Alex Smith's future

by tenjay on Sep 17, 2008 9:50 AM PDT

I still think Alex Smith can be a decent NFL quarterback but we all know it won't be with the 49ers, at least not next year. Since he won't be here, where do you think he could go to succeed? Tim Keown of ESPN and formerly of the Chronicle had an interesting idea in his recent article If you need a quarterback, you probably shouldn't draft one. He said that a team like the Colts with a solid starter like Peyton should pick him up, let Alex sit and learn for a few years under a single offense and coordinator and see how he ends up then. Your thoughts?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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interesting idea

That makes sense. He’d be behind the curve in terms of age and being in his prime, but it’d basically be like what happened with Rodgers. Learn behind a legend and go from there. Become a solid pro a little later in his career

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by David Fucillo on Sep 17, 2008 10:09 AM PDT reply actions

Ehhhh...

Its a good idea, but I’d say that would be more likely to make him trade bait than anything. Manning has at least eight more years in him I would say. He’d end up like Bono and Grbac.

Of course its difficult, its a shortcut... if it was easy it'd just be "the way."

by chirop1 on Sep 17, 2008 10:24 AM PDT reply actions

staying in the NFC west

I could see all three of our division rivals having some level of interest in Smith this offseason. Minnesotta, Tampa Bay, and KC may have starting jobs open for him, and I think he’ll be looking to at least compete for a starting gig.

by sam23 on Sep 17, 2008 10:31 AM PDT reply actions

Staying injury-free

Lately Smith has had a setback with yet another shoulder injury, and yet another surgery. He has gone through 4 different offenses in 4 years. And in the four years since he was drafted no. 1, he has not really proved himself except under Norv Turner, when I thought he placed decently. I feel that Turner’s system works best for Smith because the scheme fits what he does best, doing those rollovers.

I think he should end up with the San Diego Chargers as a back up to Philip Rivers, the starting quarterback, he knows Norv’s offensive system, his family lives in San Diego. His best friend is from San Diego. I’d place Smith under an offensive coordinator where he was most successful, otherwise, Smith continues going downhill with his NFL career.

And Smith has to stay injury free for us to even entertain any thought of him playing for another team and succeed over there.

He still has to pass a team medical exam.

"We Have a God who delights in impossibilities."

by 16to80endzone on Sep 17, 2008 12:09 PM PDT reply actions

I think his best bet is to get in line behind a pro bowl caliber quarterback, a la Peyton Manning or Phillip Rivers, Drew Brees… Someone who has a stranglehold on the quarterback position. I’d also, if I were him, look to play somewhere with an offensive minded head coach, which should definitely make San Diego an attractive destination. However, if he were to go there, he’d be best not signing a long-term deal, because who the hell knows how long Norv will last. Philly might be a good bet. St. Louis, maybe, though I don’t have any faith in Bulger that he’ll have a stranglehold on the starting job by next year. Not sure about New Orleans. Not only do I not know if their head coach is offensive or defensive, but I also don’t have a clue who the hell their head coach is…

Course, there’s always Green Bay! He could back up Aaron Rodgers! Ahhh, I kid, but it probably isn’t the worst idea in the world…

"He called the sh** POOP!" -- Adam Sandler

by JRPhillips on Sep 17, 2008 12:20 PM PDT reply actions

If..

… Holmgren wasn’t leaving Seattle, I’d think that the Seahawks would be a very good destination for him. Hasselbeck, age-wise, has quite a few years left in him, but he isn’t necessarily made of steel or anything, so Smith could have some potential opportunities as a starter. This is not to mention the “fact” that Holmgren is one of the best QB teachers to ever coach in the league.

by sfgfan on Sep 17, 2008 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions