Golden Nuggets: How Was That Senior Bowl?

by James Brady on Jan 30, 2011 3:00 AM PST in 49ers Links

So folks, how was the Senior Bowl? I didn't put a whole lot of pen to paper about the event leading up to it, and that's mostly because I didn't really plan to watch it. I had other things to do yesterday, though I understand it was at least entertaining, though a bit on the sloppy side. Well, I generally like those kind of games so I'm a bit miffed that I had to miss it, but I DID get to see the great Herschel Walker improve his mixed martial arts record to 2-0 at the age of forty-eight by way of first round TKO. Honestly, how badass does that strike you at this point? For the record, it was against a guy who hadn't fought in nine years, but that's the same amount of fights Walker had had in that time frame as his debut was last year, also a stoppage win. I hate rooting for any former Dallas Cowboy, but I figure he's been out of the game long enough. Anyway, I'm off to watch the Aussie Open now, and if I find time you good gents can have some links, but I promise nothing. Enjoy (or don't!).

Guess what, children? Jim Harbaugh believes Alex Smith can still be a winning quarterback in the National Football League. I think I agree with him ... or do I? I don't know - but that's the Alex Smith conundrum for you. Who knows at this point? (PressDemocrat.com)

The desire and need to win is a way of life for Jim Harbaugh. You know, I'm totally OK with that. Win all you like, my good man. (SacBee.com)

Just because he (obviously) wanted to line up with my halfback post going up at nine in the morning, Matt Maiocco tells you why that jive you're talking about trading Frank Gore is crazy and nothing more than "gobble gobble gobble," you turkey. (CSNBayArea.com)

Here was a live game blog from the official website. For the uh, Senior Bowl ... if you're slow. Just saying. (49ers.com)

Yesterday on Niners Nation

Golden Nuggets: Solid Hire, But Not Jumping For Joy | Ninjames
2011 Senior Bowl: Watching Jake Locker, Christian Ponder, Colin Kaepernick And Others | Fooch
2011 NFL Mock Drafts: Almost Database Time | Fooch
A Look Back: San Francisco's 2010 Draft, Part II | nocal81
2011 Senior Bowl Game Thread: Players To Watch | Drew K
2011 Senior Bowl Recap: Christian Ponder Named MVP, Leonard Hankerson Impressive | Fooch

Coming Up Today on Niners Nation (All times pacific and subject to change, more posts will be added)

6:00 a.m. | 2011 NFL Pro Bowl: 49ers Pro Bowlers In 2012 | Fooch
9:00 a.m. | 49ers Halfbacks: Long Look Back, Brief Look Forward | Ninjames

Rival Blog Buzz

Revenge of the Birds: 1-29-11 Arizona Cardinals Bird Droppings

Field Gulls: Quick, Modestly Informed Opinions On Recent Seahawks Signings | Free Agent Olindo Mare

Turf Show Times: 2011 NFL Draft: The Rams' history with small school prospects | Rams defense high on the intangibles list | 2011 Senior Bowl recap: Christian Ponder and Leonard Hankerson win big

Being a Sheep

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BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! I uh ... I really have to link this. Just look at t.

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Comments

First

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:16 AM PST reply actions

Second

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:16 AM PST up reply actions

Third

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:16 AM PST up reply actions

Fourth

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:16 AM PST up reply actions

Fifth

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:16 AM PST up reply actions

Sixth

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:17 AM PST up reply actions

Seventh

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:17 AM PST up reply actions

Eighth

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:17 AM PST up reply actions

Ninth

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:17 AM PST up reply actions

Tenth

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 3:17 AM PST up reply actions

And now we know how far you cant count

-Lazy fool- ;)

by zemd on Jan 30, 2011 3:25 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Dix!

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 5:02 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

I can count to potato

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jan 30, 2011 1:57 PM PST up reply actions

I'm a bit concerned

that Harbaugh describes Alex Smith as a “very accurate passer”. What games has he been watching?

Congratulations to Djokovic for winning the final. he was too good for Andy Murray.

by Glasgow_49er on Jan 30, 2011 3:53 AM PST reply actions

Wonder whether Murray will win a Slam before the 49ers finally lose faith with Alex?! That said, I’ve always maintained I’ve no problem with Alex as one of three QB’s with a high-draft pick and a good FA acquisition. David Carr can sling his hook.

