Davis: 49ers, Smith should agree to part ways

April 8, 2011MAIOCCO ARCHIVE49ERS PAGE49ERS VIDEOMatt MaioccoCSNBayArea.comThe new 49ers' radio analyst does not envision calling quarterback Alex Smith's name throughout his inaugural season in the broadcast booth.Eric Davis, who was hired this week to replace popular Gary Plummer on the 49ers' radio network, was often critical of Smith's play while appearing regularly last season on Comcast SportsNet's 49ers programming.Davis played the first six of his 13 NFL seasons with the 49ers. He was named to two Pro Bowls and was a starter on the 49ers' Super Bowl-winning team of 1994. Now that he is back working for the 49ers, Davis has not changed his opinion or softened his stance.He said he believes the 49ers and Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, would be best-served if the union ends after six seasons."I don't see all the parties involved saying, 'This is the best situation,'" Davis said. "Jed (York), Trent (Baalke), Jim (Harbaugh) and Alex to all have to say, 'Let's give this one more shot.'"Is Alex capable of coming out and having good games? Sure. But with all the baggage, after three bad passes or two bad series, the crowd is going to go ballistic."Davis said he understands why new coach Jim Harbaugh would want to fully evaluate Smith and express a desire for the 49ers to re-sign him while the team had a sole-negotiating rights. After all, Alex Smith and Troy Smith were the only quarterbacks the 49ers could sign to an extension prior to March 3. David Carr is the only quarterback the 49ers have under contract for 2011.
Harbaugh repeatedly praised Alex Smith. Meanwhile, the 49ers did not submit a contract tender to four-year veteran Troy Smith, an obvious sign the 49ers have no intention of bringing him back.One of the advantages of re-signing Smith would've been to have him under contract before the 49ers could add players from outside the organization. Free-agent signings and trades will not be allowed until the labor dispute is settled. The first opportunity teams will likely have to add players will be the draft, scheduled for April 28-30.Davis points out that Smith's supporters often cite the constant flux he was forced to endure during his first six seasons with the 49ers. But, if Smith re-signed, he would have more dramatic changes without a full offseason program to get acclimated.
"Again, it's not 'like' or 'dislike,' there's too much baggage," Davis said. "People have complained that he hasn't had continuity. Why would that change this year? He'd have a different head coach, a different quarterbacks coach, a different coordinator, and a new offense. And this is going to be year he's going to succeed?"And how will Davis approach his job as an analyst if Smith returns to the 49ers for a seventh season?"I have nothing against Alex," Davis said. "This has to do with performance. What I'm going to do is evaluate the performance."