Alex Smith And Jim Harbaugh: A Bromance For The Ages

by David Fucillo on Feb 12, 2012 12:00 PM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

The 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am wraps up this afternoon down in Monterey. The Pro-Am is famous for pairing celebrities with professional golfers through the four day tournament. In addition, there is a Celebrity Challenge on Wednesday and the 49ers and Giants engage in a shootout for charity on Tuesday.

All of this week's festivities provided yet another opportunity for Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith to continue building a bond that dates back a year now. Shortly after Jim Harbaugh became the new head coach of the 49ers, he began to engage Alex Smith to see whether he wanted to be back with the team and also whether Coach Harbaugh wanted him back. They reportedly threw the ball around a bit before the lockout and generally took some time to get to know each other. He stopped by the hospital when Alex's wife gave birth to their first child and he was quick to praise Alex over and over again in the media. It reached a point where the league even issued a warning about it during the lockout.

The Jim Harbaugh-Alex Smith bromance started to take shape last year, but now that they don't have to worry about things like the lockout, it can fully bloom. Alex Smith joined Jim Harbaugh at the 49ers-Giants charity shootout and subsequently served as Harbaugh's caddy on Thursday of the National Pro-Am. They also apparently car-pooled down to Monterey from the South Bay I've posted a few pictures after the jump courtesy of @49ers and @attpbnproam. Unfortunately no pictures of them rocking out to a mix on the drive down.

It is worth noting that Coach Harbaugh said that in exchange for Alex caddying for him this year, Coach Harbaugh would caddy for Alex next year. Most expected Alex Smith to return in 2012, but this would seem to further ram home that point. Assuming Alex does re-sign with the 49ers, it is at least good to note the great relationship between coach and player. There is plenty for Alex to work on this offseason if he wants to take another leap forward. However, having that strong relationship with his head coach forms a solid base to build upon. Whether he does take a step forward remains to be seen, but things are at least moving in the right direction.

Alex Smith and Jim Harbaugh with Giants pitcher Matt Cain

via @49ers

Alex Smith lining up a putt for Jim Harbaugh

via @49ers

Alex Smith carrying Jim Harbaugh's clubs

via @attpbnproam

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Smith looked so ridiculous in Monterey

But you could tell that both he and Harbaugh were having a blast working with each other outside of football.

I hope it bodes well for the future.

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by RedOscar on Feb 12, 2012 12:15 PM PST reply actions

Looks like we'll have Alex back

now we need to get him someone to throw to on the outside

Follow @DeSimone80

by Dylan DeSimone on Feb 12, 2012 1:10 PM PST reply actions

Is that the problem with the passing offense, the weapons?

Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?

by rlott#42 on Feb 13, 2012 12:58 AM PST up reply actions

one of the problems

I'm not an Alex Smith appologist. I'm an Alex hater hater.

by Andrew9erfan on Feb 13, 2012 6:04 AM PST up reply actions

What else is weong with the passing game?

Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?

by rlott#42 on Feb 13, 2012 7:58 AM PST up reply actions

Lack of offseason

by Mindless on Feb 13, 2012 11:55 AM PST up reply actions

Anything besides Alex Smith

He should have been a Pro-bowler after all.

by AKinferno on Feb 13, 2012 12:28 PM PST up reply actions

Crabs would have atleast 4 more TD's

if Alex had put the ball atleast close to him.

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Feb 13, 2012 12:33 PM PST up reply actions

Or if he hadn't dropped every other pass his way

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Feb 13, 2012 7:12 PM PST up reply actions

Alex and Jim, the best and most fabulous couple in San Fran!

by Odekerk on Feb 12, 2012 1:26 PM PST reply actions

uhhh lol

"Cruelty, It’s not giving another person what they want. That’s our mindset on defense, to go out and play with everything we have and not give the other team anything." -Patrick Willis

by 49erLou on Feb 12, 2012 10:26 PM PST up reply actions

Call me soft but...

I love me some Harbaugh and Smith bromance. lol

Honestly, I think that will continue to show itself on the football field. When you have a relationship like that, you really have a chance to build something special. Especially with a pair of really smart guys like them.

Alex Smith went from "We Want Carr!" to "The Run" and "The Catch 3."
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: WORLD CHAMPIONS!
Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith are our future!
Giants Baseball: Torture. It hurts so good.

by Effage on Feb 12, 2012 1:44 PM PST reply actions

I hear ya' - and also consider.....

Both men are precisely what the other needs. And with the “off-site” bonding (which I simply love) taking place, their tutoring/training type sessions can go much deeper. This bonding should/could transcends “normal” coach/player dialogue. Bonding should encourage Harbaugh, and really open up Alex to deeper exploration of the “mental” aspect of the position -which in turn should help him be more “trusting in what he sees” and a great deal more instinctive than before. With Alex, to me, its all between the ears.

by ninernutt on Feb 12, 2012 3:22 PM PST up reply actions

Breaking News

Alex Smith finally found something he is good at!!

