Former number one overall draft pick Alex Smith will remain with the San Francisco 49ers.
Quarterback takes pay cut to stay in San Francisco
Former number one overall draft pick Alex Smith will remain with the San Francisco 49ers, after the injury-prone quarterback agreed to restructure his contract.
Smith was due to make $9 million in 2009 and was expected to join another team during the off-season, but he has agreed to take a big pay cut to try and prove himself with the Niners.
The appointment of new coach Mike Singletary gave Smith a new desire to remain in San Francisco, and he opted to stay put and accept the pay cut rather than look for more cash and a new start elsewhere.
"We have reached an agreement with Alex and his agent to keep him as a member of the San Francisco 49ers," general manager Scot McCloughan told the team's website.
"Alex expressed a deep interest to remain with the team and that feeling was mutual."
Top pick
The 24-year-old was the top pick in the 2005 draft and after making seven starts in his rookie year, he enjoyed a promising second season when starting all 16 games and throwing for 2,890 yards and 16 touchdowns.
However, his problems started when he suffered a shoulder injury in 2007 which eventually required surgery after he tried to return too soon.
Another broken bone in his shoulder forced Smith to miss the entire 2008 season and a growing rift with then-coach Mike Nolan seemed to signal the beginning of the end, however the appointment of Singletary changed all that.
"There's definitely a different feeling around the facility with coach Singletary here, and some of the people he's brought in," Smith said.
"It's pretty easy to see when you're out here, especially when I think back to my first few years and what was going on out here. Top to bottom, I think we're headed in a better direction.
"I really feel like we're close, and when you look at last season and what happened with Arizona, it's just a good example of what can happen."
Starting battle
The former University of Utah man, who starred during a perfect record run and Fiesta Bowl victory in the 2004 college season, feels he is over his injuries now and after his nightmare two years he just wants to fight for a starting spot.
"I don't measure myself in my contract in terms of what I'm making," said Smith.
"Having gone through what I've gone through the last couple of years, and being on the sideline, I guess I've got a different perspective on this game.
"When it came time to restructure the contract, it wasn't anything to do with ego. I just wanted the chance to compete."
Shaun Hill ended last season as quarterback and is 7-5 as a starter, but Singletary has not given him the starting job, so he will fight it out with his close friend Smith, and veteran Damon Huard who was signed from Kansas City.