Stick a fork in the 49ers. They're (mercifully) done.

[Auggie]

Traded their awesome though oft-injured linebacker Kwon Alexander to the Saints for draft pick(s) and cap relief.

QB Garoppolo (ankle), TE George Kittle (foot) and RB Tevin Coleman are out with injuries, probably for the season. Sounds like Lynch is trading away cap problems and planning for a rebuild next year. That might just include a new QB by the way.

They'll need bodies. Lots of expensive contracts and FAs on the roster.

Those two games in the Meadowlands resulted in a slew of injuries that doomed the season.

[Brother Buzz]

1. Boy Howdy, Aaron Rodgers loves to visit his home state....

and spank the 49ers just to remind them that they took a pass on him in the draft.

Back in the day, it was Aaron Rodgers' dream to play for for the 49ers.

Would have, could have, should have been.

[Auggie]

2. Perhaps. Rodgers could be thanking Mike Nolan too ...

for passing on him. Rodgers had the luxury of learning from Brett Favre while Smith was given the starting job on lousy team.

I thought Smith was nothing more than average. He was the product of spread offense in college and seemed uncomfortable throwing from the pocket. His throws also lacked a certain touch to make them easier to catch. Maybe it was coaching. When Harbaugh arrived he got better. But so did the team around him.

49ers didn't have a GM in 2005. Head coach Nolan selected Smith with the first pick and guard David Bass second. Both turned out to be under performers. He found gold in Frank Gore at #3 but the rest of the draft was lame.

So we could be looking at a 6-10 record, maybe worse. I think Nick Mullins is toast too. With 10 days to prepare I predict Beathard will get the start against New Orleans.