Jimmy Raye on Alex Smith and the quality of confidence
by David Fucillo on May 12, 2010 2:00 PM PDT
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintI realize some folks would prefer to avoid another Alex Smith post, but this is something I wanted to post a while back and just forgot. Back during the 49ers post-draft minicamp and OTA, Jimmy Raye had some interesting thoughts on Alex Smith. It was at the bottom of the transcript I posted back then, but it was easy to overlook the comments:
"There's a tremendous change in him from the way he carries himself and walks in and out of the building with an air of confidence, a totally different guy. If you want to digress to when he came here a year ago and he was six or seven weeks into the year, it's a totally different guy. In terms of his confidence, familiarity with what he's doing, his sense of entitlement, I think all of those things are manifesting themselves right now because of the success that he had, even though some people may deem it as minimal or maybe even being a little suspect about it. For him, from what I've seen, there's been a tremendous change."
One of the issues most often cited by the anti-Smith crowd is some kind of lack of confidence or ability to command the offense. I'm not going to conclude from Raye's quotation that Smith now has the necessary confidence to take a step forward. However, I do think this kind of growing confidence makes sense given the continuation of last year's offense. In fact, it seems like now is as good a time as any to look back on an oft-cited Urban Meyer discussion of Alex Smith:
"It's going to be interesting in San Francisco," Meyer said. "Alex is an extremely quick learner. However, he's a guy that, until he understands it, he is nonfunctional. He is a guy that -- I keep hearing how Brett Favre kind of makes something out of nothing and is a person that runs around to make a play -- Alex Smith is not that kind of player. Alex Smith is a person that, once he is taught, has to learn it all. He might struggle early, but once he gets it, he gets it."
"I'm going to be anxious to watch his development with the 49ers. Alex is so careful with the ball. His touchdown-to-interception ratio the last 2 years was phenomenal (47 touchdowns and seven interceptions). That's because, unless he knows exactly what's going on, he won't throw it. He won't just try to guess and take a shot. He has to know.
"That's why, early in his career, and early in our career with him at Utah, he was not an effective passer, because he really didn't understand. Once he understood, there was no one better. He learns quickly, though. But he's not a guy that you throw the ball out there and tell him, 'Go play.' He wants to know what is exactly expected of him and then he becomes a dynamite player.'
These two quotations would seem to go hand-in-hand. Smith probably doesn't have the current offense down-pat, but he's likely miles ahead of where he would be with a new OC. Might we see the development of the "dynamite player" at this point?
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So essentially he should be a Pro Bowl QB this year?
lol, jk but let’s hope he takes a HUGE step this year. All we can ask is for him to improve every year, and he has done that. Let’s hope he takes the leap from middle of the road QB, to elite.
I think it's imperative
that he takes a big jump this year. If he doesn’t, and just sort of levels off, I am not so sure the Niners re-sign him.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Plus 1, the worst side of it is we will face different teams and we could be up in games or behind in games.
A lot goes into the equation. I for one think that he needs 3 to 5 years in the system to be a pro bowl QB, most QB’s have that much time in a system, while healthy.
"Singletary Football". To me, Singletary Football isn’t whether it’s on the ground or in the air. It’s about execution, discipline, and the mental toughness that will help predicate success.
I agree with the 3-5 years in the system to be Elite
That’s why I think if he improves again this year. Maybe top 10 or top third of QBs this year, he will get an extension. Maybe 2-3 years but at a Starters amount.
If he levels off, we may not resign him, but to be honest, what other options do we have here? If he shows he can lead the team to playoffs, regardless if he is a PB QB or a top 50% QB, I think he get’s resigned. I think he wants to be in CA, and I think he wants to be with the Niners. In fact, the more I think about it, I think the only thing that will keep him from getting an extension is if Carr replaces him during the season. If he plays mediocre, he get’s mediocre extension, he plays top 10, he gets a top 10 extension.
Just my opinion. I just don’t think we have any other options. If he starts all season, regardless of how he plays, I don’t forsee us giving Carr the reigns in 2011 only because he didn’t start at all in 2010.
actually...
and this is just my opininon…we do have another option if smith and carr both suck…
i am of course speaking of Nate Davis.
me being as dedicated to the team as i am and being based in alaska, i go to the bar every sunday and watch ALL the games, start to finish, preseason and all. i really really liked what i saw in N. Davis. he showed that he could control the game, feel comfortable in the pocket, feel confident in his passes, and feel confident and be accurate putting passes in tough spots.
this kid, in my opinion, is the future of the francise, and if not, then one HELL OF A backup, but i would love to see this kid start,
i thought they should have just see what he had when we got demolished by Atlanta last year. it was dumb to leave Hill in and not give the other 2 (smith and davis) a chance to see if they could at least close the gap.
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
Nate Davis may not even be on the team if Jarrett Brown beats him out...
And I actually think there’s a good chance that Davis does get beat out. He doesn’t even have the playbook down yet and from my understanding it’s not a super complicated playbook compared to other teams.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
This is just a rediculous statement.
Just messin with ya. Brown had problems just taking a snap under center. I see him on the practice squad at best. Remember that Davis is the only QB other than Smith that knows the current system. Carr is just learning it and to get rid of Davis puts 2 QB’s on the active roster with little knowledge of this Offense. Davis stays.
by ericalancanty on May 12, 2010 6:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Brown had trouble taking snaps under center? When?
He took a majority of snaps under center at WVU….
And that’s the thing… Davis STILL doesn’t know the system, hence the reason Brown was brought in. He’s probably going to surpass what Davis currently knows before the season even begins. Everything about Davis is wrong. He doesn’t grip the ball by the laces, he wears gloves on both hands (no he’s not even close to as good as Warner, so dont go there), his footwork is bad, and he can’t learn the playbook after a year and a half? A simple one at that? I’d say he’s out, if not this year, by next for sure. Bare in mind that we DID bring on David Carr and we DID bring in Brown which isn’t exactly a vote of confidence by the coaching staff.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
This is not an argument
But I wonder how he was able to put up the numbers he did at Ball State. I know it’s a college system, but maybe they even went as far as “simplifying” the playbook for him to fit his strengths?
95 days to go. . .And contrary to popular belief, sadly I do not have ESP.
by Mangoman on May 12, 2010 7:48 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Ball State
Ball State plays in the MAC,one of the worst college football conferences. The teams he put up the huge numbers against were fielding third rate defenses. His numbers were more likely a reflection of those inadequate defenses.
This argument is substantiated further when you look at his performance in the only 2 games on any real importance in his 2008 season. Against unranked Buffalo (don’t worry, no one else has heard of that school either) in the MAC conference championship he was pummeled. He gave up something like 5 turnovers himself, and looked totally outclassed. And then in his only other big game, a bowl game against unranked Tulsa, he was beaten even worse, and totally crumbled.
So I think most of those “big numbers” are a result of mediocre opposition. I don’t have a lot of confidence in him, based on his small size, bad fundamentals, difficulties with play books and tendency to choke away big games. And lets not mention the fact that very, very, very few late round QBs ever make it as NFL starters. The odds are very long. I’m guessing the front office doesn’t have much faith in him either, and I’ll be surprised if he lasts long in the league.
