Giants center David Baas was drafted by the 49ers in 2005 and played six seasons for the club before signing in New York this offseason. Baas was part of the same draft class as quarterback Alex Smith, who was taken first overall by San Francisco (Baas was the first pick of the second round). After playing six seasons with Smith, Baas says he always believed in the Utah quarterback.
“With Alex, I’ve always believed he’s had it in him,” Baas told reporters. “He just needed a lot more guys to believe in him. I feel like he’s gotten that, and I feel like their approach with him, just being one of the guys, one of the teammates, trying not to do too much, has really worked for him.”
Smith certainly had his detractors (most notably me), but Baas says he believed in the 49ers quarterback. If that’s the case, then it puts him in the minority. I thought Smith was a bust (and still am not convinced he’s the answer), and many others agreed. Maybe Baas saw what Harbaugh sees in Smith. On Sunday we’ll get to see how far Smith can lead his team. He’ll be tested against a difficult defense.
