Alex Smith may be unsigned and Jim Harbaugh may not be be allowed to talk about Smith any more, but everyone knows Smith will be back in San Francisco in 2011.
Despite his awkward situation, Smith has shown increased leadership this offseason by bringing together the rest of the offense and trying to help teach Harbaugh’s new offense. Most receivers have shown up, except for Michael Crabtree. Smith was asked why Crabtree hasn’t come to the sessions.
“Great question,” Smith replied via the San Jose Mercury News. “Asking the wrong guy, honestly.”
Hmm. There have been reported chemistry issues in the past between Smith and Crabtree, who have spoken this offseason. Crabtree returned to the Bay Area a few weeks back and it was reported he would be attending the sessions, but he hasn’t shown yet.
Smith is planning more of a formal OTA-like teaching session coming up for the full squad. We don’t think player attendance at these player-only workouts are a huge deal, but the 49ers would benefit from getting their presumptive starting quarterback and top receiver on the same page.