49ers QB Alex Smith on IR

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/09/10/smith-lands-on-ir/

Less than two days after quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ career with the Packers unofficially began, quarterback Alex Smith’s career with the 49ers is unofficially over.

The team has announced that Smith has been placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury suffered in practice on Friday.

Recently, G.M. Scot McGloughan acknowledged that, if Smith isn’t the starter in 2009, the team won’t be able to justify keeping Smith and his $9.625 million base salary.

The Niners were considering both Smith and Rodgers in April 2005. When they chose Smith with the first overall pick, Rodgers commenced a 23-spot free fall, landing in Green Bay with the 24th overall selection.

Meanwhile, the Niners might be feeling some regrets about passing on Rodgers, who looked like an established veteran against the Vikings.

And the list of other teams that might be having second thoughts about not drafting Rodgers likely includes the Vikings, who had not one but two cracks at Rodgers. Instead, they took Troy Williamson at No. 7 and Erasmus James at No. 18.

Question: Where are they now?

Answer: Don’t waste your time looking for them on the Minnesota roster.