History of success for mac qb's
Roethlisberger, pennigton and leftwich. Mac qb’s face weaker defenses, but the talent around them is equally as bad. Their blocking and skill players are poor. Contrast that to a Sam Bradford or colt McCoy who had a built in talent advantage in 95% of the games they played in. Additionally ball state was nothing before Nate Davis got there went 12-2 his junior year, then fell back down to 2-10 last year.
He’s an extremely productive and succesful college player who has a great arm and gameplay ability. Doesn’t make him a lock to succeed, let’s not disparage his accomplishmens.
by hammystyle on May 13, 2010 1:07 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Roethlisberger, pennigton and leftwich
3 QB’s that are all EXTREMELY overrated.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
I don't think Pennington's been overrated
most people recognize him for what he is—an extremely accurate short yardage QB who doesn’t have the arm strength to get down field.
Your point stands about the other two though.
I was right, you were wrong.
they even went as far as "simplifying" the playbook for him to fit his strengths?
This. Exactly this.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Where did you see that quote? I’m pretty sure it’s not out there.
by hammystyle on May 13, 2010 1:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Pretty sure it is, follow the string.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Where?
This string? I’ve seen people take guesses, but why I’m saying is I’ve read a lot about Nate Davis and I never saw anything referring to ball state simplifying the offense for him. I read in the chadiha article that they used more visual stuff and filmwork with him but it’s not exactly the same thing.
by hammystyle on May 13, 2010 5:01 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Yeah it is actually
but think what you will
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Simplifying the offense
Means removing plays from the playbook/gameplan. At least, that’s how everyone in football uses that phrase. More plays more complex playbook, less plays, simpler offense. Simplify the offense.
Teaching the full playbook to Nate Davis in a different way because he learns differently is just being a good coach.
They did do that at Ball State. He didn’t run a full playbook
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Link?
Or at least do you remember where you heard that? Because as I’ve said before I’ve read a lot of coverage on Davis and haven’t seen that.
by hammystyle on May 14, 2010 4:27 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Wow that's a knock against Davis.
I must have missed that, where was it established that Davis still doesn’t know the playbook? Did one of the coaches say that?
He made this quote in an interview with Maiocco
“Q: What have you been concentrating on during the offseason program?
Davis: “I’m trying to learn the playbook. I keep on it everyday, getting more in-depth with the playbook. I’ll be here, even the off time.”
Q:Are you feeling more comfortable with the offense?
Davis: “There’s no doubt I feel more comfortable with the playbook, but I have a ways to work. I’m still pushing myself.” "
I personally think its a pretty harmless quote meaning he’s still learning all the nuances of the offense heading into his second year, but some people take it to mean he still doesn’t know what he’s doing. Considering the learning diability, I think its much ado about nothing.
Ahh, ok. Thanks for the context.
Yea, I don’t know how much I’d read into that. I mean it would be nice if he felt like he knew the playbook front to back but I kinda doubt any rookie 3rd stringer really gets that comfortable with a playbook in one year. Sounds like he’s coming along slowly but surely. Not really a stand out but I don’t see it as a big red flag either.
I am interested to see how he and Brown look in the pre-season though.
Yeah that's my take
Honest answer to what he’s currently working on. Really, learning is his primary weakess. Gameplay and the physical skills are his strength. So spending the offseason turning his weakness into a strength is something that I think we should feel optimistic about.
Not really, the weakness is somehting he shoudl already know after a year and a half. If that’s all you are doing for that amount of time… really there is no other excuse other than he’s probably not going to cut it as a pro. And as K_flint mentions below, there are very, very, very few late round pick QB’s that make it… If Smith is subpar, you honestly believe that Davis is going to get the ball? Nope. We’ll draft a QB in the 1st… bank on that.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
If Smith has the type of year that makes his long time supporters give up on him
There is 1 thing I know for sure we will do. Move a player and a pick to move up high enough to have a shot at getting Locker or Luck.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions
you are right
It’s not enough to learn a playbook, you have to practice it. He doesn’t get many snaps in practice. I believe the media has even reported that he gets no snaps with a running offense in many practices.
I bet David Carr has it down before preseason is even over.
Just sayin’
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
I personally think its a pretty harmless quote meaning he’s still learning all the nuances of the offense heading into his second year, but some people take it to mean he still doesn’t know what he’s doing. Considering the learning diability, I think its much ado about nothing
That’s where I think you’re wrong. We will see shortly. I bet Carr is probably already at where Davis is in the short amount of time he’s been there.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Obviously there’s no way to know that.. so call it a hunch, a gut, or whatever else that goes inline with that.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
I'm with you on that
Carr has been a pro for a while. When you’ve learned offenses and played football for a while you’ve got experience with many of the same plays and just need to learn the different terminology. Nate Davis is still trying to figure out what a “power eye” is.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:15 AM PDT up reply actions
"power eye"
He probably thinks it’s a super power to knock down linebackers with his “eyes”…. keep staring Davis, it might just work.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Jedi mind trick
“You WILL bite on this pump fake!”
by 9thevolution on May 13, 2010 6:24 AM PDT up reply actions
That's fine if you think that
As long as you acknowledge it’s based on nothing factual and a throwaway quote that can be interpreted different ways.
by hammystyle on May 13, 2010 12:57 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
oook???...
really, its like Mangoman said, this isnt an argument, its a conversation.
but who says that a player has to grip the ball by the laces? who says that you cant wear gloves on both hands? who says that you will be worse off as a QB if you use gloves or dont hold the ball by the laces? no where.
honestly, he does have a learning disorder, but that doesnt meant that he cant learn, he just has to take different avenues to learn the playbook, not everyone learns the same way, not eveyone can have a perfect record, not everyone is the perfect QB (except Good Old Joe, hhaa i kid) everyone has their pro’s and con’s
but i digress, statistically and performance wise, Davis has outperformed Brown in every aspect in college. and he is the better qb. even the coaches, analysts, and McNabb has said that we have found a diamond in the rough and he will have a great career if he becomes the starting qb.
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
Oh Yay McNabb say's .....
well then by all mean’s start the kid …..he juz lost his job to a kid that play’d three NFL game’s …!!
Kewl
ok so...
out of all of that, all you got out of it is that i mentioned McNabb??
fail….
forget the fact that he is a pro-bowl qb, one of the most respected qb and that he took his team to a super bowl in over 20 years.
but i digress…
McNabb is going through what a lot of verteran QB’s have gone through. you can say the same for the pats, niners, etc.
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
McNabb's a big D-Bag
He’s giving the guy accolades cause he works out with the kid and their friends… not from a talent standpoint. McNabb knows absolutely zero about his progress with the 49ers franchise.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
If McNabb said he's a diamond
Stay far far away. McNabb has some of the worst judgment of any QB in the NFL
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:17 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree with you when you said he can learn.
