Mike Singletary not about to change his quarterback
Despite the San Francisco 49ers 0-4 start to the season, head coach Mike Singletary has spoken out in defence of his struggling quarterback, Alex Smith, and has stated that he believes his starter under center will improve, and he is not prepared to deny
him that opportunity.
"I am nowhere near that point," Singletary said. "When I look at Alex, I see growing pains of not just Alex Smith, but our team. I think Alex has done a decent job, and going forward he's only going to get better. Hopefully, we're at a point right now where
everybody is growing up."
Many pundits had predicted the San Francisco 49ers to win the NFC West Division and make the play-offs this season. But the 49ers are off a poor start and the team's offence, in particular, has struggled early on this season.
Smith finds himself ranked 27th in the league in quarterback rating at 66.1, and has thrown seven interceptions - tied with Detroit Lions Shaun Hill for worst in the NFL.
The change that the 49ers made in an effort to turn things around was firing their offensive coordinator, Jimmy Raye, after week three and replacing him with Mike Johnson.
The team fared no better in week four against the Atlanta Falcons when they were beaten 16-14 on a late field goal. The offence had difficulty getting anything going and managed only one touchdown.
Smith understands the role that he plays on the 49ers and the pressure that comes with it.
"I'm not reading a bunch of sports pages or listening to talk radio," he said Wednesday. "But I do get it. As a starting quarterback in the NFL, you are more responsible for wins and losses than any player on the field. We're 0-4, and I'm the starting quarterback,
so, no question a lot of that falls on my shoulders."
San Francisco gets a chance to turn things around at home against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday night on October 10.
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