Possessing the top pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the 49ers were starving for a franchise quarterback. It was between Smith out of Utah or homegrown product Aaron Rodgers of California. First-year coach Mike Nolan and the organization opted for Smith, who looked every bit the part of a rookie that year, throwing only one touchdown to 11 interceptions in nine games (seven starts).

No player made a bigger splash at the 2006 NFL Scouting Combine than Davis, who showed up in phenomenal shape. He measured 6-foot-3 3/4 and 254 pounds, ran the fastest 40-yard-dash ever by a tight end (4.38 seconds) and posted an astounding 42-inch vertical jump. Though he was considered a raw talent, that was enough for the 49ers to use the sixth overall pick on him in hopes he would develop into a major weapon for Smith.

Smith made strides in his second season under the direction of first-year coordinator Norv Turner, leading to this big Thursday night road win over the Seahawks. The Niners trailed 7-3 in the fourth quarter, until Smith threw two touchdowns and rushed for another to pull away for a 24-14 win. Smith started all 16 games in '06, passing for 2,890 yards, 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. Turner bolted in the offseason to become the Chargers' head coach, which proved detrimental to Smith's development.

Davis' rookie season was marred by a six-game absence because of a hairline fracture to his left fibula in Week 3. He returned to the starting lineup in Week 12, but his best statistical game happened during this Christmas Eve tilt against the Cardinals, in which he had four catches for 94 yards. Davis wouldn't make headlines again until 2008 -- for a humiliating reason.

Smith's season -- and his career in San Francisco, for that matter -- began to crumble during a 24-0 loss to the Seahawks in Week 4, when Smith suffered a separated shoulder on this hit by Rocky Bernard. It triggered a feud between Smith and Nolan, with the two at odds over the severity of Smith's injury. Smith played three games after that, then was placed on injured reserve. San Francisco finished 5-11, and Smith's future with the team looked grim.

With Smith on injured reserve and J.T. O'Sullivan at quarterback, the 49ers got off to a 2-5 start. Nolan was fired, and Mike Singletary was promoted to interim coach. In his first game at home against the Seahawks, Singletary made an example of Davis following a personal-foul penalty. Singletary berated Davis on the sidelines and sent him to the showers. Then things got worse in the postgame press conference, and Singletary's now-infamous "I want winners" tirade is legendary.

Coming off injury, Smith took a significant pay cut to stay in San Francisco and compete with Shaun Hill for the starting job. Not only that, Smith had to learn his fifth new offense in five years under coordinator Jimmy Raye. And just when it seemed like things couldn't get worse, Smith lost the starting battle to Hill.

Smith's number was called in the third quarter of a Week 7 road game against the Texans after Hill's poor performance led to a 21-0 deficit. Smith wasn't able to bring the 49ers all the way back -- they lost 24-21 -- but he opened eyes in completing 15 of 22 passes for 206 yards, three touchdowns (all to Davis) and one interception in less than a half of work. Singletary stuck with Smith the rest of the season, and Smith finished with 2,350 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 11 games (10 starts), easily the best he'd performed in his career.

As Smith put together the best season of his career, so too did Davis. In his fourth year, Davis busted out with career highs in receptions (78), yards (965) and touchdowns (13), which, at the time, tied Antonio Gates for most touchdown catches by a tight end. It was no surprise that Davis, who tied Larry Fitzgerald for the league lead in touchdown catches, was named to his first Pro Bowl.

Smith, now learning his sixth new offense, and the 49ers entered 2010 with high expectations, but the team lost its first five games. Smith was a huge reason with six touchdown passes to nine interceptions during the skid. It reached a climax in Week 5 during a nationally televised Sunday night loss to the Eagles in which Smith was showered with boos at Candlestick Park. Smith and Singletary engaged in this dust-up on the sideline. Smith was benched two weeks later in favor of Troy Smith. Singletary was later fired as head coach.

Smith didn't have a contract beyond 2010 and, because of the lockout, his career was in limbo (although indications were that the Niners wanted him back). That didn't stop him, though, from leading voluntary workouts with members of San Francisco's offense. Even though receiver Michael Crabtree attended, he didn't exactly give Smith a ringing endorsement.

First-year coach Jim Harbaugh said shortly after being hired that he wanted Smith to stay in San Francisco. That didn't stop Harbaugh, though, from selecting Colin Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Still, Harbaugh got his wish when Smith signed a one-year contract once the lockout was lifted. The result: Redemption for Smith, who threw for 3,144 yards and 17 touchdowns to just five interceptions in guiding the NFC West-champion 49ers to a 13-3 record and their first playoff appearance in nine years.

Even playing at home, the 49ers were widely considered underdogs against the Saints in the divisional playoffs. But Smith and Davis played out of their minds, hooking up seven times for 180 yards and two touchdowns, including this 14-yard catch with 9 seconds remaining to give the 49ers a thrilling 36-32 win. Move over, Dwight Clark and Terrell Owens. You've got company.

Everything Smith and Davis have experienced during their tumultuous careers, all the ups and downs, led to this moment. And now it's on to the NFC Championship Game against the Giants.