49ers QB situation: The madness of Tim Kawakami
by David Fucillo on Apr 28, 2010 10:24 AM PDT
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintFooch's Note 10:25am: Indiana Jim (mentioned below) just posted at his own site discussing the same issue.
In today's Golden Nuggets, Ninjames posted an article from San Jose Mercury News writer Tim Kawakami. In that article, Kawakami queries whether the 49ers could end up with Michael Vick or Ben Roethlisberger in 2011. Just last week (and really for a long period leading up to that), Kawakami's big crush was Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen. The York's loved the guy and were going to make a move to get him in last week's draft. We all know how that turned out...
While Kawakami has advocated QB after QB after QB, it seems like the reality of the situation is that his real stance is that he just doesn't think Alex Smith can succeed, and he just doesn't like him as 49ers QB. One of our regulars, Indiana Jim has a Twitter feed, and had an interesting series of tweets earlier today. It's not earth shattering information, but it's something to keep in mind throughout the year:
Look, some of the Bay Area Media is invested in the failure of the current staff of the 49ers, and invested in the replacement of Alex Smith. For them, EVERY SINGLE QB is on the table. Doesn't matter if it's Ruthlessburger or Vick or Russell, the media wants to see it happen. Doesn't matter what the circumstances are, they operate under this paradigm constantly. Doesn't matter how bad the move would be.
My question is why this paradigm has to exist? I do believe this issue presents itself day in and day out, and I do understand why reporters discuss this. QB controversies are good for the sports section. Even though there are numerous incredibly interesting stories with the 49ers, QB controversies are the bread and butter of football coverage. And when you've got a QB like Alex Smith in the picture, it's easy to drum up random stories about new quarterback controversies. Personally, I view it as laziness to constantly print that kind of stuff, but if it gets you paid, why not write about it?
The question in my mind is when will it ever end? Looking at Donovan McNabb, it seems like nothing short of a Super Bowl victory will be enough for Alex Smith. The 49ers may very well win the division this year, but if they made an early exit from the playoffs I'd imagine Kawakami and some other folks would go straight to the well and write about how the team will never win a Super Bowl with Alex Smith at the helm.
So, is it laziness as I opine, or is it just that there is such fresh material that it would be stupid for writers like Kawakami to not discuss such issues? Basically, do you think Kawakami is doing us some kind of service by sticking to his guns on new QB options for the 49ers?
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I think if the team
had made the playoffs and Alex didn’t fall apart…many concerns would have subsided. That said, the next year (2010/2011 season) the 49ers would be expected to win their first playoff game and play well enough to win the second playoff game…it’s window of opportunity. Constant improvement is what the media is going to demand.
Alex improved last year but was mired in the fact that he didn’t start the whole season, and didn’t look good at times. That coupled with missing the playoffs meant he couldn’t shake the stigma.
Niners O-Line: "Great Wall of Nine-uh"
2010 season expectations
will be that unless the Defense and/or running game falls apart…Alex has to play well, with almost no signs of his old “happy feet, sailing throw, run out of bounds, throw it away” self. And as I said, if the defense and/or running game plays well enough, Alex’s public opinion will be tied to the team’s W-L and playoff appearance.
Niners O-Line: "Great Wall of Nine-uh"
Regardless of the current situation or the out come of the seaon,
Tim Kawakami is an idiot.
by save10 on Apr 28, 2010 10:35 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
LOL
great video
Why buy the cow, when you get the sex for free?
by return2greatness on Apr 28, 2010 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Kawakami = R-Tard
Tired tired tired of him and some of the other media idiots hammering away at the QB situation. Almost feels like the media is and was trying to just push the 9ers to make a move.
