The 12-play, 70-yard touchdown drive Alex Smith just led for the San Francisco 49ers was precisely what the team needed to see from Smith and its first-team offense.

Smith's starting job was never in jeopardy this offseason, but the team still wanted to see him get into a rhythm before the regular-season opener. Smith did that, helping the 49ers convert three times on third down despite playing without Frank Gore, Vernon Davis or Michael Crabtree. Involving Ted Ginn Jr. was a bonus for San Francisco.

Watching Smith enjoy success after the offense struggled in the exhibition opener can only be good for the 49ers. It takes pressure off Smith and validates the progress he demonstrated during organized team activities. It doesn't mean Smith will succeed this season, but if a quarterback cannot look good during the preseason when he really wants to -- as Matt Hasselbeck did for Seattle on Saturday night -- questions will persist.

It's still early in this game against Minnesota, but that opening drive can make this night successful for Smith and the offense.

Can Matt Leinart do something similar for the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night? Like Smith, Leinart is looking to inspire confidence. These exhibition games shape perceptions on our way to the regular season. Leinart wasn't bad in the Cardinals' opener -- he completed 6 of 7 passes -- but neither was the offense functioning particularly well with him under center.