Criminy, how much bullshit can one guy endure? The strange and terrible saga of Alex Smith’s American dream rolls on. Granted, I think some of the other transgressions perpetrated on him by the 49ers were worse than Manning-Gate. Nolan’s chucking him under the bus in front of the rest of the team and the media after his shoulder separation, questioning his toughness, throwing him into the Saints game (in’07, I was there) where he was pounded relentlessly, and Nolan left him in there with a bad shoulder to take numerous shots until he finally pulled him midway through the 3rd quarter, Martz’s preseason bullshit that Smith tried to work through and couldn’t, Jimmy Hat’s horrifically putrid offensive game plans, and Singletary’s snide media comments,  sideline screaming rants and subsequent yo-yoing of quarterbacks. For as much media-driven angst as this seems to be causing, the worst case scenario is for Smith to leave.  

The thing is, everyone knows this. Everyone seemed to know it before free agency started. Which is why the Niners original offer was low. Smith was coming from the erroneous assumption that he could get Kevin Kolb (5/63/18 guaranteed) money. The Niners were coming from the assumption that a $3 million raise (and a 3 year deal) should be enough going forward. Low-balling? Sure. But again, this last offseason was one marred by the lockout and a whole lot of craziness that ensued once free agency started. The Niners knew that Manning was out there, plus guys like Matt Flynn, and lesser talents like Ortron, Gross Rexman, JJ, Hasselhof, etc. Through all that BOTH sides said Smith was coming back. How much that played early on for his value won’t be known, but it sure didn’t seem very high once he did hit the market. Most other teams out there feel that Smith is the creation of Jim Harbaugh. For good or bad.

The rest played out as we saw. The Niners took the midnight train to Georgia (woo woo!) (work with me here, it’s Gladys Knight and the Pips) and tried to sneak away with the Peyton Manning prize. That blew up in their faces amongst the hurt feelings and a morning flight to Miami. So, here we sit. The only viable option is for Smith to come back to the 49ers. The only question is will they hard-line it at this point, and stick with the 3/24 offer they originally gave him? There’s something to be said about Seattle giving Flynn, a veteran of 2 NFL starts, more money than the 49ers are offering Smith. Smith WAS supposed to visit with Sea, but instead signed Flynn before Alex could get there.

I think he comes back. The Niners will kick down a little more scratch for the bullshit they put him through. I think it happens later today. By the time the OTAs roll around, the wounds will have been healed and all will be well going forward. As well as they can be with Alex at the helm. I kid, I kid . . . This IS the best scenario for everyone involved.  The latest revolting development in all this is the talk of Tim Tebow coming to the Niners. God help us all . . .