Troy Smith saved the 49ers' season or, if you're a realist, postponed this rag-tag team's seemingly inevitable demise. He averaged 20.9 yards per completed pass, breathing life into the 49ers with a schoolyard approach counter to Alex Smith's order-seeking nature. Troy Smith passed for 356 yards, converted on fourth-and-18 late in regulation and set up Joe Nedney's winning 29-yard field goal with a desperation throw for tight end Delanie Walker (more on that one later).
"He made plays in crucial times," Singletary said. "That is what you want."
If not always how you want it.
With Troy Smith under center, the 49ers resemble an erratic vehicle flying through a red light, launching itself off an overpass, flipping two or three times and somehow landing wheels up on soft ground. With Alex Smith, they were more apt to proceed prudently in the slow lane, hazards flashing, their driver scarred from a few too many accidents and prone to stalling the engine at inopportune times.
"He's a playmaker, that's what I describe Troy as," 49ers tight end Vernon Davis said. "He is not afraid to let the ball go. He wants to make plays and he will do whatever he has to do to make it happen."
To be fair, a couple big plays from Alex Smith were the difference in the 49ers' victory over Oakland following an 0-5 start. But Alex Smith wasn't particularly effective before getting hurt against Carolina the next week, and there can be no turning away from Troy Smith in the short term after what happened Sunday (even though Singletary declined to name his starter against Tampa Bay in Week 11).
Troy Smith has to be the choice.
The 49ers remain in desperation mode. Troy Smith seems to thrive in desperate situations.
"He takes chances," Walker said. "We've got to believe because he believes in us. I'm going to make something happen if he believes in me."
Smith is giving the 49ers a puncher's chance. His first two completions Sunday covered 32 and 65 yards. His final pass found Michael Crabtree for the go-ahead 16-yard touchdown with 2:10 remaining in regulation.
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