"Bar None!" - William Floyd
Kawasaki is not the only idiot '' the mothership '' espn is also idiots yea alex has given some medie not 2 have confidence
i alex smith but its not just him the ‘’ yorks ’’ are also at fault 4 having a revolving door of OC.I also have 2 put blame on mike nolan he alienated alex in the media after alex got injured so that relationship was thrown in the gutter ,its a coincidence i logged on here 2 see this discussion because i was just talking 2 my homeboy about the draft andhe said if we would of got mccnab with who we got in the draft we could be possibly be in the SB.So i put alot of the blame on all media alex has turned into the perfect ‘’ crash test dummie ’’ and media keeps putting him in that car and pounding him into a wall so i blame all media and ‘’ kawasaki ’’ yea i know his realname i just like saying kawasaki lol.
by jayjonna415 on Apr 28, 2010 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions
100% agree
I miss Joe Montana/Steve Young/Jeff Garcia
by Mr HowsYourWife on Apr 28, 2010 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
49ers QB Situation
I think Tim is a real hatchet man. He seems a lot more focused on the Warriors for some reason but during his free time throws stones at the Niners. Perhaps his negative reporting on the Warriors contributed to their decision to sell the team so I am sure he feels vindicated. I hope Alex and the niners prove him wrong.
he broke some stuff about McCloughan's departure
I followed him for a minute thereafter…and then removed him
Niners O-Line: "Great Wall of Nine-uh"
Thanks, Fooch!
I appreciate being included in the discussion over here!
It’s not just Alex Smith they are invested in replacing, but they are invested in the failure of this team. Failure happens to be a much more interesting and profitable industry.
No problem
It was your series of tweets that gave me the idea to post this.
by David Fucillo on Apr 28, 2010 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions
The Niners have said it over and over again.....
Alex Smith is our QB. They said they weren’t interested in Vick, didn’t make a move for McNabb, Campbell or Roethlisberger nor did they take Jimmy Clausen. This is obviously not fresh material since none of it’s true…….I’ll go with laziness
by sak9r on Apr 28, 2010 10:49 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Given how easy it is to mock Kawakami
Does that in turn make me lazy for going to the Kawakami well? Although, I think this is my first time making him the primary subject of a post, so I guess it’s just a first time…Tough call.
by David Fucillo on Apr 28, 2010 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Except
you’re not a professional journalist paid to write about sports (and maybe more specifically the Niners… I don’t know, I don’t follow the guy since the few articles I have read made my head hurt so I don’t really know, or care to know what his deal is).
And like you said, it’s your first time focusing on him, and from what I hear, he’s made a good chunk of his salary over the last few years ripping Alex.
I say, no comparison.
Yeah Fooch you're just a "blogger"
Not a professional journalist.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions
My question is:
Does he write about other things concerning he 49ers? Any positives?
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
I've personally never seen anything that wasn't a knock on them.
He couldn’t even weigh in extensively on how they fixed their OL after years of futility.
by 9thevolution on Apr 29, 2010 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Personally I don't see Roethlisberger or Vick being options
I do see a rookie QB beign an option though. If Smith performs well enough to get the Niners a draft pick where Locker, Mallett and Luck are gone then it’s probably safe to say he played reasonably well and when considering his age deserves a reasonable contract extentsions.
However, if one of Locker, Mallett or Luck (this is assuming that all three live up to their current hype) is still on the board when the Niners pick in 2011 then the writing is pretty much on the wall for Smith, “Buh-bye”.
Essentially the Niners have built an offense, in my opinion, that has enough weapons to be pretty dynamic with good QB play. It’s an offense (and defense) that would be pretty rookie QB friendly, as much as any team could be for that matter.
All Smith really has to do is win the NFC West which seems reasonable, considering the shortcomings of the other teams in the division, to save/secure his job with the Niners. As I suspect a draft pick consistent with a playoff teams would be outside of the range of Locker, Mallett and Luck (all or at least half of the Redskins, Bengals, Chiefs, Cardinals, Jaguars and Bills are likely to being looking for their QB of the future). Of course this is barring a trade up which I doubt would garner much interest on this site.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
Hate to point out semantics here but the 49ers would have already made their decision on Alex Smith before knowing if any of those college QBs are likely available in the draft. Free agency is a good month and half before the draft so either Alex has a franchise QB contract or he’s with someone else and the 49ers praying they can get a QB in the draft.
The Niners would at least know who is entering the draft before having to offer Alex a contract.
There’s no guarantee that they’ll get the guy they want, but at least they know who to expect to be there. Problem is who is gonna be drafting in the top 5? Some teams that could be looking at QB high in the draft are Browns, Chiefs, Raiders, Seahawks, Jags, Bills, Steelers, Redskins and Vikings. It all depends on draft order and who’s willing to trade up to where whether or not we get one of the top guys.
When the Jets traded up for Sanchez, they weren’t a playoff team, so they had a mid round pick, while we should be a playoff team which puts us around #23 or later. It’s gonna be expensive to move up to get a top guy next year.
by 9thevolution on Apr 28, 2010 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
If the 49ers need a QB in the 2011 draft and aren’t in position to grab one than they trade their entire draft to get a QB, it’s that simple.
Actually I looked in my crystal ball and Locker will fall into the 2nd round like Clausen did this year.
If the Niners want him they can get him with their 2011 1st round draft pick, number 30.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
If you can predict who will be the top QB in 2011 draft than that’s a good crystal ball. Favorites go from being a top pick to UDFA and other guys come out of nowhere to be the franchise QB everyone covets.
LOL Snead LOL
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
If this happened we should draft Locker just to be Steve Young
To Alex Smith’s Joe Cool
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Apr 28, 2010 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not sure what semantics you are pointing out
The deadline to declare for the draft is in mid January I believe, like 3 weeks before the NFL season is officially over. In my comment above I suggest that leading the Niners to a playoff birth secures Smith’s future with the Niners which, please bignerd correct me if I’m wrong, will be determined before free agency and before college players declare for the draft. Your timeline seems all out of whack (well basically it’s completely wrong but I’m trying to be nice, is it working?) but maybe my posting was just too complex for you. Either way I’ll oblige you and here’s a simple rough timeline.
Jan. 2, 2011 - Week 17 (The Niners know if their in the playoffs or not by then)
Jan. 16, 2011 – The Niners have spent two weeks mulling over whether to extend Smith or not. As I suggested if they make the playoffs he gets extended if they don’t the Niners will know where they pick and who’s draft eligible.
Feb. 25, 2011 – Franchise tag deadline. The Niners have had 3 more weeks to determine if they want to extend Smith or apply the franchise tag to him.
Feb. 24 thru March 2, 2011 – Scouting combine. I’m not sure how the Niners don’t know who’s available and who isn’t by now but Free Agency hasn’t even started yet.
March 5, 2011 – Free Agency begins. I sure hope to hell the Niners know whether they want to sign Smith to an extension or look for a rookie QB by now. I mean, they’ve know where they’d be draft for over two months now and the combine has been wrapped up.
Semantics, semantics, you don’t know semantics from apple butter.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess I came on too strong
I think my point was the 49ers wouldn’t know what QB they could actually get in the draft until mid to late March. The Redskins thought they were getting Sam Bradford, the 49ers were sitting in the right spot to draft Sanchez the year before but QBs shoot up the draft board as the draft gets closer. The point is unless the 49ers have a Top 10 (this assumes 3 1st round caliber QBs) pick they may have to make decision on Alex Smith without knowing whether they have any shot at drafting a franchise QB.
I get that
I’d argue that the Redskin knew way sooner than you’re suggesting that Bradford wasn’t going to get past the Rams. But next year’s draft is vastly different we’re talking about getting 1 of 3 QB, again assuming all 3 live up to or close to the current hype surrounding them. In the event that the Niners miss the playoffs at worst they’ll be pick mid first round (it’s shouldn’t take much to win the NFC West). When’s the last time 3 QBs got drafted before pick 15? Even if 2 go in the top 10 that still leaves 1 for the Niners to trade up for (which we’re probably not talking about a huge move up because most of the perceived crappy teams have recently reloaded with young QBs). Ultimately if the Niners miss the playoffs it’s mostly likely because of QB play which would mean the Niners need to address the QB position ASAP in order to try to win while the team is still relatively young. If it’s a priority the Niners should be willing to move up to secure one of those QB.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions
If QB is a priority next season I’m on record saying they ought to trade their entire draft to move up and get the franchise QB they need. If they pull a Buffalo or Cleveland it’s time to fire back up the Bring Eddie Back website.
I agree
I think Cleveland ultimately got a guy they were very interested in. But the difference between the Niners next year and Buffalo and Cleveland this year is the Niners will have far less holes to address. With or without a top teir QB (and they was really only 1 considered that this past draft) Buffalo and Cleveland are still many years out from contending.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions
There can be one hole in your argument
That being if one or two of the QBs mentioned are able to be picked anywhere in the first round. What if Alex takes us to the second round and we get pick 25 or 26 and one of those QBs still fall to us? One of those QBs could be available to the SB champs as well.
I’ll highly accept considering a QB if we end up having another top 15 pick, but beyond that, you can’t go by whether or not one of those QBs to be available warranting acquisition.
That's not a hole that's an ideal situation
The Niners are picking in the mid twenties and one or two of the highly touted QB’s are available (and by highly touted I mean more highly touted than Clausen, Tebow or McCoy because all of Locker, Mallett, and Luck have the size and arm strength that GMs). The Niners either trade down because somebody probably wants to move up because if the Broncos traded up for Tebow one of the top 3 guys next year would have to be just as enticing or the Niners take one (obviously depending on how Smith played and what kind of extension he signed, I’m assuming that Smith just played good enough to get to the 2nd round of the playoffs and the Niners didn’t overpay) or the Niners simply draft someone else because at 25/26 years of age Smith has proven he’s capable of leading this team to multiple playoff appearances.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions
It's the difference between comment and reportage
There are plenty of people here who know more than me about football, but having worked in the media for 20 years, I can offer an opinion here.
You have to differentiate between reportage, whibh must be objective, and comment, which doesn’t have to be and probably shouldn’t.
hether or not you agree with Ray Ratto in the SF Chron, his pieces are clearly labelled as comment, separate from the reporting. You can’t do both at the same time, or in the same place.
If Kawakami believes, through his contacts, that the 49ers want to bring in a QB, he is perfectly entitled to report that and he should report that. If, however, he just personally thinks they should bring in a new QB, he should say that without presenting it as a viable possibility.
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
by LondonNiner on Apr 28, 2010 11:06 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
I agree with Tim
And what’s up with the name calling , their is alot of people all over the league that feel the same way that Tim feels , that’s not even a 49er fan, Tim is just giving you his honest opinion, and if you disagree , that’s fine, we don’t have to act like Raider fans, one thing that we all have in common, as 49er fans is we want to see the 49ers in the playoff, and some of us may feel that Alex can’t even get us to the playoffs, why so serious about someone else opinion!
Hey, Kawakami
Acually justified taking JaMarcus Russell over Smith at this point. He loses all credibility after that statement. This guy is another Smith hater and Sing already said that Smith wasn’t the problem last year. Statistically he had a better year than Matt Ryan and was in the middle of the pack. The only reason that his passer rating was in the low 80’s and not in the high 80’s was the 4 or 5 INT’s that bounced off of WR hands. One Int was when Smith was in his own endzone and the blitz was on, Vernon (as he does quite often) didn’t read the right assignment and Smith threw the ball right over his head, would have been an easy catch but he never looked for the ball. If Smith doesn’t throw it, he is sacked for a saftey. If Davis looks, it’s a completed pass and not an INT.
by ericalancanty on Apr 28, 2010 11:30 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Why state the obvious?
Has Alex Smith lived up to his #1 pick status, of course the answer is no! That being said everyone knows this is a make it or break it year for him.
If he performs well than he’s our long term answer,if not then he’s gonzo. Speculating on next seasons Qb and fawning over Vick , who has been mediocre at best and Big Ben and his truck load of shenanigans is a giant waste of time. Maybe Tim should write should switch to writing about faked moon landings and grassy knoll conspiracies instead of NFL speculation
by Chip douglas on Apr 28, 2010 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't want Ben going after any of our Gold Rush cheerleaders
Watching him take 20 seconds before deciding to pass or scramble will make you beg so hard for Alex Smith to get his job back. Vick is nothing compared to these new QBs who are fast and actually throw non-line-driving balls. I’d rather woo Troy Smith away from Baltimore than sign Vick. At least he can find Ginn downfield.
For the most part...
people on this site seem to think the organization has let Smith down …let’s face it Gore has been the only consistent on this team and he’s good inspite of how poor this team has been … that’s juz credit too how good he is ….I understand the doubter’s i juz aphore the hater’s …this is the first chance ( IMO ) for him too succeed and i for one believe he will … if not let’s move on ..
Kewl
To put it more precisely
I think a lot of people on this site, and probably deservingly so, think that Smith was dealt a tough hand. The offense was crap and had little weaponry, he was uber young, and he’s had no consistency to date.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 1:56 PM PDT up reply actions
It is difficult to be a good QB when you don't have either a good OL in front of you or have a OC two years in a row.
Smith has had to restart every year and this year he had to make do with an offense that was planned around Hill. They tweaked it for Smith but 2010 will be setup more for what he can bring to the table. This is his year to shine.. or not… with no excuses.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Personally...
I think Kawakami has a point in saying that we need to get a QB, but can’t stand the way he goes about preaching it.
For one, I will never support the idea of any FA QB coming to the Niners short of Brady, Brees, and P. Manning. Yes, there are others who are good QB’s (Rivers, E. Manning), but I’d rather go with a guy of the future who can develop into the franchise QB rather than trying to establish himself as the franchise QB for another team. So all the talk of Vick (incredibly overrated and would make our team worse), Worthlessburger (overrated and would bring terrible PR issues), or anyone else (you know Favre is going to his target of choice next year), I think he’s just trying to stir the pot.
As for our current situation, I think we’re pretty well off. Alex finally has the same offense in back to back seasons and legitimate weapons and protection around him. He is primed to show what everyone expected of him when he arrived in ‘05. The problem is, it took far too long to build up to that point and so these writers make a point to bash him. His mechanics are criticized, but he’s never really had a chance to fix them. He’s never had a consistent receiving threat from one year to the next, and while his OL has improved slightly, it was never given the boost that was required after Jennings and Allen left.
Now, regardless of how Alex plays this year, I think it’s time to consider a QB who looks like he could be a franchise player in the draft. I wouldn’t mind a 1st rounder even if Alex plays like an MVP and gets a contract extension. Sitting on the bench will not hurt a young guy.
Overall, these beat writers need to realize that for the first time, Smith is in a position to succeed and they should hold their judgement until his play on the field dictates whether they should bash or praise him.
In the NFL, you always look to upgrade
Smith has gotten a tough shake because of turnover, but he’s still not an elite or even good quarterback in the NFL. I don’t know why people defend him so strongly, though I do understand the concept of trying to ride out the investment.
Unfortunately, sometimes it’s better to acknowledge a sunk cost and move on. Kawakami is not alone in this assesment; almost everyday Damon Bruce proclaims the same opinion, and people love his stuff just like they like Kawakami’s. Of course both of them have made bad call, but who really cares? It’s doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the Niners have had numerous opportunities to upgrade at the quarterback position under Singletary and each time they have declined. I understand the philosophy, but I have the feeling the Niners are going to look back and regret it.
McNabb would have been an upgrade. Clausen wouldn’t have been this year, but he’s going to be a more successful QB than Smith, just watch both of them throw. Vick and Rothlisberger would both be upgrades for different reasons.
The writers aren’t reaching in their assessment. As many have said already, the only group in the whole country defending Smith are the Niners faithful. I like the loyalty from the fanbase (and it’ll be really sweet if Smith proves everybody around the country wrong) but ultimately I think the loyalty is foolish; in the same way as sticking with Raye is foolish. Upgrades at both positions would make the Niners instant contenders. Why not make the changes now?
Mike Vick is not an upgrade...
He’s a terrible QB and always has been. He can’t even scramble like he used to, so now he’s absolutely worthless. Why do you think he’s not starting this year, and I bet you he won’t be starting next year either.
McNabb wouldn’t necessarily have been an upgrade either. He wasn’t much better than Smith statistically last year, and couldn’t help his team win in the playoffs, so no, he’s not an upgrade.
As for Raye, he had a pretty successful offense considering what he was working with last year. Also, the offensive system is going to be the same when he leaves. He’s personally grooming the replacement in QB coach Mike Johnson.
by 9thevolution on Apr 28, 2010 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't want Raye grooming anything on this team
why you would, I’m not sure. As for Vick, well, he’s unpopular and was behind McNabb last year, so that’s why he didn’t play. Plus he’s been a pro bowler before, so I say upgrade. And as far as McNabb, get your head out of the stats and watch the games, he’s way more successful than Smith.
by eastbayglory on May 2, 2010 12:12 PM PDT up reply actions
What happened to the guy?
who said that Alex Smith doesn’t have the cognitive understanding necessary of being a QB. And his expertise was based on working with school children.
Talking about Alex Smith not being the starting QB
is like this:
In other words, the team has backed Smith by saying he’s the guy. Alex Smith has the endorsement of the staff and the front office. It’s not like drafting Clausen would’ve dethroned Smith this season, or next for that matter. Ben Roethlisberger – it’s debatable whether he was actually on the trading block or not. Donovan McNabb – The 49ers obviously valued their high draft selections more than an aging (yet franchise) QB.
The popular opinion amongst popular opinions is that since Scot McC is gone, Alex Smith should be too. It’s Smith’s year to shine, and if he sucks in 2010, Kawakami can pat himself on the back and say “told you”. Like a million other people in the world. The fact is, year 2010 belongs to Alex Smith and there’s nothing anyone can do – or write – about it to change this fact.
by Andrew Davidson on Apr 28, 2010 12:17 PM PDT reply actions 3 recs
2010 is the Year of Alex Smith
Coincidentally it’s also the year of the dead horse on the Chinese calendar.
by bignerd on Apr 28, 2010 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
RE: In other words, the team has backed Smith by saying he’s the guy.
That should of course read, “In other words, the team has backed Smith by saying he’s the guy for 2010.” If they were truely saying that Smith is the guy he wouldn’t be playing in the final year of a contract but in fact he is. The Niners have only committed themselves to Smith for one more season.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 1:59 PM PDT up reply actions
True
I’m just tired of the topic, and I can’t be the only one. If the bridge has to be crossed next offseason, so be it. If Alex Smith performs poorly, there’s no doubt he’s gone. If he performs at a high level, he stays. Us 49ers fans finally get a chance to see what Alex Smith can do with one important factor on his side: continuity (that and a few pretty darn good weapons).
by Andrew Davidson on Apr 28, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
He stays
and the best part is… That if he performs well it can reasonably be extrapolated that he will continue to succeed. However in the negotiation ring he will have only had 1 great statistical season. He doesn’t seem like a greedy guy anyways so with that going for him he’ll probably sign a middle of the road contract which will allow us to retain VD and PWILLY
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Apr 28, 2010 8:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Like my username.....
I do not believe Smith has what it takes to take the niners to a super bowl victory. Is that not the goal of a season? I think anything short of that belief is hust wasting our time. He may have a winning season, but that can be accomplished with a 9-7 record. Who wants that? I obviously feel differently than the staff there because I defenitely would’ve gotten a QB this year to match the improvements made to the team. A good O can make a mediocre QB look good and a good QB can make a mediocre O look good. Which category do you think Smith fits into??
by notalexsmith on Apr 28, 2010 12:20 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
This Category
A good O can make a mediocre QB look good
I’m pinning my hopes that Alex Smith is in the lexicon of the Jeff George, Randall Cunningham, Mark Rypien and Dante Culpepper realm of QBs, meaning his performance will match the quality of the team around him. On a bad team he should perform pretty bad. On a good team I hope he can be pretty damn good.
Did Trent Dilfer has what it takes?
A good D can make a mediocre QB look good.
There’s a lot of ways to win the Super Bowl, a Pro Bowl QB is not a prerequisite.
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Apr 28, 2010 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Like my username.....
I do not believe Smith has what it takes to take the niners to a super bowl victory. Is that not the goal of a season? I think anything short of that belief is just wasting our time. He may have a winning season, but that can be accomplished with a 9-7 record. Who wants that? I obviously feel differently than the staff there because I defenitely would’ve gotten a QB this year to match the improvements made to the team. A good O can make a mediocre QB look good and a good QB can make a mediocre O look good. Which category do you think Smith fits into??
by notalexsmith on Apr 28, 2010 12:23 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
his username does not have what it takes to make it to the superbowl
Mass genocide is the most exhausting activity one can engage in, outside of soccer.
His username ...
… was our future.
LondonNiner - member of the legendary David Carr thread, 6 March 2010.
He needs to trade for a Username of the future...
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
i think Kawakami
was raped by a QB. and a whole basketball team (his hate of all things Warriors)
by itsAteamGAME on Apr 28, 2010 12:25 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
^Super High Me anybody??? but seriously..
it’s a no-brainer that Smith is in the hot seat. Kawakami has been well-documented as being a hater. I have learned to ignore him long ago. He leads some sort of local sports witch-hunt on who to fire next
Everybody needs a purpose in life, so
perhaps Tim feels his calling is to supply mothers milk to the Bay Area Smith-hater babies. No Tim, you can’t impeach a quarterback.
Lemmeseenow – The Mercury News is a NEWSpaper and Kawakami is a NEWSpaper writer, so it would seem appropriate that his articles have some basis in fact/reality and are not composed entirely of biased speculation?
Maybe you can impeach a columnist.
by DeathValleyCarl on Apr 28, 2010 12:58 PM PDT reply actions
none of these fools can call themselves beat writers anyways
Barrows and Maiocco were the only ones consistently reporting news as it happened. These other guys just toss in their pot shots when they feel like it or have nothing better to do. I rarely read their garbage.
Niners O-Line: "Great Wall of Nine-uh"
A bit off topic but I wasn't sure where to post it...
Some of the other team sites around SBNation have come out with the full list of UDFA invitees… for instance The Jets site has an article that has ALL the UDFA’s that were invited. Does anyone know if the 49ers have come out with their fill list of UDFA’s…besides the 8-10 that they already announced?
That's not what I am looking for, I have already seen that
Click on my link above and you will see what I mean
I think for a lot of these writers
it is a lot easier to always talk about the QB, then RBs and WRs than to actually talk about the game on any level of detail. Most spectators probably don’t want more detail than that anyway and it makes a much cleaner story to blame the whole team’s success or failure on one guy.
No, lazy is when you indirectly mention Kawakami’s name when reminiscing about a trade that didn’t get made. That’s when the fur flies!
