Smith has longtime fans on Rams' side

<p>SANTA CLARA -- If things had turned out as Scott Linehan hoped, he wouldn't have to worry about facing 49ers quarterback Alex Smith on Sunday.</p><p>The Miami Dolphins owned the No. 2 pick in the 2005 draft, and Linehan was the Dolphins' offensive coordinator. If the 49ers had not taken Smith with the No. 1 overall pick, Linehan said he wanted the Dolphins to get him.</p><p>"I (didn't) make the pick, but I was hoping," said Linehan, now coach of the St. Louis Rams. "I had a pretty good idea that San Francisco was going to take him. And now we have to play against the turkey."</p><p>Linehan has known Smith since he was in grade school. He met the youngster after joining the Idaho coaching staff in 1989. John L. Smith, Alex's uncle, hired Linehan as wide receivers coach. Linehan eventually served as offensive coordinator on Smith's staffs at Idaho and Louisville.</p><p>Alex Smith was recruited to play at Louisville for his uncle and Linehan, but he decided to play at Utah instead. On Sunday when the 49ers face the Rams, Smith will be playing against Linehan's team -- and his uncle's current employer.</p><p>John L. Smith was fired as head coach of Michigan State after last season. In mid-August, Linehan hired him to be an advance scout for the Rams. Alex's uncle attended the 49ers-Cardinals game Monday night and took notes -- mostly on the 49ers' defense.</p><p>"He was there," Alex Smith said of his uncle. "I saw him afterward, wearing a Rams shirt."</p><p>Linehan is clearly an admirer of Smith's play. He said the game-winning drive Smith engineered Monday night against the Cardinals did not surprise him.</p><p>"That kid is a winner," Linehan said. "And the way he played on that last drive shows why he was the No. 1 pick in the draft a couple of years ago.</p><p>"He is maturing. You can tell he's got that system down now and is getting comfortable with the pro-style offense. He spent most of his college career in the shotgun, running the spread with Urban (Meyer).</p><p>It was a transition for him, and now you see him up there running that pro-style offense, making checks and audibles and throwing from the pocket."</p><p>HARRIS WAITS FOR TRADE</p><p>There were two trades in the NFL on Tuesday, and 49ers offensive tackle Kwame Harris said he was expecting another. Harris is on the trade block after losing his starting job to rookie Joe Staley. Harris did not suit up for Monday's season opener.</p><p>"I was sitting by the phone, waiting, and getting mentally prepared to be somewhere else," Harris said.</p><p>Harris is in the final year of his original contract. Every week he does not play could mean his stock as a scheduled free agent diminishes.</p><p>"I think the 49ers have a plan," Harris said. "If I were to be traded, the 49ers have an idea of what they want in return.</p><p>"I don't think they're actively looking to get rid of me, but if the right situation came up, they'd go for it."</p><p>When asked if he wants to be traded, Harris answered, "You can only play for so many years. I can't tell you yes or no, or I don't want to."</p><p>GORE PRAYS FOR FRIEND</p><p>Running back Frank Gore is encouraged that good friend Kevin Everett's prognosis is looking better. Everett, a tight end with the Buffalo Bills, was a teammate of Gore's at the University of Miami (Fla.). Everett sustained a spinal injury on Sunday.</p><p>Doctors are "cautiously optimistic" Everett will walk again.</p><p>"I couldn't believe it, especially knowing we had a game the next day," Gore said. "I know the guy and know how much he loved the game. It shows how fast something like that can happen. He could've lost his life. I'm happy everything is all right. I'll keep praying for him to get better and better."</p><p>Gore said his friend was on his mind Monday night. Gore has also been coping with the ailing health of his mother, Liz, who undergoes dialysis three times a week as she tries to improve her health for a kidney transplant.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.</p>