San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith spoke to the media on Thursday for the first time since coach Jim Harbaugh named Colin Kaepernick the team’s starting quarterback, and reports say he was full of disappointment.
“I mean, it sucks,” Smith said, via CSN Bay Area. “I don’t know what else to say.”
Smith was knocked out of San Francisco’s Week 10 game against the St. Louis Rams with a concussion. Kaepernick, a second-year player, replaced him that game and then beat the Chicago Bears the next week. Kaepernick kept the starting job even after Smith was cleared to return from his concussion.
The former second-round pick from Nevada led San Francisco to a Week 12 against the Saints, and Harbaugh officially named him the team’s starter.
Smith is discouraged that the concussion, not his play, cost him the job.
“Well, I mean, I don’t think talk is the place to do it. You state your case with your play, and I felt I did that. I feel like the only thing I did to lose my job was get a concussion.”
Though the concussion led to him being stripped of his starting role, Smith does not regret being truthful to the team doctors about his concussion.
“I think it’s a good thing that more and more is coming out about it (concussions). I don’t think that’s a bad thing.”
Smith had been playing well prior to his concussion, but the truth is Kaepernick is a better quarterback. He is faster, bigger, stronger, has a better arm, and is more dangerous on the field. But Smith shouldn’t be too down; the 49ers may need him again at some point over the next few months.
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