SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Alex Smith raised both arms then clapped his hands after a long completion to Brandon Jones. Sure, it was only the first full day of training camp for the San Francisco 49ers, yet the quarterback had reason to celebrate after several miscues only minutes earlier.
A bonus: coach Mike Singletary watched the nice play from close by.
These days, Smith calls out the cadence with a voice of authority and carries himself in the pocket with a poise that signals he is in charge again. At last.
What a change from training camp a year ago, when the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick began as the backup to Shaun Hill — only to unseat him as the starter come late October.
Without the pressure of fighting for a job, Smith is noticeably more comfortable with his situation now.
