Following a demoralizing 34-7 loss to the Chargers, 49ers coach Mike Singletary said he considered inserting quarterback Troy Smith for Alex Smith, who fell back to earth after an exceptional game against Seattle on Sunday. Singletary also left open the possibility of going with Troy Smith in next Sunday's game in St. Louis.
"Once again, I want to get back and look at the film," Singletary said. "It wasn't just Alex. ... I think our offensive line has to do a better job in terms of protecting him." Smith was 19 of 29 for 165 yards and was sacked six times.
Singletary said he didn't remove Alex Smith from the game because "it would have been unfair to Troy Smith" who didn't get any first-team snaps in the abbreviated work week. "It is a different thing from going from Troy to Alex," he said. "I think it is a horrific thing to go from Alex to Troy."