San Francisco 49ers: Should Alex Smith Stay or Should He Go?

"

Should I stay or should I go now?

If I go there will be trouble,

And if I stay there will be double.

So come on and let me know.....

Should I stay or should I go

-The Clash

"

At this point we know that Alex Smith will once again return to the red and gold of the San Francisco 49ers and give it one more go around.

Newly minted head coach Jim Harbaugh gave Smith a playbook before the gates crashed down on the lockout, which anyone can read as a pretty good indicator the team will bring him back (albeit at a reduced price tag, one would assume).

Is this really the best course of action, though? For either party? Another year of Smith working under yet another new regime?

It's Always Tease, Tease, Tease.....

How often have we started a season with Smith the potential incumbent and talk of how this season is finally the one when he puts it together?

Maybe every season he's been in line for the job?

Smith has tremendous potential but as often happens, that word has become a bit of a curse. In several senses of the word, I might add.

When does potential start having the word squandered placed in front of it?

In five years with the team, Smith has more interceptions than touchdowns, has never broken 3,000 yards passing and has only played one full season.

Perhaps that last note explains some of the other struggles, but at some point, don't we know what we have?

More importantly, if we find something more, will we believe it?

Listen, maybe Harbaugh is right and Smith can be a successful quarterback in the NFL.

Maybe they should be asking a different question: Can Smith be a successful quarterback in San Francisco?

Let's be honest and admit that it's unlikely Smith will get a fair shake in San Fran. He's failed too often and has come at too high a price, while the guy the Niners passed on (Aaron Rodgers) just won a Super Bowl after taking over for one of the most beloved quarterbacks in his franchise's history.

How big would Smith have to succeed to shake the bust label? Good won't cut it. I'd hazard a guess that very good wouldn't, either.

So beyond whether he is truly a fit for the 49ers, the equally important question is are they the right fit for him?

One Day It's Fine, the Next It's Black

The biggest problem I have with bringing Smith back is the lack of consistency when he's under center. This dovetails off the last point but deserves it's own spot.

Smith has managed to put together some impressive touchdowns. Some very impressive drives. A few impressive throws.

Rarely, has he done all three at once or multiple times in a row.

Sure, quarterbacks go cold...even guys with names like Manning, Brady and Rodgers.

Smith goes on some impressive cold streaks though and when he goes south, he really hurts the rhythm of the offense.

Harbaugh's offense will need someone consistent throwing the ball. Someone who will not get too rattled, whose timing won't go all pear-shaped under pressure, thereby missing his receivers on what should be simple passes.

Smith's biggest problem is he can't sustain for a whole game. Forget coming back from behind, he can't succeed when he's ahead.

Is this someone who will help this offense get to the next level? Or will he hamper an offensive unit which will be installing a whole new look, only to be replaced in a year or so anyway?

And as long as we're on the subject....

This Indecision's Bugging Me....

This is a team that has been unable to find an answer at quarterback for far too long.

Smith, at most, is a caretaker and frankly another in a long line of caretakers.

I'm not saying the team should throw rookie Colin Kaepernick to the wolves when he clearly needs a ton of work (even if the wolves are toothless and flea-bitten as the ones in the NFC West seem to be). 

The team needs a veteran presence while rookie Colin Kaepernick gets up to speed. I ask again though, is Smith that guy? Shouldn't the 49ers strive to bring someone in who might be able to teach Kaepernick how to be a successful quarterback?

No offense meant to Alex Smith, but he hasn't managed to do that for himself yet, I don't know how much he'll be able to pass on to a rookie.

If the team is going to spend money on a free agent, shouldn't it be a vet who has seen some success? The pickings may be slim, but I'd point to a guy like Marc Bulger as a possibility.

Not only would he be a better mentor, he'd come in with no illusions as to whether he would keep the job long-term.

It would certainly clear up any misconception that Alex Smith will be the one in charge a few years down the road.

If You Don't Want Me, Set Me Free

One thing to take away from the stupidity of the lockout is that a player's career is a very short span, even a quarterback.

If Smith isn't the future (and I don't believe anyone here or in 49ers Central believes he is) should the team be wasting his time? There are several franchises in need of a signal caller. Alex Smith could find several suitors willing to give him a free start and a clean slate.

He's not getting that with the 49ers. Even with the coaching change, there are too many folks still there who likely have a very fixed point of view about Smith.

Both the team and Smith could use a fresh start. I think rather than waste a year for both sides, now might be the time to cut the cord.

It's probably best for both parties.