Hot! Alex Smith Becomes More Efficient Qb For 49ers

In the tight of primary their first double-digit NFL comeback against the Eagles with Sunday, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith achieved yet another milestone, of sorts.

After hurling your 9-yard scoring complete to stretched end Vernon Davis, Smith, for any beginer around his six-plus seasons, acquired more career touchdown subsides (55) as compared to interceptions (54).

That touchdown-to-interception ratio is not particularly impressive, women and men stat is usually a reminder connected with exactly where Smith continues to be (one touchdown as well as 11 interceptions as a rookie) and also where, it appears, he finally may be going.

After major this Niners to somewhat of a 24-23 comeback wining during Philadelphia, Smith is usually away from towards the very best begin regarding his career. He position fourth while in the NFL within the end percentage (67.3), eighth around passer history (97.7) and, certainly most stunningly, may be some sort of model of mistake-free play.

After five games previous year, Smith has been 0-5 as being a starter as well as contributed your NFL inside turnovers (10). After four adventures this kind of season, they have 3-1 plus position next inside the league within interception percentage (1 in 107 attempts).

The difference? In following Smith explain it, the item sounds as if they have quit trying enjoy much like the No. a single total pick around the particular july 2004 draft. Instead, he is playing like, well, Alex Smith .

"I believe consciously, I'm simply striving to perform less, when that tends to make sense," Smith said. "I definitely felt including I appeared to be performing excessive for any long time. Pressing too hard, attempting to make also countless plays rather than just simply enabling them come to me. And which is sort of what exactly I discussed trying to play inside a system, just simply appearing average joe along with permit this plays happen. Really, definitely not making things. Make good decisions, as well as I assume the good works will come."

It's a procedure in which is found to possess commenced previous year. Smith, who may have tossed a pair of interceptions in their past 257 attempts dating back to last October, done the year 2010 along with a 95.5 status in his very last six games.

There will be a prevalent belief that Smith is making the most of Jim Harbaugh, a original NFL quarterback in addition to Smith's first offensive-minded travel coach.

Unlike Mike Nolan, who publicly wondered his toughness, or perhaps Mike Singletary, exactly who screamed at your ex boyfriend within the sideline, that long-lasting early-season graphic regarding quarterback and coach is that connected with Harbaugh wrapping Smith in the carry hug during the growing season opener in opposition to Seattle.

Following Sunday's win, Harbaugh tousled Smith's curly hair occasions following on from the finalized whistle.

"It's Alex's brand new obtaining an individual whom seriously can easily understand him plus indicate your pet that quarterback position in addition to placed him with great situations," jogging back Frank Gore said. "Coach Harbaugh will be carrying out a good position having him. Alex will be balling, he is balling out."

The 49ers' West Coast offense, which often features the short-passing game, helps explain Smith's gaudy conclusion percentage. And the technique are as well partly the cause of another of their striking stats, reported by wide receiver Joshua Morgan.

Smith, in whose 124.8 rating from the blitz this season status third in the particular NFL, strike Morgan on the slant road for the 30-yard touchdown against your Philadelphia blitz.

Morgan claimed San Francisco provides simplified the way it handles blitzes this specific season. Last year, the Niners' receivers changed their passages if they determined some sort of blitz. This season, the particular play balances intended for a strong opponent's possible strain plus the passages really don't should be changed with mid-play.

"Last year, we had a lot taking place , them to place on Alex's thoughts when it came into the blitz," Morgan said. "This year, we don't have to structure some of our routes small and also anything. We lack to complete anything. We have to make it possible for Alex realize that weak position for instance they usually does."

For years, oppositions had little trouble figuring out the particular Niners' weak spot.

Now, them appears, this tables eventually might be turning.

Looking up

Alex Smith is probably not near the little league leaders inside spending yards or touchdowns, although his or her 97.7 quarterback rating by way of four video games is eighth most effective within the league and superior to several big-name quarterbacks'. Here tend to be many of the quarterbacks placed listed below Smith immediately after several games:

This article shown up on page B - a single regarding that San Francisco Chronicle