Tough Choice At Quarterback

From Sporting Green 49ers beat writer John Crumpacker:

It seems like a losing proposition no matter which quarterback the 49ers send out against the New York Giants on Sunday at the Meadowlands. There's Alex Smith with his still-healing separated shoulder and Trent Dilfer with his feet of stone. Against a vigorous pass rush like the Giants, neither man is a good option. Smith can make plays with his feet, but hold your breath if he's sacked. Dilfer is a target when he drops back to pass but at least he has a sound throwing shoulder. Coach Mike Nolan will have a better idea of who his starting quarterback will be after Thursday's practice. That's the most important day of practice for all NFL teams and usually the only day of the week when players are in full pads. For Smith, it will be his first time in pads since Seattle's Rocky Bernard and his 300 pounds fell on his shoulder on Sept. 30.

If Smith plays and re-injures his shoulder, Nolan and the team's medical staff will be in for healthy criticism. If Dilfer plays and gets clobbered, people will howl that the more elusive Smith did not play. Like I said, it seems like a lose-lose proposition. Makes me glad I'm neither a coach nor a gambler.

- Smith should play if he can. Bottomline, he is supposed to be the "face of this franchise". Get him back in there, he is the one being paid all the money. He's not 5 games into his NFL career, he is 2 years and 5 games into his NFL career. STOP CODDLING HIM! See what you have in him for the future. Part of that is includes testing his toughness.-