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Smith to start at quarterback for 49ers
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
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Smith to start at quarterback for 49ers
By Len Pasquarelli
ESPN.com
Archive
It is coming about four games later than originally anticipated, but the San Francisco 49ers will embark on the Alex Smith Era on Sunday, as the rookie quarterback and top overall selection in the 2005 draft will make his initial regular-season start.
Coach Mike Nolan, who said after the 49ers' loss to Arizona in Mexico City on Sunday night that he would reevaluate the quarterback position, informed Smith and also the demoted Tim Rattay on Tuesday of the change. It is not known when the 49ers will announce the switch, or if the move is a permanent one, but Smith will take the snaps with the first-unit offense at Wednesday's practice. "I feel that Alex gives us the best chance to win, and I believe he's ready," San Francisco coach Mike Nolan told The Associated Press. "Tim has handled everything very well, but at this time in the process, I believe it's time to get Alex in the game. ... At 1-3, we didn't draft Alex to just sit him on the bench. At 1-3, I believe we need to begin to utilize him." The 49ers, who have lost three straight games since upsetting the St. Louis Rams in the season opener, host the Indianapolis Colts this week. That means Smith's debut will come against one of the NFL's fiercest pass rushes, and the mobility of the former Utah standout will be tested. "There's always game plan things that you take into consideration, and that will be one of them," Nolan acknowledged. "I believe everyone who plays Indianapolis addresses the Freeney issue, and that will be attended to. I believe it's the right time. I don't get too much into basing the right time on the opponent." Earlier in the week Nolan noted: "I've always said we did not take Alex Smith with the first pick so that he could watch every game. When he takes the [starting] role, I don't know the exact time, but I know what I'm looking for. When that time is right and I see that, I'll make that decision on a commitment basis. What I mean by that is that I'm not wishy-washy about what we're doing. When we decide things, we go with them." That statement would seem to augur that Nolan expected Smith, whenever he assumed the starting role, to retain the spot atop the depth chart. Some league observers felt that Nolan might wait until after Sunday's game to make a switch, because San Francisco has a bye after facing the Colts, and that would provide additional time to prepare Smith to play. But the staff, after a thorough evaluation of the offense and its struggles, felt the time was right to get Smith into the lineup. "He's been well-prepared every week," Nolan said. "That's one of the things that's impressed me. I've watched that, and he's prepared from that standpoint. If he gets hit hard or makes a mistake, it's not very often that he comes back and does the same thing." A six-year veteran, Rattay has started all four games and completed 56 of 97 passes for 667 yards, with five touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 70.3 passer rating. Smith has made two relief appearances, completing six of 11 attempts for 34 yards, with no touchdown passes or interceptions, a 60.4 efficiency rating. San Francisco managed just eight first downs and 168 total yards on Sunday night. The 49ers offense ranks 30th leaguewide and the passing offense is No. 28. The unit is last in the NFL in time of possession, with a 23:12 average. Smith received much of the playing time in preseason, but struggled, and Rattay was elevated to the starting role for the beginning of the year. The 49ers signed Smith to a seven-year contract that voids to six years, with a maximum value of $57 million and $24 million in guarantees. Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com. |
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