What's Your Confidence Level For Alex Smith?
by James Brady on Jun 30, 2010 7:00 AM PDT
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintRolling out the first of many of these posts - it's very simple. You will vote on what your level of confidence in a player is based on the criteria I set forth. I will define a ballpark value for Very High, High, Medium, Low and Very Low levels of confidence. Should provide for some good discussion.
So let's start off with QB Alex Smith. Smith fell short of everyone's expectations when we drafted him. The team needed a leader, they needed a guy to come in and carry this team. It didn't happen. He most definitely meet any of our expectations, which were probably a little bit unreasonable. But when he took that pay cut, one could say he was starting anew, with a whole different set of expectations. At that point nobody really knew if they expected him to eventually start or not, but that's what we're getting.
So last season, in 10 starts, Smith threw for 2,350 yards, 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He completed 225 of 372 passes, which comes out to a 60.5 percentage with a 81.5 quarterback rating. If you extrapolate those stats out, it puts him just around the top 12 quarterbacks in yardage and definitely up there in touchdowns and the like.
So what do we realistically expect from Smith this year? One big thing to keep in mind is that Smith has always been seen as a player who gets better with time in a system, much like many quarterbacks - and this is the first year he's had the same offensive coordinator as the previous year since he's entered the NFL. In training camp, Smith has been keeping command of the offense, making some very good throws, but also some bad ones. Still, the verdict in OTAs and minicamp was definitely something along the lines of Alex Smith most definitely looks vastly improved in the grand scheme of things compared to last year. Not to mention the boosted o-line and some good receiving threats. Also, he should by all means have a better return-game to set him up past the twenty yard line for once. After the jump I define your choices...
Very High: Alex Smith will be in the top six quarterbacks in the league in more than one category and look like the guy we wanted when we made him the first overall pick. Positive touchdown to interception ratio.
High: Smith will likely be the best quarterback of the division and be in the top 13 of quarterbacks in the league in at least one category, and awfully close in another. Positive touchdown to interception ratio. Looks mostly competent, runs the offense well but still has a few bad tendencies.
Medium: He can still be the best quarterback in the division as it's rather weak, but he will rank somewhere middle of the pack in the scheme of things. He can still have a positive TD to INT ratio but just barely. More on the 1:1 ratio side of things. Looks competent at times, has quite a few bad tendencies.
Low: Can still be the best in the division, or tied for best in the division, but more than likely is second or third best. Throws more interceptions than touchdowns. Makes several mistakes. Does not look competent out there. Very many bad tendencies.
Very Low: JaMarcus Russell.
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High
Last year he would have been ranked somewhere between medium and high in your scheme and the team (OL and WR especially) should be better able to help this year. High for sure, reaching for Very High the following year.
Depends on how you define it
I have “very high” confidence that Alex Smith will be a capable starter, which is all I think the Niners will need this year to make the NFC Championship game.
I have “medium” confidence that Alex Smith will have a breakout year, where he starts putting up numbers that make people around the league really sit up and take notice.
So you consider him...
to be the next Trent Dilfer?
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jun 30, 2010 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
You have to have a really really good team to get to the NFC championship game
And on top of that, you have to be healthy. Alex Smith being competent is far from all we’ll need to get there.
Trust me, learning english isn’t a waste of time. It is actually sort of useful.
-randolphforpresident
by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 30, 2010 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
High
but wouldn’t be totally shocked to see him Very High, since statistics is all we’re talking about. I think that if protected, with the weapons he has…he can be a good QB. He’s not a “make something out of nothing” QB though…which is what some of the top QB’s are at times…but not all.
"I will speak at times, when it's necessary, but I don't believe in talking just because you can." - P-52
Let's talk on Twitter
He is definitely not a something out of nothing guy
He’s a cerebral guy who can scramble if he needs to but when he starts to play playground football he’ll make mistakes.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jun 30, 2010 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions
when he starts to play playground football he’ll make mistakes.
I see it more as he’ll have trouble if he doesn’t know what his receivers are doing. Once the QB starts scrambling, and once the receivers’ routes are finished, Alex Smith will need to be on the same page as the receivers to be successful. That means two things: 1. Knowing where they are at the end of their routes, and 2. Knowing what they’ll do.
