Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers Preview

By Darrell Laurant | Saturday, October 08, 2005 | ( 0 )

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Alex Smith, meet the Tasmanian Devil.

Smith was the NFL's top draft pick this past spring, a prolific passer and scrambler out of Utah, and he'll be getting his first start at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. The Tasmanian Devil is one of many nicknames for Dwight Freeney, the stubby pass rushing demon who has helped the Indianapolis Colts register 15 sacks in their first four games and hold their first three opponents to single digits.

Freeney was asked earlier this week if he and his defensive linemates would go after Smith with exceptional ferocity.

"Not really," Freeney replied. "We go hard every week."

Maybe that will be some consolation for Smith, who replaced Tim Rattay at the tail end of last Sunday's 31-14 loss to Arizona in Mexico City and went 6 of 10 in passing for 34 yards. If only he could be starting against his own defense.

True, LB Derek Smith and DB Derrick Johnson scored the only touchdowns for the Niners last week South of the Border. But that doesn't change the numbers, and they say that San Francisco's pass defense is flat out awful. It was bad enough that Mike Nolan's team gave up 443 passing yards to Donovan McNabb and the Eagles earlier this season -- against Arizona, they made Josh McCown (385 yards, two TDs) look like Donovan McNabb.

And now, here comes Indianapolis Colts QB Peyton Manning and his favorite receiver, Marvin Harrison, who have a chance to break the record of San Francisco 49er icons Steve Young and Jerry Rice for the most pitch-and-catch touchdowns from a duo. That score is currently tied, 85-85.

Alex Smith could become a star in the NFL someday, and if so, there will be a game everyone will point to as the place where he turned the corner. This probably won't be it.

Game time is 4:15, EDT at Monster Park.

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