2011 NFL Free Agency: 5 Reasons Why Alex Smith Is the Best QB Available
It’s not easy for me to assess Alex Smith objectively.
I’m a San Francisco 49ers fan, which means I’ve had a long and tempestuous relationship with the former No. 1 overall pick.
However, after years of trying to patch things up, I’m ready to part ways.
Putting this piece together, therefore, felt a little like having to hold the divorce papers in hand as I explain why someone else should date my (ex) wife—a million great reasons don’t immediately spring to mind.
When you take a good look at the quarterback landscape and begin comparing Smith to the other available signal-callers out there, however, you reach a disturbing conclusion.
Alex Smith might be the best QB on the market.
It’s important to acknowledge that Smith’s position at the top the available-QB board isn’t so much a function of his virtues as it is the glaring flaws of his competitors.
In that sense, this entire debate is a lot like being asked: “Who’s your favorite Kardashian?”
You’re not super happy with the choices.
The reality is, about a third of the league is in the market for a quarterback and only two or three squads will fill their immediate needs through the draft.
So let’s compare the top five quarterbacks on the market and see why Smith comes out on top.
Donovan McNabb
1 of 5
The strongest argument for the Alex Smith apologists (of which I used to be a voting member) has always been that he has never had consistency at coordinator or a coach who understands quarterbacks.
Donovan McNabb, on the other hand, played in the same system for a decade and he was then traded to a guy who coached John Elway and Steve Young.
In both places, the coaches concurred McNabb was washed up.
Being discarded by coaches with the offensive expertise of Andy Reid and Mike Shanahan is a serious knock against you. Conversely, being benched by Mike Singletary and Mike Nolan could be considered a compliment.
There is reason to believe that given a fresh start and the correct coaching, Alex Smith could grow into a quality quarterback.
Meanwhile, there is no reason to believe that, in his 13th NFL season, Donovan McNabb will suddenly turn back the clock if he was brought to a new team.
Advantage Smith.
Kevin Kolb
2 of 5
The Eagles want all other NFL teams to believe Kevin Kolb is a Matt Schaub or a Matt Hasselbeck—a quality backup stuck behind an entrenched starter who will thrive in a new situation.
Unfortunately, he could just as easily be Charlie Whitehurst or Elvis Grbac—a backup whose team knows he’s overrated so they’re anxious to deal him before he gets exposed.
Here are Kolb’s stats over the past three seasons:
2010: 7 G, 7 TD, 7 INT
2009: 5 G, 4 TD, 3 INT
2008: 6 G, 0 TD, 4 INT
Not exactly the statistics of a sure-fire starter.
Plus, it has to be a red flag that the team that watched him every day in practice isn’t even considering keeping Kolb and trading the 30-year-old, often-injured Michael Vick.
Here are Smith’s numbers over that same three-year period:
2010: 11 G, 14 TD, 10 INT
2009: 11 G, 18 TD 12 INT
2008: DNP (injured)
Not exactly stellar numbers, but they are better than Kolb’s.
Bear in mind that both players are 26-years-old and Smith is a free agent, while the Eagles are reportedly looking for a first and possibly a third-round pick for Kolb.
The question is, would you rather have Smith plus two picks or Kolb, who could be Steve Bono 2.0?
I’d rather have Smith.
Carson Palmer
3 of 5
Like Smith, Palmer’s career has largely been defined by “what if?”
As a result, he also has a loyal legion of excuse makers.
However, at some point, even the most loyal Palmer apologist has to acknowledge that his career will never resume the arc that was cut short by Kimo von Oelhoffen's tackle.
The reality is, Palmer is a 31-year-old QB with a bad knee who just led his team to a 4-12 record.
Despite putting up respectable fantasy numbers (26 TD, 20 INT, 3,970 yards) anyone who watched Palmer last year realizes his skills have tailed off dramatically.
Further hurting Palmer’s case is that notoriously bull-headed Bengals owner Paul Brown has publicly refused to trade Palmer. Even if that’s just a negotiating ploy, any team that wants to pry him from Cincinnati would likely need to give up something in return.
Smith is five years younger, looks 10 years healthier and you don’t have to give up anything to get him.
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Vince Young
4 of 5
Alex Smith has been benched and booed, but he was never banned from using his team’s facilities, a la Vince Young.
Young has been labeled both disinterested and disruptive, immature and uncommitted—not exactly the personality combo you’re looking for from the face of your franchise.
Even if you put aside the personality issues, questions remain as to whether Young has the skill set to be a legitimate NFL pocket passer. He’s never thrown more than 12 TDs in a season, has trouble under center and has been plagued by accuracy issues.
Smith, on the other hand, has been lauded by everyone—from the owner to the beat writers for his on and off-the-field attitude.
Despite his own preference for the shotgun, coaches, including Jim Harbaugh, continue to be enamored with Smith’s untapped potential as a passer.
Even if you want to rate their performances as equal, the tie goes to the quarterback who isn’t emotionally unstable.
Matt Hasselbeck
5 of 5
Matt Hasselbeck is 35, has played in 16 games once in the last five years and he’s coming off one of his worst statistical seasons since becoming a starter.
To put it into perspective, last year, Hasselbeck was the 34th-ranked QB according to FootballOutsiders.com’s DYAR scale—Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement.
I'm not sure I understand how that stat adds up, but I can count and there are 32 teams in the NFL—if you're the 34th-ranked quarterback then that’s not a strong position.
Smith, on the other hand, ranked 30th in DYAR, which is still pretty awful, but he also had more touchdowns, more yards per pass and a higher QB ranking that Hasselbeck did last season.
More importantly, at a healthy 26, Smith still brings a modicum of hope that he can lift a franchise to greater heights.
With Hasselbeck, you’re simply hanging on as he rides downhill.
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