When in doubt, look to the players. The players usually know.

Despite nine interceptions and three fumbles, Alex Smith has eluded the grasp of the bench, and he has the support of his teammates. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

The coach? Well, right now, maybe the coach is on his own.

Alex Smith remains the quarterback of the winless San Francisco 49ers today for two reasons: (1) the 49ers don't have a better option, and (2) some of the team's top offensive stars made it clear the other night they had chosen Smith over Coach Mike Singletary. You doubt that? Look to the players.

It was right there on the sideline. Singletary, incensed by Smith's second-half fumble that was returned for a huge touchdown by Philadelphia in the Eagles' eventual 27-24 victory, ripped into Smith and told him that backup David Carr was replacing him. Carr, in fact, was being informed by his offensive coordinator to go into the game, which would explain why he jogged onto the field on the 49ers' next offensive possession.

Whoops. Hold that thought.

As lousy as the fumble was, as erratically as Smith has played this season, as shaky as the 49ers' once-bright future now appears, his teammates still had his back. As Smith walked away from Singletary after their meeting escalated into a low-melodrama shouting match, tight end Vernon Davis steered the sixth-year quarterback right back toward the embattled head coach.

Davis wanted Smith to go and fight for his job. Davis wanted Smith, not Carr, on the field. He was one of several 49ers offensive players who literally wanted Singletary overruled in real time, during the game.