San Francisco 49ers: Is This the Real Alex Smith?

The San Francisco 49ers head into their bye week with a surprising 5-1 record, which puts them just behind the 6-0 Green Bay Packers in the NFC. 

Former first-overall selection Alex Smith is having a career year, but can we truly accredit his transformation as the sole or even major catalyst of the 49ers resurgence in 2011? I sadly answer this question with a resounding "NO." 

While I would have loved to answer "yes" to that question, I simply can't lie to myself. The Niners' resurrection is a result of a complete team effort. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing Alex Smith, I just can't believe his performances thus far have made this incredible difference everyone speaks of.

With that, here are a few reasons why the 49ers have truly become successful. 

Run to Victory

The 49ers are now the "smash-mouth" football squad they envisioned themselves a few years back with Mike Singletary at the helm. 

They average a little over 131 yards a game on the ground, placing them fifth in the league in rushing. The offensive line still hasn't gelled yet in pass protecting but the Niners' sure play nasty when running the ball.

The Niners' ran for over 200 yards in their Week 6 win against the Detroit Lions, making that the second consecutive game with over 200 yards rushing.  

Vernon Davis, a phenomenal blocker to begin with, in addition to Crabtree and the rest of the 49ers receiving corps have done an excellent job freeing up space. 

If Frank Gore can stay healthy, the inconvenient truth in addition to standout rookie Kendall Hunter should continue to give opposing teams fits. 

Coaching Change

Rookie head coach Jim Harbaugh has changed a losing culture that has manifested for a little less than a decade in San Francisco. 

He has played to his team's strengths which is running the ball and playing solid defense. The Niners' are playing old school football, which is great to see considering every other team wants to air it out. 

Harbaugh has had everything to do with Alex Smith's resurgence. He seems to truly believe in Alex Smith, and it's made a world of difference. The 49ers-Lions post-game speech said it all. 

West Coast

The installation of the West Coast has done wonders for Alex Smith. The principles of this system really emphasize Alex Smith's strengths. It utilizes a lot of three step drops and slants, giving the receivers the opportunities to make plays in space. 

Alex Smith doesn't have a great arm, so you don't see a lot of five or seven step drops. It allows Alex to make high percentage throws rather than going for the big play.

Alex Smith is completing 63.3 percent and that is largely due to playing in a West Coast based system. 

Opportunistic Defense

The 49ers have a phenomenal defense and it's played a huge part in their success thus far.

They are second against the run but are surprisingly ranked second in turnover differential at plus-eight, up from ninth last season. Carlos Rogers, who's known more for his brick hands than his coverage abilities, is tied for second in the league in interceptions (three INTs on the season). 

The 49ers are not a blitz happy team and that frees up the secondary to make plays. It also gives Alex Smith and the offense more opportunities. 

Penalties

The 49ers were a penalty plagued team last season and that's changed in 2011. We saw a bit of last years team against the Lions for parts of the game but that was likely a result of the atmosphere at Ford field. 

If the 49ers continue to limit the turnovers, this team will progress as the season furthers.