Quarterback Alex Smith has spent the first three months of his offseason rehabilitating his surgically repaired right shoulder and his relationship with 49ers coach Mike Nolan.


Smith said Thursday that he is excited about the progress on both fronts.

He is throwing three times a week and expects to be near 100 percent for the 49ers' first minicamp, scheduled for the first weekend in May, he said.

Also, he and Nolan are communicating openly after engaging in an ugly public rift last season.

"I think we're both looking forward to putting last year behind us," Smith said. "I've talked to him several times and we're both excited about it. I know I definitely am, because I know that's not a reflection on either of us. We're both better than that, and I think we're looking forward to erasing that and proving to people – not only in this building but everywhere – that we're definitely going to move on."

Smith and Nolan will be linked forever in the annals of 49ers' history. In Nolan's first major decision after becoming head coach, he chose Smith with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2005 draft. The club's fortunes in each of the first three seasons have been reflected in Smith's play.

He was overmatched as a rookie, as the 49ers finished 4-12.

His play improved exponentially in his second season, and the 49ers finished with a promising 7-9 record.

But, last year, after getting off to a 2-1 start, Smith sustained a separated throwing shoulder. He tried to return to the lineup but was ineffective in three starts, and the 49ers became one of the larger disappointments in the league with a 5-11 record.

Moreover, the struggles on the field were exacerbated with Nolan and Smith taking verbal swipes at each other through the media. Nolan refused to acknowledge Smith's physical problems when the quarterback tried to return to the lineup.

Smith finally publicly declared he was nowhere close to 100 percent, as Nolan had suggested. One newspaper quoted Smith as saying he felt Nolan was trying to undermine him to his teammates.

Nolan was retained for at least one more season, though 49ers owner John York deliberated a couple days before announcing his decision to keep Nolan as coach while stripping him of his personnel responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the 49ers exercised a clause in Smith's contract to retain his rights for two more seasons, through 2010. But Smith will not be given anything this year. He is scheduled to compete with Shaun Hill for the starting job.

This is likely a make-or-break season for Smith and Nolan.

"It's definitely important, absolutely, without a doubt," said Smith, who turns 24 in May. "Especially for me, coming off last year and really looking forward to this year and trying to put everything into it. Every year is a big year. But this one, because it's the only one in front of me, is the biggest."

Smith's optimism for the season is partly based on the additions of veteran wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson. But, perhaps, the biggest acquisition for the 49ers' offense was the hiring of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, whom Smith described as "a guy who understands quarterbacks and the fundamentals of the position."

Smith said Martz has already started tutoring him on his footwork, while laying the foundation of what is expected of his quarterbacks in his demanding offense.

After spending about six weeks in a sling, Smith has resumed throwing the football on schedule, not unlike what a pitcher might experience. He is throwing three times a week.

"I'm just trying to work my arm back into throwing shape," he said. "The projected goal is to take another month to get it where it needs to be."

He said his forearm is no longer bothering him. Smith developed tendinitis last year after being instructed to lift heavy weights as part of his rehabilitation after sustaining the separated shoulder. Smith said he has not altered his throwing motion.

"There is definitely not a lot of the clicking and different things that were going on before," he said. "From having surgery and being in the sling, the main thing was to work out that tightness. I'm still tight in some areas, so I have to loosen that back up."

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Maiocco at 521-5492 or matt.maiocco@pressdemocrat.com.