Smith & Maiocco: Both in awe

SANTA CLARA -- The day after the 49ers pulled off their improbable -- no, let's go with miraculous -- playoff victory over the New Orleans Saints, several people sent me the photo.Jim Gensheimer of the Bay Area News Group captured Alex Smith, mouth open in shock, crossing the goal line for a go-ahead touchdown run in the closing minutes.And there I am, right behind the pylon and the official, with a similar shocked look on my face.With Smith at quarterback last season, the 49ers pulled off five fourth-quarter comebacks to win games. But nothing compared to that playoff game against the Saints. Smith's 28-yard touchdown run with 2:11 remaining gave the 49ers a short-lived 29-24 lead.The 49ers and Smith had to rally again. And the team advanced to the NFC championship game when Smith's 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with nine seconds remaining supplied the 49ers with a 36-32 victory over New Orleans at Candlestick Park.REWIND: 49ers march on NFC Championship, down Saints
During our recent conversation, Smith spoke about how many of the 49ers' 2011 comeback wins did not feel like anything out of the ordinary because his mindset never changed.And, of course, we spoke about the photo.I asked Smith what was going through his mind when the picture was snapped. I also asked him to speculate on what was going through my mind.So what was going through my mind?I was down on the field for 49ers Postgame Live, which airs on Comcast SprotsNet Bay Area immediately following games. From my vantage point on the sideline, I saw Smith take off on a designed run on a third-and-8.Smith disappeared from my view, as my view was blocked by all the people along the sideline. I immediately recognized the call as risky and unconventional. I was not sure Smith would get the first down. If the play failed, it would open the 49ers' coaching staff to a lot of second-guessing, especially if David Akers was unable to kick the go-ahead field goal.All that was going through my mind as the play unfolded and I had no idea what was happening.Then, I heard the roar of the crowd and figured Smith made the first down. A moment later, Smith came into my line of vision, running in front of me.So, yes, I was shocked when I saw Smith still on his feet and just a few yards from going into the end zone.And as Smith guessed, I actually might have thought, "Holy smokes!"Or something along those lines.