You guys make it out the he as dumb as some your statements. If we were talking about Smith this way, you would all be in arms about your hero. Get a life, Davis may not be as bad as you are making him to be. We all know that he has a rifle for a arm and he DOES get football !! More likely than some of you !!!
by LASVEGASNINER on May 13, 2010 1:32 PM PDT up reply actions
How long is it going to take you that he is a third string quarterback…. and more importantly, a third string quarterback that WAS NOT bumped up on the depth chart. To take it even further… two other QB’s were brought on. That’s not exactly a vote of confidence by the coaching staff in Davis.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Well we know Smith isn't dumb
He scored a 40 on the Wonderlic. He can at least handle simple math and language problems quickly and easily.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions
For the record Nate Davis scored an 11
And those questions he got right are elementary school easy. (I took the Wonderlic at SFAS). I was through 12 questions in the first 90 seconds before it started to get more challenging. Had I not stopped to do the more complicated math questions I would have scored like a 40+ As it was I got 38.
Seriously. Nate is friggin dumb.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I say that last not trying to get banned or warned
But seriously… I’ve taken the Wonderlic. The first 10 questions are grade school level vocabulary questions with I think 1 simple math question. Then it starts getting into fractions and more difficult vocabulary and then some reading comprehension and then algebra… But by the time you’re at algebra questions you’re approaching question 25. Seriously nobody should score below a 15 on this test. You have 12 minutes. Nobody with the intelligence to handle a pro offense should miss questions such as
In the following question choose the best meaning for the word in bold
Nate Davis did his best to avoid the pass rush
a. meet
b. imaginary
c. dodge
d. fly
Later it gets into words such as exacerbate and if he didn’t know that i’d understand… But an 11? REALLY? This dude is not Vince Young athletically gifted. He can’t get away with not being able to think quickly and critically.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Let the Dan Marino comments start to roll in…
But before they do, I just have to say that A) Marino played in a completely different era where playbooks were not nearly as complicated and B) Marino didn’t have to have special things done for him to understand plays and the game… he knew football.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
There are exceptions to every rule
Even the laws of physics get broken by black holes. I know Dan Marino, and Nate Davis is no Dan Marino.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
How come...
…when someone points out that NDavis is a very flawed QB that will never make it as an NFL starter, it is immediately implied that the person pointing it out considers ASMith their “hero?” Reaching the reasoned and fairly well evidenced conclusion that NDavis will probably never be an NFL starter has absolutely nothing to do with ASmith (or DCarr.) and their chances to succeed. It isn’t a teeter-totter. Deciding NDavis will fail does not mean you’ve decided Smith/Carr will succeed.
There are fairly good odds that all 3 will fail. However, based on the evidence so far, NDavis is far more likely to fail than the other 2. That doesn’t mean they are my “heroes.” It means I’d give both Smith and Carr somewhere in the 25-35% range for success, and I’d give Davis about 4% (which is roughly the percentage of late round/undrafted free agent QBs that end up as regular NFL starters.)
Playoffs
I think alot is contingent on that… and also how well he does once he gets there. If he’s one and done and totally flops in the playoffs, I don’t know if that will be enough.
I do think that he has the potential to be an Eli Manning or Tony Romo type of QB in the league though. Even if he leaves the Niners.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Good comparison
Smith is clearly a system QB like Manning, and I expect steady, if not spectacular, improvement in the second season with Raye’s playbook. All I hope is that he’s putting in a lot of hours of practice these days with the receivers.
he is Smith lives in the bay and is a regular at the facility. Crabtree said in an interview that he smith and morgan were going to working a lot together this summer
Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
oh yes..
if he gets us to the playoffs i will be very satisfied, he has no experience in a playoff game, so i dont expect him to do spectacular, but i also dont expect him to completely fail.
just a note; whenever he is in the shotgun position with 3+ recievers (to include VD) and the line can hold, he is viscious and more tactful. now we shouldnt use it all the time more of it would be nice to see.
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
Playoff game
More than likely it would be a home game wildcard weekend. So at least he’d have that going for him. Round 2 would be a different story.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Agree 100%
I agree with you, hoping he does keep getting better because if he doesn’t and they insert Carr it will feel like were starting over again and were going to have to wait until Carr or whoever is at qb has to memorize the system completely and I’m tired of waiting like most of us are, here’s to Alex Smith having my full support and hope he gets better and better.
This is Alex's second year under Jimmy Raye and he is going into this year knowing the system
Sing also stated at one point this offseason that they will build the team to be balanced. To get the most out of their players like Smith. Given that I would think they are going to update the offense to suit Alex Smith’s strengths and also give him more confidence. This is the first year where he is going in knowing the Offense and knowing he is the starter. Add to that his familiarity with the receivers and Gore and with the potential improvements in the OL, it could be a very good year for Alex Smith and the 49ers Offense as a whole.
Also think of how good he was with VD last year.. now he will have a year and preseason to be that way with Davis, Morgan and Crabtree.
And.. for the defense.. there is a good possibility they will not have to be on the field as much if the offense maintains the ball. This will make it also better.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
To add.... rlott#42 wanted Berry.. but if the 49ers can build Mays into a better all around player.. which a lot of people think he has the ability to become
Watch for the defense to make strides also.
I would love to see Mays be the Defensive rookie of the year..
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
WTF does that have to do with SMith?
And, you can ask Drew, I have always said that mays could be better in the future, but I worry about developing instincts.
"Singletary Football". To me, Singletary Football isn’t whether it’s on the ground or in the air. It’s about execution, discipline, and the mental toughness that will help predicate success.
WTF is not appropriate but.... I decided to add a little with the hope that even though we didn't get Berry, Mays would come through
The reason I put your name there was because of things, positive things, you said about Berry but also Mays. I do believe that your hope was to improve the safety position.
I apologize if that doesn’t fit the story line, as I think all parts of the team will affect Smith.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
Mays will never be the better FS
But then again he’s 235 lbs so he doesn’t need to be. I want an over/under on the number of helmets that get torn off by his hits this season. I say 2.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:20 AM PDT up reply actions
That's 30 yards
So hopefully they’re in games we’re up by 20+ points and it occurs in the 4th qtr, or Sing will rip Mays’ helmet off.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
I didn't mean with his hands
I meant with shots so wicked they knock peoples helmets off. I’m firmly convinced he’s going to do it to some poor QB when he’s blitzing from the blindside.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I wasnt thinking hands…. was thinking helmet to helmet…. or even shoulder to helmet. I do hope he knocks the mojo out of a few QB’s though on blind side blitzes. That would be nice. Too bad we don’t face Ben Rapistberger this year, unless it’s in the SB.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
I would love to see him just annihilate big ben
Like he did to Craig Stevens, Cal’s 250 lb TE
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:40 AM PDT up reply actions
His accuser said he should be named "little" ben?
Not sure what she meant by that…
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Well at least he couldn't hurt her with that thing...
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I could have sworn I heard this last year[but I can’t find any link of it]. Alex Smith came into training camp with a noticeable difference in attitude, but then he ended up losing out to Shaun Hill come preseason.
1.Brandon Graham 1.Charles Brown 2. Vladimir Ducasse 3.Torell Troup 4.Robert Johnson 6.Mike Kafka 6.Joshua Moore 7.Alex Daniels
I think it was because..
He didn’t have the playbook down completely at the start of the season. I would like to believe that Sing didn’t want to throw Alex out there again. I think Sing always wanted to eventually start Smith and used Hill as a stop-gap until Smith was fully ready. I’m just speculating but hopefully this season will show what Alex Smith is really capable of doing.
