As a former number one overall pick, Alex Smith is familiar with the word "pressure." I'm sure he is also familiar with the word "bust", as he has undoubtedly gotten an earful from every fan in the bay area along with all the analysts that have piled on criticism over his unlikely 7-year career.
Before this season, the only talk you heard of Smith was: "Why is he still getting chances? Year after year, he disappoints, yet the team brings him back?"
There were no supporters for this guy outside of the organization (if there were, they were awfully quiet for a long time), and few would believe you if you said he would be the starter after 7 years in the doghouse. And not one person would take you seriously if you said he would salvage a lost career and lead his team through the playoffs and within striking distance of the Super Bowl.
Yet here he is.
It is improbable that Smith managed to find a job from year to year, but I think the biggest factor in his survival is such: Smith had 7 different Offensive Coordinators over a 7-season career. You can't blame him for having to learn a new offense every summer, yet there have been a few quarterbacks who have been the scapegoat in similar situations such as Jason Campbell and David Carr. Smith also got lucky that his new coach is a believer in what he can do; John Harbaugh was actually the guy that made the decision to re-sign Alex even though he was a Free Agent.
The events that brought him to this point are fortunate, as well as unlikely. These are some of the reasons why I'm starting to root for the guy.....starting next year.
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