20 Questions For San Francisco 49ers' QB Alex Smith

If I had all access to the 49ers, and I could interview any body on their roster, who would it be and what questions would I ask?  After a short deliberation, I came up with Alex Smith. 

Not that he is a person I have always wanted to meet, or that I intend to give him a piece of my mind; it is because he is a man of mystery, an enigma. 

All that money, all the expectations, how could he be so humble? If I where him, I would want to get the heck out of Dodge and start fresh but he’s staying and even took a pay cut to do it. 

I have to meet this guy, and pick his brain. Anyway, here is a sampling of the questions I would like to ask:

Alex, we all know you reworked your contract to stay in San Francisco, and I understand you still have something to prove, but what is it exactly you want to prove, and to whom, the fans, the organization, the coaching staff?

There has been a lot of speculation that your inability to play injured has damaged your credibility with your teammates.  Do you feel the team gave up on you when you got hurt?

Before your second shoulder injury, do you feel you could have beat out J.T. O’Sullivan for the starting quarterback job?

Some NFL analysts are already calling you a bust. What attributes do you have that can prove them wrong and what do you think sets you apart from other quarterbacks labeled as busts?

Last year you and Shaun Hill lost the quarterback competition to J.T. O’Sullivan. If you do not win the competition this year will you still want to play for the 49ers, even if it is only as a back up to Shaun?

With coach Singletary running the show, this years training camp looks to be brutal.  What goals have you set for yourself in training camp to prepare you for the regular season?

On the brighter side of things, the 49ers are sporting new uniforms. What do you think of these new unis, do you like them better than the other ones?

You and Shaun Hill seem to be very close friends, even having him in your wedding as a groomsman, but even the best of friendships are tested. Has the quarterback competition strained your friendship with Shaun at all?

I have noticed you put on some extra weight in the offseason, do you feel this will give you an edge on the field?

With the addition of Jimmy Raye, you will have gone through five coordinators in as many years. Do you feel that will eventually help you or hinder you in the long run?

Seems to me with your running ability you might do well in the wildcat formation. With that said what other position would you like to play?

Many experts believe that quarterbacks today have to be more physical than their predecessors were. What do you feel is your best strength as an athlete and how do you believe it sets you apart?

As I stated earlier, your running ability could benefit you in certain situations. How do you feel Coach Raye will utilize your abilities in the passing game?

You have been in the league four years now, and seen many star quarterbacks during that time. Who is your favorite quarterback to watch in the NFL right now?

You grew up in San Diego, California during the ‘80s. Were you a big Dan Fouts fan back then, if not who is your favorite quarterback of all time?

You played in some exciting games in your short career. Which game do you look most forward to play in this season?

You have played in some real ugly games too. Which game this season do you least look forward to?

Defensive lineman and linebackers just keep getting bigger, stronger, and meaner every year. What defensive player in that respect, do you fear most?

You have stated that there is a new found energy in the locker room since Mike

Singletary took over as head coach. What is it in him that inspires you?

It looks to be another long and grueling training camp with you and Shaun having to compete for the starting job again. In your honest opinion, who will be the 49ers starting quarterback on September 13th?

Alex might plead the 5th, on a question or two but I think most, if not all, are legitimate questions and aren’t derogatory in any way. How he would answer them and his reaction to the questions themselves is what is most important to me. I hope that I will have the opportunity to interview Alex Smith someday but I would settle for the trainer guy.