So the Niners DID choose wrong

The only way it could have gone further was with some help from a Packers defense that was shredded by Dallas in the Cowboys 37-27 win.

All we've seen of Rodgers since the eight hours of close-ups in the green room before finally being selected 24th in the first round by the Packers was when he broke his foot last year the one chance he got to do some mop-up duty for Brett Favre.

As for the No. 1 overall pick, the Niners' Alex Smith, we've heard plenty about him. When he hasn't been injured - Sunday will mark the 13th game he's missed in less than three seasons - he has put up these career numbers:

• completion percentage - 54%


• interceptions: 31


• touchdowns: 19


• QB rating: 63.5

Thursday night was the basically first time Packers fans even had a chance to judge whether Rodgers has some talent, much less enough to be Favre's successor. Playing in a meaningful game for the first time in his career, he completed 18-of-26 passes for 201 yards and a touchdown. This against a defense that is no slouch, that of the 11-1 Cowboys.

He had zip on his passes. Against a pass rush that rattled Favre, he had pocket presence, scrambling effectively when necessary. In six possessions Rodgers led the Packes to two TDs and a field goal. The last of those six was a desperation turnover on downs when the game was out of reach.

Smith, who has had more than enough time to prove a shred of worth, doesn't get off the hook because of a poor surrounding cast. Frank Gore is a top-flight running back. Darrell Jackson was an above average receiver in Seattle. Arnaz Battle, the 49ers' leading receiver, is at least decent. Vernon Davis may be an elite tight end.

One wonders how much rope Smith has left in San Francisco. This is year THREE, after all.

But Rodgers was up for bid after so many Jeff Tedford quarterbacks - Akili Smith, Joey Harrington, Kyle Boller - had failed. Thus, the Niners were scared off. Smith is smart and mobile, but he succeeded in an unconventional offense in college. Urban Meyer's spread option is unconventional by NFL standards, at least.

For the first time since he was selected 23 picks behind Smith, we have reason to believe Rodgers is a legitimate NFL quarterback - something Smith is yet to prove. But by the time he gets his chance to led a team of his own, Smith may not be around for any more comparisons.