49ers QB Alex Smith: Unlike Any Football Player We've Seen?

by David Fucillo on Jun 2, 2011 12:00 PM PDT in 49ers QB 2011

It seems that when in doubt during this lockout, writing about Alex Smith is as good a choice as any. The last couple days has seen a variety of articles about the often embattled 49ers QB. Matt Maiocco posted about the never easy relationship between Alex Smith and the 49ers. Mike Sando chimed in on the "Alex Smith Leadership Conference." This all comes following Smith's fairly wide-ranging interview with various media members after a practice session in the South Bay.

In all of this, Alex Smith really does strike me (and others it would seem) as a really unique type of player. Some might call him a masochist for putting himself through all this. In his interview yesterday, Smith spoke on this. Thanks to Tim Kawakami for his transcription of the discussion:

It would have been easier, to go to a new place, a fresh start, and maybe I should have. But at this point, I'm happy with where I'm at and really attempting to be about something different in this league ... Nothing against decisions that other guys have made in the past, (but) I feel like it's such an easy way out. I don't know of any other guy that has ever attempted to do what I'm doing. If there's anything that I feel like I stand for as a person, not even a football player, it's that."

It's really quite fitting that the Alex Smith situation has taken a turn for the fairly bizarre as the NFL lockout rages on and creates a truly bizarre offseason. Kawakami and Sando both make the correct point that offseason leadership still doesn't necessarily fill the important need for actual on-field execution. As it currently stands, who really knows what's going to happen.

It's a great offseason story that he's filled this leadership void, but we won't know the true lasting impact until football actually gets going again. It makes it easy to root for the guy, but as 49ers fans have learned over the last six years, it could just as easily set us up for stomach-punching failure.

Assuming Smith does re-sign (do I get a little credit on this one? OK maybe not), I'll be rooting as hard as anybody for him to succeed. However, I'll have to work to temper my expectations yet again. Why does this remind me of Charlie Brown trying to kick a football?

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I really am rooting for him, and hope this off season leadership translates to on field success for him.

by ElGuero9er on Jun 2, 2011 12:17 PM PDT reply actions

One of the commenters on the Kawakami article mentioned the Smith is a lot like Posey in terms of demeanor. They are both soft-spoken, hard-working, quality family guys who are dedicated and loyal.

I really think Alex has gotten an unfair shake. I can see why 49ers fans are sick of him, if anything, he is a symbol for what has gone wrong the last 10 years. He’s been the most constant figure of that.

But I also really respect him for trying to be different and trying to turn around his legacy here. If that legacy ends up being one playoff berth and helping Kaep get up to speed, that will be worth it after all the pain we’ve been through.

I can’t help but want to root for guys like Posey and Smith over some of the idiots we’ve seen play sports over the years. I think Smith will have a successful season this year, my best case scenario is a situation that mirrors the one in San Diego. Brees vs. Rivers. We know so well as Niners fans what it’s like to have two starting-level QBs on the same team (it’s just been so long it’s hard to remember), but I think that would be a glorious problem to have.

Go Niners!

by cassusriff on Jun 2, 2011 12:35 PM PDT reply actions

Just remember Brees has a Superbowl Win and Superbowl MVP trophy, Rivers has none of the above….
But I would love to have the problem of having TOO many quality quarterbacks, than not enough.

I am excited for the new season and am looking forward to what Alex can bring to the table. He’s earned my respect as a person for wanting to come back to a place that hasn’t treated him with any form of love the last couple of years. We’ve all screamed at him and boo-ed him, but I think we are ready to love him too. Winning cures everything.

LETS GO ALEX!

by SH0ck-D on Jun 2, 2011 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions

OKAY seriously

Last chance. This is it! If he can’t succeed with Harbaugh’s guidance, then its hopeless! One more time, one last chance Alex Smith. I will have your back, I will cuss you out when you play poorly, and I will cheer you on when/if you are on hot fia!