Mass genocide is the most exhausting activity one can engage in, outside of soccer.
Shaun Hill
had proven to be a leader in and off the field. He basically helped Sing land his job. The more I think about it, it may have just been a formality… and Hill’s job to lose (which he did). Smith didn’t do great in preseason, and actually did quite horrible from what I recall. But Hill didn’t do anything to win the job. Smith would have had to come out there slinging the ball like John Elway to earn that spot last year, I believe.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
I think Smith would have had to be demonstrably better than Hill to have won the job last preseason, and he wasn’t. It’s not that he had to be really great or that Hill had to be really bad, but that Hill had done a good job and Singletary needed Smith to earn the job, which he didn’t.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
The first Chester Arthur fanboy ever.
As I recall
Smith and Hill performed at a very similar level, and Singletary (or maybe just MM & MB) basically said that Hill was the incumbent and that Smith would need to clearly outperform Hill to win the starting job. I don’t recall ever reading that Smith particularly poorly.
"Son, I'm going to break you like a wild horse." - Mike Singletary
this
this is what I remember as well. To add on to supraman’s comment, Barrows stated he felt that Smith looked more comfortable and relaxed and said it could be that he matured since last year (ie marriage, etc…). However, to usurp Hill he said he would have to outperform him being that Hill was the starter in 2008. Smith wouldn’t get anything handed to him, and he didn’t clearly out perform Hill, which is why Hill started. Had Smith started in 2009, the 2nd he overthrew the ball, or threw INT, we would have boo’d like crazy for Hill to come in. We had to see for ourselves that Hill wasn’t the future of our team, to get us on Smith’s side, to give him a chance.
Wait until this season to see when the Boo- Birds come out !
And theses will be the ones who were rooting for Smith. Seen it everytime , like last year when Hill played avg. football. Raye didn’t have Hills back and wanted Smith and everyone knew that !!!!
by LASVEGASNINER on May 13, 2010 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I would think that every 49er fan in the world should be pulling for Alex to step up in a big way this year.
Now I don’t kid myself into thinking that everyone will be of that mindset (I’m talking to you Nate Davis fanboys) but it does happen, this franchise will be set for a prosperous run over the next several years. I can’t think of a year in recent memory when I’ve been as excited about our chances to succeed.
I am a big Nate Davis fan.. but also, would love to see Smith come through this year and think he has that potential
If Smith succeeds in 2010, the 49ers will succeed… that is what I would like to see.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
^^^^
ditto
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
I'm a big Jarrett Brown fan and I hope Davis gets beat out for that 3rd "irrelevant" spot.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Good luck with that Jarrett (Russell) Brown
by ericalancanty on May 12, 2010 6:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Hmmm...
Think’n if Smith succeed’s it’s becuz they finally put a ( Team ) around him to do so ….!!
Kewl
Smith's confidence.
The question I want to ask, is how good does Alex Smith have to be to be a success for 2010?
well...
a good QB rating and a higher td-int ratio….pretty much…just be an all around better QB
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
I'm the sure the numbers are indicative of success
But mostly what Niner’s brass will be looking at is whether he leads the team to the playoffs, or at the very least doesn’t seem to hamper them in their quest for the playoffs.
"Son, I'm going to break you like a wild horse." - Mike Singletary
I'd suppose that the Niners are looking for steady improvement in Smith's play...
which would include an average QB rating of 90+, TD/Interception ratio > 2;1, 25+ TDs, not losing a game, and, of course, winning the division.
not losing a game?
we can only hope! haha, but no really
we cant win them all, but we can always hope, in reality, we are going to lose a few games.its just going to happen, either to good defense or to an offense that can out perform our defense.
losing is a part of the game and a very hard pill to swallow.
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
Poor wording on my part
I meant to say: the Niners don’t lose a game solely because of his poor performance.
I like this, especially when you have his old coach (Urban Meyer) saying that
I’ve seen this Alex Smith for a while now whenever he does play, and he know whats going on in the play, he does phenominal! and whenever he’s just tossed in and expected to perform (rookie year) he does pretty bad.
just to hear that when he gets a chance to keep the same offensive scheme (jimmy raye) he continues to do better, gets me all warm and fuzzy for next year! haha, but honestly; reading this and comments by his coaches gives me great confidence that he will do pretty damn good next year, not take away from his good preformance this year.
expect a more refined and leading Smith.
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
Finally a coach and an OC with a damn clue!!!
"Singletary Football". To me, Singletary Football isn’t whether it’s on the ground or in the air. It’s about execution, discipline, and the mental toughness that will help predicate success.
This was the OC talking.
"Singletary Football". To me, Singletary Football isn’t whether it’s on the ground or in the air. It’s about execution, discipline, and the mental toughness that will help predicate success.
b-b-b-but alex learned a new system 5 times in 5 years he should know everything by now
/sarcasm
Dashon, Mays, and Bamm Bamm will get the record for most decapitations in one season
by MichaelClutchtree on May 12, 2010 4:06 PM PDT reply actions
Just a boy becoming a man. I think what we are witnessing is the progression of 20yr old kid growing into a man. I know I changed a lot between the ages of 20 and 26. Alex has never made excuses but us as fans have been all over him for not giving us what we wanted and expected. I think with the patience the 9ers have shown him were finally going to get what weve been waiting for.
I think we all realize it’s in our best interest that he lives up to his potential it would be great to not have to worry about qb for the next 10yrs. I’m behind him 100% right now if he flops than hes gone, and he even knows it. So lets just hope alex can not only be a man the “The Man”
Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
all good points
Its Alex’s FINAL CHANCE if he does not succeed than we move on. We finally have the pieces for him to flourish. I live in Utah and Went to Uof U when Alex was there, I seen him play since his Freshmen year and he dominated. And the day of the draft to have him get drafted by My FAVORITE TEAM gave me goosebumps knowing that someday Alex will lead us to the Superbowl. Heres to you Alex Im rootin for you LETS GET IT DONE THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We forget how much has changed and how quickly it has changed
Last year as we went into game 1 after a bleh preseason the #1 WR was Isaac Bruce, while receivers #2 and 3 were appointed for each game apparently at random by a committee. VD was a pass blocker and poorly used as a pass receiving TE. There was no Crabtree. There was no speed at WR. The offensive line was on its way to a team record for sacks allowed those first few games, especially at RT, LG, and RG. The offense was geared to 3 attempts to run between the tackles and a punt. The QB, Shaun Hill, had 1.5 seconds to pass on those 3rd and 8 plays, and 5 guys coming at him from the tackle gaps.
I think things look a lot better this year. And that is what makes things look good with Alex Smith at QB.
Isaac Bruce
I don’t understand he is still on all the rosters…. is he planning on coming out and getting cut like Jerry Rice had to be finally by the Broncos. I thought Bruce had retired already… hence the whole honoring in that last Rams game.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
If memory serves me...
Barrows said Bruce hasn’t filed his papers yet. Hence, he isn’t “officially” retired and thus we still listed as an active member of our team.
by W.Tyler #26 Kicks @$$ on May 14, 2010 3:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Do or Die for Smith
49ers los mejores!!!
by 49erSalvatrucha on May 12, 2010 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I've been outspoken about Smith hate in the past.
