Everyone Who Thinks Alex Smith Should Start for the San Francisco 49ers Is Wrong

That includes Alex Smith himself, who had this to say after the game (courtesy of Niner Insider) when he was asked about the almost-benching:

"I'm not sure what he was looking for either. Obviously, I was frustrated at the time, frustrated with myself, frustrated with my play but didn't feel like he gave us a chance with me coming out. I felt it wasn't right, was basically what I told him."

Emphasis added by me. Because holy crap, did you read that? Alex Smith thinks that the 49ers don't have a chance to win without him. He thinks that by benching him, the 49ers will be a worse football team. 

Really, Alex? That's what you think? That the San Francisco 49ers—currently 0-5—wouldn't have a chance to win unless you play?

That's pretty incredible denial. Here are some career statistics for Alex Smith:

Record: 16 - 29
Fumbles: 33
Interceptions: 52
Touchdown Passes: 46

So you tell me, Alex, which number evidences your value? I sure as hell can't see it. What I see is a QB who has a knack for pulling out enough decent play to fool management into thinking he's a starting QB. This week against the Eagles was no exception, and in some ways it can serve as a microcosm of Alex Smith's time with the Niners. 

On the first drive, Smith throws a TD pass. Then for every sequence until the 4th quarter, he's awful. Some truly incomprehensible play for the 2nd and 3rd quarters, including a few 3 and outs, an interception, a fumble lost that was returned for an Eagles TD that rookie QBs would be embarrassed of, and an entire stadium chanting for him to be benched.

Then the part everyone saw: Singletary benches Smith, tells Carr to warm up, Vernon Davis tells Smith he shouldn't be benched, Smith talks to Singletary, and Alex Smith throws two touchdowns passes. 49ers are within 3, driving for a FG attempt, when Smith throws his second interception of the game and the 49ers lose.

Why is this emblematic? Because the Alex Smith apologists get something to focus on—"He threw those 2 late TDs! He's clutch! See, let him grow, he could do that all the time!"—while completely missing the point. I won't argue that those two series after the sideline argument weren't good, because they were. That's not the point. The point is the loss. Smith's 29th career loss in 45 games.

After the game Alex said that it's tough to play from behind. Which is an interesting comment for him to make, considering (a) the 49ers had the lead at the beginning of the game, and (b) the reason they were behind is because Alex Smith can't manage an NFL offense effectively. 

Let's move on. Oftentimes, people who think Smith should still start usually argue one of the following:

• He's a young QB, give him time and he'll flourish/become elite
• That loss wasn't his fault
• He's capable of playing well
• OC or Headcoach's fault
• 49ers Offensive system's fault

Some of these arguments have been been repeated so many times they make me mad. It's absolutely incomprehensible to me that the people in charge of my beloved San Francisco 49ers are the only dozen people in the Bay Area who legitimately think Alex Smith is a pro QB, when there's a half decade of evidence to prove the contrary. Here are my responses to those Smith talking points:

• He's played as a starting QB for SIX SEASONS, which is a very long time
• Which loss? 
• His capability for playing well hasn't corresponded with actions on the field or wins
• Shaun Hill's record for the 49ers, 2007-2009: 10-6
• He was a system QB at UU, he was phenomenally overrated, he can't win at a pro level

A quick reminder: The Eagles are a young team, who lost their former and starting QBs, not to mention a lot of their veterans over the last season or two. The 49ers have a solid defense and a boisterous home crowd, and the Eagles QB is starting for the FOURTH time in his career. Smith is in his 6th year in the league. One of those QBs is directly responsible for 10 points that the opponent scored due to turnovers, and he loses the game. The other one is a rookie.

I'm not writing this to be constructive. I'm writing this because somehow, the most simple and obvious truth about Alex Smith and the 49ers gets lost in all the spin and analysis: Alex Smith cannot win games as an NFL QB. That's the big truth here.

Anyone supporting Smith at this point is WILLFULLY DELUDING themselves, because every single fact says that he's a colossal failure, and there is NO RATIONAL REASON to think he'll improve. This 49ers team has the tools to be competitive, and I cannot take another year of QB criticism that settles on "well, maybe he'll magically completely change and be good this time!"

It's a rough time to be a Niners fan, folks.