SF 49ers. SF Giants. SJ Sharks. CHI Bulls.

by Giants49war on Jun 2, 2011 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Agreed

If Harbaugh can’t help, he simply is what he has been…not a quality starter.

The problem with it though, is that he’s clearly a good guy, which, unfortunately, doesn’t count for a whole hell of a lot in the NFL…

I wish Smith were better, but that remains to be seen. Respect him as a person, but fingers crossed and expectations low for next season

"Football combines the two worst things about America: It is violence punctuated by committee meetings" -George Will

by lottwasgangsta on Jun 2, 2011 6:40 PM PDT reply actions

Alex Smith

Has to help himself. I’m sick of excuses… we can blame playbooks or past OC. He needs to throw well… he needs to see the field and become the quarterback he wants to be.

If he can’t help himself (Holding mini-camp is a wonderful start) he simply will not make it.

He knows how to read a field. Now if he could just relax and watch his receivers against their matchups, throw without hesitation, I will unravel my Alex Smith jersey from the bottom of a box that is in a deep dark corner of storage space.

by 49erfannm on Jun 2, 2011 7:52 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

+1

THROW WITHOUT HESITATION. By far A Smith"s greatest weakness in my opinion. He often waits too long for his receivers to get open. He needs to learn to anticipate better and throw his receivers open.

by Willy G on Jun 2, 2011 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Can he trust his recievers to get open?

Who the hell knows what a particular play required of him…

by Mindless on Jun 3, 2011 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Alex Smith has always shown this type of character

This isn’t really anything new. He has been loyal, he has been dedicated, and hard working. He is a great guy, and I agree that more great guys are needed in sports. I would just prefer a great guy date my daughter, not QB my 49ers. I want a great QB for that. I was cautiously optimistic last year for Alex Smith. I was overly optimistic with the team. If anything, I feel he regressed last season. Coaching was bad, but the coaches weren’t throwing the ball. I didn’t like what I saw from Alex. Hopefully a creative OC can limit the impact of Alex’s weaknesses, but there is only so much he can do. We need a better QB.

by AKinferno on Jun 3, 2011 1:13 AM PDT reply actions

I'm not quit sure it work's for everyone ....

… but most people i know and this might be out there a bit , but having your first child is a life changing event , gives you a greater sense of purpose , kinda incapsulates the meaning of life , almost a felling of euphoria if you will ,gives everything a greater meaning … not saying this will translate into better decision on the field , but it’s pretty huge in ones’ life …!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!

by Edggy on Jun 3, 2011 4:22 AM PDT reply actions

Really? A stretch at best.

Having a kid might make someone try harder or become more focused on success cause they realize they have a life dependent on them. If Alex’s problem was lack of focus, lack of dedication, or something along those lines, I might throw you a bone here. But it seems to me to be inability to analyze and make decisions in real time. Supposedly he awes coaches with his ability to see things develop on film, or understand failings after the fact. But in the moment, he is indecisive and can’t adapt to changes. A kid isn’t going to increase his brainspeed (had to throw that in there, something me and my friends made up). If anything, I would say a kid could hamper him, cause he is a good guy (and a millionaire), it would make sense that he will start spending less time trying to prove to the world he it a bust and more time with his family.

by AKinferno on Jun 3, 2011 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Just wondering , do you have kids' ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!

by Edggy on Jun 3, 2011 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes I do

And I know many bad parents.

by AKinferno on Jun 10, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Bleh, read whole thread before replying a week later

The last comment only fit cause I remember a point I had been trying to make back when I wrote it.

But I do have a daughter. And to be honest, she has made me more motivated to excel, not just get by. But, I also have been considering ways of making a living and at the same time, spending more time at home. If I were a millionaire, I would not be working. I would be figuring out ways of investing or hiring someone to invest for me and I would be spending as much time as I could with my daughter. Or if I was working, it would be during the hours when she is at school. Your kids only grow up once. Money is great and all, but being there for your kids is better.

by AKinferno on Jun 10, 2011 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions