There’s a lot to like about San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman. I repeat, a lot.

He’s energetic, he’s thoughtful and perhaps most important of all, he knows how to put his players in position to win.

Twenty-seven victories in two seasons later, those impressive traits were recently documented by esteemed Yahoo! Sports writer Michael Silver, who wrote a solid profile on the 49ers play-caller. Silver and Roman spoke for so long over lunch recently, the 49ers coordinator’s car was impounded. Not to worry, Roman picked his car up and got back to doing what he loves.

Silver went into detail on how Roman is moving on from Super Bowl XLVII and how the game’s final sequence overshadowed a stellar season in 2012.

“The upshot is especially cruel,” Silver wrote. “Roman, the man who probably dialed up more brilliant calls than anyone in the business last season, the audacious innovator who overhauled the Niners’ offense on the fly in midseason and literally and figuratively unveiled formations that turned the football world upside down, is the guy getting blasted by half the folks who’ve ever held a Madden joystick.”

But don’t only take Silver’s words. Consider the comments from two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Staley.

“I’ve never been around a coordinator who understands everything,” Staley told Silver. “Not just X’s and O’s and how you draw it up, but the bigger picture, too. Watching games [on tape], I find myself saying, ‘This is a perfect call here.’ It seems seamless to him. There are a lot of guys who are really smart with plays and who run creative schemes, but it’s the way you call those plays that makes all the difference. He’s great at both. He’s very innovative.”

Roman continues to find ways to make the 49ers better in 2013 and is surely eager to work with recently acquired quarterback Colt McCoy, in addition to installing more wrinkles to the hybrid offense the 49ers ran last season.

Roman can analyze the Super Bowl outcome all he wants, but in the back of his mind he knows there’s more to come from his offensive unit.

“The reality is, if you’ve got a guy who can throw the ball like [Colin Kaepernick] can and run it like he can, it eventually becomes a numbers game,” Roman told Silver. “What do you want to stop? Then we turn to something we call play-action, and it’s a huge advantage.

“So yeah, (defenses are) gonna be spending a lot of time on this. They should. This is real. And we’re just getting started.”

More 49ers headlines can be found in the Morning Tailgate.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com compared McCoy to former 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.

The National Football Post commended McCoy for his comments in his introductory conference call.

ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reported the 49ers have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha. No official word on the signing has been made by the 49ers front office.

Safety Donte Whitner was asked about the reported signing in a recent appearance on NFL Network. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee shared Whitner’s comments on the potential “good fit.”

McCoy’s first day with the 49ers was documented by 49ers.com.

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Truly admire Kevin Ware for maintaining a positive attitude despite the nightmare he's living with the injury.. Ppl like that make it thru!!—
Kyle Williams (@KyleWilliams_10) April 03, 2013

Agreed.

Free agency doesn’t begin until March 12, but that’s not stopping NFL scribes and pundits from looking at the best players soon to be available.

In the case of NFL.com’s Adam Schein, the most underrated free agents came into greater focus in a recent post. The respected columnist listed his top-nine underrated free agents with 49ers Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro safety Dashon Goldson coming in at No. 3.

Goldson, a two-time Pro Bowler in consecutive seasons, recorded nine tackles in Super Bowl XLVII. It’s hard to believe a first-team All-Pro would be underrated, but Schein believes the 49ers defensive star power covers up Goldson’s impact play. After the season concluded, Jim Harbaugh made it clear that the 49ers want their 28-year-old safety around long-term.

Schein believes that’s the right train of thought.

“Goldson was the San Francisco 49ers’ ‘franchise player’ last year, so chances are he won’t be slapped with the tag again, as that would force the Niners to shell out a gigantic one-year raise,” wrote Schein, who voted for Goldson to be a first-team All-Pro. “Goldson wants a long-term commitment from San Francisco, and he has earned it.”

Goldson’s situation will be one to monitor when free agency talk heats up in the coming weeks.

Colin Kaepernick recently attended the Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Awards and conducted several red carpet interviews. The 49ers quarterback also had time to impersonate another popular internet meme with US Olympic star Mckayla Maroney.

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune believes the Chargers should emulate the 49ers and Greg Roman’s offensive innovation.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee examines six of the top defensive linemen headed to the 2013 NFL Draft.

