You could call Smith the anti-Favre

<p>SANTA CLARA — Just call 49ers quarterback Alex Smith the anti-Brett Favre.</p><p>And that's not all bad, 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye said Thursday during his weekly session with reporters.</p><p>Raye, who was on the New York Jets' coaching staff last season with Favre as the quarterback, places Smith and Favre at different ends of the spectrum when it comes to playing the position of quarterback by the book.</p><p>“He wants detail,” Raye said of Smith. “He wants to know exact things. And where we have to wean him off that exactness is there is a fluidity of play involved in the position. And I think the more he plays, that will take over. Because he will play better, faster, the more he plays.”</p><p>Raye said quarterbacks need to have some qualities of a “maverick” — to stray from the design of the play on occasion in order to best exploit a matchup or take advantage of a situation.</p><p>“The last guy, Brett Favre, had it all the way to the other side. I don't want him to go that far,” Raye said.</p><p>Raye was then asked if Smith and Favre are opposites when it comes to temperament and intellect?</p><p>“Definitely, intellect,” Raye said, playfully.</p><p>“I'll pay for that one,” he added. “They are polar opposites in a lot of ways. Brett has more Wrangler commercials than Alex does.”</p><p>Raye said Smith should be able to grow exponentially in his second year in the same system. Raye and Smith are expected back in their current roles next season. It will be the first time in Smith's career that he will have the same offensive coordinator in back-to-back seasons.</p><p>“It's going to be great, but I'll think about that next week,” Smith said. “Honestly, I'm really focusing in on St. Louis.”</p><p>Smith has seemingly convinced the 49ers that he deserves the starting job in 2010. Smith will make his 10th start of the season on Sunday against the St. Louis Rams after missing most of the previous two seasons with shoulder injuries.</p><p><b>BRUCE'S ROLE</b></p><p>Coach Mike Singletary said this week that veteran wide receiver Isaac Bruce will suit up for Sunday's game against St. Louis.</p><p>It will be the final game of Bruce's 16-year career.</p><p>But it is uncertain whether Bruce will actually play in the game. Bruce did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. He has not practiced since prior to the 49ers' Nov. 22 game against the Green Bay Packers.</p><p>Raye said it is unrealistic to believe Bruce can have any significant role in the game after being beaten out for playing time by Josh Morgan, Michael Crabtree and Jason Hill.</p><p>“I don't think he could start and go play the game at this point based on his inactivity in what he has done over the last six or seven weeks,” Raye said.</p><p>He said he would meet with Bruce to determine what role — if any — Bruce would have once the game began.</p><p>“I don't want to do something to disrespect the career that he has had and show some form of tokenism that is shallow and nondescript and meaningless,” Raye said.</p><p><b>EXTRA POINTS</b></p><p>New kicker Ricky Schmitt “tweaked” his left groin in warmups and did not practice. The 49ers' medical staff will evaluate him this morning before the club decides whether it needs to sign a new kicker for Sunday's game. Veteran Joe Nedney has been ruled out with a hamstring strain.</p><p>Left tackle Joe Staley (knee) did not practice for the second straight day. Veteran Barry Sims would make his seventh start if Staley is unable to play. Guard Chilo Rachal (knee) saw limited practice.</p><p>Rookie quarterback Nate Davis handled the duties with the scout team for the second day in a row, as second-stringer Shaun Hill saw just limited practice with a sore back.</p><p>For more on the 49ers, go to Instant 49ers at blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers. You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at matt.maiocco@press</p>