In the throes of a Jim Harbaugh man crush since 1/7/11

by LondonNiner on Jan 30, 2011 5:06 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

That's about all the David Carr can sling

My biggest criticism of Smith is that he is brittle when the pressure is on. He never convinces that he will come through in a big game or in the big moments. I can understand Harbaugh wanting to keep the door open for him. He does have some good qualities and there could be some valid reasons for keeping him. I’m just surprised he said he was very accurate. I don’t know where to begin with that one. How about the first game of last season? Was it Delanie Walker who was wide open on the Seattle three yard line, on a 4th down. Smith is under no pressure and yet somehow manages to overthrow the pass. I could go on…

by Glasgow_49er on Jan 30, 2011 5:31 AM PST up reply actions

Alex could be amazing if he could handle pressure. Some guys are great under pressure, others fall apart. Maybe he overthinks and does not react. No amount of coaching can fix that. You either have it or you don’t.

by mcwagner on Jan 30, 2011 11:18 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

Smith did come through in the cluch...against NO.

At the end of the game, he brought them down to score a TD and then a @ point conversion pass to VD to tie it up. NO had too much time to get in field goal range. Smith did what HE needed to do to win the game, it was the D that failed at the last moment.

by ericalancanty on Jan 30, 2011 12:23 PM PST up reply actions

Harbaugh was another QB jerked in out of the starting lineup

He probably relates to Alex in that manner.

It's Whore-baugh, remember?

by bignerd on Jan 30, 2011 12:50 PM PST up reply actions

Harbaugh said..

that he’s excited to work with Alex Smith.. I wonder what that would mean

California Republic
West Coast Represent!

by Dr. Ray on Jan 30, 2011 4:09 AM PST reply actions

It would mean

I puke in my Corn Flakes every Sunday morning in 2011.

It's been fun Coach...just not real fun. Good luck to you.

by riderless on Jan 30, 2011 8:51 AM PST up reply actions

out of excitement, I assume?

by brundylop on Jan 30, 2011 9:22 AM PST up reply actions

Smith sigh……….. I guess we will have a shot at luck next year after all

by ninersince94 on Jan 30, 2011 4:25 AM PST via mobile reply actions

might be..

Coach Jim’s plan.. DUN DUN DUNNNHHH

California Republic
West Coast Represent!

by Dr. Ray on Jan 30, 2011 5:32 AM PST up reply actions

lol

I'm in business to give the business and business is booming!

by chriscream on Jan 30, 2011 6:53 AM PST up reply actions

Ponder looked good

Acurate, quick decision making… I know that duck he tossed on the first play was pretty bad but other than that I thought he did quite well. I wouldn’t mind seeing the 9ers draft him int he 2nd round if he lasts that long.

I survived Jim Harbaugh week

by return2greatness on Jan 30, 2011 8:41 AM PST reply actions

I want to believe what he said about the ball slipping out of his hand

I was ok with his performance too. He’s got pretty good playmaking instincts. The only thing is I hope he will learn to do more with his progressions (look off defenders, pump fakes, etc.). He didn’t do much of that at all yesterday. It didn’t come back to bite him, so that might be a good sign. Ironically on his 2nd TD pass he showed what he could potentially do as an NFL QB. It was a well executed play all around.

Don't mind me, I'm on a roller coaster. . .
www.twitter.com/@yougomango

by Mangoman on Jan 30, 2011 9:43 AM PST up reply actions

+1....NFL balls are slick and it was his first throw. Looked like Hill throwing it....but it did go for a +48 yard play.

I didn’t know much about Ponder before the game other than Youtube videos and media talk. What I do know know is that he is a very intriguing player and deserves much consideration……Hell he looked good.

by ericalancanty on Jan 30, 2011 12:28 PM PST up reply actions

Senior Bowl

They don’t get a ton of time to establish chemistry and learn the offense so I’d assume that played a role in the lack of going through progressions. He might do well to establish himself in an offense before being thrown out there.

I survived Jim Harbaugh week

by return2greatness on Jan 30, 2011 1:49 PM PST up reply actions