NFL

Alex Smith

49ers president Jed York gave Alex Smith a strong vote of confidence as the team’s starting quarterback on Monday. “Alex is our guy,” York said. “He’s our quarterback. We believe in Alex. Coach Singletary believes in Alex. I think it’s great this is the first time he’s had continuity at the offensive coordinator. When you have some weapons around him with Crab (Michael Crabtree) with Vernon (Davis) with Frank (Gore), I think Alex is poised to have a good season for us.”

Elsewhere around the NFL:

New York: The player rep for restricted free agent Leon Washington says his client is skipping the New York Jets’ offseason conditioning program in part because other teams are interested in acquiring Washington.

We’ve heard no such reports. Agent Alvin Keels insists Washington’s absence has “nothing to do with him being unhappy.” “If a team is going to give up a second-round pick, it would probably get done closer to the April 15th deadline,” Keels added. “He will be four weeks further along in his rehab. It only makes sense from a business standpoint.” Washington (broken leg) expects to be medically cleared to resume running in 10-14 days.

Minnesota: Owner Zygi Wilf said Monday that he’ll reach out to Brett Favre “in due time” to express the Minnesota Vikings’ interest in having him back for 2010. “We just want to let things sit and we’ll work on that,” added Wilf, who’s kept tabs on Favre via coach Brad Childress’ updates. The Vikings are making a concerted effort to not pressure Favre, but they’re counting on him to play.

Seattle: Ex-Seahawks coach Jim Mora has stayed in touch with OG Rob Sims, and confirmed Monday that Sims has been banned from the team’s offseason program. “Rob Sims is out of there, they’ve already told him,” Mora said. “They aren’t letting Rob Sims work out at the facility, so he’s gone.” Sims is likely available for a late-round pick. He was Seattle’s fourth-round selection in 2006.

Chicago: The agent for Chicago Bears C Olin Kreutz says his client is “way ahead of schedule” in his recovery from surgery on his Achilles’ tendon. The procedure removed a bone spur from Kreutz’s heel. Kreutz, who hasn’t missed a start since 2002, played through the injury for the past two seasons. In theory, the 33-year-old will improve after having the operation.

Oakland: Raiders re-signed DT William Joseph. Joseph, turning 31 before the season, has been on and off Oakland’s roster throughout the last three years. The former first-round pick hasn’t registered a single sack since 2006 and will be in a fight to make the roster.