Dave Albee: Smith's progress softens blow of loss

SAN FRANCISCO

UNLESS YOU HAD Peyton Manning or Marvin Harrison on your NFL fantasy football team, it wasn't such a bad day at Candlestick yesterday. - NFL Football -

The 49ers, even though their wide receivers combined for only one catch, managed to score on the 28th anniversary of the last time they failed to score in a home game. And their best offensive weapon was an onside kick, which really did thrill 49ers fans. And the 49ers makeshift defense held Manning, Harrison and the Colts to one offensive touchdown for the first three quarters.

So 49ers rookie No. 1 draft pick Alex Smith had a quarterback rating (8.5) lower than Brady (Greg, not Tom). And Smith was intercepted more than protesters at a police line. And Smith's favorite target was Cato June, a linebacker, who caught two Smith passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. - NFL Football -

The point is, it could have been worse for the 49ers and Smith. They get a week off with pay to recuperate.

For his first NFL start, the 49ers put Smith behind a battered and beaten

offensive line with a flimsy running game and made him face an undefeated team with a defense that has given up only one offensive touchdown in the first five games. He threw four interceptions, as many as he threw in two years at the University of Utah.

"It seemed so unique that they (the Colts) can sit there and play (the defensive scheme) cover two most of the game and drop seven, drop eight (into pass coverage) and still get a pass rush," Smith said. - NFL Football -

Thus, Smith's NFL regular-season debut should be graded on a curve because the 49ers offensive line left an Indianapolis 500 straightaway for Colts defenders to get to him.

For example, after Smith neatly engineered a 49ers drive to a first down at the Indy 36-yard line in the first quarter, his protection broke down like a Ford Pinto. It wasn't just one guy getting through all the time. - NFL Football -

On the next three plays, the 49ers quarterback was knocked on his back by Colts tackle Corey Smith on an incomplete pass, knocked on his back by Colts tackle Larry Triplett on an incomplete pass and might have been knocked on his back by Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney had 49ers offensive tackle Anthony Clement not held Freeney before Smith threw an incomplete pass.

On the next two plays that Smith didn't hand off the ball, he was tackled by Colts defensive end Robert Mathis attempting a quarterback sweep then Mathis sacked Smith attempting to pass on the next down. - NFL Football -

Then things got worse for Smith.

June intercepted a Smith pass and returned it for a touchdown. The pass was intended for 49ers wide receiver Brandon Lloyd but it appeared his teammate, Otis Amey, ran the wrong route and June, who was covering him, drifted into the passing lane in zone coverage.

"I expected a different look than we got. On third down, I was trying to make something happen," Smith said.

On the 49ers next series, Triplett and Colts tackle Montae Reagor were on top of Smith before he had a chance to step into the throw - which was intercepted.

Then, on the 49ers next series, Smith rolled left to avoid the Indy pass rush yet left end Raheem Brock chased him across the field and teamed with Mathis to smother Smith as he unloaded another pass - which was intercepted. - NFL Football -

The 49ers drafted Smith No. 1 overall because they felt he was a great decision maker. But behind a much maligned and injured 49ers offensive line, the only decision Smith seems capable of making right now is whether to run, duck or contact Lloyd's of London.

"Having three-step drops and not really having time to throw the ball to get to his reads, that's tough for a quarterback," said June, who intercepted Smith twice. "When you've got D-linemen in your face all game, it's tough to make big plays." - NFL Football -

That's what Peyton Manning is supposed to do and why everyone and his frat brother was told to play Manning on their fantasy football team yesterday. Play him as sure as you play the national anthem before a game. Play him as long as "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The Colts quarterback was supposed to cut through the 49ers secondary yesterday like the Blue Angels through the Bay Area sky. - NFL Football -

Well, Manning had one TD toss and passed for only 255 yards against a secondary that had been yielding almost 400. The Colts QB had two of his passes picked off, too. This wasn't his best day.

Besides, the NFL's reigning MVP threw three interceptions in his first NFL start in 1998 so Smith can take away from yesterday's game that things are not always as bad as they might appear.

"My biggest thing is to look at the guys who have been through it before," Smith said. "Peyton set a rookie record for interceptions (28) and he came out the other side of the tunnel and he was better for it."

Smith somehow found something good to come out of 25-point loss where he completed only 9-of-23 passes for 74 yards. Following the game, Manning went out of his way to meet Smith at midfield, as did Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy. - NFL Football -

"I coached against John Elway in his first game and it was very similar," Dungy said. "You can't judge anyone by their first game."

The bottom line is Smith made rookie mistakes and that should be expected. He will learn when to take sacks. He will learn when to throw the ball away. He will learn not to lock onto one receiver. - NFL Football -

Smith will play lesser teams than the Colts and learn how to win.

"I don't regret anything. I'm kind of happy it happened this way," Smith said. "It's going to make me all the better for it in the future and down the road."

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