By now, you're probably laughing. I mean, if I weren't an Alex Smith fan (a.k.a. a normal football fan) I'd be laughing pretty damn hard, but unfortunately, as you can see from my previous two articles, I'm quite the fan.
Here's why...
When Alex Smith played great, he played great. I know there are but a few instances where we saw great playing from Smith, but try to hear me out. Let's look at this season...this dreadful season.
You probably know which game I'm going to refer to: Week 1, 49ers and Cardinals.
Alex Smith saved the game-winning drive with a 25-yard run on a fourth and one. Those last few minutes were one of the most exciting and frustrating minutes of my life. But you have to admit, Alex Smith did what he had to do to lead the 49ers to the game winning touchdown.
Not to say I admit we did get really lucky with that fumble at the end, (I think it was Arnaz that fumbled it) and that the defender didn't recover it. But yes, at that moment I thought Alex Smith was amazing.
Looking back a bit more, we of course look to the second meeting against the Seahawks in the 2006-07 season. This was the game where we saw Smith's famous "brushing off the sack and TD throw to Frank Gore" play.
No he didn't brush off that sack; he evaded it in a pro-style.
Beautiful. Gorgeous.
And of course we can't forget that play Norv turner called at the end where Smith faked the hand off to the right and ran in toward the left for the TD. Amazing.
Anyway, when Alex Smith DID NOT play badly, he looked marvelous as a quarterback. Completing passes, scrambling, exciting, electrifying, a bit reminiscent of the Jeff Garcia pro-bowler days. In the '06 season never did anyone blame the offense nor question Alex Smith's ability (as much as we do now).
We didn't look at Smith as a struggling, possible bust, but as a slowly improving, hard-working, growing young NFL franchise player.
I remember the blame all went on the defense, which of course got greatly bolstered with the addition of Nate Clements, Micheal Lewis, Patrick Willis, improved Manny Lawson, Tully Banta-Cain in the offseason of 2007.
OK marvelous is an overstatement I know, but compared to his play this past season, marvelous is nothing short of.
I'd like to share a nice music-background highlight reel I found on a famous streaming video website of Alex Smith in the 2006-07 season. Watching that video made me believe he was indeed the future.
And then we had the 2007 season.
But I suppose I shouldn't share any outside media sources without any consent. If you're truly interested let me know.
How about Alex Smith now?
Yes, watching in 2007 made me cringe and hurt myself more than I've ever wanted. Even though his contract has been extended, he is not guaranteed the starting job and will compete with Shaun Hill.
That's fine. It just saddens me to see what has happened to this kid. It's a bit awkward to call him a kid since him and I are exactly the same age (born in 1984).
But it's healthy for the body and mind that one should try your best to look at the brighter side of things. I know this is outside of being a realist in terms of football, but I want to be healthy.
I have faith in Alex Smith. With the supposed "gift" from Nolan to Smith, Martz should bring him a better, more experienced and tested offense to run. Provided everyone else is healthy and the offensive line is fine, Smith will save the 49ers.
Though it may seem contradictory to my previous article about Frank Gore, let me say this:
Gore's success will not come if Alex Smith plays terribly, but I don't he will be terrible. At least not as bad as he was this year. I'm not asking for 30 TDs and 3500 yards. I'm asking for no interceptions and wins.
OK scratch that, I'm looking for good quarterbacking (at least 200 yards and least one TD pass a game) with minimal interceptions and wins.
Gore may be the one to take us to the playoffs, but it is Alex Smith who will keep the 49ers alive.
As was said in last year's promotion for the 49ers: BELIEVE.
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6 months ago
uuuuuuhhhhhh........... no
6 months ago
Do you really think that Alex Smith drive against the Cardinals was one of your most exctiting minutes of your life?
You must be very young, as I would not rank that drive in the top 100 of the niners' drives of the past 30 years.
It was a good drive after a game where both teams sucked. I expect from Smith to be a good quarterback, at the levels of Garcia, because this is what the Niners need to become winners and because he is paid to play at that level.
from 6 months ago
Well yes, I am young, and from when I become a 49er fan I didn't see first hand the glory days of the Steve Young/Joe Montana. And as expected, many disagree with what the article.
I don't claim that this was the most exciting moment/drive in 49er's history, if I made that claim I'd be insane. But I suppose it was also a bit ofan overstatement to say "most exciting moment of my life." Though the past 30 years is quite the time range- . I'm obviously not comparing this to plays like the Catch 1 or 2. Either way, I stand by it being at least number 100 on whatever the top 100 game winning drives in the last 30 years of 49er history. 100 is quite a large number of game winning drives. I can't imagine anyone being able to fill it all 100 slots and not counting the one with this one. But if you can, you should make it a brand new article.
