Mon, Apr 25, 2005 page20

• Alex Smith goes to San Francisco in pro football draft

  • NY TIMES NEWS SERVICE
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  The San Francisco 49ers ended weeks of speculation that they might trade the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft yesterday and turned the reins of a struggling franchise over to Alex Smith, Utah's talented 20-year-old quarterback with much to prove.

  Running back Ronnie Brown of Auburn went No. 2 to Miami; wide receiver Braylon Edwards of Michigan was taken No. 3 by Cleveland; Chicago took running back Cedric Benson of Texas at No. 4; running back Carnell Williams of Auburn went No. 5 to Tampa Bay. Cornerback Adam Jones of West Virginia was the first defensive player selected by Tennessee at No. 6.

  The early picks were dominated by running backs. Three were taken among the first five picks, the first time since 1989 that three rushers had gone in the top 10.

  Though trade rumors circulated for weeks, there were no deals during the first two hours of the draft. The 49ers did not get the interest in the No. 1 pick that they hoped. Not that San Francisco did not try to make a deal.

  Less than an hour before selecting Smith, the 49ers were working the phone, considering trading the No. 1 pick. Not only do the 49ers need help at many positions, scouts debate whether Smith will become a star.

  This draft is long on depth, but short on players who look like surefire stars. Teams with multiple first-round picks, like Minnesota and Washington, did not want to surrender picks to move up. Other also balked at trading future picks or established veterans to move up.

  So the 49ers turned to Smith, who had a 21-2 record as a college starter and graduated in two years with a 3.74 grade point average in economics. Joining a franchise that has already had two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era -- Joe Montana and Steve Young -- Smith vowed that he was ready to follow in those large footsteps.

  "People talk about the legacy and the pressure associated with it, but I'm honored to follow in their footsteps," Smith said. "It's only going to provide motivation. Hopefully, I can carry on the legacy. I feel like I fall right in line with those guys. You're talking about smart quarterbacks who make good decisions, and they're winners. I feel like I fit that mold."

  Smith expected to be chosen No. 1 after receiving a phone call Friday night from 49ers Coach Mike Nolan.

  "I asked if he had made a decision," said Smith. "He said he had made his decision a long time ago."

  Now the 49ers must work on signing Smith in time to avoid a lengthy holdout. Smith's agent, Tom Condon, negotiated the contract signed by last year's No. 1 pick, Eli Manning, who received a six-year deal with the Giants worth up to US$54 million that included a US$20 million signing bonus.

  San Francisco has balked at paying Smith that kind of money. A long holdout would hurt the development of a young quarterback who may experience several years of growing pains. The 49ers, 2-14 last season, would face a public-relations nightmare if Smith misses much of training camp, but he sounded eager to bridge the huge gap in negotiations quickly.

  Early surprises included the drafting of Jones by Tennessee. Many scouts rated Antrel Rolle of Miami, who was at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, where the draft was held, as the top cornerback. But when Jones' name was called at No. 6, Rolle was forced to squirm until his name was announced by Commissioner Paul Tagliabue at No. 8 when the Arizona Cardinals selected him.
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