Troy Smith Sticks as 49ers Starter for Now

Filed under: 49ers, NFL Quarterbacks

This time, Troy Smith may get a longer chance to prove he can play in the NFL. After beating the Broncos in his first start in three years, the 49ers are going to stick with the former Ohio State star.

The last time Smith got a start before Sunday's win, he beat the Steelers in the final game of the 2007 season as a member of the Ravens. As his reward, the Ravens drafted Joe Flacco in the first round of the 2008 draft and shuffled Smith to the bench. He never started another game in Baltimore and was released this preseason after Baltimore signed Marc Bulger.

Instead of Flacco, all Smith needs to prove for now is that he's better than Alex Smith. That should prove much easier to do.

Smith's numbers in his first start for the 49ers weren't overwhelming (12-for-19, 196 yards, 1 TD), but he was efficient and when San Francisco needed a fourth quarter drive, he produced. In return, he now gets the best opportunity of his NFL career.

Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/11/02/troy-smith-sticks-as-49ers-starter-for-now/

Leelee Sobieski Leighton Meester Leila Arcieri