Matt Bowen of the National Football Post is eager to see how the quarterbacks perform at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.

Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com breaks down the combine quarterbacks with the most to gain in Indianapolis.

49ers Hall of Fame wide receiver Dwight Clark recently preached the importance of healthy eating to a local middle school.

49ers.com shared the best photos taken in 2012 by team photographer Terrell Lloyd.

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Offseason…what offseason? There is no offseason! Day 2, getting better, boxing after lift #workwins #49ers #niners http://t.co/FfY4OwNX—
Chad Hall (@chadhall16) February 07, 2013

Work wins.

The closing moments of Super Bowl XLVII will sit in the hearts and minds of the 49ers Faithful throughout the offseason, but it doesn’t take away from San Francisco’s remarkable season nor does it diminish the team’s comeback effort against the Baltimore Ravens.

In examining the game tape twice, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King uncovered several intriguing aspects of the 49ers offensive performance. He also spoke with offensive coordinator Greg Roman to find out his take on the final four offensive plays of the game.

“This is what I found amazing about what the tape revealed,” King wrote. “On the first 13 offensive snaps for San Francisco, Roman dialed up 13 different alignments using 12 different combinations of running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.

“In those 13 plays, Roman had four wide receivers in the game, four running backs (two running backs, two fullbacks) and four tight ends. On the fifth play of the game, a no-back look, he spread three receivers left and two to the right, with a fullback (Bruce Miller) and running back (LaMichael James) split the furthest; (Colin) Kaepernick hit (Michael) Crabtree, running from the left slot, on a 19-yard incut.

“On the very next snap, Roman dialed up something Walter Camp invented 140 years ago, the T formation. Kaepernick lined up under center, with three backs tight together behind him — Gore to the left, fullback Walter Tukuafu in the middle, and fullback Miller to the right. None went in motion. (Frank) Gore powered ahead for no gain into the teeth of the Ravens’ D. Win some, lose some.”

King noted that the 49ers had Kaepernick in the Pistol formation 51 times and under center nine plays. King counted 13 plays in the read-option scheme and 47 snaps without Kaepernick playing option football.

Roman discussed the final four plays and the disappointing result with King.

“I’ll use it as motivation going forward,” the 49ers offensive coordinator told King. “To dwell on something that’s over is so utterly pointless. Anytime you make a call and the play doesn’t work, you think of another play that might have worked. We had a valiant effort, a great comeback, and it wasn’t enough. That’s life. It’s the game we love, the highs, the lows. But it doesn’t take away from what we did this year, and how excited I’m going to be to coach these guys next year.”

ProFootballFocus.com listed the 49ers offensive line as the No. 1 unit in football. San Francisco’s line ranked No. 20 in 2011.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee offered a list of the 49ers biggest draft needs starting with finding help on the defensive line.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com answered fan questions centering on the 49ers offseason trade options.

Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com wondered if the 49ers will fall victim to a Super Bowl hangover. Prisco noted the last team to lose a Super Bowl and make it back the next season was  the Buffalo Bills in 1993.

Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com picked West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin as the 49ers draft choice at pick No. 31 in his recent mock draft.

Rob Rang of CBSSports.com had the 49ers selecting Jonathan Cooper, guard out of North Carolina.

Russ Lande of NationalFootballPost.com took Alabama defensive tackle Jesse Williams the 49ers choice at 31.

49ers.com shared A.J. Jenkins’ comments on exit day. Last year’s first-round pick is eager to expand his role on the 49ers offense.

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Back at home….. Vacation ain't really an option for me! Lets work instagr.am/p/Vo97kWNBGg/—
Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) February 12, 2013

Lead by example.

As the 49ers make their Quest for Six, it’s appropriate to remember the central figures who were behind previous five Super Bowls in franchise history. Along with former owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., coach Bill Walsh was the face of the 49ers as they became one of the NFL’s most storied organizations.

Walsh, who was also a friend and mentor to Jim Harbaugh, has left his fingerprints all over the league. From his teachings of the West Coast Offense to his impressive coaching tree of former assistants who have shaped the NFL over the years, Walsh will always be remembered as one of the sport’s greatest innovators.

Seth Wickersham of ESPN the Magazine detailed Walsh’s legacy and how a book written by Walsh captures the coach’s dedication to his craft.

