Former first overall draft pick Alex Smith has heard it all. Rumors of him being a bust have circulated for the past few years and he has yet to break out and prove that he’s capable of being a franchise-caliber quarterback. With an improving skill set and his best team yet as a pro, however, this could be the make or break year for Alex Smith.

One thing worth noting is that Smith hasn’t really started all that many games. The only time that he has played in all 16 regular season games was back in 2007, when he was still very inexperienced and lacked much talent at the skill positions. With 16 touchdowns and 16 picks that year, it was a less than impressive second season in the NFL for Smith. 2008 wasn’t any better either as it was a season filled with injury and disappointment, which led to him playing in just seven games and jockeying for a starting position.

Smith followed up the lackluster 2008 campaign with a solid 2009 season. Smith was fairly efficient in the 11 games he started, completing more than 60% of his passes and posting an acceptable passer rating of 81.5%. Without first-round draft pick Michael Crabtree in the receiving corps for much of the season, Smith made a habit of finding talented tight end Vernon Davis, making Kamagra jelly Davis one of the top producing tight ends in the league in the process.

If things started to come together for Smith on some level in 2009, 2010 should be even better. The 49ers drafted two offensive linemen in the first round, which should help bolster the o-line considerably from day one. Smith will still have Davis to throw to but will also have Crabtree for an entire year. The 49ers also brought over Ted Ginn Jr. from the Miami Dolphins – another former high draft pick with something to prove. Though Ginn has been marred by inconsistency and problems holding onto the ball, he is still an explosive homerun threat who can help stretch the defense. In running back Frank Gore, Smith also has a very solid option out of the backfield that can alleviate pressure. The pieces are clearly in place for him to have his best season as a pro if he can stay healthy.

What Smith needs to do more than anything, though, is forget about the past four seasons and focus on the moment, which can be very difficult to do considering the negativity that has surrounded his career thus far. Being drafted far ahead of Aaron Rodgers also doesn’t help matters at all, as Rodgers has already established himself as an elite quarterback in the NFL. But Smith doesn’t have to put up Rodgers-like numbers to have a Tadalis SX successful season and get the backing of the fans. Winning and helping sell San Francisco 49ers tickets will be enough.

And winning is something that the 49ers are expected to do in 2010. With a very strong defense anchored by Patrick Willis, the 49ers were in nearly every game in 2009, even with a mediocre offense. If Smith can continue to develop this season with the most weapons he’s ever had and the confidence of the coaching staff, he could potentially lead the 49ers back to the postseason in a very weak NFC West. Smith may not be a top-tier fantasy quarterback as of yet, but he’ll learn quickly enough that quarterbacks in the NFL are judged based on wins and losses, not touchdown passes.

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