I saw a guy with a #11 jersey at a game last season with “Bust” as the name and I laughed, I shook his hand, immediately regretted it because he kind of smelled, and proceeded to wash my hands. You didn’t need to know the last two things but I have a tendency to ramble, yeah I’ve been known to do that.
I’m rooting for the guy. I hope he comes into his own.
And then God created Saturn.. And he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Eureka 49ers, my Niners blog.
:There's a tremendous change in him from the way he carries himself and walks in and out of the building with an air of confidence, a totally different guy.:
Now if he will just be a totally different guy on the field of play,we might have something that matters !
We all hope Alex finally starts to play real NFL caliber football for the first time in 2010.
At least If we are true fans of the Niners we do.
But we all know and must admit that the Coaches are saying what they feel they NEED to say to keep Alex’s confidence as high as they can get it,since his confidence level must be pretty poor,considering how poorly he played at the end of last season,against some of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Let’s all hope we see a totally new and improved alex in 2010,if not he is gone.
Kawakami is this you?
Can u c coach sing's vision? I do!......We all know PATRICK WILLIS is our future!
May 12 2010 comment of the day award winner on the nuggets! It's official ninjames is my favorite contributer!
Actually he doesn't...
say’s the same thing over and over …think’n there’s not awhole lot of patroizing going around in the NFL …there’s only some 1500 people that make in the NFL per year and it’s their job to put the best on the field and win game’s .. didn’t go after nor did they draft his replacement .. so i’m think’n they have a better insight then we do …!!!
Kewl
or maybe to save face.
Most of us do have good insights as well. Otherwise you wouldn’t be speaking your mind.
That’s Cold to call TIM_ an hater ! He’s speaking him mind as a fan. So give him his due, to speak him words anyway he wants. Like we do with you !
by LASVEGASNINER on May 13, 2010 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Haha
But I think he has a point. If you remember, last off season was filled with coaches giving unsolicited praise for Kentwan Balmer and Adam Snyder. Part of coaching is judging if a kid needs a little love, then giving it to him. If you notice, all the praise you hear will stem from the qualitative stuff (Kentwan sure is working hard, Adam has the full faith of the coaching staff) and not the more quantitative side of things (Kentwan is routinely burning linemen, Adam is great at stuffing blitzing linebackers). Same thing is true here. What does this report really tell us? The answer is “nothing at all.” Maybe Smith is more confident, maybe he’s becoming more comfortable in this system, or maybe the OC is just saying that. This could just as easily be a PR spin as anything else.
Look at the converse scenario, could anybody actually see Jimmy Raye coming out and saying, “Alex is a mopey little girl, and I wish he’d toughen up.” I can’t see it. Not with where Alex is now. He’s ether trying to shore up Alex’s leaky ego, or is trying to do a sales job on the fans, because (much as in the case of Snyder and Balmer last year) the front office hasn’t done anything about what could be a catastrophic hole in the team, and needs to convey some optimism in him right now because things aren’t going to change. Please note: I’m not bagging on the front office here either, every team in the NFL has holes like this. The salary cap basically demands that things like this occur. The coaching staff tries to keep guys on that are underperforming, and “coach them up.” It’s just a fact of life in the NFL
Also, for the record, I do not hate Alex Smith. He seems like a nice and reasonable guy. I bet he’s a good person to hang out with. I’ve also been a fan of this team for a long time, and want him to succeed on the field, because it would be fantastic for the team that I watch every Sunday. I think there’s a chance he will do well, maybe what Urban Meyer said is true about him, and some familiarity will do wonders for his performance. I’m just saying that stuff like this is not indicative of the success of a player. I’d say that we should all downplay what the coaches say, and pay attention to what the beat writers say about the performance that Smith puts on in the OTA’s and Minicamp. I hope for the best.
by Mertons_merkin on May 12, 2010 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions
great post merton
puts things into perspective… hard to not get carried away by hype
Not with where Alex is now. He’s ether trying to shore up Alex’s leaky ego, or is trying to do a sales job on the fans, because (much as in the case of Snyder and Balmer last year) the front office hasn’t done anything about what could be a catastrophic hole in the team, and needs to convey some optimism in him right now because things aren’t going to change.
Yeah but my question to this is, why would he say anything if they “didn’t” have that confidence in him. There are plenty of teams (even with bad QB’s) that do not feel the need to say things like that to “sell” or “boost a guys confidence”. And the opposite speculation of yours is that maybe on the field he is showing strides from two years, or even a year ago. We have no idea other than what is fed to us… so point noted on that. However, the lines of communication are open for Alex with the coaching staff and he has been taking advantage of that. So maybe that is where some of the “confidence comments” are steming from as well.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Plus, I can see Smith having more confidence… He had arguably the best year (or half if you wanna get technical) of his career. He has weapons all over the place, they just drafted two highly ranked Olineman… what reason would he have to NOT be confident?
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
what reason would he have to NOT be confident?
I can think of a few things that may have shaken his confidence over the years.
by Mertons_merkin on May 13, 2010 9:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Recently?
I don’t dwell on things… and I seriously doubt he is as well.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Yah last year I'm sure it was still on his mind
Another 7 months after a successful return? I guarantee he’s training harder and more confident in his shoulder than he has been since the first injury.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m not sure it would even be in the back of his mind in the upcoming season. High expectations are probably more of a concern than a two-year old injury. I seriously doubt he has anywhere the amount of time to even think about that.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Yup
I’m a guy that will always call BS when a player is 1 year removed from a knee or shoulder surgery, hasn’t played a snap yet and he’s talking about it like its old news. When you’re still 6-12 months removed from a major injury… Doubt is still there when you’re conditioning. You don’t push yourself as hard as you can because you feel that little tweak that isn’t normally there… or you feel something grind that you haven’t felt before. You don’t push yourself 100% because of that little voice in the back of your head. ESPECIALLY when you’ve already re-injured it previously during rehabilitation.
It was on Alex’s mind last year. He stayed healthy last year and his arm has had even more time in the off-season to recover again. He is truly 100% physically and mentally there right now.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions
He beefed up too. He looks like he added 10 LBS of muscle or so to armor that shoulder a bit more.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Probably just him starting to fill out
He’s entering the age most guys start to truly develop in the NFL. Basketball you can watch a guy come in and tear the game up at 19, 20, 21… The NFL I can’t really think of many guys that took over the game before 26, 27. Payton Manning is 1 but Payton may retire as the best passer of all time. (Passer and QB are different IMO) I haven’t seen anybody begin to challenge Montana as far as a leader goes.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions
…And let’s remember that all these phoney excuses about having too many OC’s etc etc,are just that ,phoney excuses.
Alex ran the same didget system with Norv Turner in 2006 that he is running now with Jimmy Raye. He knew the system BEFORE the 2009 training camp started,and yet he was beat out for the starting spot by a journeyman in S. Hill.The excuse that he didn’t know the system was nonsense.
This will be the 3rd season in the system for Alex,so let’s hope he finally gets it.
…And J. Campbell ,the new Raiders QB has not had the same OC for more than 1 year in his entire life,starting in High School,and that has not prevented him from showing NFL caliber play and a healthy dose of “it” and playing much better than alex ever has in his career.
