Robinson...Why Not?

Are there other options for the future at quarterback? Maybe Nolan & company need to consider in the wake of Alex Smith's demise and no help coming from Trent Dilfer or the draft next year.

"I support the guys who are playing and doing their jobs," Nolan said before backing Trent Dilfer as his starter this weekend. Dilfer did his job -- if you count four interceptions and 171 passing yards as working hard. Nolan hasn't been eloquent this year, but this week he really has no choice. Alex Smith's shoulder still isn't right, and he should probably sit for the rest of the season. The third-string quarterback, Shaun Hill has one snap in 6 years to go along with a broken finger on his throwing hand. Who's the next option, Michael Robinson?

They way things are going, that might not be such a bad idea. Maybe Robinson's toughness could give the 49ers a spark. Remember, he was a quarterback at Penn State(below). Tennessee's Vince Young hasn't been throwing great this year, but the combination of his running, timely passing and the Titans' strong overall ground game has equaled relative success. While Robinson isn't even close to Young's level, the 49ers still might want to consider inserting him under center.

The Vikings, the 49ers' upcoming opponent, are using the same formula, going with punishing running backs and a mobile, tough quarterback in Tarvaris Jackson. They've evened their record and will go to 7-6 after they dismantle the Dilfer-led 49ers. For San Francisco, changing to Robinson would put two of its most dangerous weapons on the field at the same time and give the team a passer who can move when the rush gets hot - which is often.

Crazy thinking, probably, but this season is over. Gone. Why not see if Robinson has any of that college magic left at his old position? Dilfer proved last week he is completely washed up. Dilfer's win over Arizona two weeks ago was an aberration; four picks and 171 passing yards in Carolina proved the sun shined on an old dog a pair of Sundays ago. At this point, going with Dilfer is like conceding defeat.

Really, though, the only light at the end of the tunnel is that the end of the season is near for the 49ers. The Vikings are just another freight train coming their way.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------