After numerous conversations over the past month with people in and around the 49ers, including Smith, all signs point to the 49ers making a concerted effort to retain Smith for at least another season. Smith is signed for two more years, but his contract calls for him to earn unrealistic base salaries of $9.625 million in 2009 and $15.05 million in 2010.
Smith and his agent know that no team in the league is going to pay him that kind of money. The 49ers will want to slash Smith's salary, to be sure. But the 49ers still have every reason to want to give Smith a chance to prove whether he is capable of being a productive NFL starter. Smith is young enough to turn his career around. He turns 25 in May.
The organization is optimistic Smith, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 draft, will remain with the club and build on the improvements he showed during his only full season as the starter.
As a rookie in 2005, Smith completed 50.9 percent of his passes with one touchdown and 11 interceptions. As a second-year player, Smith took every snap. He completed 58.1 percent with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2006.
Smith started the first four games of the 2007 season but sustained a separated shoulder on the third play of the fourth game. He made an ill-advised attempt to return to action. He has not played in a regular-season game since Nov. 12, 2007, against the Seahawks.
Smith did not play in 2008 after sustained a small fracture to his right shoulder before the season opener. By that time, Smith had lost the starting job to J.T. O'Sullivan. Smith was placed on injured reserve on Sept. 10.
Smith has been throwing lightly the past couple weeks as part of his rehab, according to the 49ers. He appears to be on schedule to take part in full offseason activities.
Prior to the season, 49ers GM Scot McCloughan said Smith would not return to the 49ers if Smith did not head into 2009 as the starter. What McCloughan should have said is that Smith would not return to the 49ers under his current contract if he did not prove himself as the team's starter. McCloughan is solidly in Smith's corner. Mike Nolan might have had "the trigger" and selected Smith with the top pick, but McCloughan wanted Smith, too.
There is some uncertainty about the 49ers' QB situation. Coach Mike Singletary has declined to name Shaun Hill as the starter for 2009. He said he does not want to make that commitment because he is unsure if the 49ers will acquire a starting-caliber quarterback in the offseason - via free agency or the draft.
The onus would certainly be on Smith to clearly win a quarterback competition against Hill, who has a 7-3 record as a starter. But if Smith remains on the team, he would ultimately get a chance to prove himself.
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I tried to post this link earlier in the day, but I messed it up. So I'll try it again. If you have interest in keeping on top of what's going on at the Senior Bowl practices, check out the blog from NFL Draft Pros.
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Smith should move on, he needs a fresh start
I have seen ZERO evidence that Smith possesses the accuracy required to be even a competent quarterback in the NFL.
Shaun Hill is 7-3 as an NFL starter and most people believe he is not the answer. Alex Smith has 30 NFL starts and has given us any sign that he's even average yet still the hope he will.
He's not that good and if he was we would have seen a few good games mixed in there. Move on Niners. These college spread QBs have never been good NFL QBs, the system is a gimmick.
I agree with everyone else, Smith has shown no ability that warrants anyone paying his salary. We should cut him after the June 1st deadline or if we have the room, eat it this season and be over with him. Maybe, if he is lucky, he can sign on with another team and become a pet project.
Good luck Smith!
McCloughan continues to not impress. Given his status of #1 overall pick for the team, he will always be a distraction on the 49ers. No matter who is starting, questions will always be asked about Smith and when he might get a shot. Not to mention that whoever else is starting will know that Smith is the GM's favorite. It would have been much better for everyone for Smith to get a fresh opportunity elsewhere.
Smith has never shown he can be the leader this team needs him to be. Hill might not be pretty, but he is a true leader at least that proved he can win games.
Unless Smith comes back real cheap, I say get rid of him. He's no better than a #2 in my opinion.
Just remember this kid was raw coming in as a rookie and had virtually no decent coaching to become a better QB. He had Hostler as his QB coach his first 2 years then as his OC his 3rd year. Between Nolan and Hostler, neither had any clue that Alex needed a lot more work on his mechanics.
Give him a good OC AND QB coach and let see him compete for the job if he'll come back for less money.
