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          Will Alex Smith get better in 2012?

          Alex Smith returns to a strong San Francisco 49ers team for next season. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
          • Aaron Schatz, ESPN WriterMar 20, 2012, 03:00 AM ET
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            • NFL analyst for ESPN+
            • Chief Analytics Officer at FTN Network
            • Creator of the DVOA metric
            • Has been producing NFL analytics for more than 20 years
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          The San Francisco 49ers didn't get the man, so instead they got their man. With Peyton Manning out of the picture, the 49ers will bring back last year's starting quarterback, Alex Smith, with a new three-year contract worth roughly $8 million per season. Smith took his game to a whole new level when he led the 49ers to a 13-3 record last year. Now that Smith's back in the fold, can the 49ers expect him to take another big step forward in 2012?