Alex Smith: Scrambling Superstar

by David Fucillo on Dec 7, 2011 1:30 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

One of the most underappreciated aspects of Alex Smith's game is his ability to move in the pocket and scramble when a play breaks down. There have been times in the past where he seemed to get happy feet and bad things happened. This season, 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh, offensive coordinator Greg Roman and QB coach Geep Chryst seem to have sufficiently worked with Smith to help him become a more effective runner.

Smith has made some really impressive runs throughout the year, but it just seems more effective. He is three yards from surpassing his single-season career high in rushing yards (147 yards). Once we get into the offseason, I'm planning on breaking down all his scrambles just to see if there is anything in common with all of them. Alex Smith is not the fastest person in the world, but he displays athleticism that is a rare quality for a lot of quarterbacks in the NFL.

While the yards are great, one of the double-edged swords has been his ability to extend plays. We have seen Alex scramble left and right to try and make more plays in the passing game. One problem that sometimes comes up is that he ends up getting sacked before he can throw the ball away. It seems like he could improve a bit in throwing the ball away a bit more frequently.

Other than throwing the ball away, however, Smith has been an extremely solid scrambler in the NFL. He might not have the speed of a Vick or the crazy athleticism of Cam Newton, but he handles his business efficiently. I bring all this up in part due to a video linked earlier by HighFive. I've embedded it after the jump and strongly encourage you to mute your computer as the music used is fairly awful. The quality isn't great, but it features some solid runs, as well as a few of his big blocks.

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This is interesting....

I didnt realize he had more yards than he usually gets on the ground, but now that I think about it he has had some nice runs this year.

by KGboomer on Dec 7, 2011 1:43 PM PST reply actions

I don't see Smith as a particularly good scrambler

My problem with Smith is that, with rare if any exceptions, he gives up on the pass once he gets in ‘run mode’. See pressure, receivers/passing lane not there, tuck the ball and see if you can squeak out of the pocket. Once he tucks the ball, the head rarely glances again down the field to see if anything opened up on the way out of the pocket. In the few instances where he does reconsider, it very often goes bad like on that crushing sack against Washington where he miraculously hung onto the ball, and similar ones when rolling left against Baltimore (fumble out of bounds) and last year against Philly (these plays equally showed just how much difficulty Smith has throwing the ball while rolling left).

All that said, the times this year I have been most impressed with his running is when he’s read the defense, e.g. against the Giants, knows that the scramble is going to be effective given the coverage, and rips off a good play. Those are high percentage agressive type things, and he’s good at them. Reacting to a heavy rush a la Vick and trying to create something, not so much. My 2¢ anyway.

by BKisforSF on Dec 7, 2011 1:56 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

Good point on Alex giving up on the throw

Although I do think he has improved on this in this season. It could be the opposite problem thought, right? He could insist on trying to find someone to throw to and take too much time and get sacked.

I appreciate that Alex is able to get first downs when he scrambles. I also notice that he doesn’t scramble all the time, he still looks for throws. I agree that he could be better at keeping his awareness up as he’s scrambling so that he can recognize when a play opens up there in mid run.

Win or lose, at the end of the day I'm just happy to see the Niners play well... Okay, winning is good. I prefer winning.
"Yeah, I do get emotional. It fires me up. It fires me up a lot. I'm not going to apologize for that. If that offends you or anybody else, then so be it." ~ Jim Harbaugh

by El Dorado on Dec 7, 2011 4:30 PM PST up reply actions

Steve Young had this same exact problem of running too early

When he took over for Montana. He also could not lead a receiver for beans. Threw behind them and over their heads. I hated him. In his 2 seasons with the Bucs, Young’s record as starter was 3–16. In his 19 games, he threw for only 11 touchdowns with 21 interceptions while completing fewer than 55% of his passes. He sat for 4 years behind Montana, with Mike Holmgren as his QB coach. This is Smith’s first year with a competent coaching staff that understands the position. I expect he will continue to improve. Steve Young was once deemed a “BUST” and he’s in the HOF.

by whatsURdeal on Dec 7, 2011 4:54 PM PST up reply actions

Wow you named 2 fumbles out of all the crushing hits he's taken

both of which occurred while he was in the process of throwing. rolls eyes

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 7, 2011 9:43 PM PST up reply actions

Named one fumble

left out the part about his fumble against Philly, and expressly mentioned the fact that he miraculously hung onto the ball in the Washington game.

So you saw a post about Alex that was less than unambiguously positive and in a fit of hot flashes typed out a post that was inaccurate and totally unrelated to the point I made. Well played. rolls eyes

by BKisforSF on Dec 8, 2011 12:43 PM PST up reply actions

Oh BULL

This is the most backhanded compliment on Earth. And you made absolutely sure to reference his fumble against the Eagles. You certainly didn’t leave it out as you seem to say.

