Alex Smith starting for the rest of season might be best option for 49ers

QB Alex Smith might be ready to lead this offense
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The Shaun Hill experiment in San Francisco might have seen its last days on an NFL field after Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Houston Texans. After a 3-1 start in which Hill played decently, not tremendously impressive or terrible, Hill struggled against the Falcons before the bye week and the lack of offensive protection didn't give him a chance to do much else against the Texans.

After a first half of only 32 passing yards, Hill was benched in favor of former 1st round pick Alex Smith. Being down 21-0, Smith was in the spread formation most of the second half (a formation he dominated while playing college ball in Utah) and connected with TE Vernon Davis for three touchdowns.

Smith finished with 15 of 22 passes completed for 206 yards in only two quarters of play. He pulled the 49ers within three points but the comeback fell short.

Now obviously, the 49ers want to prevent any kind of true quarterback controversy but if we look at it, there is no controversy: Alex Smith is the answer.

Granted, Hill did nothing wrong on Sunday to lose the starting job. But because of his ability to manage the offense, that made it difficult for the 49ers to put together great offensive consistency. Smith on the other hand has more skills to lead a great aerial attack and that's what the 49ers need.

The running game has never been that great since Frank Gore's breakout year in 2006. Since then, the offensive line has struggled and the running game has been hurt. A struggling passing game means the 49ers have to start passing the ball. Smith gives the team a better chance at gaining yards than Hill does.

Hill isn't a bad quarterback. He has been a tremendous leader for the team, but in the past two games, it was obvious that his skillset and the offensive playbook just won't work. It looked good for the first two games mainly because the defense kept the 49ers close. But once the pressure was on the offense to put up points, Hill just hasn't been able to do it.

Seeing what Smith today is by no means enough to convince anybody he will be the best guy right now. But if you look at Smith did this Sunday and who the 49ers have lined up in the following weeks (Colts, Titans, Bears and Packers), Smith makes the most sense to lead the offense.

Jimmy Raye's offense is an offense that can find success in the passing game and the 49ers have the right personnel to execute it (especially with Michael Crabtree now in uniform). Hill can run the offense but doesn't add much to the passing game. Smith gives the 49ers just that little more edge.

Looking at what the 49ers have in store for the next few weeks, sending out Smith under center makes the most sense. He already has established a great connection with TE Vernon Davis and has had numerous practice sessions with rookie WR Michael Crabtree.

The 49ers still believe Smith can be a great quarterback and hoped that he will get that opportunity to show what he can do after two injury-plagued seasons. That opportunity is now for Smith.

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