You may have bitten a little too soon on that 60% pay cut, Alex Smith.
San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Singletary announced Monday that Alex Smith has won back the 49ers' starting quarterback job, and will start Sunday at Indianapolis. Smith had agreed to a substantial salary cut in February, reflecting that he was no longer the team's guaranteed starter.
Smith hadn't played in nearly two years, but was brought in at haltime of the 49ers' 24-21 loss to the Houston Texans. He completed his first six consecutive passes, earned a 118.6 quarterback rating, and enabled Vernon Davis to be the first 49er since Terrell Owens to have three touchdown catches in a game.
Oh, do we love it whenever Terrell Owens loses his share of a franchise record.
"I don't think it's the same old Alex," coach Singletary told the Associated Press, when announcing his decision. "I think Alex has matured, I think he's grown and I think he's ready to play. We're going to find out. We'll find out next week."
Next week is what Alex Smith has been waiting two years for.
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who had not long ago given up on both Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree.
