Golden Nuggets: Wherein Alex Smith Is A Super Hero
by James Brady on Dec 23, 2011 2:00 AM PST
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Sometimes I wonder if Alex Smith thinks his wide receivers are some kind of superhuman beings who can jump 100 feet in the air and go all Mr. Fantastic to stretch their feet to toe-tap in bounds. It's true that Smith had a good game on Monday against the Steelers, but with him, I'm never able to come away from the game thinking about anything other than his mistakes, because they're so glaring. The most prominent of his mistakes, in my opinion, are these: his inability to go one game without having at least two passes batted down at the line of scrimmage and his inability to hit a receiver deep down the sidelines. It's not that he overthrows in the latter situation - it's that he overthrows badly. The passes just recently came down somewhere around AT&T Park late last night.
I have been pretty loud about my admonishments of Dashon Goldson and the bad mixed in with the good this season, but I adamantly disagree with Grant Cohn when he suggests that Goldson is the weakest link in the San Francisco defense. Assuming we're talking about starters, it easily has to be Tarell Brown at this point, who can make a good stop here or there, but misses tackles and blows coverage about as often as Goldson, without the added bonus of picking off a pass or two. (PressDemocrat.com)
Eight players jumped up in rating in this week's Madden NFL 12 roster update, including Aldon Smith, once again. Smith now has the same rating as Denver's Von Miller, though after simming through five seasons, Miller is at a 99 while Aldon is at a 95. It's a conspiracy, I tell you! (SB Nation Bay Area)
The question is asked once again: Is Alex Smith a Pro Bowl quarterback? The short answer: no. The long answer: no, because there's players who have played better than him and there are a finite number of spots available on the Pro Bowl roster. (BayAreaSportsGuy.com)
Patrick Willis shouldn't play, and I really don't care what the weather looks like on Saturday. Sure, if it's worse, then that's an even bigger reason he shouldn't play, but I don't want him in there regardless. Give Larry Grant some more time to look like a badass. (CSNBayArea.com)
This piece gets linked due to the golden line about Marshawn Lynch - wherein he's noted as being in CONTRACT BEAST MODE! (BayAreaSportsGuy.com)
This is an awesome thing to note, regarding the musical choice during the 49ers-Steelers game. And despite the fact that the song is idiotically catchy despite being inherently terrible, I'm glad San Francisco decided to get in Pittsburgh's head with it. Yes, that is me saying I fully believe that's why it was played. There's no coincidence here. (SacBee.com)
It looks like wide receiver Braylon Edwards will get another chance to shine on Saturday, what with Ted Ginn Jr. on the injury report. During the Monday Night Football game, I told my brother that the 49ers group of receivers will never be top-shelf so long as Ginn is part of the starting rotation. If that's the guy that's keeping Edwards out, forgive me if I'm not confident in his ability to stun the 49ers into wanting to re-sign him this offseason. (CSNBayArea.com)
Imagine that, PG&E is still clueless. I've been telling them as much since I've been paying bills. (MercuryNews.com)
49ers working through the short week in preparation for the Seahawks (Examiner.com)
Record watch: Lee, Akers, Aldon threatening all-time NFL marks (SFGate.com)
Tight end Davis tries to boost Edwards' spirits, via Twitter (SacBee.com)
Drive to block 49ers' move (SFGate.com)
Nice Guys Finish First (49ers.com)
Five Questions with Braylon Edwards (49ers.com)
Being a Sheep
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Morning everyone.
I have been very busy recently and haven’t been posting as much, although I’ve been reading every day.
So I just wanted to say Hi.
That’s all.
Happy Christmas. Or whatever.
It is Merry ya silly Brit. Should know your audience ;).
Attack this day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind. ~ Jack Harbaugh
by Virginia9er on Dec 23, 2011 11:08 AM PST up reply actions
Ha! I never knew there was a US-UK divide on that one. Craziness :)
by LondonNiner on Dec 23, 2011 11:20 AM PST up reply actions
This explains why John Lennon says it both ways in War is Over. He was confused- being and an Englishman in New York.
Over
by cybermaldonado on Dec 23, 2011 11:28 AM PST up reply actions
I actually feel dirty after using a Sting song to reference Lennon.
Over
by cybermaldonado on Dec 23, 2011 11:29 AM PST up reply actions
Smith's Accuracy Has Always Been An Issue
It is so frustrating to see a QB so hot-n-cold, and I dont believe the rotating OC’s have anything to do with that. I think when he perceives pressure, his mind short circuits. When he doesnt feel pressure, he throws quite well. It is the characteristics of an average QB.