“Walsh began writing alone at his beach house in Monterey, Calif., always at 8 a.m., on yellow legal pads, in pencil, in all caps, his penmanship so clean that it could be its own font,” Wickersham wrote. “He would tear off sheets and stack them neatly in piles on the floor. This was in 1995, and Walsh didn’t know what kind of book he wanted. A leadership guide? A playbook? A coaching manual? A blueprint for front offices? Walsh told (Roger) Craig he wanted it to be a ‘real football book,’ not some light autobiography, waxing poetic about Super Bowls and Montana-to-Rice touchdown passes. He wanted his first book to motivate coaches, not delight fans.”

The 49ers would also like to announce that the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority is offering a Super Bowl special on pet adoptions. Select cats can be adopted for $4 and select dogs can be adopted for $9.

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate also features the latest Super Bowl headlines, Patrick Willis’ strong relationship with his foster family, a historical look at the biggest games in 49ers postseason history and more.

Erik Brady of USA Today discussed the impact of Chris and Julie Finley on Willis’ life.

Mike Silver of Yahoo! Sports listed the top 16 non-Super Bowl games in 49ers history.

Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle noted the loyalty of the Harbaugh family after Thursday’s conference call.

Ray Ratto of CSNBayArea.com invented the word “Harbaughtastic” when discussing the Harbaugh family leading up to the Super Bowl.

Peter Hartlaub of the San Francisco Chronicle spoke to 49ers Faithful fan Terry White, who has been to all five 49ers Super Bowl wins.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle discussed Jonathan Goodwin’s role on the team as a quiet leader.

Mark Emmons and Daniel Brown of the Bay Area News Group broke down the Harbaugh family conference call.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com spoke to DeBartolo about his role in 49ers history and his statue that will be placed at the new Santa Clara Stadium.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee noted how Willis selected his jersey No. 52.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com examined NaVorro Bowman’s big pass breakup in the NFC Championship.

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News group passed along comments from Colin Kaepernick about adding to the rich history of the 49ers and speaking with Joe Montana and Steve Young.

Inman wrote that Harbaugh called into John Madden’s radio show.

Maiocco wrote about 49ers running back Anthony Dixon’s role in the offense.

Rael Enteen of CSNBayArea.com discussed the patience of running back LaMichael James.

J. Michael of CSNBaltimore.com wrote that Dennis Dixon will be playing the role of Kaepernick for Baltimore’s scout team.

Steve Corkran of the Bay Area News Group shared comments from offensive coordinator Greg Roman on Kaepernick and the 2011 49ers-Ravens game.

49ers.com’s coverage included a look at Dan Marino’s thoughts on Kaepernick, James, Vic Fangio’s return to New Orleans. We also brought you the Harbaugh family conference call (audio / transcript) press passes from Roman (video / transcript), Willis and Kaepernick (transcript) and Alex Boone’s visit with NFL Network.

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To honor the #49ers march to #SB47, SVACA is adopting select cats for $4 and select dogs for $9 facebook.com/media/set/?set… http://t.co/rU03TkFq—
49ers Community (@49ersCommunity) January 25, 2013

Help out the furry 49ers Faithful.

It’s been nearly four months since the 49ers kicked off the 2012 season with a 30-22 victory against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. By virtue of their 24-10 victory over Minnesota on Saturday, the Packers are headed to Candlestick for the 5 p.m. PT Saturday kickoff against the 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round.

Aaron Rodgers led Green Bay to an 11-5 record and the NFC North title in the regular season, earning the No. 3 seed in the postseason. The 49ers and Packers and no strangers to each other in the playoffs. Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com took a look back at the rich postseason history between the two proud franchises over the years.

“When the third-seeded Green Bay Packers visit Candlestick Park on Saturday to face the No. 2 seed 49ers, it’ll be their sixth postseason meeting,” Maiocco wrote. “But it’ll be the first time Chico native Aaron Rodgers has played in San Francisco in his career. And it’ll be the first playoff appearance for Colin Kaepernick.”

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate looks ahead to the playoff matchup with the Pack as the 49ers open their Quest for Six.

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group previewed the 49ers-Packers.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee examined Colin Kaeperinck’s role heading into his first postseason game.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle looked ahead to the weekend and passed along comments from Rodgers about Kaepernick.

