One Blogger's View of Alex Smith

[SuperHornet]

I'm nowhere near a Whiners fan though I live in the heart of their affinity territory. Yet I've bemoaned the abuse QB Alex Smith has taken from fans here despite the glaringly obvious facts that ANY QB would have difficulty adjusting to new systems every freaking year for more than five years straight, all of which are a far cry from what made him successful in college. He also had to play with next to no weapons. The stability provided by the current staff and the influx of a corps of young receivers with ability over the last offseason has prompted this Yahoo! blogger to assert that while Smith will not be a Brees or a Rodgers anytime soon, his value has increased to the point that he is at LEAST equal to Tony Romo and is now a threat to challenge for the Super Bowl.

Any thoughts?

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/alex-smith ... 00279.html

[Seahawks08]

If we are talking fantasy, he's no where near tony romo. Fantasy aside, smith may turn into a poor man's philip rivers if he doesn't at least get to the SB this year.

[SuperHornet]

From what I gather from the blog, 08, fantasy was indeed the main thrust. You could be right, although injuries could have a say in that. Of course, as the QB, they could lose out because every starting OL at the end is third string and backups to the backups are making up his receiving corps due to injuries, but all fair-weather fans will see is "it's the quarterback's fault."

That said, if they don't have a huge injury bug this year and he falls short, you're probably right. If SF DOES win the SB, particularly if it's with backups, he almost certainly has to get jumped to at least second-tier status (Romo, Sanchez, etc.). It'll take at least a COUPLE of SBs before he gets to Brady/Manning status, IMO.

[Vidav]

From what I gather from the blog, 08, fantasy was indeed the main thrust. You could be right, although injuries could have a say in that. Of course, as the QB, they could lose out because every starting OL at the end is third string and backups to the backups are making up his receiving corps due to injuries, but all fair-weather fans will see is "it's the quarterback's fault."

That said, if they don't have a huge injury bug this year and he falls short, you're probably right. If SF DOES win the SB, particularly if it's with backups, he almost certainly has to get jumped to at least second-tier status (Romo, Sanchez, etc.). It'll take at least a COUPLE of SBs before he gets to Brady/Manning status, IMO.

Sanchez is closer to 5th tier status.

[SuperHornet]

You might have a point there, Vidav.

[SDHornet]

If we are talking fantasy, he's no where near tony romo. Fantasy aside, smith may turn into a poor man's philip rivers if he doesn't at least get to the SB this year.

Rivers>>>>>>>>Smith
/thread

[dal4018]

I'm nowhere near a Whiners fan though I live in the heart of their affinity territory. Yet I've bemoaned the abuse QB Alex Smith has taken from fans here despite the glaringly obvious facts that ANY QB would have difficulty adjusting to new systems every freaking year for more than five years straight, all of which are a far cry from what made him successful in college. He also had to play with next to no weapons. The stability provided by the current staff and the influx of a corps of young receivers with ability over the last offseason has prompted this Yahoo! blogger to assert that while Smith will not be a Brees or a Rodgers anytime soon, his value has increased to the point that he is at LEAST equal to Tony Romo and is now a threat to challenge for the Super Bowl.

Any thoughts?

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/alex-smith ... 00279.html

Smith needs more talent around him like a upgrade at the WR position hopefully their first round pick AJ JENKINS can come in and live up to his draft status to me he with a extra 10 pounds and his 4.37 40 speed is a faster version of ex-Illinois wr Brandon Lloyd.

[Gil Dobie]

Smith is a Fair QB that lucked into a great staff that does a great job with QB's. In Smith's case it's the right place at the right time, and in his case, maybe the only place he could flourish.

[dal4018]

From what I gather from the blog, 08, fantasy was indeed the main thrust. You could be right, although injuries could have a say in that. Of course, as the QB, they could lose out because every starting OL at the end is third string and backups to the backups are making up his receiving corps due to injuries, but all fair-weather fans will see is "it's the quarterback's fault."

That said, if they don't have a huge injury bug this year and he falls short, you're probably right. If SF DOES win the SB, particularly if it's with backups, he almost certainly has to get jumped to at least second-tier status (Romo, Sanchez, etc.). It'll take at least a COUPLE of SBs before he gets to Brady/Manning status, IMO.

Sanchez is closer to 5th tier status.

There is nothing wrong with Sanchez that more talent around him couldn't repair at the WR position he like Smith has the same ailment no one on the flank for opposing db's to respect outside of Holmes.

