2009 49ers Training Camp: An intriguing QB update
by David Fucillo (Fooch) on Aug 5, 2009 1:46 PM PDT
in Training Camp
23 comments
Before we get to a review of the AM practice, this is probably the best picture I've seen from camp so far. Josh Morgan brought in a one-handed catch that had to be rather pretty, but this is still pretty impressive looking. As always, scroll over the picture to get a link to view about 10 more pictures from practice today.
In his recap, Barrows pointed out that this practice crystallized the QB battle. He pointed specifically to Alex Smith's abilities on the deeper passes, and Shaun Hill's abilities on shorter plays. In fact, according to Barrows, Hill was 11-12 and Smith was 5-9. Obviously that number has to be considered in the context of the distance of the various attempts (which we don't have at thia point). He didn't go much beyond that, while Maiocco and Mike Sando both came as close to declaring a leader as one might expect at this early a juncture.
Maiocco's article was particularly intriguing as it addressed a point that has been raised here time and again:
Smith looks very good on the practice field . . .This morning, Smith was again very accurate. He is throwing the intermediate and deep balls exceptionally well . . .
If - IF -- Smith can carry over his practice-field success into the exhibition games against the Broncos (Aug 14) and Raiders (Aug. 22), there is a strong chance he will be the starter when the regular season opens.
The key, as has been said again and again and again and again, is whether Smith can turn these practice performances into game performances. Yesterday's practice didn't provide me enough opportunity to observe Smith make many deep passes. It was more of the short stuff, which probably favors Hill a bit. One of Smith's problems is his lack of touch on some of these shorter passes. I had a chance to meet up with Florida Danny recently (he was in SF for some other stuff) and he made a good point. In the past, on some of those checkdown passes Smith would still wind up like he was going deep and fire it in, when really a weak throw was what was needed.
We've got a quick injury update after the jump...
Injury Update
Kentwan Balmer was out for individual workouts again, as was Parys Haralson (out with a hip since the weekend). With Balmer it's good to see that he can at least get some workouts in. Those knee injuries automatically make me assume the worst when they happen. He was clearly in pain and even wripped off his helmet and flung it to the ground when the play happened.
Chilo Rachal left yesterday's practice with what is being described as a migraine. With David Baas also still out, the 49ers went with Cody Wallace and Tony Wragge at the two guard positions. Eric Heitmann went down with an injury at one point but returned later in practice. During that time Wallace moved to center and Matt Spanos came in at guard. Given Heitmann's current abilities, Wallace will definitely want to show versatility outside of the center position. It's not that he's going anywhere anytime soon, but a little versatility never hurts a guy in the eyes of the coaches.
The 49ers have only a special teams practice this afternoon so I likely won't have a recap for that unless anything interesting pops up.
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When Bill Walsh worked out Phil Simms
at Morehead State, Simms said this:
“Up to that point I had worked out for about nine teams, and every single person who came to Morehead wanted to see how hard I threw…..
Then Bill Walsh came along. I started working out, throwing harder than usual, and Bill said, “Oh, that’s wayyy too hard. throw a little softer. Throw with a little more rhythm.”
Simms: “After about ten minutes I finally got it . . .”
That’s (part of) the genius of Bill Walsh
Long throws vs short throws
How many long throws in a game on avg. ? Maybe a third of all throws .Completion avg. would seem to be below 50% on avg. Your short and medium throws have a higher completion avg. and many more 1st downs. Using the clock and moving the yardstick will win more games. I want to know who has the better field vision, checking off and finding that open man. Who can do that better? Long Balls are exciting but do they win games? Sometimes, but not often. Ball control does and that would something to see.
I can recall call seeing those passing charts where the TV broadcast breakdowns the number of throws to nine different segments of the field. I’d say on average 15%-25% of the passes are to the deep third of the field.
This thought of a power run game and a QB who only excels at throwing deep passes reminds me of the Raiders.
at the same time...
If the defense of the opponent knows that our starting QB can’t throw deep passes and doesn’t even practice throwing them then the offense’s job becomes a hell of a lot harder (whether it is passing to the short routes or it is running the ball) because the defense will probably load the box.
I’m not naming Smith the starter nor am I knocking on Hill, but by being able to throw the deep balls (very pretty ones I might add as Sando pointed out) defenses will at least have to stay honest or risk giving up that BIG play.
Beat writer proclaim Smith the starter ?
Why the big fascination with Smiths long ball. Is he any better hanging in the pocket being rush and locating a WR crossing pattern or throwing to a RB release from the line. Will he remain calm under pressure. Theses questions and more is what I want to know before I claim him the Starter. So some of theses Beat Writers need have some questions answer before they start claiming Smith the Starter ! Lets wait until a couple of Preseason games before they proclaim him. Again, I’m seeing disrepect for a QB who save our skin from disaster last year.
by LASVEGASNINER on Aug 5, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I totally aggred LASVEGASNINER,
One of the points that I have been trying to make is that the true measure of a good QB is not the completion average or “stats” in general because as a team the only stat that has any real meaning is W vs L measure. The true measure of a good QB is : did he get the ball were it needed to be at that moment in time it needed to be there and at the right spot for the receiver to make the catch. . sounds kind of corny but a QB who is 25 of 30 but was one of the misses ne that would have scored or possibly the winning TD. .
