49ers QB is ready to run

SANTA CLARA -- Defending a quarterback in training camp is a little like viewing a famous painting at a museum. You're allowed to get close, but you'd better not touch.

So when the 49ers' Brandon Moore encountered Alex Smith on a bootleg during a Friday morning goal-line drill, the big linebacker began to ease up. Smith, however, had no such intentions, lowering his shoulder into Moore and barreling across the goal line for a score.

Expect more of the same this season.

One of Smith's most memorable plays last season -- an 18-yard sneak in Seattle that fooled everyone in the stadium -- was made with his feet, and the quarterback said he wants to be an even more dangerous rusher in 2007.

"You look at what Steve Young did when he was here," Smith said. "There were two or three times in a game when he was able to take off and run. Those were big plays."

Smith, of course, is no slouch when it comes to hoofing it. His 147 rushing yards last season, though ho-hum for a mobile quarterback, were second on the team and were first among NFC West quarterbacks. He also ran for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final year at Utah.

And although Michael Vick-like numbers are unrealistic in the 49ers' offense, the idea is to keep defenses on their heels by breaking off a long run here and there.

"That's what it's all about," new offensive coordinator Jim Hostler said. "Five or six times a game, he's going to have to come alive with his feet. He's going to have to come out of the pocket and make a play running or by finding a receiver downfield after a scramble. And that's five or six (times) guaranteed.

"Last year, it was one or two here and there."

Big runs usually begin when a quarterback keeps a play alive with a small movement.

Last season, Smith made nice strides inside-stepping an oncoming rusher while keeping his eyes focused downfield, something that Hostler calls being able to "slide and move" in the pocket.

Another of the quarterback's highlights last season came against the St. Louis Rams when Smith felt a defender closing in from his right and took a step forward. The extra second or two Smith gained from the movement allowed him to hit Antonio Bryant downfield for a 72-yard touchdown.

A similar play happened in Seattle. With Seahawks safety Kelly Herndon bearing down, Smith moved slightly, shook off the tackle and then found Frank Gore open along the left sideline. Given the conditions at the time -- clinging to a three-point lead in the rain while playing on national television -- it arguably was the best play of Smith's NFL career.

"It's about making the best thing out of what we have," Hostler said. "If it's bad, make it good. If it's good, make it great. If it's really bad, make it halfway bad."

The question then is: When the pocket is breaking down and Smith buys himself an extra second, does he look for an open receiver like he did against the Rams, or does he take off and run like Young did so well when he was the 49ers' quarterback?

Said Hostler with a wide grin on his face: "I don't know. That's why we pay him all that money."

About the writer:

• The Bee's Matthew Barrows can be reached at mbarrows@sacbee.com.