Quarterback Alex Smith made a visit Saturday to the Arizona Cardinals practice facility three days prior to the opening of the free-agent signing period.So did Steve Young, by the way.And free-agent Peyton Manning is reportedly meeting with Cardinals officials on Sunday.Smith and Young took part in the annual "Ultimate Football Experience," a fundraiser for Kurt Warner's First Things First foundation. Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald was in attendance, but no Cardinals coaches were present, reports Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.The Cardinals are clearly in the market for a quarterback. Well, at least they're clearly in the market for a quarterback named Peyton Manning.And Smith remains in the market for a new contract from the 49ers.The 49ers currently have an a contract offer on the table for Smith, a source told CSNBayArea.com last week. Smith told Somers he is not disappointed in the 49ers' offer nor is he worried about the uncertainty.
When asked if he is confident the deal with the 49ers will get done soon, Smith told Somers, "I think so. It's just a process. It takes some time. It will get done."Both sides have repeatedly stated a desire for the Smith-49ers union to enter an eighth season in 2012."We're all in lockstep as an organization that Alex Smith is our guy," coach Jim Harbaugh said last month.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.