49ers Will Be Coming After Chiefs’ QB Alex Smith in Preseason Clash

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Chiefs’ quarterback Alex Smith has been playing it cool in regard to Kansas City’s upcoming preseason game against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers defense, on the other-hand, seems to be pretty excited to see him.

Here’s a quote from 49ers’ linebacker  NaVorro Bowman, who is looking forward to the opportunity to go up against Smith without a red caution jersey on, per The Associated Press (h/t Gregg Rosenthal/NFL.com):

"“There’s a first time for everything,” linebacker NaVorro Bowman said, via The Associated Press, with a smile. “We never got a chance to hit him. This time we can. We’re looking forward to it. I know Alex knows we’re coming. It’s football, man.”"

It’s obvious that Bowman isn’t being malicious here, and the 49ers aren’t “targeting” Smith per say. With that said, one doesn’t doubt the fact that San Francisco’s defense is excited to get after their former quarterback.

After all, they could never hit him in practice when he was with the 49ers, and even though everybody as a unit is a team, believe you me, there can be animosity at times between the offense and defense—especially when they’re competing against each other in practice.

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Animosity may be too strong of a word actually. Look at it more as a healthy competitive drive.

At least on Friday night, the 49ers will have a chance to stick it to their old quarterback.

On the flip side, Smith will have a chance to light them up as well, so this will be a fun game to watch.