Knowing where they are is going to come down to being comfortable with the playbook. With a full year in the system, if he’s as smart as we’re told, he should be able to get that down quite a bit better. Knowing what they’ll do is a chemistry, defense recognition thing. I think he’ll be fine at creating something from a broken play… Now, I don’t expect him to be successful adjusting to when somebody screws up their assignment.
Trust me, learning english isn’t a waste of time. It is actually sort of useful.
-randolphforpresident
by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 30, 2010 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
this
is true. Knowin Alex he would be much better at what would seem like improvisational football if he knew where everyone would be on the field…cause it wouldn’t be so much improv as just the play going through another progression
"I will speak at times, when it's necessary, but I don't believe in talking just because you can." - P-52
Let's talk on Twitter
Umm..so you're saying
he can improvise so long as it’s in the script? Not sure I get you there buddy.
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 1, 2010 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
I think he means when he has more chemistry with the guys
and they are all on the same page about where to go when “X” happens
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jul 1, 2010 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions
What up tre,this is not about alex did you agree with us (niners)being team ''num 17.''as far as that NFL network ,ranking
of 32 teams in 32 days. The fans voted not that i thought it was a ‘’big deal’‘we still have 2 play on the field and i don’t know who’s all in front of us if anyone knows who’s in front of us ‘’can they please post it up’’or did i miss it all ready?
I'm ok with it
I’d rather not be heavily favored. It’s also nice though that we’re not thought of as in the lower third of the league though
"I will speak at times, when it's necessary, but I don't believe in talking just because you can." - P-52
Let's talk on Twitter
"He's not a make something out of nothing QB"
I respectfully disagree with this. I beleive he is improving his improvising skills and it showed a few times last year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ7hFvHIGok
Remember the play at 1:28? There is a similar one at 2:28 as well. I know it’s just two examples, but I beleive there will be more in the future.
I can't wait for Mango's sig to say "0 days to go".
"make something out of nothing"--but not very often
Smith isn’t much of an improvisor, but he has pretty good speed, and can throw on the run and on roll-outs much more than he did last year. The thing about the likelihood that there will be more plays like that in the future is that defenses get more freaked out by a scrambling quarterback that plays in a successful offense (Roethlisberger) than by one who plays in a crappy one (Keith Null)—if the offense is crappy, the defense starts licking its lips when the QB leaves the pocket. If the Niners can have a successful offense (which does hinge on Smith, so this is a bit of a chicken-egg thing), Smith will look better as a scrambler.
Thanks for the vid by the way. It confirmed my suspicion that many of the Niners’ best plays came off of play action in games where they had adequately sold the run.
I'm just not sure how much worse what Vick did than what "Ben" did. Glad he's not a Niner.
Really....
… than by one who plays in a crappy one (Keith Null)—if the offense is crappy, the defense starts licking its lips when the QB leaves the pocket…( now let’s try again) … than by one who plays in a crappy one (Alex Smith)—if the offense is crappy, the defense starts licking its lips when the QB leaves the pocket…. there fix’d it for ya …!!
Kewl
Smith's MO is that he's got to know everything before he's comfortable in action
There are two problems with this type of mentality in a “make something out of nothing” scenario:
1. If he doesn’t know where the offensive players are, he’s screwed and will avoid failure by not making a dangerous throw to a flash of red & gold.
2. If he doesn’t know where the defensive players are, he’ll be cautious about downfield throws
Now, I personally believe that given some time in the offensive scheme, problem #1 will be significantly reduced. If he knows the playbook, he should know much better about where his receivers are and be able to find/recognize his targets much more quickly. #2 will still be a problem, but if he’s spending less time worrying about remembering where his receivers are, he’ll have more time to spend diagnosing the defense. Smith is never going to be Favre-like (thankfully), but I can see him being more successful after plays have broken down than in the past… just like I can see him being more successful in general.
As a final note: Given that our team strength is our defense, I would much rather have a QB that doesn’t gamble on broken plays than one that does.
Trust me, learning english isn’t a waste of time. It is actually sort of useful.
