ProUte of 2011

Following our third year of awarding the ProUte of the Week, we had three standout candidates for the first ProUte of the Year Award:

Alex Smith, QB, 49ers: 3,150 yards passing, 17 TDs, 5 INTs, 90.7 rating.
Smith is having easily the best season of his hit-or-miss career in San Francisco. The 49ers are 13-3 and secured the second seed in the NFC playoffs. That's huge, as it means the game against the Saints will be in the Bay Area, not the Bayou. Smith's numbers don't jump out of the screen, except for his career-low 5 interceptions. With Smith managing the offense for new coach Jim Harbaugh, the 2011 49ers tied the 2010 Patriots for the fewest turnovers (10) in a season since 1941. Smith is no stranger to criticism, but labeling him a "game manager" is not a slam. He won't break 5,000 yards in a season like Tom Brady, but he can limit the interceptions in the face of taking more sacks (44) than any other quarterback in the league. The 49ers wouldn't be in this situation without their defense or their running game, but it was Smith, a free agent, who kept the team together during the lockout. He led the team workouts in lieu of the new coaching staff, and it shows in San Fran's success this season.
 
Eric Weddle, FS, Chargers: 88 tackles, 12 PDefs, 7 INTs.
After the lockout was lifted, Weddle signed a new contract making him the highest-paid safety in the league. The one thing he was asked to add to his arsenal at the time was more interceptions. Weddle earned his new salary, pulling in 7 takeaways to tie for the lead in the NFL. The other two players with 7 interceptions were both cornerbacks; that indicates that Weddle can stuff the run with the best of them and cover the pass with the best of them. His skill set is finally gaining recognition with fans, as he was voted to his first Pro Bowl, and with the league, as he was named to the All Pro team on Friday. Weddle was the only All-ProUte in 2011. He is the highest paid because he is one of the best.

Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: 79 receptions, 1,394 yards, 7 TDs.
Which came first, the emergence of Cam Newton, or the re-emergence of Steve Smith? Smith was the primary receiver once again in Carolina, and he played like it. His drive to catch the ball is undeniable, regardless of coverage. He doesn't have the physical gifts of a Calvin Johnson or a 5,000+ yard passer with multiple options like Wes Welker, the two guys ahead of him on the All Pro list. What he has is the desire to go get the ball, and he turned in one of the best seasons of his career. Smith was voted to the Pro Bowl as a reserve, his fifth selection (and first since 2008). Smith is a viable candidate for Comeback Player of the Year as well as ProUte of the Year.

It's a difficult choice, which is exactly what we want to see from these professional players. Is a QB with the fewest INTs in the league more deserving than a safety with the most INTs in the league? Is one Smith's best season ever better than another Smith's great season in a great career? Should it go to the only player to be named All Pro or the player who won more ProUte of the Week Awards?

Alex Smith plunges in for a rushing TD and greatness.

Ultimately the honor goes to the former #1 pick, Alex Smith. As his coach continues to point out, Smith's composure under fire (sometimes from his own team's fan base) has been incredible. After losing another head coach and going into the lockout as a free agent, with the 49ers drafting a quarterback in the second round, Smith could have split, but he didn't. He got a copy of Coach Harbaugh's playbook, studied it quickly, gave it back, and ran the team's off-season preparations. His comeback victory at Philadelphia was a showcase of his ability and his character. In his seventh season in the league he worked with his seventh offensive coordinator, and the system finally fits his style of play. Smith now has more TDs than INTs for his career, and he has the 49ers back in the post-season for the first time in nearly a decade. Alex Smith had an amazing 2011, and he's still playing into 2012. For that impressive performance Alex Smith is our ProUte of the Year.