Dan Graziano

Alex Smith makes sense for the Eagles

"The 49ers succeeded with Smith last year and early this year because they were able to accentuate his strengths and prop him up with a strong support system -- run game, offensive line, defense. With LeSean McCoy and Bryce Brown, the Eagles have enough in the run game to keep defenses honest on early downs and stay out of the types of third-and-long situations that don't play to Smith's strengths. Assuming all of their injured offensive linemen come back healthy, they should have a strong line. The defense, of course, remains a major question mark, especially if Kelly proceeds with his apparent plan to impose a 3-4 alignment on the Eagles' 4-3 personnel. But there's a good case to be made that Smith could succeed with the weapons he'd have around him in the Eagles' offense. A move like this also wouldn't close the door on Nick Foles, a player Kelly has said he likes. Kaepernick obviously developed quickly as a backup behind Smith, and there's nothing to say Foles couldn't do so as well with the proper coaching. Adding a reliable if unspectacular veteran in front of Foles would offer the team more time to figure out what they have in last year's third-round pick without exposing him to game pressure for which he may not be ready. There are no great solutions on this offseason market for the Eagles or the many other NFL teams who are hunting for help at quarterback. But Smith is one that seems to make some sense for the Eagles. The question is what it will take to get him."