In the few instances where he does reconsider, it very often goes bad like on that crushing sack against Washington where he miraculously hung onto the ball, and similar ones when rolling left against Baltimore (fumble out of bounds) and last year against Philly (these plays equally showed just how much difficulty Smith has throwing the ball while rolling left).

You mention 3 plays out of probably close to 100 plays outside of the pocket and use those three to say he can’t throw on the run when he does it every single game. Don’t try to church up once you said now that I called you on your bs.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 8, 2011 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

what you said

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 8, 2011 3:52 PM PST up reply actions

God you're thick

Can you read, bud? Where in the blurb you cited does it mention fumble??…. Oh yea, just the once WHEN I MENTION HOW HE FUMBLED IT OUT OF BOUNDS AGAINST BALTIMORE.

Did he also fumble it out of bounds against Baltimore last year against the Eagles genius??? It’s a serious question, because I’m wondering if I can get a few of your synapses to fire off here (answer, no he fumbled it and it was picked up and returned for a touchdown, a point which is irrelevant to the point I made anyway).

Frankly, I’m not arguing over your silly standard that thou shalt not refer to poor Smith plays without larding them with exculpatory circumstance, real or imagined, I just pointed it out to illustrate that you can’t even read a post when you’ve come across a potentially negative assessment the guy, wherein you fall faint panties in a bunch and flail around like a two year old.

The point of the post regarded Smith’s tendencies when scrambling, and your inaccurate silliness didn’t pick up on that at all. Do better, or point your inane comments elsewhere.

by BKisforSF on Dec 9, 2011 2:56 PM PST up reply actions

It's called , ( Live for another play ) ...!!

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 ...!!

by Edggy on Dec 8, 2011 3:17 AM PST up reply actions

2:56 best highlight.

by dozybolox13 on Dec 7, 2011 2:06 PM PST reply actions 1 recs

He laid his ass out

"I hate it! It looks like a stickup at 7-Eleven. Five guys standing there with their hands in the air."

Norm Sloan

"We have a great bunch of outside shooters. Unfortunately, all our games are played indoors."

Weldon Drew

by EcERyda69 on Dec 7, 2011 3:22 PM PST up reply actions

Yeh, I've been commenting for years

about Alex’s seeming inability to just throw the damn ball away when things break down. Less hits, less yards lost. Win, win.

by oldfoggy on Dec 7, 2011 2:08 PM PST reply actions

Way too funny ....

…been commenting for years

about Alex’s seeming inability to just throw the damn ball away when things break down…

and then there this by our leader …

It seems like he could improve a bit in throwing the ball away a bit more frequently…

… you both realize that he would catch hell-fire for throwing the ball away by all the righteous fans we have here , rite …!!

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 ...!!

by Edggy on Dec 7, 2011 6:20 PM PST up reply actions

huh?

by Xan101 on Dec 7, 2011 6:56 PM PST up reply actions

Everybody booed Alex last year when he'd throw the ball away

Even when it was the right play.

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Dec 7, 2011 9:44 PM PST up reply actions

Alex use to be a lot faster back in the day..

Haahaha I like the music, it makes u want to dance naked with a football in one hand and a martini in the other… Lol.. Go Alex!!!

by pigskin slapper on Dec 7, 2011 2:11 PM PST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

He had some nice runs

But if you want to see a really great run by a QB watch this. BTW, any chance I can get that song on Itunes? I want to make my kids listen to it over and over again when they’ve done something wrong.

In the world of the blind the one-eyed man is king.

by urnext on Dec 7, 2011 2:17 PM PST reply actions

Thank you for showing this.

Alex deserves much more credit than he’s gotten for how he’s handled himself through all of this and I’m extremely happy for the success he and the team has had this year. A little bit of faith and confidence from Coach Harbaugh and their relationship will keep him growing as a QB. As far as I know Alex is still relatively young and has some good years ahead of him. It bums me out that it took this long but I’m grateful we all got the opportunity to witness the evolution and trip he’s taken to get to this point. GO ALEX!

by 49er Faithful925 on Dec 7, 2011 2:57 PM PST reply actions

Save you some time

The ball is snapped, Alex sets up in the pocket, it collapses from one or both of the tackle positions as he is making his first read — Alex steps up and escapes through the wide open B gap created by the way our tackles want to drop 5 yards into the backfield before making contact.

There you go, picture that in your head and you can see 90% of Alex’s “scrambling” ways.