[dal4018]

Smith is a Fair QB that lucked into a great staff that does a great job with QB's. In Smith's case it's the right place at the right time, and in his case, maybe the only place he could flourish.

Then to support your statement the 49'ers need to change its offensive system to finally allow Smith to live up to his '05 draft status use more no-huddle to take advantage of his deep ball.

[Gil Dobie]

Smith is a Fair QB that lucked into a great staff that does a great job with QB's. In Smith's case it's the right place at the right time, and in his case, maybe the only place he could flourish.

Then to support your statement the 49'ers need to change its offensive system to finally allow Smith to live up to his '05 draft status use more no-huddle to take advantage of his deep ball.

No, without the coaching staff, he goes back to a bust.

[dal4018]

Then to support your statement the 49'ers need to change its offensive system to finally allow Smith to live up to his '05 draft status use more no-huddle to take advantage of his deep ball.

No, without the coaching staff, he goes back to a bust.

He in my opinion isn't a bust he had the same problem Campbell had while in Washington different coaches and learning another offensive system just about every yr would have you spinning your head as well.

[SuperHornet]

I agree, dal. Nobody even thought of bringing in Meyer (or Meyer's OC) to run the Utah offense in SF. I'd like to see THAT before deciding that Smith whomps.

[dal4018]

I agree, dal. Nobody even thought of bringing in Meyer (or Meyer's OC) to run the Utah offense in SF. I'd like to see THAT before deciding that Smith whomps.

Agreed but I don't think Meyer's offense would work in the NFL inspite of Smith's mobility at the QB position.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Alex Smith....

[Gil Dobie]

No, without the coaching staff, he goes back to a bust.

He in my opinion isn't a bust he had the same problem Campbell had while in Washington different coaches and learning another offensive system just about every yr would have you spinning your head as well.

He was the #1 pick in the draft. #1 picks IMO, should play like Payton Manning or Cam Newton. Eli Manning was the #1 pick the year prior to Alex Smith and Smith doesn't even compare to Manning or a guy drafted after Smith that won a Super Bowl for the Packers. IMO, without Harbaugh, Smith is back to a part-time starter and IMO, a bust for a #1 overall draft pick.

[dal4018]

He in my opinion isn't a bust he had the same problem Campbell had while in Washington different coaches and learning another offensive system just about every yr would have you spinning your head as well.

He was the #1 pick in the draft. #1 picks IMO, should play like Payton Manning or Cam Newton. Eli Manning was the #1 pick the year prior to Alex Smith and Smith doesn't even compare to Manning or a guy drafted after Smith that won a Super Bowl for the Packers. IMO, without Harbaugh, Smith is back to a part-time starter and IMO, a bust for a #1 overall draft pick.

Yes Smith was the top pick in the '05 draft but as stated before he didn't have a strong supporting cast upon his arrival a la Manning's,Newton,Rodgers.Hey remember Jim Punkett he was the no.1 overall pick in the '71 draft for New England but had a weak supporting cast upon his arrival but when he finally went to Oakland look what happened TWO SUPER BOWL WINS!!!!!!!

[Gil Dobie]

He was the #1 pick in the draft. #1 picks IMO, should play like Payton Manning or Cam Newton. Eli Manning was the #1 pick the year prior to Alex Smith and Smith doesn't even compare to Manning or a guy drafted after Smith that won a Super Bowl for the Packers. IMO, without Harbaugh, Smith is back to a part-time starter and IMO, a bust for a #1 overall draft pick.

Yes Smith was the top pick in the '05 draft but as stated before he didn't have a strong supporting cast upon his arrival a la Manning's,Newton,Rodgers.Hey remember Jim Punkett he was the no.1 overall pick in the '71 draft for New England but had a weak supporting cast upon his arrival but when he finally went to Oakland look what happened TWO SUPER BOWL WINS!!!!!!!

Carolina didn't really have the supporting cast that Smith did. Rodgers was playing with basically the same team Favre didn't take to the Super Bowl, but Rodgers was a low first round pick. I remember watching Plunkett in NE days, he was better than Smith and in a tougher division with Miami the best team. I picked Smith to have a breakout year last year and he did, primarily because of Harbaugh.

1997 Colts : 3-13 - Peyton MVP after years 6 & 7
2003 NY Giants : 4-12 - 7 years later Eli has 2 Super Bowl Rings
2004 SF 49ers : 2-14 - Year 6 with coach Harbaugh he finally looks like an NFL QB
2010 Carolina Panthers : 2-14, Newton takes them to 6-10 in his first year

[dal4018]

Yes Smith was the top pick in the '05 draft but as stated before he didn't have a strong supporting cast upon his arrival a la Manning's,Newton,Rodgers.Hey remember Jim Punkett he was the no.1 overall pick in the '71 draft for New England but had a weak supporting cast upon his arrival but when he finally went to Oakland look what happened TWO SUPER BOWL WINS!!!!!!!

