Sports Radio Interviews

Alex Smith Is Breathing Easy For Once

Alex Smith has to be loving the fact that there’s a quarterback controversy in the NFC West that doesn’t involve him. From Trent Dilfer and Tim Rattay to Shaun Hill and J.T O’Sullivan, it seems the No. 1 pick of the 2005 NFL Draft has been mired in controversies since he went to San Francisco.

Now, it’s the Arizona Cardinals, another team out west, that gets to deal with debating the merits of potential starting quarterbacks. All the while, Smith is the man for the 49ers, a team that many have pegged to win the division and get back to the playoffs.

With all of the weapons the 49ers have and the fact that he’s finally not dealing with added pressure right now, anything less than a playoff berth would have to be considered disappointing for Alex Smith.

Alex Smith joined XTRA Sports 1360 in San Diego with Chris Ello to discuss whether he listened to the station’s sports talk when he grew up in the area, whether he listens to it now, his first impressions of Mike Singletary, what his relationship is like with the 49ers coach now, where his confidence level is at this point in his career and whether he and his teammates like the hype of being NFC West favorites.

On whether he listened to sports talk radio, particularly the station he did this interview with, growing up:

“Not [a] huge [fan of sports talk radio]. But I obviously grew up with it. That was more for my older brother.”

On whether he listens to sports talk radio now:

“No. I don’t. I’m not a big-time talk radio [fan]. When you’re in my position it’s tough, but my family is huge. All my family, all my friends all listen to it, so I inevitably hear about it.”

On his first impression upon meeting Mike Singletary:

“I can remember the first time I met him, actually. I think it was the day after I got drafted. I came in, he was the assistant head coach and linebackers coach here. I had a long discussion with him. I guess my first impression was definitely intense. It was an intense conversation, absolutely. I was minding my Ps and Qs. I guess that was almost six years ago, so a long time since then.”

On whether his relationship is more relaxed with Singletary now:

“At this point, in fact, I have a lot of fun with him, joking with him and giving him a hard time. Most people’s first impression is pretty serious and intense.”

On his confidence level and how comfortable he is after the trials and tribulations since being the No. 1 overall pick:

“Coming out of camp and into the season, this is the best I’ve felt, without a doubt. With that said, there’s still a lot ahead of us. A lot of cliches, but it’s a long season, it’s a grind. Right now I’m just focused on Seattle. Even though we’re playing the Chargers on Thursday, I’m really focused on the next week, the opening week and getting off to a good start.”

On whether the 49ers like the fact that many people have them as the favorites to win their division:

“I think everyone in this locker room, to be totally honest, doesn’t really care either way. It doesn’t matter. Everyone in this locker room has realized that people could be hyping you up and predicting you up for the Super Bowl and I think the great thing about the NFL is no one can call it. There’s so much parity across the NFL as far as talent goes and year-in and year-out teams can turn around and win divisions and make runs in the playoffs. And the same team the year before that was going deep can’t even make it.”

Listen to the interview with Alex Smith on XTRA Sports 1360 in San Diego here

Tags: Alex Smith, Mike Singletary, NFC West, NFL, San Francisco 49ers