I managed to score some brief Internet access at a coffee shop in the Planet Hollywood casino's Miracle Mile Shops and came across the Glen Coffee insanity. Reading through the comments in Tre9er's FanShot was certainly amusing seeing some folks actually on the ledge over a busted third round pick that wasn't likely to play a huge role this year. Not to say that it sucks blowing a third round pick (because it does), but that and the Balmer nonsense is not the end of the world. I wish Glen Coffee the best of luck and if he is doing this because of a higher calling, more power to him. I know some folks think he'll be back eventually, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. So, best of luck Glenn.
For those who want to continue discussing Glen Coffee, head to Ninjames' thread that followed up Tre9er's FanShot. Thanks to Tre for getting the initial FanShot and James for putting together the thread itself. We'll certainly have more about this as more information breaks. And for those outside the organization who bring up the thought of overwork by Singletary (as mentioned by folks in our thread, and naturally brought up by Peter King), maybe the 49ers should worry if they get some of the leaders on the team complaining. Nothing is as fun as speculating about something with next to no information to base it on. Way to go Peter King. But please take discussion of that topic to the Coffee thread.
In the meantime, I thought we'd mix things up a bit with an always favorite old topic: Alex Smith. Before people start throwing fits, the 49ers sent out transcripts for today's media sessions and Smith took a few minutes to speak about the offense and his arm heading into Sunday.
For purposes of relatively "new information," Smith spoke a bit about how his arm is feeling heading at this point in camp heading into Sunday's game:
On how his arm feels:
"It feels good, camp arm. Compared to the last couple years though, not even close. I don't have any more of the soreness or the aching that I had the last couple years, so it feels really good. For as many reps and throws as I'm getting, I'm happy with where I'm at."
On the limited soreness and it being a positive sign:
"I think so. I think the more strength you get back, the more mobility you get back. I don't know, break down that scar tissue I guess. I don't totally know the signs behind it, but I do know that it's getting better and better the more I get away from it."
On what he does to keep his arm safe and healthy and how the team monitors his throws:
"Different things. I kind of think that I like that they are doing it because I think it's something that doesn't happen a lot around the league, guys tracking pitch counts and things like that. I like it, you do different things. Ice is the main thing, ice and rest, that I do. But obviously continue to train in the weight room, getting your shoulder and mobility in there as well. So those are things that I focus on, and then the biggest thing I think it's just knowing your body, knowing your shoulder, being conscious of it, not pushing it too far, not doing stupid things with it. I'm at the point now where I'm being vocal about it where I'm like ‘I'm good, or I've had enough throws.' If it comes to that point just being ready to speak your mind."
Is there anybody out there that has played a bit of QB, or even someone who's been a baseball pitcher at some level? I ask because I'm curious if anybody has experienced anything like this and has any insight into it? Given his shoulder issues in the past, he seems to be generally pleased with how he feels. Given the shoulder problems during his 49ers career, I'd think he'd be especially attuned to potential problems there.
QB Alex Smith
Post-Morning Practice - August 13, 2010
San Francisco 49ers
On the week it's been with all of the drama around camp:
"It's been a little different, but you know, you move on. You know you're a team, you have to re-focus, things happen to every team. There's always things that come up here and there, they're always different, but you just have to move on."
On how he heard about Glen Coffee retiring:
"Just through different routes. In the locker room guys were kind of talking about it. Obviously you noticed that he wasn't out there today, but you move on."
On if he noticed anything different about him:
"Can't say that I did. He's always been really good to me, I've always thought really highly of [RB] Glen [Coffee], so he had to make the decision for himself."
On his thoughts about the two guys who recently have said they don't want to play for this team:
"It's not my area. I don't know what they were thinking. They had to make a decision at this point in their life and they made it. It's tough to start speculating what they are going through because I don't know what they are going through off the field."
On the limited number of throws he had today and the reason for it:
"It turned into one of those days. I think coach wanted to cut back a little bit on the number of reps, and then I think today in the anticipation that some of the younger guys are going to be playing a lot more, I guess they got a little more of the reps. So it just kind of turned into that, I guess just a combination of cutting the reps back a little bit for the morning practice and then getting the younger guys some more time."
On the amount of time he expects to play on Sunday:
"Until they pull me out. In fact, I'd rather not know. I think it's kind of weird when you know you're only going to get eight plays, or 12 plays, or this many series. I'd rather just go out there and play my game and when they tell me to get out I'll get out."
On what his preference would be for the amount of time he plays on Sunday:
"Whatever, it doesn't matter. You'd like to get in a flow, obviously, that's the big thing, get out there and get some looks. You have four games to get adjusted for the season, good or bad, you'd like them all to be as good as possible, but you're really just trying to get adjusted to game speed, game looks, making decisions out there."
On how it was getting adjusted out there with David Baas:
"It's good, it's going well, I feel good with him there. It's new. It's a lot on your shoulder with making the calls and things like that. I think him just adjusting. Our defense gives a lot of looks, which I think is a good thing. I think practice moves fast, I think it's very similar to a game situation in that sense. So I think he's getting a lot of good looks and I think he will continue to get them as we move on."
On the amount of work he has done with Anthony Dixon:
"Obviously, I've had some work with him in and out of there. The reps have been pretty limited up to this point. I have been getting most of the reps with Frank up to this point. I think it's the same thing we're looking at with all of the guys in knowing the details of your position. I think for running backs, the big difference you are looking for at the professional level is protections. Run game, yeah he has to know it obviously, and a lot of that is instinctive to a certain extent, but pass protections are where a lot of those details come in and you have to be on top of it in this league. You're going to get a lot of different looks and a lot of different adjustments and you have to know them."
On how his arm feels:
"It feels good, camp arm. Compared to the last couple years though, not even close. I don't have any more of the soreness or the aching that I had the last couple years, so it feels really good. For as many reps and throws as I'm getting, I'm happy with where I'm at."
On the limited soreness and it being a positive sign:
"I think so. I think the more strength you get back, the more mobility you get back. I don't know, break down that scar tissue I guess. I don't totally know the signs behind it, but I do know that it's getting better and better the more I get away from it."
On what he does to keep his arm safe and healthy and how the team monitors his throws:
"Different things. I kind of think that I like that they are doing it because I think it's something that doesn't happen a lot around the league, guys tracking pitch counts and things like that. I like it, you do different things. Ice is the main thing, ice and rest, that I do. But obviously continue to train in the weight room, getting your shoulder and mobility in there as well. So those are things that I focus on, and then the biggest thing I think it's just knowing your body, knowing your shoulder, being conscious of it, not pushing it too far, not doing stupid things with it. I'm at the point now where I'm being vocal about it where I'm like ‘I'm good, or I've had enough throws.' If it comes to that point just being ready to speak your mind."
On the noise level at Lucas Oil Stadium and how it might prepare him for away games during the regular season:
"You know it will be good. It's a road game, we played there last year, indoor, I think they have the retractable roof. Isn't it an open-close deal, I think? It will be good for all of us in there, I don't know how loud it will get. You know preseason games are always a little different environment than regular season games, but there will be some noise so guys will have to focus in especially in the huddle and at the line with all the calls that we're making. It will be a good test of communication."