Alex Smith: Manager or Pitcher?

Jim Harbaugh talked about the term "Game Manager" after last night's 23-7win against the Arizona Cardinals. He said that he didn't really follow the term because it didn't make sense to him. The coach is more like the manager in the cross sport term and the QB would be more like the pitcher. That makes alot of sense to me. After the jump, lets try to figure out what kind of "Pitcher" Alex Smith is.

1. Golden Arm Stud

This is a type of pitcher who put it all together early on in his career. Athletic skills off the charts, mental skills off the charts. Clayton Kershaw won his first Cy Young at age 23, in his 3rd full season in the major leagues. Peyton Manning was the first pick in the 98 draft. He had all the skills to step in right away and play at a high level. Kershaw=P.Manning.
2. The Protege

The golden arm studs who had to take some time in the league to really get good. Athletic skills off the charts, Mentally wasn't ready when he was drafted, took 3 or 4 years to get himself ready. Roy Halladay=Aaron Rodgers.
3. Wily veteran

Arm strength is gone, but brain strength is still there. Has seen everything and uses his experience to get it done. Livan Hernandez=Matt Hasselbeck.
4. Knuckleball pitcher

Uses his unorthodox delivery to get the win. Most hitters don't know how to hit the knuckleball so he has a mental advantage. Tim Wakefield-Tim Tebow.

What is Alex?

I think of Alex Smith this year as being a Greg Maddux type. He doesn't make a whole lot of mistakes(no walks and Homeruns vs no ints) and keeps the bad decisions to a minimum. Maddux got better with age. In an old Nike commercial, Maddux said "chicks dig the long ball". They do. Fickle fans love seeing the big homeruns and 10 run games. I can also dig a 3-0 win too.  A win is still a win. There are many types of 20 game winners out there. I think Alex is figuring out how to become one of those 20 game winners this year.   GO Niners!!

Chicks dig the long ball.