ekansekans's blog: "df"

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Alex Smith is an expert. So says Jim Harbaugh, and hes the one who truly matters on this topic. Harbaugh figures it typically takes a quarterback two full seasons in a new offence to become a so-called expert. In the case of Smith, however, hes already right there if you ask the coach of the 49ers (No. 4 in the AP Pro32). Smith got a chuckle out of hearing that the reigning NFL Coach of the Year was dishing out such high praise after practice Thursday, and he hardly believes he has come close to mastering Harbaughs unique version of the West Coast offence. "No, no, no," Smith said. "Not at all. A lot to learn." While Harbaugh said his starters might play more in the teams second preseason game Saturday at Houston (No. 6), he has already seen plenty from Smith on the field to be confident in his play-caller as his second training camp winds down. "He already has great ideas, already very creative, already very knowledgeable on how to use everything in the system," Harbaugh said. "Way ahead of the curve. I think after a year, you really know it. But it takes about two years in the system to become a real expert at it from the quarterback position. But hes cut that in half." It has certainly helped to be mentored by the former NFL quarterback, Harbaugh, and to play under the same offensive co-ordinator -- Greg Roman -- in consecutive seasons for a change. The 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick out of Utah, Smith worked under a different offensive co-ordinator in each of his first seven NFL seasons. Smith thrived under 15-year quarterback Harbaugh last year and helped lead the franchise to its first post-season berth and winning record in nine years. What Smith will say is that hes more comfortable in this offence than any other he has been in during his career -- and he has only played for one other offensive-minded head coach in Norv Turner. "It always just comes down to the details," Smith said. "Its not drawing up something on a white board or on a piece of paper. Its not the Xs and Os. Its all the little details of the execution, whats really going on on the field, all the little things. I think the other part of it is just getting a good understanding of intent, getting a great feel for (Roman) and why were calling stuff and what were trying to do and what were trying to get out of it. I feel Im better at handling those situations." If Smith can be just as steady as he was a year ago with perhaps a few more big plays sprinkled into the mix, the defending NFC West champion 49ers have every reason to believe they will be in the hunt for a Super Bowl again as many expect them to be. San Francisco lost 20-17 in overtime of the NFC championship game to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants. The 28-year-old Smith threw for 3,150 yards and 17 touchdowns with only five interceptions as San Francisco went 13-3 to win its first division title since 2002. Harbaugh can already tell Smith is clicking with newcomers Randy Moss and Mario Manningham in the upgraded receiving group. "Its better than it was a year ago," Smith said, referencing the lockout-shortened off-season of 2011. "I feel like its progressed. When youre playing quarterback, I feel like youre always just working to get better and working to learn. Its never-ending." Five times Smith rallied his team from behind, including four of those away from Candlestick Park to help the Niners go 6-2 on the road. His 14-yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis with 9 seconds remaining in the NFC division playoffs lifted the 49ers to a 36-32 victory against Drew Brees and the favoured Saints. In March, Smith was rewarded with a new three-year deal that pays him $8 million per season. What a change and transformation for Smith given hes the guy who was booed by the home fans for so many years. "Its not on any particular day or date or throw or play. Its just been a process," Harbaugh said. "By the time we get here next year, hell have well passed me." Running back Frank Gore, Manningham and defensive lineman Justin Smith are scheduled to play Saturday against the Texans after sitting out the first preseason game while healthy. Harbaugh doesnt plan to change much as the team transitions soon from training camp work toward the grind of the regular season. "The breaking of the camp mode, we dont subscribe to that," Harbaugh said. "We keep right on going. Theres nothing really to break to. Were here." Notes: LB Aldon Smith, who injured his right hip in last Fridays 17-6 exhibition win over the Minnesota Vikings, walked out to practice to watch and looked strong moving without his usual cane. Smith had 14 sacks last year as a rookie. ... The 49ers waived/injured TE Nate Byham, a sixth-round draft pick in 2010 who missed all of last season recovering from knee surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. ... Harbaugh didnt rule out new OLB Ikaika Alama-Francis playing in Saturdays game, but "Will he play? Well see." Cheap Jerseys Wholesale . Cowen works with several top golfers, including Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Louis Oosthuizen, but the 39-year-old Westwood believes a fresh approach could improve his chances of finally winning a major. Cheap Jerseys Direct . The 25-year-old Ontario native was scheduled to be a restricted free agent on July 1. Wilson registered one goal and a career-high 20 assists in 59 games last season for the Avalanche. http://www.dancewithmeusa.com/hot.html . At 42 years, six months and 16 days, Selanne is the oldest active player in the league this lockout-shortened season.SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- The Ford world womens curling championship will return to Saint John in 2014. The city last hosted the event in 1999, back when the mens and womens world championships were staged as a joint competition. "The people of the city of Saint John and the province of New Brunswick put on a first-class show for all of the world in 1999," World Curling Federation president Kate Caithness said Thurssday in a release.dddddddddddd "The World Curling Federation, Canadian Curling Association and our partner Ford of Canada expect to see a great crowd for this event given the momentum and interest that will be created around the Olympic Winter Games in Russia being held just a month before the world womens championship." The 2013 world womens playdowns will be held March 16-24 in Riga, Latvia. ' ' '