Alex Smith: San Francisco 49ers and His 10 Most Likely Landing Spots
The clock ticks for Alex Smith. As the much maligned, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback waits for a new CBA, he begins look at options for his future. While the 49ers have expressed interest in bringing him back (the reason why is anyone's guess), he's interested in testing the free agent market.
Alex Smith might find that his results on the open market aren't much different than his results a pro quarterback were. Still, this is the NFL, and the chance to bring in a guy with pro-level experience and someone who has experienced success at the pro level (even if it was a single game or two) is worth thinking about.
So where will he end up in 2011? Here are 10 possible landing spots and why they make sense for Smith and the team that takes him.
10. Indianapolis Colts
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This needs to be thrown out there, if for no other reason than to illustrate the point that the Colts need an effective back up to Peyton Manning.
If Alex Smith were to sign on in a role in Indianapolis, he'd be the most experienced, best qualified and most successful quarterback on the bench.
Of course in order for this to have to happen, Alex Smith would have be okay with the idea that he is going somewhere with no chance to start.
The Colts would have to want to bring someone in, and they really should. For as durable as Manning has been, he can't last forever. Smith would provide a little bit of insurance in Indy.
9. New Orleans Saints
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Again, this is not to say this is the Saints ideal for a backup or Smith's best place to play. But it does stand to reason that the Saints have no insurance policy if Brees goes down.
While there are some naysayers who don't think Smith would have the success at the pro level, the truth of the matter is that he might do well in an offense with the kind of weapons the Saints have. That's not to say he'd thrive, but he might fare better.
8. Chicago Bears
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This is the last of his possible back up jobs. Alex Smith is going to have to face facts that it's going to be hard to find a team where he can go and compete for a starting job. There are plenty of places out there who won't be interested in his services.
However, Chicago could pick him up if the time is right. The Bears don't have a good backup.
Yes, this is the portion where people think of the success Caleb Hanie had against the Packers in the playoffs. Let's not blow that out of proportion. Henie had success on a Packers club that more than likely did very little to prepare for him. They were beat by the element of surprise.
The Bears don't have anyone behind Jay Cutler. Mike Martz has worked with Alex Smith before, so he knows how to use him.
The Bears, truth be told, could do a lot worse than Alex Smith.
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7. Tennessee Titans
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There is a lot that would have to go down for Smith to make sense in Tennessee, but that doesn't mean it's not out of the question.
When Vince Young and the Titans decided to go their separate ways, it clearly left the team without a long term option at quarterback. Sure, Kerry Collins will provide them with a little bit of breathing room while they find someone else, but there's no reason to think they can't bring in Smith as well.
Best case scenario for Smith here is that he does well and gets to compete for the starting job. The second best case is he backs up Collins, who isn't likely to make it through a full season (this is all assuming the Titans bring Collins back).
Even if the Titans draft a quarterback, Smith could create a little breathing room for that player to learn the offense before throwing him in with the wolves.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
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If Smith could find his way onto Andy Reid's Roster, there might be room for him to grow there.
The Eagles are likely to trade Kolb away. He could end up with the 49ers if the compensation is right. If Smith found his way onto the staff of the Eagles, he could end up starting.
For as good as Vick is, and should continue to be, he is an injury waiting to happen. Someone who plays the way he does will have trouble staying healthy.
Smith getting his way into Philly could be good for him. Not only would he get the chance to start in all likelihood, but he could also work with Andy Reid, who has done wonders with quarterbacks in the past.
If he signed a short, one year deal, he could find himself with his stock on the rise after that.
5. Washington Redskins
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If Mike Shanahan is willing to put in Rex Grossman in a crucial part of the game, then he should be willing to employ Alex Smith.
The Redskins have decided they don't want McNabb, which means they have a decision to make on draft day. Do they take their chances on a guy like Cam Newton?
If they do, then it makes sense for Alex Smith to come on board. Newton should have some trouble converting from a spread offense to a pro offense. This will be similar to the same struggles Alex Smith had.
Smith could serve as a big help to Newton during an adjustment period, even if his production on the field won't be stellar.
4. Oakland Raiders
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The Raiders have no problem taking on a project, and maybe getting Smith in there might be the way to go. The truth is they can't be excited by the play of Jason Campbell, and they don't have much backing him up.
Smith in Oakland is not a perfect fit, but unless they can find a suitable starter, getting Smith might make sense in the short term anyway.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
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The Bengals are in a bit of a standoff with Carson Palmer. He's asked to be traded, or he has threatened to retire. This leads to three reasons why Alex Smith fits.
1.) Carson gets traded, and they are now without a quarterback. While, again, Alex Smith is no one's long term answer, he does make a lot of sense in the short term.
2.) Carson retires and they draft a quarterback. The Bengals did one thing right with Carson Palmer: They let him sit when he was in Cincy for his first year. He got some time to let it sink in, and he was better off for it. Alex Smith could do the same, especially if they are going with a guy like Blaine Gabbert, who was in the spread offense in college.
3.) Carson agrees to play for the Bengals and they sign Smith because Palmer isn't that good. Why not make Palmer have to compete for the job? There is nothing in his career that he's done that makes him a bonafide shoe in for the starting job.
Anyway you slice it, it makes perfect sense to bring in Smith.
2. Arizona Cardinals
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There are plenty of teams that need a good quarterback, but there are few teams that are desperate for one like the Arizona Cardinals are.
The Cardinals know in a weak division they are just a decent QB away from being competitive every year.
Now, Alex Smith might not be their ideal, but he is an upgrade from what they are currently using in Arizona. They need a quarterback with a strong arm who is fairly accurate. Smith is that guy, and the right piece around them might make them competitive.
Bringing Smith in could be a good stop gap to bring them back to respectability.
1. San Francisco 49ers
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While Smith might like the idea of a change of scenery, he is best off just going back to the 49ers. Jim Harbaugh seems willing to work with him and thinks he can be a solid quarterback for them.
The guess is that while he wants to win now, the 49ers and Harbaugh seem committed to making this relationship work for the long haul. If that's going to happen, then they need to draft a good quarterback or trade for one.
If they draft a talented prospect, they are best not throwing him to the wolves right away and letting him develop.
If they trade for someone, it might help to have Smith, who knows the personnel well, to be there to compete for the job, or to be a competent backup.
Either way, there is clearly no place for Smith quite like home.
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