49ers should brace for Xavier Smith experience Rams fans know all too well

Los Angeles Rams fans know something about the Xavier Smith experience. In two-plus seasons with the team before being waived last week, the wide receiver and return specialist flashed lightning speed on one play, then seemed unsure of his own hands on the next. Muffing a punt in last year's NFC title game is his unfortunate LA legacy. 

Now San Francisco 49ers fans may be about to get a taste of the same. San Francisco signed Smith to the practice squad on Wednesday, desperate for any kind of punch on punt returns. It would be surprising if Smith remained off the active roster for long. 

He should be an upgrade on the Niners' current output: six returns for 25 yards. In fact, despite his maddening inconsistency, he'd be the Rams' best option were he still with the team. Waiving Smith when Alex Bachman as his designated replacement never made much sense.

Still, San Fran fans beware. Smith is more tantalizing idea than a material needle-mover. Like a miniature Hot Wheels one of those build-a-ramp toy sets, Smith kept flying off the chute for the Rams, or else getting stuck somewhere in the spirals.  

49ers should brace for Xavier Smith experience Rams fans know all too well

Those caveats out of the way, Smith is a bargain practice-squad pickup. Across 50 career punt returns, Smith has averaged 9.4 yards per return, with a long of 38. He ran back nine punts this season for 69 yards, a 9.9 average with a long of 19.

Smith probably won't help San Francisco much on offense. He was targeted once in 80 offensive snaps this season, a puzzling dropoff compared to his production last year (18 catches for 303 yards as the Rams' third-leading receiver).

But that's not what the 49ers are looking for, and Smith should be a definite upgrade on special teams. Then again, should means something differen't than will. As it applies to Smith, LA fans are all too aware of the distinction. In the same game, Smith can negate an excellent return with a head-scratching mistake. 

Despite their 4-0 record, the 49ers have arguably an even worse special-teams situation than the Rams'. They've gotten nothing from their kick returns and Eddy Pineiro continues to struggle on extra points. It's hard to imagine Smith won't help them somewhat. Just be ready for the disappointment and frustration along with it.

Why did he just field that ball at the goal line when it would have bounced in for a touchback? Why is he catching punts with his facemask? But look, off he scampers on a 20-yard return. You learn to live with it, until you can't. 

Being intrigued for a potential upgrade is one thing. Expecting a "special-teams ace" is a fast track for a letdown.

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