The OL is a lot better now and he's had a year to relax and learn, thanks mostly to Nolan's cluelessness on separated shoulders. If he shows no major improvement and is a bust, then get rid of him. The worst situation he ends up 3rd string QB and any Niner fan knows we've had a lot worse.
That's good news, Matt. Where else can you pick up a guy who's got four years NFL experience (2 on IR), knows everyone on the team, wants to be here, is young with a positive upside, and is a class act humble dude. Gives us two QBs heading into the off-season, not just one. It would be silly not to resign him for the right price.
I'm all for Smith being a part of the 49ers. If he isn't the starter, I believe he can be a quality back up for them. Decent insurance policy if you ask me. I still think he could eventually work his way into a starting role because he is still so young. Good luck A. Smith.
Thank you Gilroy. And you Skeebers. I was starting to think that intelligence was banned in here.
Matt: Any track records on how QB's recover from similar injuries to their throwing arms?
You can't teach leadership. He either has it or he doesn't. Last I remember, some of his own teammates referred to him as the Cowardly Lion. That's not a QB I want trying to lead my team.
Good. Maybe under coach Singletary this 49er team will make a real effort to develop him. After all he was drafted to be developed. Instead of that happening he was kicked into the deep end of the pool, tossed 4 different playbooks and no talent around him as a floatation device.
Personally I can't stand Smith, but I really feel that it should be up to our new OC on how they want to utilize him.
Matt I have an off topic question, but am dying for an answer.
WHAT ABOUT DENNIS GREEN?? Why isn't he being looked at by any NFL team, let alone the 49ers? I really think he is more than qualified an would make a great addition to Singletary's lack of playcalling experience. Any thoughts or answers would be great.
-Gabe
anyone see that fox sports special where smith, hill, and staley go to olive garden? seemed like smith was pretty dorky. haha. wonder how the other guys on the team REALLY see him.
Smith is a talented player, under proper coaching, he will be in the super bowl one day. I think Sing is capable of making it happen too.
You don't invest 30 mill in something and then walk away from it. Smith had one season where he was starting to come on. The kid deserve better than what he has gotten. You guys think Tony Romo has more talent then Smith? If you do...than the IQ level of this blog has dropped below 70 points.
What team mate ever called him Cowardly?
Matt, I have to disagree with you on Smith not winning the QB competition with Hill. There will be a new OC, hopefully, coming in, so everyone should be starting from square one. Add to that Hill's limited physical abilities and his poor practices, and Smith's arm strenght and better athletic ability would give him a great chance to beat out Hill. That being said, I do not think either one is the long term answer! PS The 49ers organizational structure is stil awful, and they have the worst ownership in team sports!
Geez some of you guys act like he's just been named the starter :P
Bring him back for the right price and if he does awesome than great if he doesn't than he at the very least makes a decent backup.
At 25 and still having potential I don't see any reason not to bring him with Nolan gone and hopefully some offensive continuity.
i really like smith and have always wished for him to do well. he hasn't had any consistency for his OC's, horrible OL and bad WRs, and from what is said about him, it takes him a long time to learn things. or more accurately, he learns quickly, but he has to know every little detail about it before he'll succeed. so with that said, i don't know how well he'd do next year, cause we're going to have another whole new system again. so will he sit again and see what happens the season after that? if so, just dump him and draft a mid round qb this year and let him learn instead. same amount of risk since both would be basically starting at square one.
I don't know who called him that, but it was reported. You'll have to ask Mark Purdy.
December 11, 2007
Mercury News
Mark Purdy
In an interview with Mercury News beat man Dennis Georgatos, Smith accused Nolan of “trying to undermine” Smith’s relationship with the locker room by “spinning” the facts about Smith’s shoulder to suit the coach’s purposes. This led one teammate to make an analogy between Smith and the Oz movie’s Cowardly Lion.
I know that Chad Pennington and Drew Brees have recovered from very similar Surgically repaired shoulder seperations.
