Number One with a Bullet

Embattled quarterback Alex Smith is our ProUte of the Week. The boo birds were out in Candlestick Park, and detractors will say "How can he win the award when he can't win a game?" and "Pretty sad if that's the best Utah has to offer!" Those people are so focused on the few negative plays Smith made they can't see all the positive plays. Yes, he threw two more interceptions (the last one while getting drilled) to add to his league-leading tally of nine. But he also threw three TD passes, two in the fourth quarter. The fumble (which was returned for a TD) was atrocious, but fluke plays like that happen. Frank Gore fumbled twice in the game, but you didn't hear the crowd chanting for his back up. Philip Rivers isn't taking as much flak for his fumble (which was also returned for a TD) late in the Chargers' loss to the Raiders. Tony Romo threw for career high yards against the Titans, but his last pass of the game was an INT (his third), just like Smith's.

Critics aren't impressed with Smith, the former top pick, but analysts are. Just ask Peter King. He threw for 309 yards with some pinpoint precision. He deserved to be chewed out by Coach Singletary and he responded. The coach and the team still believe in him, according to this report on 49ers.com. This blogger still believes in him, too.

The costly mistakes downgraded his game from great to good, but it was good enough to win ProUte of the Week honors over Sione Pouha (5 tackles as the Jets held AP under 100) and Eric Weddle (4 tackles).