quarterback. More a direct snap to the runningback who chucks the ball when he has nowhere to go. I hate to say it but Mike Vick would by FAR be the best option at quarterback for San Fran. Man…you know your team sucks when you could really, really use Mike Vick
if they fell 2 scores behind, he would be worse than useless. people have more than enough film on him now.
2nd half of 05 and 06: vick teams went 2-6.
sure he’s good. a legend in his own mind.
Alex Smith………. Please get the starting job! The Hawks have all the tape they need on you.
If this competition is close its a no brainer that Smith gets the nod. Hill has proven to be a quarterback that you can pull off the bench and win games with. Why wouldn’t the Niners give Smith who has the higher ceiling a chance to take the team to start? They can pull the cord quickly and Hill is ready to go. I wouldn’t be surprised if this isn’t what ends up happening.