Let's not beat that dead horse PLEASE. Dilfer, Hill, and Smith used to all have joking nicknames for each other and Dilfer joked about calling Smith “cowardly”. There is nothing more to that story. Bring him back.... what do we have to loose?
Leadership goes hand in hand with confidence. It's hard to develope confidence when you're literally trying to learn on the run( very poor pass protection for him) . Again , Nolan's total cluelessness on how to develop a young QB and his confidence.
Remember, Walsh didn't start either Montana or Young for awhile as they sat and learned his system. That being said I don't know if Smith' got it or not but before the Niners just throw him on the scrap heap I'd like to really know whether he's another Jim Druckenmiller or a Tampa Bay Steve Young at this stage of his career.
Like I said, I have no problem bringing him back on the cheap. I don't think he'll ever be better than a solid #2... My opinion of course.
Also, if I recall correctly, it was reportedly said by a defensive teammate... And not in a joking manner. I was merely pointing out to the previous commenter on where I heard that reference of him.
So many great comeback stories in sports. Hope Alex can be one of them.
I'd have no problem if Smith proves my opinion of him wrong. I just don't think he will. It's hard to change the players' opinions of him. I watched the guy on the sidelines all year sitting by himself hangin' his head. Is he all of a sudden going to grow a pair, step up and lead this team? Does he have it in him? So far I haven't seen it. Maybe he does, but until I see it...
-------------------------------
December 24, 2007
Mercury News
Byline: Tim Kawakami Mercury News
Backup’s performance turning heat up on Smith
Hill’s sturdy play gives Nolan and his supporters - and that’s just about the whole locker room, except Smith - the best possible explanation for the sorry offense in the first three months of this season:
“I’m not going to pick favorites,” center Eric Heitmann said, “but I think Shaun’s done a tremendous job. . . . Without a doubt, I think Shaun’s always been a guy who we knew, especially the offensive line, could come in and play, and play at a high level. “I look forward to him competing for a starting job with any team, here or any team in the league.”
“He’s for real - Shaun Hill is for real,” said tight end Vernon Davis, who caught a touchdown pass from Hill for the second week in a row. “You’ve got to have a competition. “You can’t let the No. 1 guy sit in front and feel comfortable. He’s got to know if he doesn’t get the job done, he’s got someone behind him to step up.”
“I had to double-check the pictures of their defense on the sidelines, because it felt like they had 13 guys out there,” Hill said. “I messed up a couple throws. I messed up more than a couple throws.”
But he perked up when told that his teammates seemed to want to see him competing for the starting job next season. “Obviously, that’s great,” Hill said. “That’s what you want - your teammates to respect you. I’d love to do it.”
All's I have ever seen from this kid is gumption!
Alex was brought into an impossible situation.
His college career says let him roll with his instincts and he is a killer on the football field.
The last 6 games of the 2006 season we saw a pretty darn good QB becoming of age...then Norv left and Nolan was Nolan...The kid has handled himself with so much class. He problaly comes back for 500k a year as a back up and grinds himself into a starter. You don't give up on this much talent.
Sign J-zinski & Co., then sign Smith.
Hill, Smith, and Veteran QB that knows WCO, and possibly draft a late round project QB...
If we can accomplish that while filling our other GLARING/OBVIOUS needs, The Future is OURS!
Matt, since Martz doesn't seem to be getting any calls, what do you think JT will end up doing? Relieved of Martz's stress, is JT capable of learning a safer mode of QB play? Who might be interested in him? It's not like he doesn't have some talent.
ha ha ha......didn't i say A.Smith was coming back.......its funny how you never mentioned your previous article where you stated A.Smith was done in niner land..........cmon Matt just own up to your in-accurate speculation.....cmon dude, its ok to be wrong..........you say "it seems unlikely Smith would win a quarterback competition against Hill,".......unlikely?....are you kidding?......you still wont face the facts.......A.Smith will be the niner QB next yr....
Matt,
Totally off topic, but can you enlighten me as to what the 49ers organization did to Tim Kawakami to make him so bitter?
