Troy Smith to start for 49ers

[Atlas]

Third-string quarterback Troy Smith will start Sunday's international game against the Broncos, coach Mike Singletary said before their first practice outside London this morning.

Smith unexpectedly leapfrogged backup David Carr to replace starter Alex Smith, who Singletary said is out two-to-three weeks with a separated left shoulder.

The 49ers signed the former Heisman Trophy winner six days before the season started and he had never taken a team snap with the Niners before Wednesday.

"I think the bottom line is, I think for where we are, I think Troy Smith gives us a good opportunity to win the game," Singletary said. "He's been studying since he's been here and getting with the coaches as much as he possibly can. he has enough of the offense to play."

"I do know that however limited (Troy's playbook) may be, it will be a situation that we put him in the best situation to win."

And what does Carr think after spending the past seven months as the No. 2 quarterback?

"Of course I don't agree with the decision," Carr told me after the walk-through. "I would have loved to get a chance to go through a week of preparation, get some reps that I haven't honestly gotten in months. When you go into a game like last week ... it would have been nice to go out here like a regular week and go after it, but I didn't get that chance.

"It's frustrating, to put it nicely."

Smith played it cool, saying he wasn't surprised by Singletary's move -- it was made Monday, but not announced until today.

"You have to be prepared when your number's called, and that's exactly what I'm going to do."

Carr's number was called three plays into the third quarter Sunday at Carolina. After starting with an incompletion, he was allowed to attempt one pass in the next 18-plus minutes. He didn't start throwing until inside the 2-minute warning, and he finished 5 of 13 for 67 yards with one interception in a 23-20 loss.

Smith has been active in all seven games this season. He had four mop-up games in Baltimore last season, going 5 of 9 for 24 yards and one interception. Both his career starts were at the end of the 2007 season.

What does all this mean? One, Singletary has no faith in the quarterback he approved of as Alex Smith's backup, and admitted as much during training camp. Two, running back Frank Gore is already the second-most used running back in the NFL. Wait until he gets a load of Sunday's load in what is certain to be a run-heavy offensive plan.

Above all, it says that if Singletary considers his backup so bad that he can't replace a starting quarterback that's been terrible in his own right, what an indictment on his management of the quarterback position. He once said his backup plan if Smith got hurt is for Smith to not get hurt. Who ever would have known that Shaun Hill would come out looking the best in all of this.

.: : LINK : : .

What's this move say about any arguments concerning David Carr's career. I'll admit that I always felt that Carr was set up for failure in Houston since the day he was drafted but his stint in San Francisco has me believing that he was truly a medicore quarterback with Houston and now he's a washed up, medicore QB in Frisco.

Troy Smith getting the start is interesting. He was decent while with Baltimore and there were actually a ton of people in Baltimore who were pissed off when Joe Flacco was drafted and handed the starting job over Troy. Troy isn't the most accurate passer in the world and the 49ers won't move the ball consistently but as long as he Frank Gore gets going and Smith can find Vernon Davis on 3rd downs, they can beat the Lions in the UK. Troy is no Vince Young but he isn't a Jamarcus Russell either.

Even more interesting about this whole situation is that across the sidelines will be Shaun Hill dressed in his Lions' uniform.

 

[elcheato]

Yessssss

 

[footballplaya52]

Yessssss

 

[Shaka]

The team and player have nothing to lose. It should be fun.

I'm always interested when a team makes a move in hopes of saving the season and it so happens to be a player who needs to perform to save his career. They will ask Troy Smith to do three things.

1. Hand off to Frank Gore
2. Get the ball to Michael Crabtree
3. Get the ball to Vernon Davis

If he can manage that and manage the game and allow Gore and the defense to win games against a weak schedule... Everyone will keep their job. Mike and Troy.

 

[Blake]

David Carr may be the biggest bust of the modern era, at least Ryan Leaf knew when to quit.

 

[DJT]

Yes! I love this decision. Troy Smith is a decent qb. He did well when he got reps for Baltimore. i'm excited to see him play.

 

[Lake Louise]

Should be interesting. I don't see him being horrible, but he'd definitely do better than Carr would.

 

[Bengals1Fan]

Hm... Very interesting...lets see how he does...

 

[footballplaya52]

Carr just looks so scared when hes on the field. any kind of pressure and he folds like a cheap lawn chair.

 

[elcheato]

The Troy Smith Ted Ginn combination is back!! lol

I'm definitely gonna watch the 49ers game since the Browns are on a bye.

 

[footballplaya52]

i always wanted troy to get a legit shot.

 

[Shaka]

Carr just looks so scared when hes on the field. any kind of pressure and he folds like a cheap lawn chair.

Carr has gotten worse as time has gone on. He actually played somewhat well in Houston in my opinion.

I think he's the perfect example that protecting your Quarterback makes all the difference. All of those shots he took in Houston really looks like it's taken it's toll on him.

Sad. He could have been a servicable player. Most people knew he wasn't #1 talent(except the Texans).

 

[RipCity32]

Poor Niners

 

[elcheato]

smh@you lol, Troy is gonna beast.

 

[RipCity32]

smh@you lol, Troy is gonna beast.

I hope he does, I like a good underdog story.
However if he succeeds I will hate it, cause he's a Buckeye.

 

[TTN2810]

OMG. Anther Titans fan!! Welcome man!

And good for Troy. I'm happy for the dude.

 

[TTN2810]

Carr just looks so scared when hes on the field. any kind of pressure and he folds like a cheap lawn chair.

Wouldn't you after being the most sacked QB in the league for 5+ years with no running game?

 

[Giantmetfan07]

Evidently the Broncos vs 49ers game was the only Week 8 game I havent picked yet.... and I'm damn proud of my inability to commit to either team yesterday when picking my teams, haha.