-randolphforpresident
by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 30, 2010 5:06 PM PDT up reply actions
he doesn't play backyard ball well
when the pocket breaks down and his receivers are covered, he’s not Brett Favre (thankfully, for the most part)
"I will speak at times, when it's necessary, but I don't believe in talking just because you can." - P-52
Let's talk on Twitter
Ok, what idiot voted "Jamarcus Russell"?
It must have been a Cardinals fan thinking this is a post about Matt Leinart lol
Don't forget "Nate Davis is out future" fans
"If you don't love it, leave it! USA, number one!" - Ricky Stanzi
by Haggardninja on Jun 30, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions
High
But, I would put my expectations in between medium and high. He had a good completion rating. Hopefully, Raye will understand what kind of QB he is, and what style of offense they need to run for Alex to be successful. Hopefully, the run game will be better. Hopefully, he’ll have improved wide receiver play. Hopefully, Vernon Davis will catch as many TD passes that he did last year, but won’t also drop the easy game winning TD’s either. Hopefully, the team will know where the 1st down marker is at this year…… Hopefully…..
Smith’s success really depends on the success of his other teammates and the coaches ability to recognize his strengths along with the strengths of the other players. Last year they were horrible at the run, pretty good on the pass… yet, they still tried to run a predictable offense where they start the game trying to pound the ball up the middle. Can they do that this year? I don’t know… that depends on Staley’s health and improvement on the left side, and the abilities of the 2 rookie O-linemen. If they can’t come in and contribute, the Niners will be forced to go back to the “spread” formation… which quite honestly, was VERY fun to watch.
Smith himself? He just needs confidence and consistency. At times last year, he looked like Peyton Manning… and other times, looked pretty bad… and it’s weird, because it would change from game to game, and half to half…. so, HOPEFULLY, it was in part due to rust, coaching and a poor run offense.
They have all the pieces to be a great offense. Now, they just need to go out and execute and stay confident.
Very much right
about the running game from last year. It was terrible and when u cant run the ball in the NFL or atleast have the treat to run your QB is going to suffer big time struggling with those complex blitzes and trying to stick every throw.
Beat Em To The Punch - Bill Walsh
Smith is saying the right things...
…and doing the right things in OTAs/minicamps to receive a high Confidence Level from Niners Nation.
Using another scientifically impeccable measure, average fantasy draft position, A. Smith is around the 18th quarterback taken, around pick #130. Between Chad Henne and Mark Sanchez. Bear in mind that Big Ben with his 5 game suspension is going around the 121st pick. So I’d say confidence is quite low for Smith nationwide.
Suffice it to say, the pressure will be on this year for Smith. The Niners have taken steps to rectify the classic excuses of his past failures (OC inconsistency, poor line play, lack of weapons), so it sure makes logical sense that success should follow.
Unfortunately, when 300 lb dudes are trying to kill him during the game, that logic doesn’t really count for much—and since his career started, it’s precisely in those situations where Smith looks at his worst…
Color me cautiously hopeful.
Low
I’m keeping my confidence in Smith low based on passed years. Also I’m keeping it low because if he does well it will be a pleasant surprise and if he does poorly, I won’t be surprised.
"Even the Swedes are getting mad."-Randy Hahn
"It's very cozy in the sin bin."-Randy Hahn
What a bunch of hypocrites
Last year and 2 years ago MANY of the people here threw him under the bus, when I said between the injuries, belittling coach and a different OC, he never had a shot.
I am tired of the people jumpin on the band wagon.
Not On The Bandwagon
There are still tons of people like me who think that Smith is stiff and uncomfortable in the pocket and doesn’t make good decisions especially on third down.
I am not drinking the kool aid at all. No hypocrite here.
We will need to draft a QB soon.
GOT AN IDEA FOR YOU ...
go root for Matt Stafford or Josh Freeman.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Jun 30, 2010 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Why
Just because he doesn’t believe in one single player doesn’t mean he can’t be a fan of the team.
I don’t believe in Issac Sopoaga and think he’s terrible. Does that mean I should go cheer for Ngata and the Ravens?
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jun 30, 2010 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Can you cheer for him? :-)
To come here and play with us? Man he would be nice to add to the line.
