49ers, Smith agree on one year

Associated Press

SANTA CLARA, Calif.

The San Francisco 49ers have their new quarterback: old familiar face Alex Smith.

Smith signed his one-year free agent contract Friday as expected, giving new coach Jim Harbaugh an experienced starter for 2011.

Within minutes of completing his deal, Smith was on the sidelines for the team’s first training camp practice — even though he can’t formally take part in physical activity until Aug. 4 under the new labor requirements.

Defensive tackle Ray McDonald signed a five-year contract and guard-center Tony Wragge received a one-year contract.

Smith took it upon himself to organize workouts and meetings for his teammates during the lockout, sessions that became known as “Camp Alex.” Harbaugh took notice and appreciated the QB’s initiative. Yet Harbaugh had already anointed Smith as his likely starter months ago, even though he was a free agent with no guarantee of re-signing.

The former Stanford coach was confident enough that an agreement would be reached that he handed over his playbook to Smith.

Smith, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2005, has faced constant change during his up-and-down tenure with San Francisco and has been regularly booed during his struggles. He has worked for different offensive coordinators every year, too.

Smith passed for 2,370 yards and 14 touchdowns in 11 games and 10 starts last season, but he also threw 10 interceptions and was sacked 25 times.