49ERS HOPES HANGING ON ALEX SMITH

By Ralph Mancini, NFL Draft Bible Senior Writer

Let’s face it. Seeing the San Francisco 49ers show signs of recapturing their long lost identity as a traditionally prolific offensive force towards the end of 2006 was something that just felt right, no matter what team you live and die for.

The Niners are to offense what the Bears are to the rough, slobber knocking, take-no-prisoners defensive mindset that has defined them for decades. To that end, the San Francisco franchise always stood for high-flying, finesse football and short slant patterns that turned into 80-yard touchdowns throughout the eighties and nineties.

After a brief spell of futility---thanks in part to gross mismanagement of the salary cap---the 49ers seem to be on their way to respectability under the guidance of head coach Mike Nolan. While he inherited an ill-equipped collection of misfits to run his 3-4 defense when first arriving to the City by the Bay in 2005, the defensive guru is slowly meshing his desired components together through the additions of standout rookie linebacker Patrick Willis and shutdown corner Nate Clements.

This young, athletic unit has already been paying dividends in the early going with nine sacks and four forced fumbles against Arizona and St. Louis, as both teams were limited to 17 and 16 points respectively.

The Niners are 2-0, but those who’ve watched both games would probably say that both wins may be nothing more than fool’s gold.

In both contests, the 49ers failed to establish any type of continuity on offense by failing to effectively utilize their playmakers in the passing game. In their Monday night struggle versus the Cardinals, newcomer Darrell Jackson and tight end Vernon Davis were limited to six catches for 40 yards combined.

Although All-Pro running back Frank Gore has carried the Niner attack thus far with three touchdowns, even his production has been sporadic. Take out Gore’s 43-yard touchdown run in week two and his statline would read 19 carries for 37 yards.

But with that said, the weakest spoke in the offensive wheel has been quarterback Alex Smith.

While it’s fair to point out that the third-year signal caller has been plagued by the shoddy pass protection of rookie right tackle Joe Staley, Smith’s lack of command and indecisiveness is not what you would expect of a number one first round pick who’s now in his third year as starter.

Following a nightmarish season two years ago where he completed one touchdown and 11 interceptions, Smith put his rookie woes behind him in 2006 by passing for 2,890 yards with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Although he mainly rode the coattails of the mighty Gore, not much could’ve been asked of a 23-year-old neophyte quarterbacking a seven-win team not overly rich in talent.

But this year was supposed to different with Jackson, a now-healthy Davis and Ashley Lelie in tow, operating behind an imposing offensive line led by the strong run-blocking tackle Jonas Jennings and ageless left guard Larry Allen.

One disturbing trend that’s been painfully evident in both games this season has been the coaching staff’s insistence to baby Smith and play things close to the vest.

Down 16-14 in the closing minutes of the game last Sunday, offensive coordinator Jeff Hostler refused to go for the kill by going conservative with a series of runs up the middle against an explosive Ram team that would end up with over three minutes left to take the lead.

As things turned out, Niner kicker Joe Nedney connected on what proved to be a game-winning 40-yard field goal, although what really sealed the deal for San Francisco was a last second missed field goal by kicker Jeff Wilkins whose 56-yard attempt fell but one yard short of clearing the goal post.

As the leader of his offense, the former Ute has looked anything but a field general displaying a long delivery and a tendency to drop his hands in the pocket making him susceptible to fumbles.

Those siding with Smith may counter with the fact that he’s playing with his third different coordinator in three years.

The truth remains that unlike other past number one picks (Troy Aikman and Peyton Manning come to mind), the now 24-year-old Washington native hasn’t yet shown that he can carry a team on his shoulders; he has yet to form that Irvin or Harrison-like bond with any of his wide outs that would allow him to complete the all important game-winning thows to his designated target even if the whole stadium knows where the ball’s going.

The bottom line remains that Smith has promising talent blossoming around him and the onus is on him and his coaching staff to cultivate the special gifts management saw in him when making the 6’4” 237-pound collegiate standout their prized number one selection.

The olive branches of a tree are only as strong as its trunk and hiding their quarterback will only leave the Niners mired in mediocrity. It’s time to make this the year to find out if Smith is truly “the man” if Nolan and company have any hopes of turning the once proud franchise into a formidable powerhouse.