Dear God Almighty - I didn't think anyone beyond the third grade says 'ha ha ha".
And I bet he's in high school. Unbelievable.
Somebody on First Take this morning said that Alex was due 4 million guaranteed this comming year and next. It's the first I've heard of this. Anybody out there know for sure?
Question: Somebody on First Take this morning said that Alex was due 4 million guaranteed this coming year and next. It's the first I've heard of this. Anybody out there know for sure?
My response: Luckily, I tape "First Take" every morning, so I was just able to watch it. Sports Illustrated's highly respected San Diego-based Jim Trotter spoke this morning about Alex Smith.
That may be true about the $4M payments, but in a sense it's irrelevant. However it's paid out, it is already accounted for on the cap. The money to which you refer was an $8M signing bonus on March 14, 2008. The important part is that there is "just" $5.33 million that would accelerate against the cap if the 49ers were to terminate his contract. --Matt M.
if he's released before july (or maybe june) 1, then the niners owe him 5.3 mil. that's way too much money for a guy that hasn't played too well thus far. that's why they need to renegotiate his contract so he won't take up as much salary
TK isn't bitter at the just 49ers, he's just bitter. it's his thing. it's why we all read his blog, and why he is a good writer
Comment: if he's released before july (or maybe june) 1, then the niners owe him 5.3 mil. that's way too much money for a guy that hasn't played too well thus far.
My response: Just to clarify, the 49ers do not "owe" Alex Smith any new money. The $5.3M is what would be applied to the salary cap if his contract were terminated before June 1. The 49ers could opt to spread out the cap hit over two years with $2.66M counting against the cap both seasons. But because the 49ers have a $7M cap credit in 2009 because of Donald Strickland's large incentive that was not earned, a sizable cap hit is not a big concern. The bigger concern for the 49ers is to avoid paying Smith's non-guaranteed $9.625M base salary. --Matt M.
Good NFL QBs are a rare commodity and I can understand the desire to keep Smith on the team. Smith's failure so far must also be placed squarely on that idiot Nolan who gave Smith an O Line that has given up the most sacks as any NFL team over the last Four Years! You can't dismiss that away. You can't complete any passes if you don't have time. Then add the constant change in OC, poor receivers, change in Offensive scheme, and you have a disaster. Smith was rushed in and look how good that has worked for the Titan's Young and Card's Leinart. Besides if you look at Smith's performance before he got injured he was improving.
I don't know if he will ever make it, but it is worth a chance once he is healthy to back-up Hill who is four years older.
I don't know that Smith has what it takes inside to lead. If he does I have not seen it on display. I'm inclined to agree with Randy that he will probably be nothing better than a backup.
We don't need a draft bust with a medically suspect arm throwing us back to 2007, ok? Let's all moveon.org
The Pros and Cons of Alex are well stated.
What was undoubtedly a knee jerk reaction to holding the overall No. 1 pick and no suitors to play Let's Make a Deal, McNoPlan felt a QB is what you pick when you remake a franchise.
Problem was, the pool of talent didn't warrant the pick.
What to do?
Eat the remaining money or look for a win/win option in a great area of continued need.
I've had my doubts about Alex but feel the nature of the situation he was thrown into was more about high demands and less on good coaching.
Nolan expected Manning perhaps and never addressed the need for OL improvement and OC continuity.
If both sides are willing to work out a cap friendlier contract, it becomes a win/win and can't make the situation at QB any worse then it already is.
IMO, Alex has had ample time to observe while on IR, something he wasn't afforded when NoPlan felt he was Drafted to be the Savior of the franchise.
As hindsight is always 20/20, Nolan could have built the perfect OL and DL with the number of high picks he had to work with, however, he collected lots of shiney young athletes and spread them throughout the roster where many have yet to be highly effective starters.
What was screwed up in '05, can possibly be repackaged and made right with a little cap management 101.
Where does dead money get us? Us it wisely, see if Alex has grown up and matured enough to show some stones about becoming the leader on the field.
And with that, Jagz might actually be that Mike Tomlin surprise candidate that wows the crowd and turns young Alex into a calm gunslinger like Matt Ryan?
People, our franchise has reason to smile since Mike whipped some tail this season, we need guys with a little edge to them now.
Business as usual produces predictable results, we've sucked for too long, take a chance add some energy to this locker room.
Tommy Rathman was 1 smart hire, let's see what else Old School Mike has up his sleeve?
I like Mike.
Mike Knows Football.
With regards to a contract renegotiation, I'm curious as to what you would estimate those figures to be. Are we talking in the 1-2 million dollar range? under 1 million? 5 million? Depending on the way things go, the difference between 1 and 5 million dollars could make the difference in cap space that determine our moves in free agency. And would this deal be only for 2009, or beyond?
Of the QBs drafted 2003-2007 outside of the 1st round, not many have gone on to shine. Matt Cassell (7th in 2005), Derek Anderson (6th in 2006), Matt Schaub (3rd in 2004) have experienced some success. There are some on the bubble like Tavaris Jackson (2nd in 2006), Kyle Orton (4th in 2005), and Tyler Thigpen (7th in 2007). According to my poor math skills and layman's perception of talent, that makes 6/52 or about 11.5% of draft picks in the 2-7th rounds have shown at least some success at the position. Of course there are varying degrees of success that are debatable for those mentioned or those left off the list.
16 QBs were drafted in the 1st round between 2003-2007. 2003: Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich, Kyle Boller & Rex Grossman. 2004: Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger & J.P. Losman. 2005: Alex Smith, Aaron Rogers & Jason Campbell. 2006: Vince Young, Matt Leinart & Jay Cutler. 2007: Jamarcus Russell & Brady Quinn.
I would argue that on a conservative estimate at least 7 of those drafted would be a dramatic upgrade for our team. That's a 7/16 (44%) chance to upgrade the most important position in the game.
Everybody talks about picking the best player on the board, however, I can see the potential of McSing getting gun shy after getting burned in the 1st round on Alex Smith... or at least the perception thereof based upon his limited success thus far.
Hopefully, if a QB drops to #10 that is ranked equally on their board with other choices, they aren't hesitant to pull the trigger on the most important position.
Hello Matt and fellow Niners-fans,
I really believe Alex should get another chance. Bad coaching, a terrible offensive line and a mediocre (at best) receiving corps never favoured his development in the NFL.
With some stability on the team regarding all three areas named above he could develop into at great NFL-QB.
It is understandable that some of you guys feel that he has never proven his high paid talent, but honestly I don't think he has ever had a fair opportunity.
By the way, picking up Stafford or Sanchez in the draft would be a stupid choice. Neither of them has the skills nor the talent to be a top selection. Give Alex a chance this year, and if he fails (I know a lot of you guys think he will - I don't) pick up a QB in the 2010 draft. The QB-class is far better next year!
Have a nice day everybody.
Matt, thanks for the great link.
Re: Alex, bring him back! He's not really had much of a chance, yet, due to injury, questionable coaching and downright disgusting management. He's still young, has experienced some experience and lets not forget how much we already invested in him. It makes sense to bring him back and take a good look at him in a proper offense with a proper OC (if we end up with either, that is).
Just a fan makes a great point about Brees and Pennington, so hopefully Alex can also make a full recovery.
On a personal note, I for one would love to see Alex fulfill his potential and become our starter. Our good starter. Plus, I'd love to see him stick it to Mike NoWins D., if they ever meet. NoWin did his best to ruin Alex's career...it would be sweet poetic justice if Alex whipped his D. so badly they fired him.
Bloody Mike NoWin, what an arrogant idiot. Sooooo glad he's history.
Uh I would'nt pass on Stafford if he's there at #10.
Question: With regards to a contract renegotiation, I'm curious as to what you would estimate those figures to be. Are we talking in the 1-2 million dollar range? under 1 million? 5 million? Depending on the way things go, the difference between 1 and 5 million dollars could make the difference in cap space that determine our moves in free agency. And would this deal be only for 2009, or beyond?
