Super Bowl 2013 media day: Alex Smith says demotion has been 'tough at times'

One of the biggest story lines for the San Francisco 49ers this season was the switch from Alex Smith to Colin Kaepernick at quarterback. Smith was playing well, Kaepernick didn't have a huge, eye-opening performance to unseat Smith, either. After Smith went down with a concussion, the 49ers just sort of ... made the transition.

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Still, Smith was a big part of San Francisco's early season success, and he's as much a part of the team as anybody. He was very much a part of Tuesday's media day festivities, and he talked about the switch at quarterback.

Smith said that it has been "tough at times for sure, tough to accept, tough to watch." He did continue being the absolute professional that he's been known as his whole career though, and said that the whole ride has been an amazing experience.

He went on to compliment the team and said that it's "bittersweet a little bit," but, again, added that it's been "a great thing to be a part of."

It's almost remarkable how Smith has handled the whole situation. He's had one of the biggest roller-coaster careers you can have in the NFL. Last season, he really started to impress, and yet the 49ers pursued an upgrade in Peyton Manning during the offseason. Now, with a winning record, he was switched out for Kaepernick.

The 49ers are the favorites to best the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl, so no, it's not likely that the 49ers feel much remorse about their decision. At the end of the day, it's a business, and Smith is treating it like one himself, as well. But it's hard to not feel like Smith got the short end of the stick, and not at all what he deserved.