Smith said he does not care.
"It doesn't matter to me at all," Smith said this afternoon on a conference call with Bay Area reporters. "I don't have any control over any type of decisions like that. To me, competition is great. If you want it bad enough, it's worth fighting for.
"The biggest thing is for me to perform and do the things I know I can do. Outside of that, I don't worry about anything else."
And Smith said he believes he'll be able to perform in 2009 at a high level. The 49ers have slated him to return to right tackle this season. Smith played his first three NFL seasons on the right side before he made the transition to the left side, where he earned a Pro Bowl trip with the Steelers.
He has missed 15 games due to a lower-back problem the past two seasons. However, he said the procedures have been minor.
Smith said the two surgery's he has undergone (December 2007 and November 2008) have been to remove floating disc fragments in his back. He said there should be no lasting impact from those surgeries.
In fact, he said he is looking forward to playing a physical brand of football with the 49ers. He is scheduled to report to
"I can't wait to get up there and get going," Smith said. "To me, it's a real young team that's on the verge of taking off and being one of the better teams in the league. I definitely want to be a part of that. It seems everything they have set in place is geared toward being a physically dominant team on the field, and that's the exact type of team I love playing for.
"If you can get out there on the field and physically dominate -- and not necessarily just beating them or scoring more points -- it can be physically demoralizing a team, then that's the kind of team I love to play for. That seems like that's the kind of team coach (Mike) Singletary has put together."
Smith was on injured reserve and did not play the final 11 regular-season games for the Steelers. The club ended up placing the franchise tag on his replacement, Max Starks, and did not make an attempt to re-sign Smith. "I'm actually glad not to be going back, to tell you the truth," Smith said, "because I couldn't see a situation better than the one I have right now."
* * *
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting tight end Billy Bajema has agreed to terms with the Rams.
* * *
Hey Matt, do you happen to know what local kid Cam Colvin ended up doing last year after the 49ers cut him? I know he didn't catch on with any team...is he going to make a second attempt at a pro career?
Would one of the local teams give him a shot in training camp? If he was rehabbing last year, I'd like to see the 49ers give him another go-round more than a year removed from his ankle surgery and without school getting in the way of his availability.
He had a lot of raw talent coming out of De La Salle, and like Frank Gore, has been freakishly unlucky.
I'd also like to find out abut Robert Jordan. I thought he was the best Cal receiver. Hopefully he wasnts to play football again
"If you can get out there on the field and physically dominate -- and not necessarily just beating them or scoring more points -- it can be physically demoralizing a team, then that's the kind of team I love to play for. That seems like that's the kind of team coach (Mike) Singletary has put together."
Gosh I love to hear that.
And that is what Sing is talking about when he wants a running game that can impose their will on the defense. It's not just running the football. He was here when it was Gore to the right, Gore to the left and an incomplete pass 2 years ago. This year is going to be ball control with YAC, a more west coastie feel. Then in the fourth will grind it out with our big back to shorten the game. 3.5-4.5 yards per carry makes it 3rd and short. Gotta get those last few yards. It's what good FB teams do these days.
"I'm not trying to outsmart anybody. I'm not trying to be a magician. We are playing football."
~ Mike Singletary
"I'm not trying to outsmart anybody. I'm not trying to be a magician. We are playing football."
~ Mike Singletary
Man I love that kind of talk from the Big Uglies. I think Marvel has something to prove & that can be a very motivating thing. Makes me want the 49ers to get RB Moreno at #10 so we can have the West Coast version of the Giants/Panters 2-headed monster.
"not just winning" JUST? "not just scoring more points than the other team" JUST? Marvel drank Singletary's Kool-aid. Or, he's a moron. Or both.
Hopefully, this Steeler reject can stay healthy enough for the 49ers to find a tackle who's able to stay healthy, and WIN, and score more points than the other team!
I guess after years of losing, the Niner's are resorting to the Raider's macho creedo. After all, acting tough and nasty is a lot easier than JUST winning. Physical with an "F". Sounds more like a PR campaign for gullible fans than a path to the Super Bowl.
I think you misinterpreted the contxt of what he was saying. You can score more points and win while not being as physical as your opponent. Smith was saying that it's not "just" about doing that; but about doing that while punishing and demoralizing the opposition.
Louie, you have a real knack for finding a negative interpretation of just about anything anyone associated with the Niners says or does or doesn't say or doesn't do. And the more innocent some remark is, the more you pounce on it to embellish your gloomy view. I can't find a single thing about your post that is anything but a put down. "Steeler reject" "Singletary Kool-aid" "moron" "resorting to the Raider's" "PR campaign for gullible fans" - these pejorative descriptions and their relentless nature only point up how hard you strive to throw dung on people for no good reason whatsoever. Pretty sorry attitude, bud.
skeebers,
louie is an idiot! and not worth the time of day to respond to, that's obvious.
Lets hope he can back it up. His back better be 100% 'cuz he's gonna need it.
Hey Louie, I had a crap Monday also...
Frustrating as hell to tell ya the truth. I hope you have a better Tuesday....it is Monday right? Today felt like a week of trouble.
This was a great signing by the Niners. It's not gonna cost much. If he plays 38 Games Regular and Post Season the money was well spent.
As far as what he said. What else is going to say?
