Unfortunately, less than a week after his season ended, he now finds himself in trouble with the law.

KTVU San Francisco reports that Smith, the league’s rookie sack leader, was arrested Friday night in Miami Beach, Florida on DUI charges, and was booked into the local jail at 9:32 a.m. on Saturday morning.

He’s currently being held on $1,000 bond.

If convicted, the 22-year-old Smith would likely face a suspension from NFL officials, who take a hard stance against players who drink and drive. More details as they emerge.

Photo: KTVU San Francisco

Okay, okay, maybe he’s only the second most talked about item, behind, of course, the surging Denver Tebows Broncos. Still, for the last several months, Manning has drawn more gossip and back-page press than the National Enquirer.

The Colts, whom he’s currently under contract with, are weighing their only options, trying to determine whether to retain him — eating a $28 million option bonus for a potential mentor to Andrew Luck — or cut him loose, an unfathomable scenario to Indianapolis’ faithful.

If it’s the latter, we may have early insight into where Peyton may end up.

Per NFL Network’s Jason La Canfora, “general managers around the league” have mentioned the Seahawks, Cardinals, and 49ers as “possible destinations” for Manning.

The recent buzz has linked Manning to the Jets, who are revamping their offensive coaching staff after a late-season meltdown culminated in locker room turmoil and dissension. Quarterback Mark Sanchez has been trashed lately, both by the media and his own teammates, who’ve publicly come out and suggested that Gang Green needs to look elsewhere for their franchise signal-caller.

Might the Jets heed their call, and, for the second time in four years, swoop in and acquire a future Hall of Fame QB? Could the Big Apple become occupied by the Brothers Manning?

To quote Lee Corso: Not so fast, my friend.

La Canfora threw cold water on the idea Thursday, saying the potential marriage doesn’t add up and is unlikely to materialize.

“People I talk to in the league just don’t see it happening,” La Canfora told “NFL Total Access on Thursday. “It just doesn’t add up to where (Manning) wants to be.”

No, the real horses in this race evidently reside in the NFC West.

On top of what La Canfora is hearing, CBS’ Charley Casserly, a well-respected name in league circles, dubbed the Cardinals as the “one team to watch” due to the probable departure of Kevin Kolb, and coach Ken Whisenhunt’s prior experience with an all-time great under center.

It’s a fit that’d make sense from a logistical standpoint, too. Arizona offers everything the Colts do — and more.

Manning would continue to play indoors, with an elite receiver, an above-average running game, and … the best part? Doing so in a division that even the Crimson Tide could give a run for its money.

One certain free agent, who originally got his big break in the Bay Area, has already volunteered for the job.

On Wednesday, veteran wideout Terrell Owens expressed an interest in returning to the Niners, tweeting to former teammate and current San Fran safety Donte Whitner that he’s willing to lend his services to the 12-3 squad.

“Let em kno if they need me, I’m ready homie!! I’m ready 2 take em deep!!” Owens tweeted.

T.O. and Whitner spent the 2009 season together with the Bills, to whom Whitner was conveying his well wishes after another disappointing year.

Whitner then responded, assuring the 38-year-old that he’d put in a good word for him.

“I know u are! And I’m ready to vouch for (you)…and let everyone kno how GREAT of a teammate u were in Buffalo!”

Of course, Owens spent the first eight years of his career in San Francisco so it’s no surprise that he’s pining for a reunion, especially with his ongoing financial issues.

Neither Owens nor Whitner should hold their breath on it happening, though. Not only did coach Jim Harbaugh say the team would look in-house for Edwards’ replacement, but it’s highly unlikely they’d want to swap one diva for another.

In the 49ers’ 26-0 blanking of the Rams, Gore rushed for 73 yards on 21 carries, surpassing Joe Perry to become the franchise’s all-time leading rusher.

The 28-year-old Gore has now rushed for 7,396 yards on 1,595 carries in his seven-year career.

He’s only 18 yards away from reaching his fifth 1000-yard rushing season, which would also likely earn him a third career Pro Bowl selection.

Although he’s battled injuries over the years — what running back hasn’t? — Gore has established himself as an elite player since he was drafted by San Fran in 2005.

Facing a few lackluster defenses in the coming weeks, Gore has a chance to head into the postseason on a very positive note.

This Thanksgiving is particularly special because it will be the first time in the league’s history that two sibling head coaches will face off with one another. That’d be the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh against his brother, John, and the Ravens in Baltimore.

Aside from being a crucial game for both squads, the storyline of these two meeting in this capacity is naturally intriguing.

Obviously, there hasn’t been much football discussed from either coach this week. Instead, they’ve shared what they think the experience will be like for them and their family.

“All the extended Harbaughs will have a great time, one way or the other,” John said. “There will be one Harbaugh side that will be really happy, and there will be another Harbaugh side that will be really, really disappointed. And then Mom and Dad will be torn. That’s how I think it will go.”

Jim, the younger brother of two years, is taking it in stride considering the NFL is making them fly cross-country to play their second game in four days.

“As far as the nostalgia of it, I think it’s very considerate of the NFL to fly us out there,” Jim said. “I haven’t seen him on Thanksgiving in I don’t know how many years. There’s no doubt we got the short end of the straw on this one, but we’ll see if we can make history — it’s the first two brothers have coached against each other, and the first time an NFL team has traveled three times zones to play a Thursday night game after a Sunday game since the league went to a 16-game schedule.”