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Feb 12, 2012 2:05 PM PST reply actions

Congratulations!

by HighFive on Feb 12, 2012 2:38 PM PST up reply actions

I hope Harbaugh had a long, good, clear confidentialtal talk with Kaepernick....

assuring him, no matter how much time and how tight he and Alex are, that NOTHING has changed or will ever change as far as the BEST Q.B. earning the Q.B. job.

Otherwise Kaepernick may think this bromance is tilted towards Alex.

by BigMar on Feb 12, 2012 2:39 PM PST reply actions

Kaep is locked up

for the next couple of years, so there’s nothing for him to gripe about; though I’m pretty sure he’ll be ready to take over the reigns for 2013-14

by Doni S on Feb 12, 2012 2:49 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

What happened this year then?

"You know whats funny? I always thought uhm dogs lay eggs and I learned something new today" Peter Griffin

by HUNGRY HUNTER on Feb 12, 2012 3:03 PM PST up reply actions

i dunno

could be an open battle @ QB…i’m just not sure Kaep is ready-ready yet; give him 1 more year of ‘seasoning’ watching from the sidelines can’t hurt

by Doni S on Feb 13, 2012 10:22 AM PST up reply actions

Kinda makes Kaep look like the kid brother who is not Dad's favorite son

“Aw, I wanted to go play golf with Dad! Why does Alex always get to play golf and throw the football around?”

"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 Feb 13, 2012 8:26 AM PST up reply actions

"Harbalex"

A pick-me-up tonic that tastes bitter to some but has the potential to give a kick-in-the-pants of fans driven into depression from 8 years of losing…
For those who read P. G. Wodehouse, it’s like the potent mix that Jeeves used to concoct to cure hangovers….

by Mood_Indigo on Feb 12, 2012 4:23 PM PST reply actions

Hangovers ... They're called ( Hang On's ) , you just wish they were over ...!!

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 Feb 12, 2012 4:37 PM PST up reply actions

Matt Cain looks like...

…I can not really insult the guy, as he is nice, smart and supremely talented.

by Mindless on Feb 12, 2012 10:23 PM PST reply actions

Yea i hate to say it i really do but their relationship reminds me of drew brees

n his head coach now if we can mirror their success " and-some “we’ll be good,its nothing phoney its HC bonding with” Starting—QB "n that bond helps in those tuff situations because theres " real honest trust there".This should be alex coming out-season no doubt no exscuses at all!!!!

by Jayubb415rebirth on Feb 12, 2012 11:43 PM PST reply actions

I hope this crap works. I mean, if Alex still has the same issues will Harbaugh be hesitant to pull the plug?

Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?

by rlott#42 on Feb 13, 2012 1:01 AM PST reply actions

I've kind of wondered about this with Harbaugh in general, when it comes to firing any player...

…who is not performing well on the team. Because he gets really close with his players, treats them pretty much like his extended family. I would think that would make it even harder to have to let one of them go, harder to separate his personal friendship from the business side of football.

"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 Feb 13, 2012 8:32 AM PST up reply actions

What have you been looking at?

Braylon Edwards was a friend of the Harbaugh family, a first round top 10 pick, and an under performer. Where is he now? Believe me, Coach Harbaugh can, will and has, made tough choices.

by SuperAgent on Feb 14, 2012 9:12 PM PST up reply actions

Smith Trolls...

Ur tired… Give it a rest already

by dirt on Feb 13, 2012 4:06 AM PST via mobile reply actions

Lol

Troll=expressing an opinion?

I can’t get jiggy with your logic!

Gonna make the WR position relevant again? When?

by rlott#42 on Feb 13, 2012 7:59 AM PST up reply actions

UR Only A Troll...

If you disagree with him, mein fuehrer!

Agent Dunham....Walternate testified that in his universe, AleX Smith is a pro-bowl QB for the Saints, and broke Trent Dilfer's season record of 6000 yards passing. Walter....Thats nice, more LSD please.

by scrappydog on Feb 13, 2012 8:07 AM PST up reply actions

I'm Kinda Creeped Out.....

A great coach isn’t buddies with his players. A great coach needs to cut players like a surgeon when necessary. These two look like they need to get a room.

by scrappydog on Feb 13, 2012 7:17 AM PST reply actions

Why not?

Same story in any business. I go out with my boss and my reports all the time. I expect to be fired – or to fire under-performing guys in my team just the same. We are professionals – everybody knows how it works.

by Mindless on Feb 13, 2012 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

I hate the word Bromance

It is just so lame. No offense Fooch.

by hammystyle on Feb 13, 2012 9:05 AM PST via mobile reply actions

FINALLY!!

Alex is right where he should be. Next to the coach and not on the field. I hope Kaep takes his job.

Call me cautiously optimistic....because I know what the Niners do to people who have real optimism (see the last 8 years).

by crumpedup15 on Feb 13, 2012 12:32 PM PST reply actions

We should all hope

Kaep gets ready quickly,so we have the best chance to win games,especially in the playoffs ! Maybe since Jim loves alex so much he will give him a job as a coach,after his days as backup QB are over ?

by TIM___ on Feb 13, 2012 2:11 PM PST reply actions