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jun 30, 2010 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Well that's another thing entirely
And it’s not so unrealistic either!
They just drafted two DTs this year.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jul 1, 2010 3:46 PM PDT up reply actions
We can dream and hope then :-)
starts softly chanting Ngata Niner…Ngata Niner…Ngata Niner
:-)
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jul 1, 2010 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I've always liked Smith
But there are fans who are wishy washy. They are jumping on the Band Wagon, because he is the starting QB for their favorite team. Smith hasn’t been what we thought he would be up to this point….I blame the front office more than Smith….but now is in the position to be that guy. I believe he will be. I beleieve that he will surprise alot of people and pundits.
I voted HIGH……That is right where he will be this year, but don’t be surprised if he falls into the VERY HIGH catagory.
by ericalancanty on Jun 30, 2010 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
It's not a bandwagon.
He’s a 49er. We’re 49er fans. He did well last year. He proved us doubters wrong to an extent, he’s earning our trust. There is absolutely nothing at all to indicate a bandwagon, unless someone is sitting there saying “I’VE LOVED U ALL ALONG LOL!!”
I’m a renowned Smith hater and I voted high. He played well last year.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
by James Brady on Jun 30, 2010 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions
Well i am a Ninjames bandwagon jumper cuz
I agree with you 100 percent this time…. until your wrong then i will disavaow ever agreeing with you :-p
It's not hypocritical.
Things just change, and people’s perceptions change based on performance, and other factors. Alex certainly had a decent year, production-wise, last year. Also, the organization has put on an all out PR blitz for the guy this year. Everyone from the front office to the coaching staff and players have been riding Alex’s jock all off-season. I for one think that’s great. They’re attempting to give the guy some much needed confidence going into the (most recent?) make-or-break season of his career.
I for one, really hope that Alex has a fantastic season this year, and that the Niners have success with him at the helm. I voted “medium” in the poll, because I still have my doubts about his overall potential.
So long as we are permitted to discuss Alex’s abilities, please allow me to toss in my two cents: He has all the physical tools you could want in a quarterback, and I think we are all hoping that he has the mental chops to play the game too. I guess we’ll all find out if Ol’ Urban was right about Alex after all. I agree with some of the other fans, that Alex lacks some of the natural gifts for the game that other quarterbacks have. He is a more cerebral player, and relies less on instinct, and more on knowledge. That isn’t a bad thing, Peyton Manning has a lot of those same attributes. I’m not saying that they are equal at all, Manning has more feel than Alex, and has proven to be a great thinking man’s quarterback, while Alex has not. But, while they aren’t the same guy, and haven’t had nearly the same career, I still think it’s a decent analogy to make.
My general take is that I think he’s a nice kid, I hope he turns into a solid QB, but even if he doesn’t, I’ll be happy to have it settled either way this season. While some fans may have wanted to cut bait with the guy sooner, they aren’t hypocrites for thinking that he’s turned into something acceptable now. It isn’t hypocritical to be flexible.
by Mertons_merkin on Jun 30, 2010 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions
You know what I just thought about?
Kurt Warner is a decent analogy as well. Remember how bad that guy sucked in New York? He was awful! Terribad! There were times sporadically throughout his career (and even game to game) where he just looked awful. He too lacked the ability to “make things happen.” But, when you get him out there in a system he’s comfortable with, and with players around him that are talented, the guy looked like an all star (at times).
Alex hasn’t really had that opportunity yet. Things have been too unsettled, and too untalented around here for him to really blossom. Again, I’m not saying that he will blossom, I’m just saying that this team has sucked, and been in turmoil for the entirety of Alex’s career. Maybe he can be a Kurt Warner, I just don’t know. I do know that it has been infuriating to watch this team at several points over Alex’s career, and I’m really excited to have a final determination about this kid. I’m sick of discussing it, and promise not to post about him again until the season. So, that’s all from me folks. I hope you don’t think I’’m a hater.
by Mertons_merkin on Jun 30, 2010 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions
High
As was pointed out, he has the tools, he has the knowledge, 1+1 will always be 2.
Alex needs to be the man that drives the team down for the score, I’m sure he can do it…
I just wish when he is caught in a blitz, he would stop looking like bambi in the headlights.
