San Francisco 49ers: Finding a Quarterback for 2011

The 49ers have a history at quarterback that is virtually unmatched. The first two names that jump off of the page are Joe Montana and Steve Young. The list doesn't stop there as Y.A. Tittle and John Brodie also had successful runs in San Francisco before Joe Montana arrived in 1979. When Steve Young's career was over, Jeff Garcia stepped in and made his way to three consecutive Pro Bowls. Since Garcia's 2003 departure, however, the 49ers have had a great deal of uncertainty under center, which explains their 39-73 record since 2004.

There is light at the end of the tunnel in San Francisco. Since the Seattle Seahawks reached Super Bowl XL, the NFC West has never had a team win more than 10 games, and that has only happened twice. 2010 was a new low, with the Seahawks winning the division at 7-9. The Rams are an emerging team with Sam Bradford at quarterback, but they do not have the overall depth of the 49ers. The NFC West can be won in 2011 with the right man under center.

As nice as it would be to have Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or Aaron Rodgers, those options just aren't realistic, call me a pessimist. The good news is that the 49ers don't need one of those four to be a successful team in 2011, the quarterback just can't be the team's glaring weakness.

7. Alex Smith

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SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JANUARY 2: Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Arizona Cardinals during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on January 2, 2011 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Age at the beginning of the 2011 season: 27

Career Completion Percentage: 57.1%

Career Touchdowns: 51

Career Interceptions: 53

At times, Alex Smith has shown that he can be a good quarterback. In the right situation, that could happen as early as 2011. The right situation is not San Francisco and it isn't due to a lack of talent. He has too much baggage with the 49ers and the fans remember struggles too vividly. The post-game talk show criticism of him was not even limited to games that he played. Both the 49ers and Smith need a clean break.

There is one advantage to Smith: he knows the receivers. Jim Harbaugh will bring a new offense but the players will largely be the same. Nobody knows when this lockout will end, and that endangers training camp. With a potentially abbreviated training camp, a quarterback who knows the players around him is an advantage. The negatives outweigh the positives here, though, Smith needs a new home.

6. Kevin Kolb

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SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 10: Kevin Kolb #4 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs against the San Francisco 49ers during an NFL game at Candlestick Park on October 10, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Age at the beginning of the 2011 season: 27

Career Completion Percentage: 60.88%

Career Touchdowns: 11

Career Interceptions: 14

Now, go back and look at Alex Smith's numbers. I have heard the arguments. "If Andy Reid liked him enough to replace Donovan McNabb with him, he must be good." Or, "When the 49ers and Eagles played in 2010, Kolb was clearly a better quarterback than Smith."

I do trust Andy Reid's judgment as a quarterback evaluator. Also, Kolb was clearly the better quarterback in the head-to-head match-up in October. Remember, that was the game where the 49ers fans were chanting in large numbers for David Carr. It wasn't just that game, Kolb is the better quarterback, but look at those numbers, and consider that he has shown himself to be injury prone. Is he worth the 49ers first round pick? Is he even worth the second round pick?

5. Blaine Gabbert

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TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Blaine Gabbert #11 of the Missouri Tigers drops back to pass during the Insight Bowl against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (P

Age at the beginning of the 2011 season: 21

Career Completion Percentage: 60.8% (NCAA)

Career Touchdowns: 40 (NCAA)

Career Interceptions: 18 (NCAA)

As far as the 49ers are concerned, the biggest question with Gabbert is whether or not he will be available at the number seven pick. If he is, the 49ers should absolutely take him. If not, the 49ers should look for other options for 2011 and draft a quarterback later in the draft, for future years.

4. Josh Johnson

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TAMPA, FL - AUGUST 28: Quarterback Josh Johnson #11 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks for an open receiver against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a preseason game at Raymond James Stadium on August 28, 2010 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by J. Meric/Getty I

Age at the beginning of the 2011 season: 25

Career Completion Percentage: 54.6%

Career Touchdowns: 4

Career Interceptions: 8

The numbers are certainly not outstanding but he is young and would likely not cost much. He also has the ability to extend plays, which is helpful. His record as a starter is also 0-4 so Johnson would be the kind of player to acquire, set your hopes low, and hope he surprises. If he is brought in, he can't be the only option.

3. Marc Bulger

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DETROIT , MI - NOVEMBER 01: Marc Bulger #10 of the St. Louis Rams throws a third quarter pass while playing the Detroit Lions on November 1, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Age at the beginning of the 2011 season: 34

Career Completion Percentage: 62.1%

Career Touchdowns: 122

Career Interceptions: 93

If the 49ers look for youth at quarterback, Bulger is the perfect person to sign to mentor him, and take the bulk of the playing time in 2011. He hasn't played a full season since 2006 and didn't play at all in 2010. He also hasn't played with the kind of weapons that the 49ers have on offense since before 2006, nor has he had any kind of offensive line in that time. Through 2006, he had talent around him and his record as a starter was 36-24. Since then, 5-30. Bulger wouldn't be a long term option, but he also wouldn't be expensive.

2. Carson Palmer

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CINCINNATI - DECEMBER 26: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Paul Brown Stadium on December 26, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals 34-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Age at the beginning of the 2011 season: 31

Career Completion Percentage: 62.9%

Career Touchdowns: 154

Career Interceptions: 100

The numbers are nice. The 49ers would have to pay a lot for him, but for a quarterback that can take you to the playoffs, overpaying is probably for the best, especially in a short term deal. The problem is that the Bengals have stated that they will not trade him or release him from his contract. They have made similar vows and kept them in the past. While Palmer is a nice thought, he is likely to stay on the Bengals or retire.

1. Kyle Orton

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LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 31: Kyle Orton #8 of Denver Broncos prepares to release the ball under pressure from Parys Haralston #98 of San Francisco 49ers during the NFL International Series match between Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers at Wembley

Age on 2011's opening day: 28

Career Completion Percentage: 58.1%

Career Touchdowns: 71

Career Interceptions: 48

If Denver is willing to part with him, Orton is the best option for the 49ers at quarterback. As a rookie, Orton was the Bears starter in 2005 and had a bad season. After not playing at all in 2006 and only three games in 2007, Orton became a starter again in 2008. Since 2008, he has thrown for 10,427 yards, 59 touchdowns, and 33 interceptions. In that same period of time, he has never completed less than 58.5% of his passes.

The problem is that Denver may not be willing to part with him. If they aren't, the 49ers should look for at least one other option. If Orton is reachable, the 49ers should pursue him. With Orton at the helm, there is no reason to believe that the 49ers can't win the NFC West in 2011.