(http://atthebox.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/alex-smith.png?w=300&h=252)

Alex Smith was the 1st pick overall in the 2005 draft by the San Francisco 49ers. During his time in the league, Alex has had a different OC every year except from 2009-2010, but his OC was fired a few games into the 2010-2011 season. He’s played for mostly defensive minded head coaches.

Positives: He’s 27 years old, threw 14 TD and 10 INT last year despite missing 5 or 6 games. He’s athletic and can make plays outside of the pocket. He had his highest completion percentages the last two years (60% and 59.6%). He still has some upside, especially with the “QB gurus” Mike and Kyle Shanahan. The biggest positive…he has more experience than John Beck and could compete and push or be pushed by Beck if Mike is being honest in his praise.

Negatives: He’s Alex Smith. But seriously…he may want a bigger salary than he is worth. He hasn’t been consistent. He’s had enough time to prove if he has “IT” or not and it looks like he may not have what it takes to be a legitimate starting QB. 

My two cents: I wouldn't mind signing A. Smith or V. Young to compete with Beck on the cheap and seeing what shakes out. If it doesn't pan out well....we're still in the Andrew Luck/Matt Barkley sweepstakes. If it does go well...we have a guy who can hold the fort down as Luck or Barkley sit for a few games or a year and learns. Kind of nice not to have to throw a rookie right in there, which Shanahan never has.