Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Darrell asks via Facebook: Hey, Mike, I have a question about the 49ers' QB situation. Say if Alex Smith can't get the job done and the 49ers are out of the playoff hunt. Can you see Mike Singletary bringing in Nate Davis for the starting job?
Mike Sando: Even under a doomsday 49ers scenario, the team likely would not be eliminated until the last couple of weeks. I could see the 49ers taking a look at Davis during the last game or two.
However, coaches must balance in their minds what such a move means to the rest of the team. Voluntarily starting a rookie means you're giving up on the season. Singletary does not seem like a give-up-on-the-season type of coach, even if things were grim. It's not a decision he would make lightly.
I tend to think Smith will have enough success to stay in the lineup as long as he's healthy. Even if he struggles for a few games, I think it's important for the organization to give him a legitimate opportunity here. This could be his last chance with the 49ers. The team has promising targets in Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and Vernon Davis. Perhaps the 49ers can use Smith's mobility to move the pocket and offset some of the persistent problems in protection.
It's a bad sign for the organization if there's a point this season when playing Davis makes sense.
Darrell asks via Facebook: Hey, Mike, I have a question about the 49ers' QB situation. Say if Alex Smith can't get the job done and the 49ers are out of the playoff hunt. Can you see Mike Singletary bringing in Nate Davis for the starting job?
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However, coaches must balance in their minds what such a move means to the rest of the team. Voluntarily starting a rookie means you're giving up on the season. Singletary does not seem like a give-up-on-the-season type of coach, even if things were grim. It's not a decision he would make lightly.
I tend to think Smith will have enough success to stay in the lineup as long as he's healthy. Even if he struggles for a few games, I think it's important for the organization to give him a legitimate opportunity here. This could be his last chance with the 49ers. The team has promising targets in Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan and Vernon Davis. Perhaps the 49ers can use Smith's mobility to move the pocket and offset some of the persistent problems in protection.
It's a bad sign for the organization if there's a point this season when playing Davis makes sense.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Mike Sando
Sando joined ESPN.com in 2007 after nine seasons covering the Seattle Seahawks for the Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune. He lives in the Seattle-Tacoma area with his wife and two sons.
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