Alex Smith was given a vote of confidence from Mike Singletary on Thursday. "I feel very good about saying that Alex Smith is our starter going into the next football season," Singletary said on the first day of player workouts at the 2010 NFL Scouting Combine. "The thing for me is, I'm always going to use words like 'probably' and all those other things, because I like competition. And I like guys knowing that we're always going to compete. "But I feel very confident in saying that Alex Smith is our starting quarterback going forward."

The 49ers announced the team has placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on NT Aubrayo Franklin.

The 49ers don't appear very interested in Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb. Matt Maiocco of the Press Democrat writes that San Francisco appears confident in Alex Smith as their starting quarterback in 2010. "For the first time, he will not have to spend the offseason learning a new system. He has a better supporting cast than any point in his career," Maiocco writes.

The 49ers will franchise defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin, according to NFL sources. The tag for defensive tackles this year is $7 million. Teams must designate their franchise players by Feb. 25. Franklin started all 16 games for San Francisco in 2009.

The 49ers can be expected to use their franchise designation tag to retain NT Aubrayo Franklin. RealGM Staff Report: Franklin has been one of the game's most underrated nose tackles since coming to San Francisco from the Ravens.

Emmitt Smith and Jerry Rice led a class of seven into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday. The NFL's career receiving and rushing leaders were joined in the Hall by John Randle, Russ Grimm, Rickey Jackson, Floyd Little and Dick LeBeau. Little and LeBeau were elected as senior committee nominees.

Paraag Marathe, the 49ers' chief negotiator and the keeper of the salary cap, received a promotion last week, the organization confirmed. Marathe has been promoted to the title of executive vice president of football and business operations. The past two seasons, Marathe worked in the capacity of vice president of football operations after spending three seasons as director of football operations. In his new role, Marathe will continue to report directly to general manager Scot McCloughan on football matters. The 49ers list Marathe third among team management on the club's directory, below Jed York and McCloughan.