Yes, a day after he replaced Shaun Hill at halftime of what was a 21-0 deficit in Houston, Alex Smith has been named the new starter in San Francisco.
Per Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat, coach Mike Singletary announced the decision during a Monday press conference.
After Smith brought the Niners back with three second-half touchdown passes to tight end Vernon Davis, Singletary was unsure whether Smith would keep the job.
"I don't know if it's Alex or the offensive line," Singletary said Sunday. "Sometimes the offensive line makes a quarterback better. We have to look at the film and see which is which."
Still, it's one thing for Smith to enter a game in which the opposing defense didn't know it was coming. It's quite another for Smith to play like that after the Colts' defense has had a week to prepare for Smith.
It'll be Smith's first start in nearly two years. He last got the nod November 12, 2007, in a 24-0 loss to the Seahawks.
Thank God the Niners have such a calm, cool and collected, steady hand on the rudder in Mike Singletary.
Did Singletary pull his pants down to make this announcement?
What people fail to realize is that Alex Smith was only 20 when he entered the NFL not just to play but play the most demanding position there is. Now after being seasoned veteran, this is a time to either put up or shut up.
Having said that, I wish him well. Shock the world and knock off the Colts!!!
Alex, meet Freeney and Mathis.
They'll be your new abusers.
Isn't this the same 49ers team the media couldn't kiss enough butt about just 3 weeks ago? And what an incredible motivator and coach Singletary was? And Shaun Hill was so amazingly accurate and savvy?? Silly, silly media and their hyperbole.
They don't come more limited at QB than Hill....Alex Smith will help. How much? Not much.
Congratulations, Alex Smith.....that's Dwight Freeney coming at you quickly from your blind side.
The 49ers will rise again. Soon.
Aside from his VD, he just got Crabs too. Maybe that will help?
Alex Smith will have to make a pact with the devil or something to pull out a win against the Colts. The Niner's O-line is even worse than last year(Not sure how that happened), and Peyton Manning is going to kill any happy thoughts we Niner fans have developed about the team this year. Poor Alex Smith, he might have potential to be a starting QB in the league, but it's going to be a loooong day Sunday.
GOOD, I hope smith is the starter. So does every cards fan. Hill is better, but hey go with smith by all means.
Ah, the Age of Hysteria. Alex Smith is back !!!!! Relax, and let the kid play. On good half doesn't make him a Pro Bowler. A couple of weeks ago, the media was slurping all over the 49ers and the Jets. It's a long season.
It could be worse they could have JaMarcus Russel at QB.
I wish they luck and would love to see them beat the Colts but he is starting at a very tough time! I know Singletary is trying everything to win, but hell I may have taken a lost this week and start Smith the following, no use killing him his first start back.
I think Florio makes a point about defenses having the opportunity to gameplan for you.
BUT i also think that the 49'ers have a much better team now then when they started Alex the first time around. Better WR talent, a better line, and Gore as good as ever.... now it's up to Smith to take advantage of this opportunity.
I'll reserve judgement until i see him play a game where the defense has had a chance to gameplan against him.
GOOD, I hope smith is the starter. So does every cards fan. Hill is better, but hey go with smith by all means.
When Warner gets injured all you have is Leinart and we all know he has more pocket pressance in a strip club.
Seriously, what magical game plan do you need for Alex Smith? Come on. This isn't like Michael Vick or someone who plays the position in some unorthodox way.
He takes the snap. He looks for a receiver. He throws the ball.
Oh, and would it kill Gore to actually break a tackle now and then?
I don't know if I agree with this just yet. I mean, they have ridden this guy into the ground before and I don't see why anything is different this time around.
They were successful through their run first offense thought in the begg of the season. I don't know if they should abandon Gore who is one of their only playmakers on offense and lean heavily on A Smith who really hasn't proven much other than that he can throw passes when down by 3 TDs. Let's not forget that it was Houston
I know sing wants to live and die by the power running gameplan, but with alex, he needs to go to 3 and 4 wr sets with 3 step drops, and incorporate draws and screens to try and negate how fast freeney and mathis will abuse their tackles. since indy plays a cover two, the 9ers need to focus this week on teaching their wrs and tes in finding zone soft spots. they have a chance if peyton doesnt score in bunches early..........
2007: Our QB's are Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.
2008: Our QB's are Alex Smith and Shaun Hill.
2009: Our QB's are Shaun Hill and Alex Smith.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome.
Meanwhile, bad owners, inexperienced head coaches, 7 straight losing seasons.
Welcome Back, Alex Smith -- Undisputed King of "Throw One Too High, Throw One Too Low, Throw One Just Right, Throw a Pick to Lose The Game."
The comment about game planning is valid because Smith is a mobile QB. Yes, he is not Mike Vick, but he still has a much better chance to avoid a pass rush than Hill. Given their o-line play, that can make a difference. It also helps that he throw a ball more than 5 yards.
"GOOD, I hope smith is the starter. So does every cards fan. Hill is better, but hey go with smith by all means. "
If every Cards fan hopes Smith is the starter, than does that mean 6 people hope for Alex to stay starting?
Go Niners!
I need to get my boy a hooked on phonics tape, but I agree with j4m3z m0n3y. Changes at OC EVERY year havent helped - he has had 6 games watching & learning and I think he still has loads of talent. Hill is old and is only a stop gap - give this guy a shot the rest of the year... if he still sucks, tee up that Carolina top 10 pick and get a McCoy or a Snead. I don't think he will suck. He's gotta be better than Tweety-Hill.
good for alex smith! whether he stays with the 9ers or not at least this game will shine on his resume for some time to come. he got a raw deal in the nolan era with his shoulder injury (poor offensive line - sound familiar?) then came back too soon after being bad-mouthed by the powers-that-be only to reaggravate his shoulder. unless i'm mistaken, didn't alex smith shine in college in the spread formation where he took the snap in the shotgun formation? had to 'relearn' his trade with the 9ers taking the snap under center. funny he looked so good sunday taking the snap from a spread formation in the shotgun. rarely does a qb look so good as smith did sunday. go niners!
good for alex smith! whether he stays with the 9ers or not at least this game will shine on his resume for some time to come. he got a raw deal in the nolan era with his shoulder injury (poor offensive line - sound familiar?) then came back too soon after being bad-mouthed by the powers-that-be only to reaggravate his shoulder. unless i'm mistaken, didn't alex smith shine in college in the spread formation where he took the snap in the shotgun formation? had to 'relearn' his trade with the 9ers taking the snap under center. funny he looked so good sunday taking the snap from a spread formation in the shotgun. rarely does a qb look so good as smith did sunday. go niners!
Hooked on phonics... & for whom might I ask...?
Alex Smith will have no chance against Freeney and Mathis with that horrible O-line.