Peter King of Sports Illustrated named Ahmad Brooks, Anthony Davis, Dashon Goldson and Mike Iupati to his 2012 All-Pro team.

Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote about Rodgers’ upcoming first visit to Candlestick Park.

Maiocco discussed the Week 1 rematch between San Francisco and Green Bay.

Inman looked at how the 49ers have fared against Rodgers in the past.

Branch examined the differences between both teams since their Week 1 contest.

Mike Sando highlighted five storylines to keep an eye on this weekend.

Sando looked at the NFC rankings on offense and defense heading into the postseason.

Branch and Maiocco discussed the playoff potential of Vernon Davis.

Vic Ketchman of Packers.com analyzed the changes in the 49ers and Packers since Week 1.

LaMichael James was one of 11 rookies to be profiled in Gatorade’s season-long Everything to Prove video series.

Branch discussed Greg Roman’s ties to other football personnel throughout the league that attended John Carroll University.

Maiocco spoke to LB Parys Haralson, who is recovering from a triceps injury that kept him out of the entire 2012 season.

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Each day this week, we'll have a new step in the #49ers #QuestforSix. Visit 49ers.com/questforsix for more information.—
San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 07, 2013

Have you joined the #QuestforSix?

As the regular season winds down, the 49ers are starting to fill up 2012 award lists and the NFC Pro Bowl roster. Mike Sando of ESPN.com offered his all-NFC West team and listed 11 49ers among the best players in the division.

Among San Francisco’s players on Sando’s list included wideout Michael Crabtree, who is having a career year in his fourth NFL season. 49ers Public Relations director Bob Lange shared this cool photo spread of Crabtree explaining his ability to make sideline catches to ESPN the Magazine reporter Anna Katherine Clemons.

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate looks at Justin Smith’s injury, Vernon Davis’ return to practice and more.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com passed along comments from Patrick Willis about the 49ers defense without Smith.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle noted the select company Willis joined in making six straight Pro Bowls to start his career.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee wrote that Willis will look to help fill the void left by Smith.

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group, Maiocco and Barrows wrote that Davis has been initially cleared by a neurologist.

Branch and Inman also discussed the impact of Smith on the 49ers defense.

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle spotlighted five players who need to step up for the 49ers.

Jeff Deeney of Pro Football Focus takes a look ahead to the 49ers-Cardinals Week 17 matchup.

Maiocco shared comments from offensive coordinator Greg Roman about the process of calling plays.

49ers.com’s coverage included a look at the star-studded defense, Aldon Smith’s visit with NFL Network, the offense without Mario Manningham and press passes with Roman and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.

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My best is always enough. In due time. We need the smash the Cardinals and get ready for this Playoff Run. We need to bring #6 to SF.—
Bam Davis (@AnthonyDavis76) December 28, 2012

Anthony Davis is getting ramped up for the playoffs.

The 49ers will head to New England on Friday afternoon with heavy hearts following the unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Conn.

Both teams feature two of the best football minds in the game in Jim Harbaugh and Bill Belichick. As Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group noted, both Harbaugh and Belichick have respect for each other.

“During Harbaugh’s 15-year playing career, he opposed a Belichick-led team only once,” Inman wrote. “Although Harbaugh’s Indianapolis Colts lost 21-14 at home to Belichick’s Cleveland Browns in 1994, Harbaugh passed for 194 yards — and ran for a career-high 63 yards.”

Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle labeled the Patriots matchup as a measuring stick for the 49ers.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee previews the big contest between AFC and NFC heavyweights.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle examined the fast-paced New England offense.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com discussed the history between Aldon Smith and Patriots tackle Nate Solder.

Monte Poole of the Bay Area News Group wrote that Greg Roman has a big opportunity to shine on the primetime stage.

Inman shared the story of the wristbands being passed around by the defense.

Kevin Kurz of CSNBayArea.com noted the quality rushing attack of New England.

Tom E. Curran of CSNNewEngland.com shared comments from Tom Brady regarding fellow Michigan man Harbaugh.

Maiocco spoke to scout team receiver Chad Hall about mimicking Wes Welker in practice.

Barrows passed along comments from Greg Roman about learning the Pistol offense from Nevada coach Chris Ault.

