49ers, Alex Smith restructure contract
The San Francisco 49ers and QB Alex Smith have restructured his contract. Smith was due to earn $9.625 million and count $12.3 million against the salary cap in 2009, but terms of the restructured deal weren't disclosed.
If Smith didn't accept the paycut, which was offered to him while he was on his honeymoon, the Niners would have released him. But now he is under contract for 2 more seasons.
Success for QBs selected #1 overall have been hit or miss. The following QBs have been selected with the #1 overall pick in the past 10 drafts: Tim Couch (1999), Michael Vick (2001), David Carr (2002), Carson Palmer (2003), Eli Manning (2004), Alex Smith (2005) and JaMarcus Russell (2007). (Many expect the Detroit Lions, who have this year's #1 overall pick, to take QB Matthew Stafford.)
Smith will compete with Shaun Hill and Damon Huard, who was signed this off-season, for the starting job.
If Smith didn't accept the paycut, which was offered to him while he was on his honeymoon, the Niners would have released him. But now he is under contract for 2 more seasons.
"Alex expressed a deep interest to remain with the team, and that feeling was mutual," said 49ers general manager Scot McCloughan.After starting all 16 games in his second season (2006), Smith, who was selected #1 overall in 2005, has played in only 7 games in the past two seasons due to injuries and his differences with former coach Mike Nolan.
Success for QBs selected #1 overall have been hit or miss. The following QBs have been selected with the #1 overall pick in the past 10 drafts: Tim Couch (1999), Michael Vick (2001), David Carr (2002), Carson Palmer (2003), Eli Manning (2004), Alex Smith (2005) and JaMarcus Russell (2007). (Many expect the Detroit Lions, who have this year's #1 overall pick, to take QB Matthew Stafford.)
Smith will compete with Shaun Hill and Damon Huard, who was signed this off-season, for the starting job.