Exactly!
If I was HC, you make one mistake ever and that is it… CUT FROM THE TEAM!!!
/dropped a pass – CUT
/Incomplete pass – CUT
/missed tackle – CUT
//this is the only way to ensure players play perfectly imo
No, I am not talking about pulling people for one mistake,, good greif,
All I am saying is that in camp and pre_season, coaches arelooking for who is going to win games, not what a particular QB’s comptetion ratio is. Dang , Not talking about ONE mistake, I am talking about a GAME,, A REAL game who is going to be the best guy to get the W…
Back-up QBs Lookin Good!
From Matt Barrows regarding the linebackers vs. running backs/tight ends:
“One of the reasons the tight ends and running backs shined was because the passes to them were notably on target. Back-ups Damon Huard and Nate Davis were doing the honors, and both were very accurate.”
I’m very excited about this year’s back-up QB situation. Huard seems to be very solid, and man I can’t wait to see Nate Davis in a real game situation! You can say what you like about Nate Davis’ learning disability, but he sure doesn’t seem to be hearing you. Everything I hear about him in his limited reps has been extremely positive. I actually find it rather amusing that Niner fans keep complaining about how neither Smith or Hill is our QB of the future and which QB should we draft next year. Well folks, you heard it here first. Nate Davis is our QB of the future! Laser for an arm, extremely accurate, and good leadership abilities. He was responsible for the college equivalent of leading the 08 Lions to the 09 Super Bowl. If Smith and Hill don’t show some serious stuff this year, don’t worry! Davis is going to tear things up next year! (And yes, I have had a dose of Kool-Aid, but the problem is that was spiked by continued comments from the Niner beat writers about the potential of Davis.)
by Riding The F Train on Aug 5, 2009 5:59 PM PDT reply actions
I am with you too
I feel Nate Dogg is gonna be our future, which I am very optimistic about. Hopefully sooner than later, as in he learns quickly enough to replace Smith and Hill (I would love to see it by the end of the year, but I am trying to be realistic here)
Hopefully
Huard gets cut so Davis stays on the team, we aren’t keeping them both.
by Brendan Scolari on Aug 6, 2009 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Nate Davis
Was a great acquisition. Can’t wait to see if he pans out. I was hoping for him to be available in the draft. I think the sign of a good quarterback is accuracy all the time. Montana, Young, Brady. Those guys either got it where it was supposed to be or threw it away without getting a sack or intentional grounding. And yeah, a bunch of running and long throws does sound like the raiders…
“Smith looks very good on the practice field … This morning, Smith was again very accurate. He is throwing the intermediate and deep balls exceptionally well.”
Holy (site decorum), this is like (site decorum) deja vu from other season all over again.
“If – IF — Smith can carry over his practice-field success into the exhibition games against the Broncos (Aug 14) and Raiders (Aug. 22), there is a strong chance he will be the starter when the regular season opens.”
(flinches) DO NOT WANT
“The key, as has been said again and again and again and again, is whether Smith can turn these practice performances into game performances.”
I can see it now "he’s looking so good in practice, we’ve just got to see how he’ll play in the games that really count …
oh … well, that was just bad luck … he’s just a good kid, and look at how good those passes are in this week’s practice, (site decorum) it, we’re starting him again …
(site decorum) … you know, I’m blaming the defense for that one, we’re starting him again, he deserves it …
ok, so he had a bad day, but it’s not like didn’t happen to Joe Montana once in a while, and it’s not like we have another QB we could start, I mean look at this Hill guy, he’s a just a life-long second-stringer, since Smith is still healthy …
and etc."
but that was just a nightmare I had. It’s over now. Right? (starts sobbing) Please (site decorum), let be over.
"Those boos really motivate me to make something happen." - Bonds
Smith vs Hill
I honesty don’t care who gets the starting job. I’m not one of those dudes who says “Shaun Hill has to be the starter because Alex Smith sucks” or whatever. I just want the best QB to start. may the best QB win the job.
Go 49ers
Hill hasnt looked bad enough to lose the job
And frankly I hope those in power see the light. Hill has the touch and Smith has the long ball, ok were a run based O so the deep ball will usually be off of the playfake or some D playing too aggressive. Start Hill and let Alex watch, if Hill is not 3-2 by the by week bring in Smtih, but only if Hill’s performance is the blame. Smith should be brought on slow IMO
aka Optimist Prime 09...........9ers (site decorum)
by rlott#42 on Aug 5, 2009 11:37 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
My big problem with this Smith momentum
Is I can’t think of an effective QB who was unable to put touch on a short pass. Throwing the long ball is a nice trait but how effective can you be if you struggle hitting the screen, slant, flat and dink?
Then Singletary gets blasted for being indecisive and thinking he has 2 starting-quality QBs on the roster.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 6, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
That and...
… people will think Singletary and Raye made the wrong choice in general by picking Hill over Smith. Kind of like how people wonder “what would the season have been like if Hill had started the whole thing?” If the team fails and the QB had a significant role in it, Raye and Singletary will be questioned regardless of who wins the job.
Rest his tired arm
It worked for Martz and Nolan
aka Optimist Prime 09...........9ers (site decorum)
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