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06:57 AM ET 02.28 | Thousands of fans have spoken and their feelings are clear. They've seen enough interceptions and fumbles and errant passes and droopy body language. They've crossed their arms and turned their backs. They never again want to see Alex Smith in a 49ers uniform. Yet Jim Harbaugh, the new coach of their choice, keeps saying he wants Smith to come back to San Francisco. With most 49ers fans hoping or believing the era of dread was dead, Harbaugh is giving it life. He has spent recent weeks expressing admiration for the quarterback 49ers fans hoped was gone for good. "I'm hopeful that Alex, as an unrestricted free agent, will choose that his next team to play with, the fresh start, is with the San Francisco 49ers," Harbaugh said at the NFL scouting combine last week.

Alex Smith, Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

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February 28, 2011 08:01 AM ET

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The fact this question even has to be asked blows my mind.

Devi8ed

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February 28, 2011 08:05 AM ET

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There must be real good drugs in San Francisco!

COUNT DOOKU

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February 28, 2011 08:16 AM ET

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It's looking like 1978 all over again in the city by the bay...

Otis B. Driftwood

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Comment #7 has been removed

February 28, 2011 08:43 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:05 AM ET 02.28 by COUNT DOOKU

There must be real good drugs in San Francisco!

Haight-Ashbury. 'Nuff said.

h2opololpunk

Gainesville, FL

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February 28, 2011 08:54 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 02.28 by Why So Serious?

My guess is Smith will get at least 1 year or 2 to adjust to Harbaugh's coaching style/philosophy and if does not work, they will probably release him. Dont really see them getting much in return for a trade.

Seems like Smith gets at least 1 or 2 years with EVERY coach. He must have some real good dirt on the 49ers' organization!

Naptown_Colts

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February 28, 2011 09:03 AM ET

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QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 08:54 AM ET 02.28 by Naptown_Colts

Seems like Smith gets at least 1 or 2 years with EVERY coach. He must have some real good dirt on the 49ers' organization!

Ha Ha Ha !

S DOT HITS DA SPOT

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February 28, 2011 09:04 AM ET

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Aaargh! Last time. He will be an UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT. It is up to Alex Smith, not the 49ers. They would have to tag him at $16-$18 million.

50yearfan

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February 28, 2011 09:11 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 02.28 by Why So Serious?

My guess is Smith will get at least 1 year or 2 to adjust to Harbaugh's coaching style/philosophy and if does not work, they will probably release him. Dont really see them getting much in return for a trade.

Which if Harbough sticks with him...in two years we will be talking about potential coaching replacements in San Fran

Patriots Go Go…

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February 28, 2011 09:15 AM ET

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Why? Have Harbaugh and the York's lost all their sanity? This is normally not a bad thing but retaining Alex is much worse than your run of the mill insanity.

cthulhubryan

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February 28, 2011 09:25 AM ET

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QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 09:15 AM ET 02.28 by cthulhubryan

Why? Have Harbaugh and the York's lost all their sanity? This is normally not a bad thing but retaining Alex is much worse than your run of the mill insanity.

When David Carr is the only QB on your roster, you say crazy things.
Alex Smith needs to get out of there. He will find a team to start on and start over.

50yearfan

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February 28, 2011 09:27 AM ET

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QUOTE(#13):

Originally posted 09:15 AM ET 02.28 by cthulhubryan

Why? Have Harbaugh and the York's lost all their sanity? This is normally not a bad thing but retaining Alex is much worse than your run of the mill insanity.

Add in a GM who was the West Coast head of Scouting when they took Smith first in the draft, and you have it all.

50yearfan

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February 28, 2011 09:30 AM ET

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QUOTE(#3):

Originally posted 08:05 AM ET 02.28 by COUNT DOOKU

There must be real good drugs in San Francisco!

(one pill makes you smaller, ...)

Zeeker

Santa Fe , NM

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February 28, 2011 09:31 AM ET

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QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET 02.28 by Why So Serious?

My guess is Smith will get at least 1 year or 2 to adjust to Harbaugh's coaching style/philosophy and if does not work, they will probably release him. Dont really see them getting much in return for a trade.

My guess is the fans of S.F. aren't the only ones tired of this marriage... I seriously doubt Smith returns and with a vast number of teams looking for a QB right now, someone else will be willing to give him a look see.

I Must Break You

Harrisonburg , VA

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February 28, 2011 09:36 AM ET

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Alex can still be a viable starter in this league, but he needs a change of scenery. BADLY.

VLO1977

Wilmington , DE

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February 28, 2011 09:38 AM ET

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Not if they can get Carson Palmer.

CLE fan

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February 28, 2011 09:38 AM ET

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QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 09:36 AM ET 02.28 by VLO1977

Alex can still be a viable starter in this league, but he needs a change of scenery. BADLY.

agree 100% and there should be some teams thinking the same way. And you do not have to give up one draft pick for him. Kolb costs a pick and still needs a contract. Bad timing for him. And he is not one bit better. Not at all.

50yearfan

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February 28, 2011 10:16 AM ET

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If I were a 9er fan I would really begin to start wondering how much a "quarterback guru" Harbaugh really is, given his apparent fondness for the pile of poo that Alex Smith is.

NEW NAME

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February 28, 2011 10:28 AM ET

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QUOTE(#17):

Originally posted 09:31 AM ET 02.28 by I Must Break You

My guess is the fans of S.F. aren't the only ones tired of this marriage... I seriously doubt Smith returns and with a vast number of teams looking for a QB right now, someone else will be willing to give him a look see.

Yeah, the same several teams who changes QBs like they change their underwear...