6 months ago
No
6 months ago
The reason Alex Smith had to drive at the end against the Cardinals is because his god awful play put his team in that position that they had to come back... He has NEVER looked great he has had one good half of football (which u referenced against Seattle in 06) in three miserable years! I thought he was horrible in 06. The guy had a 1,790 yd rusher in Frank Gore that year (most qb's would put up incredible numbers with a rusher like that with all defenses focusing on Gore) and he had 16 tds and 16 ints with less than 3,000 yds passing, that is garbage and he is the worst qb in the nfl by a long shot, look at his career stats. Both of these past two seasons defenses are putting 8 men in the box every time because they know Alex Smith cannot not make them pay for doing so and that he is a deer in headlights and they only need to worry about the rush..... Shaun Hill will win a job from Alex Smith in training camp with his eyes closed, Alex has always been a bum and he will NEVER be good in this league (I will bet money on it, wish he would prove me wrong but he won't) and anybody with a shred of football knowledge knows that.
6 months ago
I seem to be part of a small minority but i have to say i agree with you, Alex Smith is a young player who got thrown ino a bad situation. In '06 Smith had some great performances and got some help from a coach who, although is a terrible head coach, is a fantastic o.c. and to top it off Frank Gore came out and had a great year. Last season Smith ran into the problems of having to run a different offense to run, a running game that was no longer the threat it was before, and a serious lack of recieving talent. Their two recievers with the most catches were Darrell Jackson, who is past his prime and no longer the player he once was, and Arnaz Battle who just doesnt quite have what it takes to be a prime reciever. Although I have to say I dont know if Mike Martz is quite the gift coach Nolan say's he is, although he turned Detriots offense around that was a team with some quality recievers and was set up in a very similiar fashion to the offenses Martz ran with the Rams and I just dont see the niners recieving core being able to play the same roles... This is a team that if it goes back to that Norv Turner offense, and sticks with it for more than a season, then not only will Smith be able to get used to it but i firmly believe he could thrive.
from 6 months ago
I appreciate you agreeing with me. There's but a few of us who feel Smith can do it. Yeah the minority of course doesn't rule but at least we're not being stoned or lynched.
And I agree with you with the Martz thing. When I first heard the 49ers got him I was shocked and pissed because of the offense his runs. But again to think optimistically, we've got to say at least Smith has a better coordinator now than he did last year. If only Norv Turner stayed.
6 months ago
I have two words for Alex Smith
David Carr...not even - how 'bout Akili Smith or Andre Ware
from 6 months ago
totally agree. not complete busts like ryan leafs, jim drunkenmillers, or tim couch, but disappointments to say the least.
but then I have another two words for you,
Drew Brees.
Though he wasn't exactly a #1 overall, but had almost the same amount of expectation. We remember Drew Brees' bad seasons with the Chargers before his "out of no where" excellent quarterbacking season came along.
I know it's only one name, but this just gives me more hope on Alex Smith.
from 6 months ago
I hope you're right
rgds
JF
6 months ago
alex smith not even a good David Kreig (seattle)
6 months ago
Alex has played scared ever since he first took the field. He's been grievously mishandled, and maybe Martz will help.. but you can't teach courage.
http://pixpipeline.com/d/ca396a549f33.gif
6 months ago
I don't expect Alex Smith to be a top 15 QB and would be happy if he cracked the top 20. Having said that, last year said more about the ineptitude of Jim Hostler than Alex Smith or any other player on offense. Shaun Hill had his moments and he was certainly the best QB last year but he came on about the same time that Ted Tollner was hired to help the offense.
There is no question that Alex Smith is on the hot seat (the same can be said about Mike Nolan) and he needs to have a drastic improvement if he has intentions of being the starter. I do think that will happen. For all of the criticism levied at Alex Smith, I have always heard that he is a hard worker and doesn't mail it in like Jim Druckemiller did. Martz is a perfectionist when it comes to the offense, especially the passing game. He will be extremely hard on the QB's (Bruce will probably fill that role on the receivers) but I think Smith and Hill will respond to the coaching style of Martz.
If Martz can get the 49er offense to a ranking around 20 I think the Niners could get 7-10 wins this season. The Niners have one of the best special teams units in the league and should be better with the addition of Rossum. The defense also played well considering they were on the field 40 plus minutes a game. With more balance on offense their numbers will improve as well.
