The San Francisco 49ers are 10-2 and own copious amounts of official NFC West champions merch, but quarterback Alex Smith remains a subject of suspicion in the eyes of many.
The relative failure of his first six years in the NFL explains this. Smith has bettered his reputation this season, even if it's been in the decidedly unsexy "game manager" role.
Smith's tasks each Sunday:
1) Don't turn it over
2) Get Frank Gore the ball
3) Make the throws when necessary
4) Get Frank Gore the ball
Smith has done all that, but is he a QB with the capability to lead his team to Super Bowl glory?
"Absolutely, no question. I've got no doubt in my mind that I can play with anybody on offense, and as an offense, we can play with anybody," Smith told KGMZ-FM on Tuesday. "I really feel like the guys around me right now, we can play with anybody."
Those are big, big words by the former No. 1 overall draft pick. When the postseason rolls around, Smith will be sitting at the big boys' table that includes Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. If he can go throw-for-throw with either of those players, many critics will eat a heaping portion of their own words.
