The San Francisco 49ers ranked last in the NFL in total offense last season, but that does not begin to describe the problems the team faced on that side of the ball.
The 49ers averaged just 145 yards per game passing. The player once considered their quarterback of the future struggled through injuries and ineffective play and was going to be competing for his starting job.
Coach Mike Nolan hired Mike Martz to troubleshoot the offense, firing unproven Jim Hostler after one season. And Alex Smith, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft, would have to earn his job as the starter.
Now, as the 49ers head into the regular season, a journeyman named J.T. O'Sullivan has emerged as the starting quarterback.
"It really isn't so much about Alex, but J.T.'s...