Can't wait
till Alex proves all these wankers all wrong. From McShay saying Clausen is a must pick, to anyone saying Mike Vick is out future QB. I’m with team Coco!!!…. I mean Alex Smith!!!!
by LADubbz45 on Apr 28, 2010 2:47 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
The 75th response
Look at how easy it is to engage the fan base in this crap——Kawakami is lazy, uninformed, and not overburdened with smarts—-but he has a job because of the manufactured controversies. If we want Alex to hit 60% of his passes and not be intercepted more than 1 time per 2 touchdowns, why not hold the sportswriters to the same standard—-the rumors have to be right at least 60% of the time and he has to be correct twicw as often as he is full of s***. Do you want to start keeping score?
professional writer first...
…49er fan when convenient. Laziness indeed, I’m glad I’m not the only one that resents this weak garbage.
I toast the last days of print media. Hopefully 49er staff are reading this blog, and not the rancid filth these phony’s peddle.
GO ALEX! GO 49ERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh look, a shoutout from Fooch.
Aw yeah I made the big time!
And then God created Saturn.. And he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre... contemplating a crime.
I'm not gonna lie,
the only reason I read Kawakimi is for comedy value. Off the top of my head I can think of at least 10 writers on this site whose opinion I’m certain I trust more than his.
Jason Hill is turning the corner!
am I one
please please please
And then God created Saturn.. And he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
You go strolling through the crowd like Peter Lorre... contemplating a crime.
Absolutely
the Nuggets are a must read every day. In truth, the number is probably higher than 10.
Jason Hill is turning the corner!
Well INDY,it’s not that the media have a vested interest in alex failing,it’s just that like about 99% of the fans,the beat writers and the rest of the media believe that alex has not been a very good football player .
Some ,like Kawakami and Barbieri and Ratto etc,are really not journalists and just love to stir things up ,just for the sake of controversy. That’s why I don’t pay attention to those so called journalists.
There is only one thing alex can do to change the minds of the vast majority of fans and writers,and that is to finally play well for the first time since he became a Niner.
He has one last chance and since he is the starter to begin the 2010 season we should all hope he turns it all around and starts to look somewhat like a real NFL caliber QB .
If he flops again then it is Carr time and if he flops again then it will be time to see what the youngsters have ! Hopefully Davis will continue to mature and build on the great preseason he had last year and hopefully we can hold onto Brown and groom him and davis as our future,since they obviously have much more raw talent than the older two.
…And remember INDY,Matt Barrows said the other day that Alex only has a 50-50 chance of even being a Niner in 2011,so don’t put all your eggs in the alex basket,as you have done for years now.Branch out and think like a fan of the TEAM and not just of one player(Alex).
Whoever plays any position on MY team,I want him to play great football ! Any real fan wants the TEAM to win games and go deep into the playoffs and bring home SB trophies. As long as Alex is the starter I am 100% behind him. Hopefully all fans can feel the same way,even if alex gets shoved aside because he can’t make it. Hopefully we don’t need to find out and alex finally performs on the football field,finally ! It’s possible,I guess.
Here's my "guess" on the QB situation
It won’t be Roethlisberger or Vick. The 49ers take calculated risks on character but do not gamble on every one. They will not take a chance on a QB that think he’s above the team and takes advantage of drunk college girls. They will also not take a chance with the guy that devalue’s life. Singletary is devoutly religious. Even though Vick has done his time, it’s just not going to happen.
Alex Smith is signed through 2010. Carr is signed through 2011. My “guess” is that if Alex pans out, he will get an extension. If not, he will not be re-signed and Carr will get a shot going into the last year of his contract (2011). At the same time, the feeling is that Nate Davis will be ready to compete by then. It’s also likely that if the later scenario happens, then the 49ers will spend an early draft pick on another QB. Then you have a 3 way competition with Carr, Davis and whatever QB is drafted.
Dude... I can't wait till Big Ben is carrying around the camera for Girls Gone Wild
Then that can be the face of the Niners, Mr. Kawakami.
Gimme 1 round!
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