Sometimes that going to happen( blitz) he just has to eat the ball. He knows what to do, and I wish his all the luck, and ya he is going to need that too, luck.
R.L.
High confidence in Alex
this year to turn the corner. Smith showed signs last year of becoming a quality QB. He has been up and down in his career but the Niners had a whole lot to do with that alsowith supplying him with little to no weapons on the outside, an B.S. OL and different coaches coming and going. Absolutely no one should expect a newly drafted QB to come in and change the franchise and not have any help or consistancy to help the young QB perform. As much as people blame Smith for poor performances they should blamed the Niners as an organization for poor draft classes and poor head coaches to run the team. Now the Niners’ have put the pieces around him to be successful and the HC to put the team as a whole in a good mindset. I have high confidence in Alex and I think he’s going to get out there and just do what he has to do. If that OL can be consistant and we can be balanced Smith can make the Pro Bowl
Beat Em To The Punch - Bill Walsh
Run first team
We have to remember that this is a run first team, so we shouldn’t even expect top QB stats. Even if Peyton Manning was on our team if we still have run first mentality, then he would not even get top 5 QB stats.
run first team makes all the difference.
Sanchez sucked until the playoffs, in which he was suddenly lights out. Why was he lights out? Because the Jets’ running game was ballin’ in the playoffs. If there was an option for ‘high-if the Niners’ running game plays well’ that’d be my vote.
I'm just not sure how much worse what Vick did than what "Ben" did. Glad he's not a Niner.
Good morning everyone lol ''so corny'',but i feel alex will be cool this year cuzz he's shown with time,
he can pick you apart as long as he doesn’t stare down ‘’that 1 reciever’‘then there can be trouble.But looking at alex so far in this steal early season but ’’soon coming’’there’s a different change in alex first he’s gotten ’’bigger’’not in height but in ’’body’’his arms are gettin ’’yoked’’’lol now thats ‘’old school yoked lol’‘.Alex has got 2 know that teams will be looking 2 stop ’’verno davis’’which will leave chances 4 ‘’crabtree & company’‘.But some of that falls on the OC 2 he has 2 call those right plays and when alex is in that ’’shotgon’’he poses problems 4 teams cuzz he’s really comfortable in that.
Little
Until Smith actually does something on the field that makes me think that he really can make the throws and right decisions necessary to be a successful QB, I will be skeptical.
I have never thought he had good pocket presence or had the capacity to feel the backside pressure, or make the necessary throws, especially on third down.
Until everything becomes natural to Smith in the pocket, I will never believe he will be a bigtime NFL QB.
The jury is still way out on him being an effective NFL QB.
SAME IDEA FOR YOU TOO ...
go root for Matt Stafford or Josh Freeman.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Jun 30, 2010 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions
I think the characterization of Smith....
“Smith fell short of everyone’s expectations when we drafted him.” and the subsequent several sentences fail to recognize the fact that he was:
1) Drafted onto the worst team in the NFL
2) Thrown into the starting role on said terrible team as a rookie
3) Was badly injured because of a lack of protection by said team
His numbers in 2009 are far more representative of what we can expect from Alex in 2010. In fact, if our improved protection and stable offensive scheme play out, he could have a Top 5 QB year!
Again, I get it. But the original post is unfair to Alex. The dude was handed a turd and many people expected him to turn it into filet mignon.
Yeah I'm there with you
Alex has shown on numerous occasions as long as you give him time he will make something happen. This year should be a career one for him. Well let’s just say it better be one! We’re running out of excuses to make a case as to why his best days haven’t happened yet.
46 days to go. . .
Exactly! Just like the Rams and Bradford
They can’t expect him to save the franchise right after being drafted. With no pieces around him it will be difficult to accomplish much. The jets had the ingredients to not put a lot of pressure on a rookie QB like Sanchez. With average play from him at times they managed to make it to the AFC Championship.
With the players on offense and defense we now have around Alex we will be scoring high, if not competing in all of our games. If Alex continues to drive the team downfield like he did towards the end of the 1st half vs the Colts more consistently, we could be in for a fantastic season!
