West Virginia daily

SANTA CLARA - How would Alex Smith describe himself? Maybe it is best to start with who he is not.

The San Diego native was asked Sunday whether he learned anything from the Chargers' disastrous relationship with quarterback Ryan Leaf, the second overall draft choice in 1998.

"I learned a lot of what not to do," Smith said at his inaugural news conference. "Especially in him, you see how the money, I think, got to his head."

While injured in 1999, Leaf was suspended for four weeks without pay and fined a week's salary for what teammates said was an obscenity-laced tirade at then-general manager Bobby Beathard and other Chargers personnel. It was one of several examples of Leaf's volatile temperament.

After displaying his new 49ers jersey -No. 11, his number at Utah - Smith climbed the podium and told the crowd it was his duty to fulfill the expectations of a No. 1 draft choice.

The lanky 20-year-old arrived at the session with a thick playbook tucked under his arm, and despite early difficulties working out a contract, said it was "absolutely vital" to attend the team's next minicamp May 6-8.

"I can't think any higher of myself because I was selected with this pick," he said. "In fact, I see it the other way around. I've become even hungrier now, more willing to prove it was the right selection."

Smith used the words "blue collar" multiple times to describe himself. His mother, Pam, said her quiet, respectful son was judged "too nice" by some of the colleges that considered recruiting him.

Sons of high school principals tend to mind their manners.

Doug Smith, principal of Helix High, where Alex played football, said one of the lessons his son learned was provided by Leaf, whose off-the-field blunders were nearly as spectacular as his on-field struggles (two touchdowns and 15 interceptions his rookie season).

"How embarrassing for the city and ... the club," Doug Smith said. "What a poor way to represent the city and the NFL. We were Chargers fans and were let down."

Smith was not the only quarterback the 49ers chose this weekend.

The team spent its second selection Sunday on Rasheed Marshall, who ran West Virginia's offense for three years. The 49ers, however, expect Marshall to move to wide receiver. That's fine with the Pittsburgh native, who grew up watching players like Hines Ward and Antwaan Randle El successfully transition from college quarterback to NFL receiver.

"I'm friends with those guys and they kind of guided me along," Marshall said.

The pick boosted the number of Pittsburgh-area natives on the team.

Offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy - who envisions giving Marshall a couple of snaps a game at quarterback - is from the area, as is running back Kevan Barlow. Marshall said he played against Barlow in high school.

The 49ers took another receiver, Oregon speedster Marcus Maxwell with their second pick in the seventh round.

Coach Mike Nolan described Maxwell, who grew up in the Bay Area, as "very raw" but said he was impressed the receiver was a willing blocker.

"A lot of those speed guys just want to run around people," Nolan said.

Beyond those picks, the 49ers concentrated on defense, selecting nose tackle Ronald Fields with their first pick of the day. The 310-pound Fields is built in the mold of Ted Washington and Sam Adams - with limited athleticism but plenty of power. The 49ers will plug him into their 3-4 scheme. He should push undersized Anthony Adams and unproven Isaac Sopoaga for playing time.

The team chose cornerbacks Derrick Johnson (Washington) and Daven Holly (Cincinnati) in the sixth and seventh rounds, then ended the day with two big blocking tight ends, Virginia's Patrick Estes and Billy Bajema of Oklahoma State.

The 49ers wanted to grab a franchise quarterback and then begin building the team around him.

If Alex Smith doesn't win the starting job by the end of training camp, he'll be expected to take over early in the season. The team wants secondround pick G David Baas in the starting lineup and believes RB Frank Gore will pressure Kevan Barlow into living up to expectations. Day 2 picks provide depth, especially on defense.

Frank Gore, running back, Miami, Round 3, 65th overall

Adam Snyder, offensive tackle, Oregon, Round 3, 94th overall

The 49ers addressed one of their question marks on defense by adding a guy whose one skill is bull-rushing the quarterback.

Hoping to move from quarterback to receiver. During that transition, the 49ers will use him as a returner. Named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year last season.

Finished seventh on the Huskies' career list with 11 interceptions, including four in consecutive games in 2003.

Holly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds. Was a receiver at Cincinnati before his switch.

Was never a primary receiver at Oregon but caught the eyes of pro scouts with impressive workouts. Pinole Valley High product ran a 4.42-second 40-yard dash at his private workout.

Estes' forte is blocking. Ran the 40-yard dash in an impressive 4.79 seconds.

Double majored in pre-med and business with a 3.7 grade-point average. A good blocker but could stand to gain more strength.

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