SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 13, 2005 -- Alex Smith might be the NFL’s new "$49.5 Million Man" but as far as debuts go, he looks to figure somewhere in the future for the San Francisco 49ers. How far in the future will depend on future performances.

Smith, the NFL’s No.1 draft pick whose contract guarantees him $24 million, earned the starting assignment in last Saturday’s exhibition game against the visiting Oakland Raiders. He completed three passes in nine attempts for 25 yards. His longest completion went for 11 yards. His first pass of the preseason was incomplete. He was also sacked in the second quarter.

But the butterflies were expected, and the 49ers did finish 2-14 last season. The former University of Utah signal-caller twice used his scrambling ability to drive the Niners from their own 2-yard line to their 44-yard line to end the opening half. The former Helix High School standout finished his first NFL game with a 42.4 quarterback rating.

He admitted he still had a bit to learn but welcomed the opportunity to test himself against NFL competition from the opening whistle. "Obviously, I made some mistakes, especially early," Smith was quoted as saying in a team report on NFL.com. "There were some balls that I would like to have back, but that's why it's preseason. That's why I'm out here."

Two scores by incumbent quarterback Tim Ratty and a defensive touchdown by Derrick Johnson on an 87-yard interception return allowed the 49ers to top the Raiders 21-13, handing new head coach Mike Nolan his first win in his first game with the Bay Area club.

Rattay, perhaps feeling the push from Smith’s high-profile presence, completed six of eight passes for 103 yards, two touchdowns and a 156.3 QB rating.

Preseason Week 2
Smith was one of four quarterbacks used by the San Francisco 49ers in their second preseason game, a 
26-21 loss to the host Denver Broncos on Aug. 20. Smith was 2-for-7 for 18 yards in the game while incumbent 

Tim Rattay led the foursome by completing 7-of-11 for 91 yards and one touchdown.

Through two preseason games, Smith had completed five of 16 attempts for 43 yards, with a longest completion of 

16 yards.

Smith will have to hope his homecoming game against the Chargers on Sept. 1 (at Qualcomm Stadium) is more 

productive.