Carolina didn't really have the supporting cast that Smith did. Rodgers was playing with basically the same team Favre didn't take to the Super Bowl, but Rodgers was a low first round pick. I remember watching Plunkett in NE days, he was better than Smith and in a tougher division with Miami the best team. I picked Smith to have a breakout year last year and he did, primarily because of Harbaugh.

1997 Colts : 3-13 - Peyton MVP after years 6 & 7
2003 NY Giants : 4-12 - 7 years later Eli has 2 Super Bowl Rings
2004 SF 49ers : 2-14 - Year 6 with coach Harbaugh he finally looks like an NFL QB
2010 Carolina Panthers : 2-14, Newton takes them to 6-10 in his first year

I disagree who did Smith ,have as a go to guy in his WR core like Newton had in Steve Smith ,the only position in which the ,Panthers and the Niners are ,equal is the RB position with Frank Gore and DeAngelo Williams.The only area in ,which the Niners showed, obvious dominance was in the area of defense.Yes this is what I'am talking about the other players had established veterans that made their job much easier more so than Smith other than Gore.Right now the only impact offensive players the Niners have to aid Smith are Gore and Vernon Davis as stated before Smith needs more offensive talent around him hopefully Jenkins their first round pick will pan out as stated before he in my opinion at 6-0 190 with a 4.37 40 is a updated version of ex-Illinois WR Brandon Lloyd.

[SuperHornet]

He in my opinion isn't a bust he had the same problem Campbell had while in Washington different coaches and learning another offensive system just about every yr would have you spinning your head as well.

He was the #1 pick in the draft. #1 picks IMO, should play like Payton Manning or Cam Newton. Eli Manning was the #1 pick the year prior to Alex Smith and Smith doesn't even compare to Manning or a guy drafted after Smith that won a Super Bowl for the Packers. IMO, without Harbaugh, Smith is back to a part-time starter and IMO, a bust for a #1 overall draft pick.

1. It's WAY too soon to say the Newton is "the guy." I'm convinced that he's the second coming of Jamarcus Russell, but only time will tell.

2. You can't expect ANYONE, be he Johnny Unitas (Round 9), Bart Starr (Round 17?!?), or Joe Montana (Round 3), all HOFers, to win with the crap SF has had the last 10 years or so. In fact, Montana didn't win himself until his third season. Unitas got cut by the Steelers, and didn't win anything until his fourth season. Starr didn't even start until his third year, and didn't win a title until his sixth year. Manning didn't win anything until his NINTH season.

3. Expecting #1 QB picks to pan out is a HIGHLY inexact science. To wit, Ryan Leaf, Rich Campbell (1981), Todd Blackledge (1982), Kelly Stouffer (1987), Andre Ware (1990), David Klinger (1992), Hon. Heath Shuler (1994), Tim Couch (1999), Akili Smith (1999), Cade McNown (1999), and Vince Young (2006).

Given this kind of a history, to expect that a #1 QB HAS to produce (particularly IMMEDIATELY) is fruitless. Your argument holds no water.

[dal4018]

He was the #1 pick in the draft. #1 picks IMO, should play like Payton Manning or Cam Newton. Eli Manning was the #1 pick the year prior to Alex Smith and Smith doesn't even compare to Manning or a guy drafted after Smith that won a Super Bowl for the Packers. IMO, without Harbaugh, Smith is back to a part-time starter and IMO, a bust for a #1 overall draft pick.

1. It's WAY too soon to say the Newton is "the guy." I'm convinced that he's the second coming of Jamarcus Russell, but only time will tell.

2. You can't expect ANYONE, be he Johnny Unitas (Round 9), Bart Starr (Round 17?!?), or Joe Montana (Round 3), all HOFers, to win with the crap SF has had the last 10 years or so. In fact, Montana didn't win himself until his third season. Unitas got cut by the Steelers, and didn't win anything until his fourth season. Starr didn't even start until his third year, and didn't win a title until his sixth year. Manning didn't win anything until his NINTH season.

3. Expecting #1 QB picks to pan out is a HIGHLY inexact science. To wit, Ryan Leaf, Rich Campbell (1981), Todd Blackledge (1982), Kelly Stouffer (1987), Andre Ware (1990), David Klinger (1992), Hon. Heath Shuler (1994), Tim Couch (1999), Akili Smith (1999), Cade McNown (1999), and Vince Young (2006).