My response: David Carr and the Giants agreed to a one-year, $1M contract with playing-time incentives last year. The year before, Carr signed a two-year, $6M deal with the Panthers. (He played only one season of that deal.) I'd imaging Smith's contract would be somewhere in that $1M to $3M annual range. It would likely be a one- or two-year contract. Whatever they agree upon (assuming they agree upon something), the 49ers should have plenty of salary-cap room to do what they want to do in free agency. –Matt M.
Dan: Fantastic post and analysis. I'm not sure how valid a case can be made when you only go back to 2003, however. Some of the younger guys will no doubt hang around the league for years, improving with experience, and eventually earning a starting job.
Jeff Garcia, Kurt Warner, Jake Delhomme, Rich Gannon, Trent Green, Vinny Testarverde and countless others are all examples of QB's who have taken a fair few years to emerge.
As QB is probably the most cerebral position, it takes some of these guys, perhaps the less gifted athletically, a lot longer to develop. As much out of lack of opportunity as anything. When you're not a 1st rounder, the road to a starting berth is usually a longer one, barring injury promotion, a la Tom Brady. When teams invest a 1st in a QB, they get every opportunity to succeed, whereas the QB's selected in the latter rounds have, a) less time to prove themselves, and b) longer to wait for their chance.
QB is a position where you can get a player good enough to win with throughout the draft and in FA (unlike LT, where almost all the good ones were 1st rounders) however, these guys have to wait 'til the "superstar" picks fail.
Crikey Matt, you're up blooming early! Did the wife kick you out of bed for snoring? (I apologize in advance if she did and you've been banished to the couch...)
The comparable for a new Alex Smith contract is David Carr. Ouch! And from the ashes the Phoenix shall rise... or not.
You know what I think would be kinda cool? If Alex gets playing time next year with some success, he could be comeback player of the year. That would be awsome. We will see if he has what it takes or not. It appears the orginization still has confidence in him and I think I do too.
So let's assume Alex renegotiates for a 1 year, 1 million dollar contract. Does that 5.33 million accelerate against the cap on top of the new deal, or is the 5.33 mill wiped clean? Does any part of your answer change in a two-year deal?
Shaun Hill's game performance did not seem to suffer after also having gazillion coordinators (and not being the main focus of developemnt as far as 49er QBs go). Is there any indication that Smith has learned to go with the flow a little better, and not be such a victim of analysis paralysis? I mean what what's the point in re-signing him if, even as a B/U, he is always going to be a deer in the headlights?
Also, Matt, what is the story with Jim Skipper RB Coach/Asst HC for Carolina? Also, as far as BC product coming to the 49ers, what are the chance the 49ers get Raji? He looked like a monster at Senior Bowl practice.
This thing with looking or an OC is starting to get embarassing. For MS to initially state that hiring an OC was his top priority, to the firing of Martz without a candidate in place to the mishandling of the Linehan disclosures to the ongoing speculation of names floating out there...Does not bode well. They need to be decisive and get a grip on this situation.
Question: So let's assume Alex renegotiates for a 1 year, 1 million dollar contract. Does that 5.33 million accelerate against the cap on top of the new deal, or is the 5.33 mill wiped clean? Does any part of your answer change in a two-year deal?
My response: If he signs a one-year deal, all of that $5.33M would count against the 49ers' 2009 cap. If he signs a two-year deal, half would count this year and the other half would count in 2010. --Matt M.
So a two year deal sounds a little more economically sound correct?
Alex, you are a nice kid, but here is a little advice for you, RENT, don't BUY!
I don't think anyone is dumb enough to believe that someone is picked number one overall without great physical talent. Recent books by Malcolm Calwell (Outliars) and Geoff Colvin (Talent is Over Rated) argue great physical great accomplishment is linked to many hours of structured practice rather than physical gifts. Its quite apparent Smith is lacking in that commodity. Didn't start until a senior in HS, left College early, was in a spread offense and except maybe for Turner his coaching has been somewhat lacking. He may not have the right mental qualities to make the grade but he is very bright and physically gifted and deserves another chance.