49ers.com’s coverage included a look at Aldon Smith, his charitable efforts, another Throwback Thursday and Roman’s thoughts on the Patriots defense. Scott Kegley and Taylor Price broke down the matchup in the latest Cover 2 presented by AAA and we also brought you press passes from Roman, Vic Fangio and NaVorro Bowman.

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Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & all those affected by today's unimaginable tragedy in our New England community—
New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 14, 2012

The 49ers join the Patriots in their thoughts for the victims and families of Friday’s tragedy.

Much has been made of the new blood that’s been infused into the 49ers in 2012.

Young players like Colin Kaepernick and running back LaMichael James, along with other free-agent signings like Mario Manningham and Randy Moss have paid huge dividends for San Francisco this season. But when the 49ers look across to the opposite sideline on Sunday night, they’ll see another team that has restocked its talent for the 2012 season.

The Patriots have especially revamped the defensive side of the ball this year and it shows up on film.

“As you look at them on defense,” 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said, “they’re as physical a defense as we’ve seen since we’ve been here, as fundamentally sound a defense as we’ve seen.  And they present you just a multitude of things to prepare for, both from a personnel and schematic standpoint.”

Despite all the newcomers flying around for the Patriots defense these days, it all starts front and center with veteran Vince Wilfork. The defensive tackle possesses agility and athleticism rarely seen for a man of his size (6-foot-2, 325 pounds), making him a threat in both run stuffing and pass-rushing.

It will be up to center Jonathan Goodwin and guards Mike Iupati to try and slow down Wilfork and his supporting cast, which features an impressive crop of rookies.

The New England front office did a great job of selecting playmakers in the 2012 NFL Draft, adding impact players like defensive end Chandler Jones, linebacker Dont’a Hightower and cornerback Alfonzo Dennard.

“Their front seven is as stout as I’ve seen and it starts with the big guy Wilfork, who’s a tremendous athlete for his size,” Roman said. “And then the line backing crew, they’re just big, physical, athletic guys that complement their down linemen. … Secondary is very physical as well, physical in coverage, they give you a multitude of looks and it’s a lot to prepare for. We’re excited about it.”

Jones, a talented pass-rusher out of Syracuse, has six sacks for the Patriots while Alabama alum Hightower has been a consistent force along with fellow linebackers Rob Ninkovich and Jerod Mayo. Former Nebraska Cornhusker Dennard, meanwhile, has carved out a role on the starting defense and formed an imposing cornerback duo along with Aqib Talib, who was recently acquired via trade from Tampa Bay.

Add it all up, and that’s a talented group of players on defense. Not to mention to the New England coaching staff, which has built a system that often perplexes opposing teams.

“You’re not quite sure what they’re doing until right before the ball snaps,” Roman said. “So, (the front seven) can move around and really fit in anywhere. And then from a coverage standpoint, really good disguise team, good players, good scheme.”

On the flip side, the 49ers offense has a tool to help confuse opposing defenses: the Pistol offense. Only don’t call it the Pistol offense around 49ers headquarters. Two syllables are too many.

“We just use one syllable,” Roman said. “It’s a ‘Q’ formation.”

Colin Kaepernick, who learned the Pistol offense from the formation’s inventor, University of Nevada coach Chris Ault, has thrived in the formation with the 49ers. Just look at last week’s 50-yard touchdown run, when Kaepernick deked out the Dolphins defense with a nice play-action fake to Frank Gore before running untouched down the left sideline.

“Kap’s 50-yard run a couple of weeks ago,” Roman said, “there was 10 guys on that side of the field.”

Roman has been incorporating the Pistol or Q formation into his offense dating back to his time at Stanford with Jim Harbaugh. Roman even remembers watching a “productive” Kaepernick run the offense in college, before taking a trip up to Reno to pick Ault’s brain about the pros and cons of the formation.

“That was very valuable time spent,” Roman said. “He was very accommodating and it was very interesting as a coach to go really learn something totally new. And he’s a very good football coach that was very accommodating.”

The 49ers are frequent inductees to Hall of Fames. Brent Jones was the latest alumni to be recognized for his stellar career, as he was recently elected to the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame along with Giants pitching coach Dave Righetti, ex-Raiders receiver Tim Brown and the late Oakland A’s owner Walter Haas, Jr.

Ron Kroichick of the San Francisco Chronicle spoke to Jones and Righetti about their Bay Area upbringings and what it means to be a part of the 2013 BASHOF.

