Alex Smith: San Francisco 49ers Reportedly Offered a Contract, Good Move?

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Alex Smith Still Can Be The Guy In San Francisco

Are you ready for more Alex Smith in San Francisco?

If you take a poll of 49ers fans, the answer probably would be an overwhelming "No."

But Jim Harbaugh reportedly has extended the olive branch to Smith and wants him to hang around for another year.

From the Sacramento Bee interview with Harbaugh:

Jim Harbaugh has made it clear to Alex Smith that he will have a clean slate should the quarterback return to the 49ers for the 2011 season. Sure, that may be the case when it comes to Harbaugh and his coaching staff. But it's hard to see Smith, who was easily the most polarizing 49er when the 2010 season ended, ever getting a clean slate with 49ers fans.

The fans had high hopes for Smith, but instead Aaron Rodgers hoisted a Lombardi Trophy, the same quarterback the 49ers passed on in favor of Smith.

Check out: 20 Players Who Need To Put Up Or Shut Up In 2011

The offer on the table reportedly is for one year, which can mean several things. It can mean Smith has one year to see if he can be successful in Harbaugh's system, or it can mean Harbaugh thinks Smith is the best placeholder until he can draft Andrew Luck next year.

Gregg Rosenthal of Profootballtalk.com has a good take on the situation:

Smith won’t necessarily find a better chance to start or a better contract elsewhere, so there’s a solid chance he could return. Harbaugh continues to talk up Smith, saying he would have a fresh start with a new coaching staff. Harbaught isn’t worried about fan reaction.

Harbaugh does make one interesting statement. He claims Smith has "armadillo skin" in the way he will handle the fans.

I know I have armadillo skin, or maybe that is just a rash. Excuse me, I probably should call the doctor. It is best to get these things checked out early in case it is that flesh-eating virus.

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