Coach Jim Harbaugh took a big risk at shaking Alex Smith’s confidence (finally having a breakout season in 2011 with 3,000+ yards) when he tried to sign Manning as the 49er’s new quarterback. If he offended Smith so he signed elsewhere and Peyton turned him down (he did), Harbaugh would have been left with Colin Kaepernick to start. Fortunately, Smith shook off the team’s attempt and even admitted he would have, “relished the opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback job with Peyton Manning” (noted in the San Francisco Chronicle). Defensive captain Patrick Willis further reassured fans concerned for Smith’s confidence by emphasizing Smith understands this deal was business and nothing personal. Contrarily, the 49ers maintain a strong family-like relationship that gives them an edge and Smith’s confirmation that Harbaugh and he remain on good terms launches a likelihood that Smith (craving the challenge) will work even harder in 2012; making him a top prospect for FF fans constructing their drafts.
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