As bad as last season was it could very well be the biggest reason for success this year. I hope the team is pissed off and plays with a huge chip on their shoulder. Any player that is there just to collect a paycheck should be benched or released. I have no time for guys like Jonas Jennings who would rather nurse an injury than earn his bloated salary.
from 6 months ago
I couldn't agree with you more Robert. The unforunate thing is that those who were around in the glory days, expect a QB who can do just as good as the Youngs and Montanas, or maybe even the Garcias. But the reality of that, is that it may never happen. Look at Denver, have they yet to find someone that has filled in for Elway? Jay Cutler may be alright, but no way has he gotten to that level yet, as there's still questions on his ability. Also Aikmen and the Cowboys, consider when he retired and when they finally got the QB Tony Romo is. And most likely the same will happen to Greenbay (though I'm a CAL Bears fan so then I'm an Aaron Rogers fan).
6 months ago
I don't expect Alex Smith to be a top 15 QB and would be happy if he cracked the top 20. Having said that, last year said more about the ineptitude of Jim Hostler than Alex Smith or any other player on offense. Shaun Hill had his moments and he was certainly the best QB last year but he came on about the same time that Ted Tollner was hired to help the offense.
There is no question that Alex Smith is on the hot seat (the same can be said about Mike Nolan) and he needs to have a drastic improvement if he has intentions of being the starter. I do think that will happen. For all of the criticism levied at Alex Smith, I have always heard that he is a hard worker and doesn't mail it in like Jim Druckemiller did. Martz is a perfectionist when it comes to the offense, especially the passing game. He will be extremely hard on the QB's (Bruce will probably fill that role on the receivers) but I think Smith and Hill will respond to the coaching style of Martz.
If Martz can get the 49er offense to a ranking around 20 I think the Niners could get 7-10 wins this season. The Niners have one of the best special teams units in the league and should be better with the addition of Rossum. The defense also played well considering they were on the field 40 plus minutes a game. With more balance on offense their numbers will improve as well.
As bad as last season was it could very well be the biggest reason for success this year. I hope the team is pissed off and plays with a huge chip on their shoulder. Any player that is there just to collect a paycheck should be benched or released. I have no time for guys like Jonas Jennings who would rather nurse an injury than earn his bloated salary.
6 months ago
I think the future of Alex Smith depends on the 49er O Line. Remember we had THREE injured QBs last year and tied for giving up the most sacks in the NFL. Our O Line was atrocious and we can't fool ourselves. It is not even an average line. I don't see it as improved. Baas should be playing center and we should have re-signed Smiley. Larry Allen is done,even if he doesn't quit.
How can anyone evaluate Alex Smith when he never has had a good O Line and a poor receiving corps? We have had 7 different OC in 7 years. This will be Alex's fourth in a row,
Another thing, I really don't get into blaming Hostler or Frank Cignetti (QB Coach). I think you will be surprized to know that in the coaching circles they are respected. It is McNolan who are responsible for last year's record. They built that overrated the O Line and had a crappy receiving corp. I wish Martz well but he won't be blocking for Smith.
Ryan I think your remarks are true about Alex, but it's O Line O Line O Line that will determine our sucess next year and His!
5 months ago
You being an Aaron Rogers fan is quite ironic since you probably cursed the day we passed up Aaron... but I agree and disagree... I feel this pre-season is the most important of Alex Smith's career. I was fortunate enough to see Shaun Hill play the Bengals last year in my 1st 49er game of my life. I was in awe of this kid (yeah he is like a 7 year vet but he can still be a prospect) as he destroyed the Bengals defense (ok yes the Bengals defense is a joke) but I saw bootlegs, scramble passes, routes to Vernon Davis, and glorious offensive execution. My 1st NFL game ever was the thriller between SD and Indianapolis on a cold and rainy night where Peyton played like Eli and threw 6 INT's and the person to actually lose it was Vanderjagt on 2 missed field goals one to win the game... best game because of the atmosphere (weather, history making of Peyton's INT's, 2 missed field goals when I had seats directly behind those uprights, and one of my favorite players Darren Sproles winning it for SD) back on track now... Alex Smith needs to do it or he will be compared to Carr and others (NEVER EVER Ryan Leaf though) he is sitting on the edge and he can either perform or be a career back-up... I just hope one of them pushes each other to be better and that he doesn't take trips to Mexico with his gf or party at HS proms and stuff... Long Live the 49ers and let's build up a dynasty again!!!
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