Will Alex Smith Open Up The Niners’ Ground Game?

That’s the question SBN’s Niners Nation asks. Beyond the obvious rapport Smith displayed with tight end Vernon Davis ast week, Niners Nation hopes that by breathing life into the team’s passing game, Smith can force teams to back their safeties off the line of scrimmage, and revive the Niners’ moribund running attack as well. From Niners Nation:

Aside from two great runs against Seattle, Frank Gore and the 49ers rushing attack has left a lot to be desired after a very impressive preseason. If this team is going to be successful and potentially make the playoffs, they have to establish the run game at a greater level than where it currently resides. Will elevating Alex Smith into the starting lineup bring enough to make that happen?

The answer to the question obviously depends on Smith’s performance in the passing game. However, his skills would seem to be sufficiently better than Shaun Hill to keep defenses honest. Alex Smith does not have to be a superstar in this offense for the team to move the ball efficiently. Sure he needs to be able to make big plays, but as I said at some point with Shaun Hill, the passing game does not have to be Colts-esque. The difference between Shaun Hill and Alex Smith is that Smith can make more of the deep throws necessary to keep the defense honest.