Sep 10th 2008 2:20PM by Adam Gretz (author feed)
Filed under: 49ers, NFC WestThe 49ers today signed free agent quarterback Jamie Martin, according to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. The team needed another quarterback after Alex Smith suffered a shoulder injury heading into week one.

The addition of the 38-year old Martin likely means Smith, the No. 1 pick of the 2005 draft, is headed to injured reserve, ending his season, and perhaps his career as a member of the San Francisco 49ers.

San Francisco general manager Scot McCloughan has already made it clear the only way Smith will be a member of the team in 2009, is if he were a clear-cut, no-doubt-about-it starter heading into the season. And to me, the only way that could happen would be if he somehow reclaimed his starting job before the end of this season, and led the team to many, many victories. Since his season is likely over, there’s absolutely no chance that can happen now.

Hindsight is always 20/20, of course, but that No. 1 overall pick is looking pretty bad right about now.Continue Reading