On Second Thought, It's One More Week of Trent Dilfer

After proclaiming Alex Smith and Vernon Davis as probable starters for this week's match against the Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-men, Mike Nolan has done an about face on one of those guys.

"It's tough because I'm competitive and I think I can do it," Smith said. "But to not have practiced for a couple weeks and go out there and not be 100 percent confident in your arm and what it can do, it probably wouldn't be the best thing for this team in the big picture. It's a long season, and I'll continue to work hard to get back on the field."

Those plans to have Smith helm a more wide-open offense will have to wait another week, I guess.

While the 49ers' offense hasn't been tremendous with Smith or Trent Dilfer under center, it's not exactly difficult to see that they're still much better with the young guy on the field. This will hold especially true this week, as Dilfer's mobility behind an underachieving offensive line could be a liability.

You see, Osi Umenyiora (who took Winston Justice's cleats as a war trophy, I believe) will be eyeing Dilfer like a porterhouse, and tackle Jonas Jennings is already talking about the task of slowing him down. The 49ers are fourth in most sacks allowed, so this is a game where Smith, though not the most nimble of guys, would have come in handy.