What's in a Name?: Joe Namath, Peyton Manning...Alex Smith

Some people change their names to sound more flashy or marketable.

For example actor Tom Cruise's real name is Thomas Mapother, IV, while singer Bob Dylan was given the birth name Robert Zimmerman. News broadcasters have to alter their original names for security reasons.

Every once and a while someone is given a great birth name and a destiny to fulfill it. So what is in a name? Does a well crafted name full of character and built for nicknames guarantee success?

Probably not, but it doesn't hurt I guess.

Take, for instance, football quarterback legends Joe Montana, Joe Namath, and Peyton Manning. These names just ooze an American football sound.

Montana, Namath, and Manning have all had success because of their play obviously, but "Montana to Rice" or "Young to Rice" just rolls off the tongue better than, say, "Brown to Rice." 

They have what I call "name intimidation."

I've always thought Joe Namath's name sounded like a baseball player's name, but a strong sports name nonetheless.

Now you have New England quarterback Tom Brady to wide receiver Randy Moss. "Brady to Moss" is much better sounding than, say, "Matt Shuab to Jacoby Jones."

Bottom line, great players who have great names sell tickets and are more recognizable than mediocre players with mediocre names.

I hope I don't offend anyone, but when the 49ers drafted quarterback Alex Smith I thought to myself: "Bust!"

His name just does not carry the star power or intimidation factor that a Peyton Manning or Joe Montana does.

I possibly look into things too much, but on Saturday I'll be watching the NFL Draft and listening for those strong football, money-making names.