It seems some of you are offended by my comments. Well, we're all 49er fans and I don't want to rain on anyone's party, so I take it all back.
Jed York might be very young with no real experience, but he knows how to run a winning NFL team. I can feel it.
Scott McCloughan hasn't got a very good batting average with draftees or free agents, but it's only been 5years. Let's give the guy a chance. And he's really done a great job of not letting anyone know that he's the GM and running things. A brilliant way to keep his head coach motivated.
And Mike Singletary. Here's a guy who's never been a head coach, never been a coordinator, but he's smart enough to know you don't win in the NFL by outsmarting the other team. All you have to do is act confident and be more fysical. The next "genius".
Now I see why you guys are so confident. What a negative fool I've been. I promise I'll be more positive from now on.
As I've said before, why not wait to see how we look on the field this year before declaring it a disaster already? What good does all the whining do? Not a damn thing...
You're right. I just feel if the fans don't reject the lack of quality we've seen for years, the York's will continue to screw around for many more years to come. I can't stand the idea of the once great 49ers becoming one of the perennial weak teams.
http://www.steelernation.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-69.html
Marvel should give us the RT play we've been needing. Still need to draft at least one OT...because you've got to have quality depth. He's coming from a team that's been doing for years what Singletary wants. He understands the physicality of the game...so, he'll bring not just his skills, but the right mindset. He and Rachal should form quite a tandem...just as Baas and Staley have. I think we have the makings of a very good OL now.
I wouldnt click that link if my life depended on it.
matt, did you anything about isaac bruce's decision to retire or return? ultimatum is ending tomorrow i think.
i mean have heard anything new about bruce?
wasn't there an interest in Buster Davis?
I am happy with what the 49ers got going. This is the year things start coming together, we have a few players in need of a breakout season. I would sign a F.A. QB before the draft, Just for back up, someone like Garcia. Drafting a QB in the first round would be a stupid move for the 49ers and we already have 2 young Qb's that are still trying to learn. The first round of the draft should be a RB or DL.
Matt,
How much of a loss is Bajema? I dont remember any highlight reels where he makes a monster block to spring Gore? Can't a blocking TE be found pretty easily in the late rounds of the draft?
Just listened to a Marvel Smith Interview on Sirius NFL Radio. He sounds pumped and ready to go. Said one of the big factors for coming to SF was because of Sing's vision being a dominate physical football team. Said he's 100% and ready to go. And when asked about the QB competition he said he likes them both and figures to have a pretty clear #1 guy by Day 1.
This is gonna be a very interesting draft. I for one cannot wait. It can't get here soon enough. I expect there to be more wheeling and dealing than in previous drafts. Some surprise moves of intrigue.
Does Sirius have a podcast we can listen to if you're not a subscriber?
Matt,
Just heard on ESPN radio that Stafford had his personal workout with the Lions this morning & word is the Lions aren't as keen of picking Stafford #1. So if in fact the Lions move in another direction that would mean OT. If that happens then it will start the domino affect on OT's earlier & possibly move WR Maclin closer to then end of the top 10. The 49ers would have to take Maclin at #10 if he'e there based on most Scout's ranking the top 10 prospects right?
I think you got the wrong info.... just posted at Rotoworld
Georgia QB Matthew Stafford's private workout with the Lions was "flawless" and "significantly better" than his March 19 Pro Day performance, according to SI.com's Tony Pauline.
Stafford began by throwing to fellow UG alums, but also went through plays specific to the Lions' new offense. He reportedly connected on 37-of-40 attempts and "threw accurately through the entire session." Some sources tell Pauline they consider it a "done deal" that Stafford will go No. 1 overall.
Matt, was the mini camp that the Niners had, their additional mini camp that they are given because of the new coach, or was that the standard one, and are they still going to have the extra? And when?
I guess I like Matt's writing to much. Of course I flame him now and then. But everybody needs to get torched once in awhile.
I know this is all Niners all the time. However would it be ok once in awhile to get Matt's take on the NFL meetings for example or the stumblings and bumblings around the NFL.
I have to be honest. I don't read anything but the sports page. And I gave up on the comical and murky news. Here in SoCal it's Laker Lakers Dodgers Angels...and some other basketball team. So I don't read any of the local sports news.
Here it is in order Matt's blog almost first thing in the morning, right after email. Then, SI.com/nfl then ESPN.com/NFL...I mean really other than my Faith wife kids and my business what else matters? However, the EGO's on those other sports pages make me wanna puke. John Clayton is fantastic and there is something about Don Bank's writing that has me looking forward to reading his columns.
Here is the thing, I love the way Matt writes about FOOTBALL! It's great! Even when I wanna puke at his blog sometimes the stuff is fantastic.
So, would it drive any of you crazy if he wrote something other than the 49ers on down days. I mean what could Mr Maiocco be doing during the dog days of March/April?
Of course this all depends on the man himself, but wouldn't it be cool to hear him spew on the NFL?
Matt & Instant 49ers Fans,
I am going to the Final 4. I've never been to Detroit or Michigan for that matter before and wonder if anyone has any recommendations of things to see or places to eat in Detroit. Thanks.
WOW!
Well that's kind of a bummer Benny. How can ESPN go the opposite of what you read from Rotoworld? Usually ESPN get's it right on most things. It's disappointing whoever got it wrong.