Alex Smith: 5 Reasons Why the 49ers QB Won't Have a Breakout Year in 2011

There are no easy answers when it comes to the future of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith. Smith, who never met the high expectations after being selected with the first pick of the 2005 NFL Draft, is currently a free agent.

However, speculation around the team has newly hired head coach Jim Harbaugh bringing Smith in for another season.

While Smith hopes to rejuvenate his career, here are five reasons why 2011 won’t be his breakout season

Another Year, Another Offense

Remembering that Smith worked with four (wildly) different offensive coordinators in his first four years in the league, it’s easy to see that the lack of continuity has played a big role in Smith’s struggles.

That lack of continuity continued in 2010, when the Niners fired coordinator Jimmy Raye after the team started 0-3.

Smith has also seen head coaches Mike Nolan and Mike Singletary fired during his time with the 49ers.

While Harbaugh has a strong track record of developing quarterbacks, the fact the team has brought in another new coach spells another offseason for Smith learning a new offense.

The Big Bad Injury Bug

Smith has been dogged with injuries throughout his career, only playing a complete season once in his career. He also missed the entire 2008 season on injured reserve.

In 2010, Smith was pulled from games following a injury in the 49ers matchup versus the Carolina Panthers

Do the Niners want to put their starter hopes on a player with such a shaky injury track record? Will Smith get through a season without hurting himself?

Can Any QB Succeed in This Offense?

The 49ers struggles on the offensive side of the ball go much farther than Smith’s play. In addition to a shaky pass protection that has ranked near the worst for sacks allowed in the past five seasons, the lack of depth in the team’s receiving corps has left something to be desired (even with the recent improvement of tight end Vernon Davis).

With that in mind, its tough to put the blame entirely on Smith when no other quarterback has been able to hold on to the starter job consistently either.

Here Comes Kaepernick

Smith may also see a challenge for the starting spot from recently drafted quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

While the conventional wisdom is to hold a rookie quarterback on the bench for a year or more in order to let them develop (see Aaron Rodgers), recent history has shown rookie quarterbacks holding the ability to carry their team to improved records (see Matt Ryan, Sam Bradford).

Kaepernick has a fan in Coach Harbaugh, who said that the second-rounder will be in the mix to take over the starting role immediately.

However, there are some injury worries for the incoming rookie, who has still not be fully cleared by doctors to play.

Who Said He’s Even Coming Back?

Despite Smith’s extracurricular work and leadership skills (along with praise from incoming head coach Jim Harbaugh), there’s no guarantee that Smith will be the starter this coming season.

In addition to highly touted rookie Colin Kaepernick, the 49ers could also see their way to making a move for a veteran quarterback option like Carson Palmer or Donovan McNabb if the price is right (at least as a temporary option).

Any of those moves would immediately relegate Smith to a second or third-string status.