No more excuses,this is it,Alex either plays better this season or he will not be back in 2011.
As Matt Barrows said about a week ago,it is 50-50 that alex will be on the team in 2011.
Let’s all hope alex finally wakes up,so our team can finally have a decent QB !
If not maybe Carr can be a bridge to the Nate Davis era ?
Nicely said Tim!
Dont sleep on Carr, if the kids can gell that offensive line hell be more then serviceable if Smilth faulters.
Seahawk Fans are worse then rapists. At least they let you know when you live near a rapist! lmao
by 52ALLWORLD4LIFE on May 12, 2010 7:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Its only the antiFans who are constantly harping about excuses.
Your comments here and elsewhere indicate that you will be very disappointed if Smith has a good year. Haters need to see failure so they can loudly proclaim their four favorite words, :I told you so."
F&%$#@G right
you speak the truth CorneliusJ!!!
PREACH BROTHER PREACH!!! haha
Rugby for Pu***s: That's what he and his teammates call American football.
- Gareth Thomas (Rugby Pro Player for the Cardiff Blues)
I love football, but that is just too funny to be angry at. Rugby is truely a harder sport than American Football.
Haters gonna hate.
I survived the David Carr Press Conference Thread 3/06/2010
Credit to iaalexeeff
Also surviving member of the underwhelming Jed York Conference Thread 3/22/2010
Eat Shitake!
by Hoopers Judge on May 12, 2010 8:55 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Total nonsense and you know it !
I want MY team to win ! IF Alex plays well MY team has a better chance to win more games. Get it ???
You are just a hater of the truth and can’t stand to hear the truth about alex. I on the other hand hope the best for alex and like the kid a lot and respect what a great guy and good team mate he is. I just wish he was more talented than he is. I hope he doesn’t continue to fail,I rally do,since he is starting for MY team and I like the kid.
BS you're a Raiders fan dude
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Definition of truth
2 a (1) : the state of being the case : fact (2) : the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality (3) often capitalized
Everything that I have seen you post (at least 80% of it) has been your opinion. You expect him to fail because he has been gradually getting better at a slower pace than some 49ers fans expect.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
2006 to 2009
Ok maybe Smith may have been familiar with the system from 2006, but who is going to be comfortable with a system that they learned 3 years ago, and had to learn two whole different systems in the interim?
by flashymonkey on May 13, 2010 12:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Don’t believe Tim. Offensive systems are always different from one another. Just because a Raye and Turner Offense both use digits (which refers to particular routes the WR’s run) doesn’t mean they’re similiar. For all we know they could use totally different vocabulary.
I survived the David Carr Press Conference Thread 3/06/2010
Credit to iaalexeeff
Also surviving member of the underwhelming Jed York Conference Thread 3/22/2010
Eat Shitake!
by Hoopers Judge on May 13, 2010 12:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
I agree. To say a player should remember a system from a few years back with new ones in between is just crazy. As you said there may be some familiarity to the offense, but there will always be differences.
by flashymonkey on May 13, 2010 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
A different system was involved last year with Raye first year ever as a OC.
They wanted Smash mouth football and they played as such. So was the system wasn’t any different from before ?Now, if they continue with it, then it may work , but don’t run on 3rd and 6 or 7. It didn’t make sense. If Ray doesn’t improve than either will Smith.
by LASVEGASNINER on May 13, 2010 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you guys kidding?
All you Smith worshipers always say they should run the Spread offense because that is what he knew in college.So why can he remember an offense from college but can’t remember from 2 years after college? lol
You guys are funny !
I thought alex was supposed to be sooooo smart. Are you saying he is too stupid to remember how to run the didget system ?
I give Alex more credit than you guys,you must be Alex haters LOL !!!
I expect that you won't be posting here long after Smith has a break out year this year.
And you arent really making sense with that last sentence, because it’s quite evident that isn’t close to true.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
lol put away the #11 palm palms and actually
READ the man’s post before you spew the rhetoric..
This is Alex’s last chance to lead his team..many posts talk about how the team has to support Alex..but what about Alex’s stepping up for the team? Hello. That’s what team leaders do. I think he still has a great deal to prove..now there are 0 excuses. Put up this year or welcome a new quarterback who can.
Those fleshy things strapped to your hands I guess.
It’s nice to see that 11allstar has a positive outlook!
I just noticed. 11allstar must be a secret Alex Smith fan. I mean he does have #11 in his name.
I survived the David Carr Press Conference Thread 3/06/2010
Credit to iaalexeeff
Also surviving member of the underwhelming Jed York Conference Thread 3/22/2010
Eat Shitake!
by Hoopers Judge on May 13, 2010 12:17 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Here's my take
In order for us to win the Super Bowl Alex needs to just be efficient. With our dynamic offensive playmakers he will look awsome when he simply connects, as he did when V.Davis touched the ball. Alex put them right in the perfect spot consistantly. Just think, Davis dropped a lot of balls. So did other players.
Our defense will overwhelm teams (ex). Baltimore Ravens 2000. All Dilfer did was MANAGE. Alex Smith will do much more than that with Gore,Davis,Crabz,Morgan,Ginn, Dixon, and the DeSean Jackson surprize rookie Kyle Wiliams..I Love this kid. He has speed, hands, and is touph as they come. We will get more than a special teams return man…Check the tape on youtube. 2010 PLAYOFFS BABY!!!….oH YEAH..Navorro Bowman, Taylor Mays, Iupati, A.Davis. We will DOMINATE.
Everything is pointing in the right direction in terms of Alex Smith
considering with other improvements and progression with the team,
everything is coming together for 49ers being better than before.
This is not a case with some of the other teams that are always optimistic that they improved but still feel that they aren’t realistically better. We are better, next year is going to be exciting!
Amen brit
I survived the David Carr Press Conference Thread 3/06/2010
Credit to iaalexeeff
Also surviving member of the underwhelming Jed York Conference Thread 3/22/2010
Eat Shitake!
by Hoopers Judge on May 13, 2010 12:10 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
^ Post Fail.
Original Statement: Amen brother!
I survived the David Carr Press Conference Thread 3/06/2010
Credit to iaalexeeff
Also surviving member of the underwhelming Jed York Conference Thread 3/22/2010
Eat Shitake!
by Hoopers Judge on May 13, 2010 12:12 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I had not heard Urban Meyer's quote before, so theoretically
having 6 different offensive coordinators and 6 different systems in 6 years was the worst case scenerio for Smith to achieve success in the NFL because “what was expected of him” was a moving target.
The stage is set this year for Smith to prove that he is the right QB for this system or not. The 49ers are giving him this opportunity, the conditions fit his success pattern of the past and from what Raye says, his body language is indicating that he feels that he is getting it. It’s a fair test and prelude to an educated decision that everyone can live with.
I haven’t given up on Alex because I felt only a veteran could overcome the lack of talent and the musical chair systems that he’s been subjected to. He has a good enough skillset for a first round QB in any year but what has yet to be proven is if that skillset is right for the 49er system (as evolved). I can’t wait to find out!
by DeathValleyCarl on May 13, 2010 7:06 AM PDT reply actions
Its gotta be strange
coming from the worst situation possible. No line, no talent, defenses that no longer respect the run and 5 different OC’s…
To a team with a potentially great line, tons of talent and defenses that will now get absolutely mauled by the run.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 13, 2010 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
what do you expect
raye to say? he wants to keep his job. alex’s success is juxtaposed with his own success.
"There is no pressure. Pressure only exists when you're not prepared."
-The Samurai
Alex Smith is garbage...
From MM's live chat today
Comment From Union CityUnion City: ]
what kind of leadership role do you see Alex Smith taking? He has shown some swagger this off-season.
Thursday May 13, 2010 12:58 Union City
12:59 Matt Maiocco: I’m not sure “Alex Smith” and “swagger” belong in the same sentence. HIs leadership style is to show up early, stay late and work hard and set a good example. That’s how he tries to earn the respect of his teammates. His body language seems to suggest he is more confident. The only way he becomes a strong leader is by taking charge of the offense and playing much better.
-——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
MUCH !!! I agree Matt ,he must play MUCH better than last season if he wants to earn the respect of his team mates so they will follow him.
Hopefully he can show some of the talent he has been hiding for the last 5 years and have a break out year ! Hopefully MUCH better than last season when he looked pretty bad against some of the NFL’s worst defenses.
But it’s a new season and hope springs eternal !
If Alex plays well MY team wins more games,since he is the starter “for now”(Quote from Sing).
So of course I hope alex finally starts to play well for a change in 2010. But I rest easier knowing that if alex continues to play poorly,that Carr can be a bridge to the Nate Davis era and we also have another raw youngster in Brown .
The future looks very bright for the Niners ,with or without alex.
And we all better hope that is true,since like Matt Barrows said last week,it’s only a 50-50 chance that alex will even be on the team in 2011.
Two kinds of evaluators of anyone, in this case Alex Smith:
Type one: The pessimist—people like Tim who never misses an opportunity to say something mean and nasty and often claims Alex has no chance at success, but then tries to cover himself, just in case Alex plays well, by saying he hopes (but doubts) that Alex well.
Type two: The optimist—those who are reasonably neutral, fearing the worst but ACTUALLY and honestly hoping for the best and who write from a positive perspective.
The pessimist says things like
You "can’t stand to hear the truth about Alex" To people like you truth is true only if it’s negative.
‘I just wish he was more talented than he is" Heck, I wish every 49er, even Willis, had more talent
"I hope he doesn’t continue to fail" You fail to notice the successes.
You guys "spout such nonsense as is often the case, especially about Alex." If it’s not a condemnation of Alex, then its nonsense.
"All you Smith worshipers," The neutral position always appears to be worship to a hater.
"why can’t he remember an offense" Silly, just silly.
"I thought Alex was supposed to be sooooo smart" Obviously, no one is as smart as you, (or as smart as you pretend to be)
It is the nature of pessimists to be negative to cover their feelings of inadequacy. The constant barrage of negative comments is a foolish attempt to convince others to capitulate to the same negative position. They rise themselves, in their own eyes, by tearing down anyone that appears vulnerable: the typical bully.
Good thing we have a bunch of realists running the team.
You’ve pointed out some examples of the premature biases that posters get by making conclusions from just what crosses their screen. The issues are always more complicated and subject to a bigger picture. Winning is the only way to dismiss the controversy. Now that we’ve improved the other issues that were holding back success from our offense, let Smith prove he’s the QB for our system. All this chatter is just premature speculation.
by DeathValleyCarl on May 14, 2010 7:42 AM PDT up reply actions
I am often accused of being the biggest optimist around
Those that like to pick on everything the Niners do in the front office or on the field,often rip me for being far too optimistic about the team . When it comes to alex I WAS optimistic and WAS all in favor of drafting him,before I actually saw him play.I still stuck with him and defended him against all the pessimists,until after watching him for over 40 games,I was FORCED by his poor play to finally say,ENOUGH. He either starts showing more skill at his profession or he will no longer get my unconditional support.
Of course i will still cheer for him to play his best,since the better he does,the better my team will do.But I am no longer looking at him with rose colored glasses.
If he performs.I will praise him,if he keeps playing like last year and that last 40 games,I will tell the truth about him,even if some ignorant fans want to call me :hater" etc.
So I repeat,go get em Alex,I hope you go to the Pro Bowl for the next 10 years in a row and win the MVP of the SB every year too. But if you don’t perform better than last year in 2010,like Matt Barrows said,you won’t be here in 2011 at all. (unless you are a backup).
Agreed
Now that we’ve improved the other issues that were holding back success from our offense (OCs, line, WRs), Alex must succeed or be assigned blame in 2010. Maybe he’ll surprise you.
by DeathValleyCarl on May 14, 2010 11:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Wow
Considering Alex has only started 40 games in his career – you are completely full of $&^!.
Please leave and never come back.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 14, 2010 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Matt Barrows reported this earlier today:
Davis on Alex Smith: I wouldn’t replace him for anybody. He has “it” in him.
quotation marks in the original
I was right, you were wrong.
Someone will say, “Oh, well of course Davis is going to say that”. But I am pretty sure that if he didn’t have faith in the guy, he’d just keep it zipped until next offseason and then clamor for drafting a QB in the 1st.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Yup
Davis recognizes it because he’s been on the team the longest so they’ve got that great chemistry going on. I expect that to happen with Crabtree and Morgan this year too.
I was right, you were wrong.
They're all going to be very much on the same page.
Crabs, Morgan, Jones, and Smith have all been looking at different film together and working out together. I am really quite anxious to see Brandon Jones this year too. I just get a hunch he’s going to explode this preseason and possibly be used more this year.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
I'd like to see Jones explode
I think he’s got the talent and we’ve certainly paid him enough.
I was right, you were wrong.
I have faith
In Alex and definitely thought he showed some signs of getting better. But if he’s not looking to his second option, or folding under pressure then he has to step aside and let Carr or Davis take over. Sing is not scared to sit Smith on the bench if he doesnt produce. .
huh
But if he’s not looking to his second option, or folding under pressure then he has to step aside and let Carr or Davis take over.
This makes no sense.
I was right, you were wrong.
I think it is supposed to say:
Going through his progressions and continues to fold under pressure, then it’s time to step aside.
Still kind of a contradiction though… I have faith….. but if he doesn’t…. haha. Faith is faith, either you have it or you dont.
"I'm blessed..... Thanks, God bless" ...hey, it worked for Tim Tebow.
Alex Smith
Has all the skills, strong arm, can throw on the run, good release… etc. BUT he folds like a wimp under pressure. I think IF he really wants it he can become a pro bowl QB, yes I said pro bowl. He has all the weapons around him and should do very well, and I can see him only getting better with the same offensive coordinator and Oline. In the end is he going to be the same QB that folds like a puss under pressure or step up and lead his team like the good QB’s do.
Or it could be because...
He ends up in a 4th and long because he’s got a man in his face in under 2 seconds every play because the D knows he has to pass and the offensive line was completely horrible in pass protection.