Given this kind of a history, to expect that a #1 QB HAS to produce (particularly IMMEDIATELY) is fruitless. Your argument holds no water.

I wouldn't call Newton the second coming of Russell and when it came to him, his problem was press clippings and his SEE FOOD diet he like Leaf needed a strong Parcells type personality to keep their egos in check and remind them why they were first round selections.Don't forget Leinart have not seen him in a Cardinal uniform lately and as for some of the others it was a lack of established talent around them that they didn't live up to their draft status a la Smith in Cincinnati he had a porous o-line my grandmother could broken through and gotten sacks on him.Ware when it came to him it was a case of merry go round QB's one sunday it was him then next it was Rodney Peete,if you have a Heisman Trophy winner at the most important position on a football team you must play no matter what!!!!!!Klinger unfortunately couldn't adjust to life without the offense that put him on the map the same goes for Shuler as well.Couch his problem goes back to college, his coach didn't emphasize the ,deep ball enough for him while at Kentucky it was just short, and intermediate passes his lack of arm strength was a major problem.

[Gil Dobie]

I disagree who did Smith ,have as a go to guy in his WR core like Newton had in Steve Smith ,the only position in which the ,Panthers and the Niners are ,equal is the RB position with Frank Gore and DeAngelo Williams.The only area in ,which the Niners showed, obvious dominance was in the area of defense.Yes this is what I'am talking about the other players had established veterans that made their job much easier more so than Smith other than Gore.Right now the only impact offensive players the Niners have to aid Smith are Gore and Vernon Davis as stated before Smith needs more offensive talent around him hopefully Jenkins their first round pick will pan out as stated before he in my opinion at 6-0 190 with a 4.37 40 is a updated version of ex-Illinois WR Brandon Lloyd.

Smith had the same Gore and Davis established guys in year 5 and year 6. Only difference was coach Harbaugh, and the 49er's had a big year. Insert Leinhart or Russell and Harbaugh would have had a good season with the 49er's. No one is going to be Johnny U or Bart Starr, but a #1 overall pick needs to have an impact almost immediately.

[dal4018]

I disagree who did Smith ,have as a go to guy in his WR core like Newton had in Steve Smith ,the only position in which the ,Panthers and the Niners are ,equal is the RB position with Frank Gore and DeAngelo Williams.The only area in ,which the Niners showed, obvious dominance was in the area of defense.Yes this is what I'am talking about the other players had established veterans that made their job much easier more so than Smith other than Gore.Right now the only impact offensive players the Niners have to aid Smith are Gore and Vernon Davis as stated before Smith needs more offensive talent around him hopefully Jenkins their first round pick will pan out as stated before he in my opinion at 6-0 190 with a 4.37 40 is a updated version of ex-Illinois WR Brandon Lloyd.

Smith had the same Gore and Davis established guys in year 5 and year 6. Only difference was coach Harbaugh, and the 49er's had a big year. Insert Leinhart or Russell and Harbaugh would have had a good season with the 49er's. No one is going to be Johnny U or Bart Starr, but a #1 overall pick needs to have an impact almost immediately.

Yes but even a number #1 Pick needs help around him as stated before look at P.Manning's,C.Newton's rookie yr.

[Gil Dobie]

Smith had the same Gore and Davis established guys in year 5 and year 6. Only difference was coach Harbaugh, and the 49er's had a big year. Insert Leinhart or Russell and Harbaugh would have had a good season with the 49er's. No one is going to be Johnny U or Bart Starr, but a #1 overall pick needs to have an impact almost immediately.

Yes but even a number #1 Pick needs help around him as stated before look at P.Manning's,C.Newton's rookie yr.[/quote]

I don't think you are wrong Dally, just don't think we will reach an agreement here.

[dal4018]

Smith had the same Gore and Davis established guys in year 5 and year 6. Only difference was coach Harbaugh, and the 49er's had a big year. Insert Leinhart or Russell and Harbaugh would have had a good season with the 49er's. No one is going to be Johnny U or Bart Starr, but a #1 overall pick needs to have an impact almost immediately.

Yes but even a number #1 Pick needs help around him as stated before look at P.Manning's,C.Newton's rookie yr.

I don't think you are wrong Dally, just don't think we will reach an agreement here. [/quote]We agree to disagree hey check this out I was watching ESPN's "First Take" and Terrell Owens wants back in the bay area either with SF or Oakland!!!!