Niners get first look at QB Smith

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Alex Smith stepped all the way up to the line, barked out signals and flawlessly took the snap. An instant later, the ball was on the ground when Smith missed his connection with his fullback.

But just getting that first snap from center was an accomplishment for the San Francisco 49ers' top pick, who participated in his first practice Friday at the club's first minicamp since last month's draft.

"I've been looking forward to this day for so long," Smith said. "It felt like it was never going to get here. It couldn't get here fast enough, and it's finally here. That's the best thing, to get out there and throw, be part of the team."

Smith knows his days will be filled with many small victories before September. He's expected to help change the fortunes of a rebuilding club — and the former Utah quarterback must learn the West Coast offense while getting used to taking snaps from center after two years in an offense mostly featuring shotgun plays.

Smith worked out with Tim Rattay and Ken Dorsey, who shared the starting job last season, and third-stringer Cody Pickett while coach Mike Nolan ran his new club through a lively workout at its training complex. Smith and Rattay each got a third of the snaps, with Dorsey and Pickett splitting the final third.

Nolan won't pick a starting quarterback any time soon, but Smith — who will celebrate his 21st birthday today — will be given every opportunity to earn his yet-to-be-completed contract from opening day.

"It will be determined by how quickly he grasps the offense," Nolan said. "It's no different for him than it is for any other quarterback . . . I'd like to bring him along quickly. I'd like to see how much he can handle. We'll expose him to the entire offense in the next month."

Smith's life has changed dramatically in the four months since Utah beat Pittsburgh in the Fiesta Bowl to cap its undefeated season. After the pressure of draft auditions, contract negotiations and various celebrity commitments, he's happy to bury himself in work.

"It is very different," Smith said of his newfound fame. "It's one thing to get recognized in Salt Lake when you have your Utah football gear on. It's another thing to get recognized in a random city when you're in casual clothing. It's very different. Obviously, it comes with the territory."

Smith looked fairly sharp in his first drills, calling plays with authority and snapping most of his throws. Two fumbles aside, he showed off the impressive form that pushed him to the top of most clubs' draft boards.