Before Alex Smith steadied himself with a strong Monday night performance against the Saints, the leader of his defense had already helped support the embattled 49ers quarterback.
In the moments after the 49ers’ 31-6 Week One loss, Smith was called out in the locker room by coach Mike Singletary. 49ers team captain Patrick Willis immediately stood up to defend Smith, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Willis said no one should judge Smith or anyone else until they looked at the game film. (Isn’t that usually the message from the coach?)
“I’ve been in that situation before, and I know how he feels,” Willis said Friday. “It looked bad from a fan’s perspective. . . . But did the receivers run the wrong route? Did the offensive line get the right block? (Smith) works hard, he’s been through a lot, and we’re all in this together.”
It’s good the players are sticking together, even if there seems to be some coach-player communication problems. Now they just need a win in Kansas City or the team’s resolve will really be tested.