The back and forth talk about Alex Smith is never-ending.

Last week against the Bills, Smith passed for a season high 303 yards and 3 touchdowns, set a new franchise-record of 621 total yards, and made NFL history being the first team to achieve 300 yards passing and 300 yards rushing in a single game.

Expectations were extremely and unrealistically high for the 49ers heading into week 6. Almost as if fans and sports media were unaware that the match up was against Eli Manning and the Giants who often play better on the road than they do at home.

After outscoring their opponents 79-3 in the two previous games, the Niners were defeated 26-3 in the face-off with the Giants. When Smith did not deliver in the same way he had the week prior everyone was already set on writing him off yet again.

I can't tell you how many times I hear commentators, journalists, and fans criticize Alex Smith for having no talent. They say he's nothing but a game manager who is not great at anything and has done nothing for the 49er organization.

Even when the team is successful attribution is never headed in Smith's direction.

First of all, he was the #1 overall pick in the 2005 draft. A draft that let's not forget, included Aaron Rodgers. Clearly he must have some talent.

No, I cannot say that Alex Smith is exceptional in one aspect of the game... because he excels in so many. He has a solid arm, on-point accuracy, is quick on his feet, and it's rare to see interceptions or fumbles.

To the people that say he has done nothing for the organization: that was true when he couldn't play because of shoulder surgery, was being taken in and out of the line up, and seemingly having a new offensive coordinator every week.

Then, who could forget Mike Singletary who openly had no faith in Smith's ability. The famous line "You gotta have a quarterback," by Singletary in an interview after his being fired was the culmination of Singletary's lack of confidence in his starter.

Jim Harbaugh saw he had a quarterback in Smith and has helped to develop him in all aspects of the game. Harbaugh has given Smith the confidence he needs to move forward and be an athlete that can take his team to the next level.

Harbaugh has been working Colin Kaepernick into the offense and giving him more and more snaps as the season goes on. This is good for the team at times, but if they want Smith to maintain a certain level of confidence and play well, Kaepernick shouldn't be put in the offense on 3rd down situations.

The 49ers have a historically winning franchise and understandably a quarterback is the primary piece of the puzzle a team needs to win. Alex Smith can do it, and I genuinely believe he will. His numbers will speak for themselves.

Smith and the 49ers have a short week going into the Thursday night game against the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Fresh off of the 24-23 win over the Patriots and the Niners rough loss to New York, Seattle will have a solid mindset going into Thursday.

Don't give up hope on the Niners just yet. Smith is turning into the "Franchise Quarterback" that 49ers have been in need of, and that's the guy that needs to show up on Thursday.