Smith
I am reasonably convinced that he’s from the future and is actually throwing to receivers in the new stadium at Santa Clara.
i wouldn't go buy your Kaepernick shirt just yet
The guy is unproven, and we don’t have a TON invested in him. He’s just a no-name player that may or may not turn out to be something down the line.
And Santa Clara may be 4 seasons away..yes, even with Alex Smith’s upcoming 3-year contract extension, who knows what will happen?
exactly
We have no idea what we’ve got there. Hopefully he’s learning and showing the coaches improvement during the week but until he steps into a meaningful situation we won’t really know.
I don’t think anybody would argue that Alex has improved in the course of the season. He’s made game winning plays when it’s counted. He’s also going to get a chance to perform on a bigger stage in the next few weeks. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens.
"It's impossible to hide the fire inside" - Bob Seger
He most definitely overthrows
every downfield sideline throw and a good percentage of dump-offs/screens. They are so rarely underthrown that it makes me think he does it on purpose to avoid interceptions.
On the other hand, I thought the announcers were unfair on a couple of the red zone throws they called him out for on MNF. There was the one where his throw was like 2" outside of Polamalu’s arms, and there was the other where Williams was running behind the linebacker. Either one, if he had thrown it straight at his man it would have been picked off or knocked down.
Accuracy and Deep Balls
James -
Alex gave an interview a couple weeks ago where he stated that many times, when he throws deep, he is doing an “educated sail” throw because he cannot see the receiver. So they tend to go out of bounds.
It is purposeful – most of the time. The crabtree throw was probably his onl real bad miss in the last game.
And as ljl mentions above, the Kyle Williams throw on MNF was on the money – Kyle started moving just as Alex let it go. How can he mentally predict where is going to go when its all improv at that point?
here's the link
Perhaps this will make you feel a little better about some of the deep throws.
Missing is missing, whether he's explaining it or not.
He has a guy, he throws, it’s way off target, even if he’s not sure where the target is or doesn’t want the target to let the ball get picked, it’s still a throw that can be made by other quarterbacks with better touch.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
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Yes and most other Qb's have twice as many picks ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
Which has nothing to do with what I've said in the article
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
his deep ball accuracy is meh
but I am not worried about those… I mean those are tough throws, barely completed 50% of the time by the NFL. What concerns me is his accuracy on SHORT throws.
[Poorly Wrought THING] is what Brian Sabean would have made if he were a [THING-maker] instead of a MLB GM
Alex Smith is the modern day John Brodie with all the love, hate, love, hate, love, hate.
Brodie endured the same criticisms… he was boo’d at Kezar too… He even in one game, flipped of the entire crowd until they eventually started laughing and cheering for him.
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The Hometown Fan
Why the hell is everyone so high on Kaepernick?
Did you people ever watch him play in college or are you just hoping that with all his athletic skills he can magically become a mix of mike vick and joe montana? I may not be a QB expert, but I did go to UNR and watched Kaep take 99% of his college snaps………..HE IS NOT A GOOD QB. He’s an incredible athlete, but HE IS NOT A GOOD QB. Anyone who thinks he can just step in and perform better then Alex Smith is high and/or crazy. Now I know that Alex isn’t the topflight QB that everyone though he would be, but Kaep is definitely not the answer.
by Pablo full of Poseys on Dec 23, 2011 9:22 AM PST reply actions
I definitely don’t consider myself an expert on QB play, but if a former NFL quarterback (Jim Harbaugh) who has turned a former flop into a winning NFL quarterback (Alex Smith) wants to trade up for a quarterback in the draft (Colin Kaepernick) I am inclined to trust his view as something of an expert in NFL quarterback play.
Indeed
Harbaugh has a winning season and he will definitly stay with Smith this season. But the future potential of Kaepernick, AND Tolzien, IMO far exceed the demonstrated abilities of Alex Smith.
But, but, but...
that guy has watched 99% of his snaps in college…
Ha!
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Ha! It’s funny isn’t it when people feel they know more than someone whose actual job it is and who is utterly proven in that job. We get it in this country with our football – you see Manchester United fans on blogs saying stuff like “What is Sir Alex Ferguson doing? He’s got this totally wrong” and you think, well, he’s probably the greatest manager in the history of English football, has won everything there is to win, has been doing it for about 30 years, and you are, like, an electrician or something.
by LondonNiner on Dec 23, 2011 11:24 AM PST up reply actions
Because it doesn't get confused with riot
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Yes but that doesn't mean Kaep can come in and play next year lol
He drafted Kaep as a top-flight minor league prospect
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 23, 2011 2:35 PM PST up reply actions
Well , the picking was getting slim and it;s not like they jumped into the First Round , they took a safe gamble on a kid who has some good athletic ability ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
Did you see what he did when he took a few snaps against Tampa?