So on 4th and 13 he has to make a play with 2 rushers in his face and he throws it up hoping for something good to happen and nobody makes a play. That could be a reason he “folds” under pressure. Its actually quite easy as a D-lineman to get to the QB when you’ve got your ears pinned back and you’re just shooting gaps and focusing on nothing but attacking the QB.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on May 14, 2010 5:24 PM PDT up reply actions
3rd down
is such a key down. Alex figured out a way to blow it time and time again. It killed me last year to see our defense get a stop… then we go three and out… then our D gets a stop… and then we go three and out… etc. We need to convert on third downs. Smith needs to throw the ball with confidence. I felt like when Smith was behind i the game he would let the ball fly and come up with some long completions and quick scoring drives, he should always have that confidence; not just when he has nothing to lose.
Alex Smith needs all kinds of Confidence
He needs confidence in his offensive line. He needs confidence in his receivers. He needs confidence in his coaches. And he needs confidence in his team! I am sure the fact that there is stability in the Niner team is helping. Not having to learn a whole new offense again like every other year of his career must be reassuring. Having the majority of the team already on the same page with regard to their assignments has to be a moral booster! I hope now that the Rookie linemen that they drafted get up to speed as fast as possible so that they can contribute and help the Niners win. With an average offensive line, the Niners will win the West! Rget nearly won it with a terrible offensive line! Lets all hope that the rookies Davis and Iupati are quick learners !
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
Alex doesn't need to be great...
since he’s got a great team around him. He just needs to not lose it for us. If he is even marginally better, we make the playoffs. Why? Well certainly not because he led us there. We make the playoffs because the TEAM led us there. Looking at how the niners are built, Alex is sort of like a FG kicker. For the most part (meaning for most games) a made or missed FG will not change the outcome. If his performance is average, he will not change the outcome of most games. So when Sing says he doesn’t want Alex to lose the game for us, he’s basically say, “just play average.” This will get us to the playoffs. Now if Alex develops into a + player, that’s when his performance will start to effect those extra few wins that drive a good team to greatness — The Super Bowl! I will not regurgitate all the reasons (system, injuries, OC’s, blah, blah…), but his performance has been below average and we have not made the playoffs.
My point? We don’t need Alex to develop into a great quarterback this year. I will be satisfied with an average performance out of Alex… which would be an improvement and hopefully a playoff birth!
Go NINERS
by W.Tyler #26 Kicks @$$ on May 14, 2010 3:20 AM PDT reply actions
Greatness and Super Bowls...
…to follow!
by W.Tyler #26 Kicks @$$ on May 14, 2010 3:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree
I believe that even if alex is only a little better than his old self,we have enough talent on defense and offense to win enough games to make the playoffs.
But just making the playoffs is not enough in the long run. If alex only plays a little better than last season he probably won’t be here for the long run and we will be getting an upgrade at QB to help us take the next step up to being real SB contenders.
Alex can be that upgrade himself,but he needs to step up and get a lot better in 2010,MUCH better !
This is Sith's first year to have ANY confidence, plus he has talent and knows the system already.
He still has to be comfortable in the system, it takes 3 years, keeping him around is the way to go.
"Singletary Football". To me, Singletary Football isn’t whether it’s on the ground or in the air. It’s about execution, discipline, and the mental toughness that will help predicate success.
i believe in alex
I think he will have his best season this year. 3500+ yards and 25-30 tds seems reasonable especially now that he has two solid targets(crabs and vd) not to mention people who could do a good job(morgan and ginn). Hopefully the line will be cohesive and give alex some time.
I am often accused of being too optimistic
Those that like to pick on everything the Niners do in the front office or on the field,often rip me for being far too optimistic about the team . When it comes to alex I WAS optimistic and WAS all in favor of drafting him,before I actually saw him play.I still stuck with him and defended him against all the pessimists,until after watching him for over 40 games,I was FORCED by his poor play to finally say,ENOUGH. He either starts showing more skill at his profession or he will no longer get my unconditional support.
Of course i will still cheer for him to play his best,since the better he does,the better my team will do.But I am no longer looking at him with rose colored glasses.
If he performs.I will praise him,if he keeps playing like last year and that last 40 games,I will tell the truth about him,even if some ignorant fans want to call me " hater " etc.
So I repeat,go get em Alex,I hope you go to the Pro Bowl for the next 10 years in a row and win the MVP of the SB every year too. But if you don’t perform better than last year in 2010,like Matt Barrows said,you won’t be here in 2011 at all. (unless you are a backup).
Good luck Alex and GO NINERS !
Now that is very disingenuous.
You sure are back pedaling on past posts in other blogs where you stated unequivocally that ASmith is a total bust and failure. And you’ve also posted in the past with absolute certainty that you know NDavis is going to be a pro-bowl caliber QB. Now that the season is approaching and ASmith might actually have some success (which is certainly debatable) you’re suddenly trying to hedge your bets. Seriously, if ASmith does succeed, you ought to just change your login name (yet again.) And if NDavis, who you’ve repeatedly said is the future of the franchise and the heir to Montana/Young, fails to ever be a starting QB….then you might want to consider going back to the Raiders.
Your attempts to now save face are falling flat. Enough people have read your past comments on some of the other blogs to know how dishonest you are now being. You have long wished ASmith failure and you’ve long predicted NDavis is hall of fame material. At least if you stick to your guns and stood by your past comments you could have a shred of integrity and dignity left.
Don't lie like that !
I never said alex was a total bust. He is in great danger of becomng a bust,but I never said he IS a bust. I have always hoped for Alex to be a great QB and I have been very consistent in saying so ! But I have told the truth imho and that truth has not put alex in a very good light,since alex has sucked most of his time with the Niners.
But if he plays well I will be a most happy Niners fan,and I have always felt that way.
So stop telling lies about me. I am a fellow Niners fan,like you and I want all the players on OUR team to do well. But if they suck,I will say so,even while I am cheering for them to play better .
...And
And that is another outright lie that I have ever said that Nate Davis will be a Pro Bowl QB. I have never or would never say any such thing,although the potential is there ,big time !
I have ALWAYS said that there are no guarantees in the NFL and said that Davis will have to put his great skills to work on the field against good defenses,before he proves anything( the same goes for alex,since he has never been able to perform up to good standard yet in the NFL,so in my book both Davis and alex have a lot to prove).
But if we are true fans,we should all hope that both of them do prove themselves,don’t you agree ?
THERE IS HOPE !!!
This from the Press Demoncrat today,a quote from WR Morgan about how alex looked in the recent camp…
“It was like a whole new Alex,” Morgan said. “It was like, ‘Wow, where did you come from?’ I had a couple friends that played with him at Utah, and they said that’s how he was at Utah. So it was like, ‘Wow, that’s what they was talking about.’ It’s just exciting to see. I’m just hoping he has that same success he had at Utah, and he’s gonna really show why he was the No. 1 pick.”
-—————————————————
WOW,that is music to my ears. Nothing could make me more happy about my team than to actually see Alex finally reach his potential,that I thought was a long lost dream ! Where have you been alex?
I hope it is not just talk,we shall see.
From Morgan’s mouth to God’s ears ! Please let it be true ! And while we are praying,how about some more accuracy and pocket awareness and better timing on the passes and no more telegraphing his passes etc etc.
But hopefully that will come.
Go Alex and GO NINERS ! (but I will only believe it about alex when I see it, I won’t get fooled again,the proof is in the playing).
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