With a new O-line
Time to throw
Same system
Continuitity…is that a word?
Confidence
Crabs, Vernon, Gore, Morgan, Jet Ginn,
Confidence of the organization
This guy will emerge! This is his time! Go niners!
Continuity
but I agree and with stereopete. I honestly always wanted A Smith to do well in this league and take us to the playoffs. Last year truly showed that the potential is there and that’s what makes me extremely exited for the pads on!
time to throw being probably the biggest question mark
and offensive coordinator with an ounce of creativity being the second.
Interestingly, neither of those have much to do with Alex Smith.
I'm just not sure how much worse what Vick did than what "Ben" did. Glad he's not a Niner.
I saw some continuitity
on this big lady in Chico, once.
Alaska is a state, dammit! Can I get a Niner game on TV up here?
No matter what
I still rootfor the team. I liked Smith when we first got him (and this will sound stupid) becuase we have the same last name and i got my son an A. Smith jersey. Now this has caused me to have a soft spot for the guy even through the bad years mostly becuase my son really likes him thanks to that jersey. Last year he gave me a reason to be hopeful again so my confidence level is high given all the pieces he now has and the type of guy he is. Now I am not saying it will happen but i think it SHOULD be his year to, if not quite break out as a QB, then to bust out of the mold of "bust. good luck Alex i and my Son are rooting for you!!!
Kinda standing on the fence...
with my hand on the lock..saying a bit of “If you want over on the other side Alex ya gotta show us something.” That doesnt mean that I don’t think he can, in fact kind of the opposite but it’s to a degree..a large degree..put up or shut up time for him.
by ChesapeakeBay9er on Jun 30, 2010 10:56 AM PDT reply actions
I've been supporting Smith for so long...
Why stop now? When all of my friends stopped believing and started writing him off as a bust, I knew that he was basically a product of his environment. Bad team, no continuity on offense, bad luck with injuries. Now with a top 5 defense, the same playbook from last year, and some weapons on offense, I know he’s gonna have his best season. I’d be happy with a 3500 25 TD and 12 Int season.
where is the option
for Very Medium?
"There is no pressure. Pressure only exists when you're not prepared."
-The Samurai
Alex Smith is garbage...
I am glad to see the ninernation behind Alex give him 2 seasons in the same system then we can see what we have…….. BUT if not NATE DAVIS IS A BEAST
by jeffrey d niner fan for life on Jun 30, 2010 12:57 PM PDT reply actions
like this?
"I will speak at times, when it's necessary, but I don't believe in talking just because you can." - P-52
Let's talk on Twitter
although...
NDIAB and NDIOF camps will undoubtedly be arguing forever on who is right…or are they both?
"I will speak at times, when it's necessary, but I don't believe in talking just because you can." - P-52
Let's talk on Twitter
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jun 30, 2010 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions
And those little birds
are the linebackers TRYING to sack him lol
by sanfranfanmdk on Jun 30, 2010 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm kewl with Smith ...
.. and alway’s have been , but what i’m not kewl with is the way the organization has not done it’s job to build a team around him … i’ve said this before , this is the first time they gave him a real chance to succeed … Voted very high , the pieces seem to be in place for this ( TEAM ) to go to the next level …!!
Kewl
you mean unless he get's
i…..n…..
ok i wont say it
"I will speak at times, when it's necessary, but I don't believe in talking just because you can." - P-52
Let's talk on Twitter
Alex certainly has the team around him now ! No more excuses !!!
The defense won all the games last season ,so let’s all hope the offense comes along for the ride this year. If it does (and I think it will),then we should win the division . In 2010 if Alex plays good football for the first time since he was drafted,then we might just do some damage in the playoffs !
The defense won all the games last season
@ ARZ: Shaun Hill’s game winning drive was pretty big.
vs. SEA: Frank Gore
vs. JAX: Team effort
vs. ARZ: Team effort
vs. DET: Team effort
@ STL: Team effort.
So out of 8 wins, I’d say that the Defense flat out won 2 all by themselves (vs. STL and vs. CHI)
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jun 30, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions
So out of 8 wins, I’d say that the Defense flat out won 2 all by themselves (vs. STL and vs. CHI)
Wooo!!! They dominated the most inept offense, and the most inept QB in the league! Yay!!!