His throws were accurate and he made the right reads, not take one and start running for his life. It’s a small sample size, but it’s enough proof that if he works and is coached properly, he has the potential to become a legit NFL QB.
Plenty of college QBs that were great have busted at the NFL level, and there are college QBs who were only average that have become stars. Prime example: Joe Montana
by 9thevolution on Dec 23, 2011 9:56 AM PST up reply actions
Walsh took a less than average QB in the 1979 draft in the 3rd round.
That same quarterback became the greatest QB to ever play the game.
Anything is possible. To sit there and say Kaep is not a good QB and never will be is pretty naive.
It sounds like you hate the guy… did he steel your girlfriend or something?
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He stole that guy’s girlfriend too? KAEPERNICK YOU DIRTY LOVE RAT.
by LondonNiner on Dec 23, 2011 11:27 AM PST up reply actions
You watched 99% of his snaps in college? Which ones did you miss?
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
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by James Brady on Dec 23, 2011 10:05 AM PST up reply actions
Wow! Here the NIners are, 11 and 3, and what do I hear, Alex Smith sucks. That’s all this article is, Alex sucks. Hey, Alex sucks everybody so chime in! He’s not a Probowl quarterback! Please.
I wish people could see the game film, not NFL Rewind, but the real game film where the whole field of play is in view. Then people would see exactly what Alex is doing for the club. However, they can’t, but still I can help.
Monday night, Steelers and Niners, there’s a big indicator of Alex’s play and that indicator is Troy Polamalu. Listen to this, Troy was a NON-FACTOR in the game. He made no big plays, ZERO. No interceptions, no game swinging plays that change momentum, and that, my friends, is huge. Why? Alex held him in check.
Troy could not key on Alex. The two passing play to Vernon Davis that set up the touchdown, Alex held Troy and did not allow him to interfere with the perfect passes to Vernon. One play was play-action, yes, but Troy bit on Alex performance. Alex knows that an interception, like Ben’s interception on the first drive by Carlos, swung the Big M to the Niners. Mistake free football wins games, turnovers looses games; smart plays wins games; forcing plays looses them. Alex is playing smart just as Coach Harbaugh is asking him to do.
Bottom line here, Coach Harbaugh said that Alex Smith was his long term quarterback, Coach Harbaugh has taken a team that was terrible, and I mean terrible, to 11 and 3, Coach Harbaugh see something in Alex Smith. My advice, try and see things like Coach Harbaugh.
Which article did you read? I didn't get that from it.
"What the hell are you mixing in that look-aid"
You loved him in the comments further up when you realized you had similar handles! You turn on him so quickly! You’re ruthless man, ruthless.
Which article? This one? Oh, you.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
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I suggest that you watch other quarterbacks.
And count missed and batted down passes.
Alex is doing fine.
That's kind of a messed up thing to say.
Come on now. Of course I watch other quarterbacks, and I know that Alex Smith has no touch on passes down the sideline. I NEVER said he wasn’t doing fine and have been a Smith supporter. I even noted the fact that Alex had a good game and that it’s my own personal barriers that can’t get past his mistakes – mistakes he’s had for years and years now.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
You concentrate solely on alledged mistakes.
My point is that he misses no more passes than other good NFL quarterbacks.
My point is that he misses a specific pass that's detrimental to the team.
And you are pointing out nothing new. This article is about me concentrating on mistakes (not alleged mistakes). If I post about Gore getting the 49ers rushing record, your comment is the same as you posting “All you think about is Gore getting the rushing record!”
We’re all aware. I’m a fan of Alex. I’ve said it a number of times. Go look it up.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
In other words, this isn't some all-out evaluation of Alex Smith, not some end-of-year summary of the way he's handled himself.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
I truly love how pointing out Alex Smith's two biggest flaws make me a hater, basher, idiot and ignorant sap who doesn't understand football.
And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter
Admitting it is the first step haha jk :)
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Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk, and Hate the Hate
If Alex was all that good, the NFL pro commentators would be raving about him. Alas, quiet as a cricket in a cornfield. Outside 49er fandom, Alex Smith is a non-entity.
Inside their locker room he is , Oh and the most sought after Coach last year tends to Agree there ...!!
I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ..( .AleX ) was asked , what do you think about all the game manager talk ... AleX i guess i just managed myself a VIctory ... Extend the Man ...!!
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