How Much Blame Should Alex Smith Take For The San Francisco 49ers 0-3 Start?

The San Francisco 49ers were picked by many experts to be the runaway winners of the weak NFC West.

But, after a dismal 0-3 start, the 49ers are searching for answers.  They have been blown out two times on the road against the Seahawks and Chiefs.  They also lost their home opener, a close game against the New Orleans Saints.

Things don't get any easier for San Francisco the next couple weeks, as they travel to Atlanta to take on the red-hot Falcons.  Then, the resurgent Michael Vick and the Eagles come to town.  The 49ers need to figure things out in a hurry before they find themselves 0-5.

So, who's to blame for this disappointing start?

While quarterback Alex Smith has certainly struggled, one particular person isn't the reason for the Niners' struggles.  Rather, it's a combination of several people not doing their jobs well enough.

Here are the top five culprits:

5. Michael Crabtree

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 29: Derek Cox #21 of the Jacksonville Jaguars breaks up a pass intended for Michael Crabtree #15 of the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Candlestick Park on November 29, 2009 in San Francisco, California. The 49ers

The former first-round draft pick has only six catches for 81 yards.  The 49ers need more production from a guy many considered to be the best wide receiver of the 2009 draft.

Granted, he isn't working with the best quarterback.  But down in Arizona, Larry Fitzgerald has still managed to find the end zone twice despite having Derek Anderson throwing the ball over his head five times a game.

4. Mike Singletary

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Head coach Mike Singletary of the San Francisco 49ers looks on during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/

Coach Singletary is supposed to be a defensive guru.  Yet, through three games, the 49ers defense has allowed 87 points (an average of 29 per game).  That ranks them last in the NFL (tied with the Bills) in points allowed per game.

They have two more high-flying offenses (Eagles and Falcons) in the next two weeks before they finally get a break against the Raiders.  Can Singletary motivate his troops to perform at the level they are capable of and pull an upset?

3. Drew Brees

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SAN FRANCISCO - SEPTEMBER 20: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints warms up before their game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on September 20, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The 49ers played very well against the Saints, even tying the game with less than two minutes to play. The 49ers had all the momentum and the game was seemingly heading for overtime.

Unfortunately, they left too much time on the clock for Brees, who promptly marched the ball down the field with surgeon-like precision to set up a game-winning field goal. 

San Francisco slightly outplayed the Saints, and probably deserved to win the game, but all that matters is that it will go down as a win for New Orleans and a loss for the 49ers.

2. Alex Smith

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KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 26: Tamba Hali #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs sacks Alex Smith #11 of the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on September 26, 2010 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won 31-10. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Alex Smith is like a cat:  He seemingly has nine lives as a quarterback.  The first-overall pick in the 2005 draft has had several chances to step up and lead the 49ers, but he struggles every time.  When will the 49ers cut their losses and move on to a new QB?

Answer:  Probably not this year.  The backup quarterback in San Francisco is David Carr, another former first-overall draft pick (2002). 

While Carr probably wouldn't be much of an upgrade, if Smith keeps playing the way he has the first three weeks (5 INTs, 60.5 completion percentage), Coach Singletary will have no choice but to bench him.

1. Jimmy Raye

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SAN FRANCISCO - 2009: Jimmy Raye of the San Francisco 49ers poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in San Francisco, California. (Photo by NFL Photos)

Raye, the 49ers offensive coordinator, came under fire (and has since lost his job) for failing to get plays called in a timely manner during a Week 1 loss to the Seahawks.  Against the Chiefs this week, Raye couldn’t dial up any plays to get the offense down the field. 

Ultimately, it’s the players who have to execute, but they need to be given plays in a timely manner to have a chance to succeed.  It also helps to have some creativity in the play calls, something else that has apparently been lacking in Raye's game plans.