Every time Jamie Dukes says something enlightening and informative about football Jerry Rice and I mount up on our flying grizzly bears and claim pirate treasure from the moon. That's how often it happens.

by Ougadas on Dec 7, 2011 3:14 PM PST reply actions

Happy & Proud that Alex is experiencing success...

Why you ask?

Because since the day Alex was drafted he has had to put up and take all the blame losing, bad rosters, bad coaching, and hearing us fans Boooooo him for David Carr.

On top of that Nolan questioning his man hood after he got injured with a seperated shoulder and Singletary implying Alex was meek and questioning his leadership.

During all of the above what I saw was a mentally & physically tough son of a gun who did indeed have Q.B. skills, if only he get get a supporting roster and real NFL coaching.

Dont know if it will actully happen but the story book ending would be Alex competing against Aaron in the NFC Championship game…wil it happen, stay tuned!

by BigMar on Dec 7, 2011 3:54 PM PST reply actions

I'm w/ you on this....

Not to mention the entire organization was in complete flux when he was drafted…. remember the organization back then was in salary cap hell….. the Yorks had no idea what was going on and they just basically blew it up and were left w/ the no. 1 pick.

There was no plan. They had so many needs at every position after blowing it up. The obvious was picking the QB and they got the one they wanted.

Don’t give me this crap about Aaron Rodgers bc had he been picked no.1 instead I’m sure he would’ve gone through the same crap and he wouldn’t be the same QB we see now. No O-line, Kevan Barlow/Gore as RBs, Brandon Lloyd/Tai Streets as WRs?, who was the TE back then in ‘05; Eric Johnson; Jessica Simpson’s new baby daddy/husband?

Bottom line the organization was a mess when Alex was picked and that’s NOT his fault at all. Sadly, tho as shown on other stories, blogs and etc. the QB always seems to be associated w/ a team’s W’s and L’s but the same is not done w/ RB’s or any other position. I wonder why that is? Suffice to say it’s made all of niner fans all that much more humble and for the long-time fans makes us really enjoy the moment all that much more!

GO NINERS

by 49er Faithful925 on Dec 7, 2011 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe Alex isn't as fast as other QBs but he

by El Dorado on Dec 7, 2011 4:32 PM PST reply actions

's tough -- not afraid of going for it and getting hit

(DARN YOU return key!!!)

by El Dorado on Dec 7, 2011 4:33 PM PST up reply actions

I blame Nolan for his handling of Alex Smith.

Instead of developing Smith he destroyed him.

by rileyg1 on Dec 7, 2011 4:53 PM PST reply actions

Um, no

by GB9er on Dec 7, 2011 6:44 PM PST reply actions

At times Alex steps out or slides too soon

I seen him slide one yard short of the first at times. I remember a play he could have scored had he put the ball across the goal line. He just needs to be more confident in his ability to run through traffic. Sometimes the defense is not even in position to make the tackle. I see Tebow do it with success. I even seen Alex Smith do it in Utah. He gives up way too soon.
Also I think he does a good job getting the ball to WRs along the sideline when he scrambles right. He just needs more confidence in his running abiliy. Turn a 10 yard run into a 30 yarder. Make em pay.

by STELF BOMBZ on Dec 8, 2011 5:24 AM PST reply actions

my opinion on alex in general

to me, unless you have played the position its damn near impossible to judge it accurately ..i personally have never played QB on any level pro or semi-pro ..but i do understand that it probably entails more “variables” then any other position in any competitive sport ..not to mention that when tipped balls get picked off, its still an interception on his record ..or when a receiver drops a pass on a perfect throw (see: Davis, Vernon, back of the end zone last week), its still an incompletion on his record ..its insane to me that QBs are judged on wins and losses like pitchers ..i cant understand that (especially with 10 other guys on the field) ..with all that being said, i dont think alex will ever be a “great” QB ..but he can be a good one ..and i believe thats good enough for now (while we have this level of a defense) ..i have personally ALWAYS wished (and yelled in front of my TV) that he would scramble more ..to me he didnt take off enough ..I live in LA and most of the people i know here (who arent 49er fans) dont even know he has scrambling ABILITY ..this year i’ve been mostly pleased with his decisions overall ..i also think he has spread the ball out to different receivers well this year, which i realize is more due to Harbaugh and Roman but Alex had tendencies over the years to pick the same spots on the field in his checkdowns ..Alex is growing, and thats good ..dont think we’ll ever see him be a 25+ TD a season QB tho ..in any system ..but i think he is definitely a good piece in our puzzle and one hell of a teammate ..and i wish more of us would stop picking him apart and maybe take it for an “it is what it is” approach and support him as long as the reality is that hes our QB

by FortyNiner00 on Dec 8, 2011 6:56 PM PST reply actions