Defense wins championships, but not by themselves. They need help from the offense, the other team’s offense, the other team’s defense, or lots o’ luck.
PS. Cutler isn’t completely inept, but when he doesn’t show up, he really doesn’t show up… and he really didn’t show up in that game.
Trust me, learning english isn’t a waste of time. It is actually sort of useful.
-randolphforpresident
by Dubs fan in Boston on Jun 30, 2010 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't mean it as an insult to the defense
I was trying to illustrate that a single unit can’t win all the team’s games.
The defense played a huge role in the other 6 games but they didn’t “win” them.
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jul 1, 2010 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess you didn’t watch those games but just looked at the stats ?
Of course the offense had to score some points,lol,but the defense was the main contributor in all the wins.
lol, this
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
"I'm just like you, but 10 times better"
by SportsChicken on Jul 1, 2010 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Voted high
I’ll admit that I was a big Shaun Hill supporter but that’s probably because he is such a likeable guy. That photo of him with the “100% steroid free” shirt was priceless. I was glad to see Alex Smith have some success last season but I wasn’t thrilled when the decision was made to put him in as the starter. The more I watched, the more I backed him as our QB. I have a feeling that this will finally be his year to shine but only time will tell. It’s make or break time and if he doesn’t deliver, I feel it would be time for the franchise to cut their losses and go in a different direction. I honestly don’t think it will come to that though. He has the tools around him now to be successful and there is no more room for excuses if he doesn’t deliver. Make us proud Alex!
"If you don't love it, leave it! USA, number one!" - Ricky Stanzi
I really disliked Hill
Not as a person but as a player. I was so embarassed that he was the starting QB of my Niners. Ugh his style was soooo ugly it made me cringe every time I saw him throw or run.
I appreciate him filling the position so admirably while Smith got healthy and got his confidence back but I was glad to see him get released.
by crumpedup15 on Jun 30, 2010 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Voted High
because of the supporting cast this year. The defense is arguably top 5 and we have upgraded our much maligned offense in all phases.
It’s been discussed here already and I want to give my 2 cents about the bandwagon stuff:
I’ve always believed that Smith is a very capable player that could have thrived in a different environment (see Aaron Rodgers). If we had taken Rodgers and the Pack had got Smith we would be saying the same stuff about Rodgers and Smith would be leading one of the most potent passing attacks in the league.
Another point I saw was that Smith is a cerebral player and not a make something out of nothing guy. Well here are some other names people might recognize who are exactly the same: Manning, Brady, Brees, Rodgers(yep), Rivers just to name a few. All these guys had their struggles early on in their careers because of unfamiliarity with what they were doing. Given some time to develop their Quarterback IQ and chemistry with the other players they have all turned into All Pro players.
I think Smith will be in the middle of the pack of QB’s this season performance wise but I voted High because I think his TD/INT ratio will be good and he will run the offense very competently. In 2011 if our offensive players all stick around (not to mention our OC) Smith will blossom into the player we all dreamed we were getting when he was drafted #1 overall onto that horrible team pretending to be the San Francisco 49ers.
A side note: we should be looking at getting a Joe Haden type guy in next years draft. Hopefully one will fall into the late 20’s where we will be picking…
Not sure about the OC....
…but like the idea of continuity. I am really not a Jimmy Rae fan….but I don’t want to see the system switched up either.
hopefully Mike Johnson
is in Raye’s ear a lot and if necessary, steps up next year (and doesn’t take an OC offer somewhere else first!)
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I think that's why Sing took Raye
He knew no other sane team in the league would offer him a job no matter how good the offense was and Alex would finally get 2 years in the same system.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jul 1, 2010 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions
As Sing says...
Don’t tell me Alex,show me.
It’s do or die for Alex. As Matt Barrows said,it’s only 50-50 that alex will even be on the team in 2011.
Hopefully in his 6th year there will be a miraculous transformation and alex will become great !
But even if he just plays average NFL QB,we should still win the West with this vastly improved roster !
alex smith sucks
the 49ers will never be a champion with Alex smith that sucks for all of us 49er fans
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