49ers expected to start Dorsey at QB

[Guest Moose Knuckle Ball Four]

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Ken Dorsey is expected to start for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in place of rookie quarterback Alex Smith, who has two strained ligaments in his right knee.

 

Dorsey, a third-year pro who won a national championship at the University of Miami, started seven games last season for the 49ers. He spent Wednesday’s practice as the 49ers’ first-string quarterback, while Smith watched from the sideline as San Francisco installed its game plan.

 

Though coach Mike Nolan won’t announce his starter until Thursday, Dorsey seems all but certain to get the job.

 

“My position is that no matter what happens, I’m going to go out there and prepare and be ready to go,” Dorsey said. “I have a lot of faith in this coaching staff, and they’re going to make the best decision.”

 

Early last week, Dorsey was the 49ers’ third-string quarterback with almost no shot at playing this season. But San Francisco traded veteran Tim Rattay to Tampa Bay, and Smith got hurt while getting tackled by Washington’s LaVar Arrington in last weekend’s 52-17 loss to the Redskins.

 

Smith’s knee stiffened after the game, and though he improved markedly during the 49ers’ day off, he wasn’t ready to practice. Though the No. 1 overall pick held out hope of returning to practice Thursday, he knows he might be better off waiting a week to regain full mobility.

 

“It’s still a little swelled, a little stiff,” Smith said. “It’s going to depend on how I feel and how much I want to do on it. From what I’ve learned in my last two starts, I’m so excited because I feel like I’m learning that much more.”

 

Smith’s knowledge hasn’t shown up on the stat sheet. He has completed just 46 percent of his passes, with five interceptions, two lost fumbles and no touchdown passes for a quarterback rating of 17.5.

 

Smith also got hurt while trying to make a play when he probably should have been worried about his safety.

 

“It’s just different,” Smith said. “I had a target on me in college, but it’s not like the target you have when an NFL quarterback rolls out of the pocket.”

 

Dorsey hasn’t played this season, but he has stayed ready, along with fourth-stringer Cody Pickett. Dorsey typically goes through an extra throwing session after practice, lugging a bag of footballs to toss at practice-squad receivers, or targets hung beneath the goalposts at the 49ers’ training complex.

 

“When you’re the third guy, you don’t get many reps in practice,” Dorsey said. “You’ve kind of got to just rely on your past experiences, and go from there. There’s no replica for game experience out there. Having (last season’s) experience under my belt helps me.”

[Busted by the Feds 9]

The only thing I want is if this move make Brandon Lloyd valuable again. I need healthy WRs and he's one of the few left on the WW.

[Ninerphan 0]

Anyone remember last year when Dorsey played???

 

he was AWFUL..remember that sunday night bears game where he looked like a high school qb out there

 

 

upgrade the Bucs defense..if that was possible

[Vols 0]

Go Bucs D!!

[Natetradomus 0]

300 yards 3 tds 1 int GO DORESEY

[football_scooter 0]

SO glad I have the Bucs D/ST

 

 

So glad.

 

And as a special bonus, my opponent has the Ravensm wholost Ray Ray and Ed Reed....the fantasy gods smile upon me for a rare moment. :::waits for lightning to strike me dead:::

[whoisjgalt 0]

300 yards 3 tds 1 int GO DORESEY

If so, then that better include about 275 yards after catch. His arm strength is teenaged girlish.

[football_scooter 0]

300 yards 3 tds 1 int GO DORESEY 

If so, then that better include about 275 yards after catch. His arm strength is teenaged girlish.