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SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- Free agent quarterback Alex Smith met for close to 40 minutes with new 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh on Friday, and Harbaugh is convinced Smith will return to the team and be the front-runner for San Francisco's starting job.
In fact, the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick out of Utah left team headquarters with a playbook -- not a common practice for an unsigned player -- though these are unique circumstances with the NFL in a lockout. Harbaugh says "Alex Smith is a 49er" and all indications are he will stay put once teams can sign players.
Harbaugh, a former NFL quarterback himself, said Saturday that Smith would have the head start in any QB competition heading into 2011 just based on his experience in the league.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
