Alex Smith is the oldest 27 year-old in the NFL.
In seven NFL seasons, he’s played with seven offensive coordinators, three head coaches, and 17 starting wide receivers. He’s been benched, booed, injured, and had his toughness questioned by two head coaches.
On Sunday, Smith will play for a chance to make the Super Bowl. He won’t ever be Joe Montana, but Smith deserves credit for making it to this moment. He survived.
My column this week for NBCSports.com looks at Smith’s six season slog through the mud in San Francisco and how he’s emerged this year. He avoided becoming the next David Carr.