“Jones played on three Super Bowl champions, earned four Pro Bowl berths and caught 417 passes in his career,” Kroichick wrote. “Now he’s going into a Hall of Fame filled with childhood heroes (including Willie Mays, Nate Thurmond and Fred Biletnikoff) and his 49ers teammates (including Montana, Young and Jerry Rice).”

The rest of today’s Morning Tailgate looks at Jim Harbaugh’s value to the 49ers, Colin Kaepernick vs. RGIII and more.

Bill Barnwell of Grantland.com argued that Harbaugh is the best bargain in football.

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee compared the playing styles of Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III.

Alain Poupart of MiamiDolphins.com shared comments from Kaepernick’s college teammate, Miami WR Rishard Matthews.

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com spoke to 49ers CEO Jed York at Thursday’s “topping out” ceremony for the new Santa Clara Stadium.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle previewed the upcoming matchup between Aldon Smith and Miami rookie tackle Jonathan Martin.

Barrows also examined the Smith-Martin matchup.

Maiocco broke down the expected battle between Alex Boone and Miami DT Randy Starks.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com tells you who to root for in Week 14 if you’re a member of the 49ers Faithful.

Sando also wrote that the 49ers-Seahawks Week 16 contest could be a prime candidate to be flexed to a primetime slot.

Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group, Barrows, Branch and Maiocco passed along coments from 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

49ers.com’s coverage included a look at the new Santa Clara Stadium “Topping Out” ceremony, Boone’s improvement, Vic Fangio’s defense and the “Lights Out” win vs. the Steelers in 2011. Scott Kegley and Taylor Price broke down the 49ers-Dolphins contest in the latest Cover 2 Presented by AAA and we also brought you press passes from Roman, Fangio and Boone.

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@TaylorPrice49 OL coach Solari has done a great job as well. Every player needs the "right" coach for them… Alex lucky to have him.—
LeCharles Bentley (@LeCharlesBent65) December 07, 2012

LeCharles Bentley has Alex Boone’s back.

Being the competitor he is, Alex Smith was understandably upset to hear that he won’t be the starting 49ers quarterback on Sunday in St. Louis.

Earlier this week, coach Jim Harbaugh met with Smith and Colin Kaepernick, eventually telling both talented signal-callers that Kaepernick would get the starting nod for the third straight game. While Smith wishes he could be out on the field, he will be counted on to be a valuable asset and teammate for Kaepernick.

“This is such a great team, such a great group of guys in this locker room,” Smith said. “There’s something special going on. It’s a tough pill to swallow, for sure.”

It’s been easy to spot Smith the past two contests, as he’s often been helping Kaepernick on the sideline with the 49ers coaching staff, breaking down images of the game and talking strategy. Smith said he harbors no ill feelings towards Harbaugh, who had a tough decision to make between two quality quarterbacks.

“No resentment,” Smith said. “I don’t get to make those decisions, that’s what he gets paid to do. He’s the head coach. I play football, that’s what I’m going to continue to do. Continue to get ready and make the most of my next opportunity.”

Smith is in his eighth year of an eventful NFL career and has been an exemplary professional throughout. This situation is no different, as the veteran earned praise from Harbaugh for the way he’s handled it.

“All these decisions are difficult and you think through them the best you possibly can,” Harbaugh said. “Alex is a class act all the way. He’ll prepare as he is the starter and that’s what we would expect. And be ready to go in and play and contribute to this football team.”

Smith has excelled under Harbaugh’s guidance, leading the 49ers to a 19-5-1 record in the 25 regular season games that he’s started since 2011. He was also ranked in the top five of NFL quarterback rating at the time of his concussion against the Rams in Week 10, while he still leads the league in completion percentage (70 percent).

“It’s tough, “Smith said. “That’s why I said you kind of state your case with your play, and I felt like I’d done that. So in that sense, it is tough.”

But the 49ers have still looked impressive with Kaepernick at the controls in the past two wins, a 32-7 home victory against Chicago and last week’s 31-21 win at New Orleans. Regardless of who gets the call at quarterback, offensive coordinator Greg Roman feels lucky to have Kaepernick and Smith on his team.

“We’re in a very great situation,” Roman said. “We have two winning quarterbacks on our roster. They both compete hard every day to be the best they can be and help us win. That’s a good situation to be in.”