Smith's mechanical tweaks providing results

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SANTA CLARA -- After every practice during this offseason program, 49ers quarterback Alex Smith comes into the film room and studies his work from that day."He'll watch the individual periods and slow-mo it," 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Tuesday. "He's got a good feel for it (his mechanics) right now."Smith has spent a large chunk of time this offseason working on his throwing technique. He spent a week with former pitching coach Tom House after New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees offered a recommendation. And for the past two months, Smith is getting extensive coaching from Roman, quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst and coach Jim Harbaugh.
And Roman said he can see the difference on the practice field."His mechanics are better, therefore he's going to perform better," Roman said. "The two go hand-in-hand at every position."Said Smith, "There are just things I'm conscious of. I know a big deal has been made about the front knee (locked), which is very true. But come football time, I'm not sitting on top of a mound, and get to throw."It's football. It's different. All of a sudden, when 300-pound guys are running at you, you react and throw. Those are times when nobody cares about the mechanics. I don't care who you are, the deal is get the ball to the guy before you get tackled."Smith said after throwing "millions" of passes throughout his life up to this point, he will not be able to overhaul his mechanics entirely in one offseason."This is the time for me to really pay close attention to that stuff," Smith said. "That's why I do spend a lot of time in there watching the film. We have the 'QB cam' going and I can really watch my footwork and mechanics because come training camp and the season when it gets competitive, I don't want to be thinking about it. Good or bad. It's more about production."Smith has changed some of his habits after spending time with House. He said he backed off from traditional weight-room activities, such as the bench press, and focused more on developing muscles in the back of his shoulder. Also, he goes through a thorough shoulder warmup before heading out to the field for practice.

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