Football
SportsTicker 19y

49ers make QB Alex Smith top pick in NFL draft

NEW YORK - Alex Smith will try to become the next great
quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers tabbed the Utah junior as the first pick in the NFL
draft.

Smith's selection could be the defining pick for new coach Mike
Nolan and vice president of player personnel Scot McCloughan.

After narrowing the choices down to Smith, California junior
quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Braylon Edwards of
Michigan, the Niners settled on Smith.

"In our mind there was no three-way tie," Nolan said. "We chose
Alex because we have said all along and will continue to say,
that we are building a football team that we perceive this team
looking like. I do believe that all three of those guys (
Smith, Rodgers, Edwards) will be excellent pros without a doubt.
Alex is the one that we felt most fit what we want our team to
look like."

The Niners reportedly were in trade discussions with several
teams leading up to the draft since they have been unable to
reach a contract agreement with Smith.

With Smith being called first by commissioner Paul Tagliabue, it
marked the fifth consecutive year a quarterback has been chosen
No. 1 overall, following Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, David Carr
and Michael Vick.

Smith, 20, joins a hallowed lineage that has gone from Hall of
Fame quarterbacks Joe Montana and Steve Young to Pro Bowler Jeff
Garcia in San Francisco.

"People talk about the legacy and the pressure associated with
it, but I'm honored to be following in their (Montana and Young)
footsteps," Smith said. "It's only going to provide motivation
and hopefully I can carry on the legacy."

The 6-4 Smith led Utah to a 21-1 record in two years as a
starter, including 12-0 last season. Operating out of a shotgun
in a four-wide option attack with multiple formations, Smith -
who graduated in just two years - completed 68 percent of his
passes and threw for 32 touchdowns and four interceptions. He
also rushed for 631 yards and 10 scores.

San Francisco went just 2-14 last season, giving Smith an
immediate chance to play. Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey split time
at quarterback last season, combining for 16 touchdowns and 19
interceptions.

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