After the sentiment wears off, this momentous matchup actually projects to be the best Week 12 has to offer. The 9-1 Niners can clinch the NFC West division with a win (and a Seattle loss), and will face their toughest test of the season against the 7-3 Ravens, who look to maintain first place in the AFC North.

No matter who emerges victorious, the primetime tilt should be the perfect way to unwind after stuffing ourselves with a gargantuan amount of food — provided the tryptophan doesn’t kick in first.

On Tuesday, Edwards learned that he will not be suspended by the NFL for several off-field incidents, the most noteworthy being his 2010 arrest for driving under the influence, a charge he plead guilty to in July.

When Edwards settled on a one-year contract with the 49ers this offseason — after receiving next to no interest on the open market — many assumed it was because the seventh-year vet was about to face the wrath of commissioner Roger Goodell, who’s known to take a hard stance against players who drink and drive.

Somehow, Goodell spared him for the entire 2011 campaign, a good end-result for San Fran and their chances this season.

Now for the down side: Edwards was hit with a $50,000 fine later in the day for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. Hefty coin for a player only making $1 million this year, but that’s what happens when you disobey the NFL’s policies.

In the end, he should count his blessings for how this situation unfolded. Common knowledge says he’ll avoid similar patterns in the future, but odds are this won’t be the last time we’ve heard the words “Edwards” and “suspension” in the same sentence.

Today, we found out just what caused the injury, what he did to correct it, and how much longer before the Niners wideout returns to the field.

According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, Crabtree fractured his left foot on June 6 while taking part in a player-only practice in San Jose. Crabtree elected to have surgery just before the start of training camp, forcing the team to place him on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

The original timetable called for the 23-year-old to be shelved for 4-6 weeks, keeping him out of all camp practices and a large part of preseason action.

Exactly two weeks before the regular season is set to begin and Crabtree is still PUP’d. The team won’t rush him back for fear of him suffering any further setbacks, and possibly putting his season in doubt.

Despite the drawn-out process, coach Jim Harbaugh left the possibility open — albeit bleakly — that Crabtree could return to practice this upcoming week.

“We’ll see,” Harbaugh said. “It’s possible.”

In his absence, free agent acquisition Braylon Edwards has assumed the role of San Francisco’s number one receiver, with Josh Morgan and Ted Ginn Jr. also picking up additional snaps.

This is the second time Crabtree’s left foot has undergone a major procedure. Prior to him being drafted in 2009, it was discovered that he suffered a stress fracture, likely during his senior season at Texas Tech. Crabtree then had a screw placed into the foot, causing some organizations to think twice about spending a first-round draft pick on him.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Niners have traded Mays to the Bengals in exchange for an undisclosed draft selection. In other words, likely a late-round pick.

Nearly three weeks ago, San Francisco let it be known in a league-wide email that Mays was available for the right price. It took a little while, but the former USC Trojan eventually found an interested taker.

Mays, the 49th overall pick in 2010, was a highly-touted player in college, but showed little during his brief professional career, recording just 39 tackles and a forced fumble in 16 games last season.

He wasn’t a good fit under former coach Mike Singletary and the new regime — led by Jim Harbaugh — obviously didn’t want to be burdened with a player they weren’t going to include in the team’s future plans.

With the Bengals, Mays should stay put at safety — despite those who think he’d make a better linebacker — but won’t supplant Chris Crocker or Reggie Nelson as a starter any time soon.

According to Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com, the 49ers have signed quarterback Josh McCown. The length of the contract is undisclosed, but it’s likely just a one-year deal.

McCown spent his 2010 campaign with the Hartford Colonials, where he became the UFL’s highest-rated passer, throwing for 1,468 yards, 10 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in eight games.

Before his stint in the minor leagues, McCown’s last NFL pass came as a member of the Panthers in 2009. Drafted by the Cardinals in 2002, he’s been a journeyman ever since, having also played for the Lions, Raiders, and Dolphins.

Just two days ago, Maiocco reported the 49ers were planning on signing Culpepper to become the team’s No. 3 quarterback. They must’ve soured on the idea because they quickly moved on to Plan B.

McCown will back up incumbent starter Alex Smith and rookie Colin Kaepernick this season.

A source told Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com that “all indications” point to the 49ers signing Culpepper to a one-year contract.

The veteran quarterback worked out for the Niners on Monday morning and is expected to be on the practice field if the deal is consummated. San Fran has a three-hour practice beginning at 2:30 p.m. PST.

Maiocco warns, however, that Culpepper wouldn’t be brought aboard to start for the 49ers. He wouldn’t unseat the incumbent Alex Smith or Colin Kaepernick atop the depth chart.

The team instead envisions the 34-year-old as a No. 3 quarterback with experience that could enter a game if called upon.

Culpepper’s last professional football stint was with the Lions from 2008-2009. He spent last year as a member of the UFL’s Sacramento Mountain Lions.

Although he won’t start for the 49ers, this move would be a clear indictment on their quarterback situation, and Smith in particular.

The offense looked collectively awful in their first preseason tilt against the Saints and much of that stemmed from the play of their signal-callers. Kaepernick, in his first year, predictably showed his rookie colors, but Smith continued his poor play and it’s evident he’s not the answer — no matter how many times they thrust him into the role.