Hey, Diehard49er. Your comment made at 10:55 is word for word the same comment I posted on Matt Barrow's website earlier today at 10:18. If you are going to use my words at least give me credit. Do you have anything original to add to my comments?
I had asked you about restructuring vs resigning previously and you mentioned that a restructure of his current contract would prevent any cap hit from taking place. That being said, wouldn't it be more beneficial to both sides to restructure this contract and give Smith more than he'd get if he were to sign a completely new contract, while still saving the club money overall? Since he's signed for the next two years, anyway, it would seem that this would be the better way to go. Thoughts?
robertamberg - Much respect for you. I agree with you 100% so that's why I posted here...
Matt - hope you're not upset that we are also checking out Matt Barrow's Blog...
Such nervous nelly thoughts weren't worth posting once - let alone twice. Get a grip both of you.
Comment: wouldn't it be more beneficial to both sides to restructure this contract and give Smith more than he'd get if he were to sign a completely new contract, while still saving the club money overall? Since he's signed for the next two years, anyway, it would seem that this would be the better way to go. Thoughts?
My response: The 49ers have plenty of cap room to absorb a $5.33M cap hit. (Remember, they're getting a $7M credit on the 2009 cap.) At this point, it's about real cash. They're not going to pay Smith more than they have to out of the goodness of their hearts. That's bad business, and would not make sense. --Matt M.
Hey Matt,
Do you know if Chrissy Mauck got laid off? I noticed her picture is gone from her blog on 49ers.com. Not to mention this.
Hey Matt - I don't understand why the 49ers would even pay $1-3 million for Smith. Do you think anyone else would actually bid more than the minimum contract? Very curious to hear your thoughts. I noted above I think it would be better for all to let him get a fresh start elsewhere and not be a distraction (which as the interest in this post shows will happen with 100% certainty), but it would seem idiotic for the 49ers to bid against themselves and pay him more than the minimum plus incentives.
robertamberg - Much respect for you. I agree with you 100% so that's why I posted here...
Matt - hope you're not upset that we are also checking out Matt Barrow's Blog...
Smith was a 67% passer in college. Finish 4th in the Heisman.
If the 49ers dump this kid the Pat's will have him on a plane and signed with in 5 hours of his release. This kid gets anywhere near a semi spread offence he will tear up the league. He is only 25 years old! Kurt Warner is 37!! Geez, put him in Arizona's offence and watch out!. My goodness. Half the league is hoping the Niners relase this kid.
At this point I'd rather see Justin Smith playing QB for the 49ers then Alex Smith. He's already showed 32 times in a Niner uniform that he will not tear up the NFL. Being a above average college QB in a pretty weak Mountain West conference does not mean that you'll tear it up in the NFL. Linebackers, Safties & Cornerbacks are all bigger, faster & smarter in the NFL then in college. His arm strength isn't great, he struggles with accuracy, he does not read blitzes well, he can't feel pressure from the blind side and he can't make quick decisions. From everything I have ever seen from him he's not a winner on the NFL level.
There is a reason that Shawn Hill has a better record then Smith. Hill while not being very gifted physically has a much better feel for what is happening on the field while Alex Smith still looks totally lost out there. Sure Smith is a nice guy, but that does not win games for the team. Having the ability to perform under pressure does win games and Smith does not have that ability. I don't wish any harm on Smith I just wish he will leave.
Mountain West Conference yeah their crap! Utah what a bunch weak sissy Mary's! Bunch idiots also!!
Shaun Hill what a steal!! Holy Cow!! You are right SB from SF. Incredible knowledge of the history and circumstances of collegiate and NFL football especially with the 49ers and Utah!! 32 whole games is a life time in the NFL, and nothing can judge a person more in the NFL than consistency. Thanks for straightening me out!! Yeah, I think you are right, just toss A. Smith away! He has no feel for the game! Can’t play lick of QB never was successful at anything he ever did! The Bum!! What in blazes was I thinking!! I am really sorry….I will just hang up on myself now.