There's confidence in your players and then there is this:
Alex Smith led San Francisco to the NFC championship game in 2011 and started the first nine games of the 49ers' Super Bowl run a year ago, and Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson believes strongly in Smith.
"Ultimately, every team has to have a quarterback," Pederson said. "I think we have the best in the league."
The best? Better than Peyton Manning … Tom Brady … Drew Brees … Joe Flacco … Matt Ryan … Eli Manning … Colin Kaepernick … ?
"There are a lot of great ones," Pederson said, "but over time, Alex has proven he can get it done. He's a sharp guy, he brings a wealth of knowledge, he's experienced, he's a proven winner the last couple of years, and he needs a team to embrace him."
The. Best. In. The. League.
We presume Pederson at least didn't mean the best of all-time. After all, Pederson used to be Brett Favre's backup in Green Bay and Favre will surely have words for him if he says Smith tops the gunslinger.
