Day 5, practice 8: Smith in good spot
The 49ers were on the field for a monster practice of more than 3 ½ hours (including walk-through, pre-practice stretching and post-practice stretching). And one thing about the quarterback situation is becoming more and more obvious.
Quarterback Alex Smith is putting himself into position to win the 49ers' starting job.
That's not to say he's leading the competition. It's not to say he will win the competition. All that will be determined by how he performs in the exhibition games. But Smith looks very good on the practice field.
Shaun Hill is having a strong camp, too. But Alex Smith's best on the practice field has been better than Hill's best. Of course, as we've addressed here in the past, perhaps Hill's biggest strength is his feel for handling a game situation.
Coach Mike Singletary said he has noticed a maturity in Smith. He says he sees it in Smith's body language and his command of the huddle. He said Smith seems more confident in himself. This morning, Smith was again very accurate. He is throwing the intermediate and deep balls exceptionally well.
If - IF -- Smith can carry over his practice-field success into the exhibition games against the Broncos (Aug 14) and Raiders (Aug. 22), there is a strong chance he will be the starter when the regular season opens.
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Injury update: Guard David Baas (left foot) and running back Michael Robinson (groin) are expected to be out a while with strains. Both will sit out for about a week before they're even re-evaluated, a club spokesman said.
Defensive end Kentwan Balmer returned to individual work after going down with a mile left knee sprain yesterday, and linebacker Parys Haralson returned to action after sitting out since Saturday with a hip flexor strain.
Other players who missed practice this morning were: G Chilo Rachal (migraine), LB Patrick Willis (ankle), CB Tarell Brown (toe), FB Moran Norris (hamstring) and LB Jay Moore (finger). Of course, Ray McDonald is on PUP and Ricky Jean-Francois is on the non-football illness list.
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Rookie Scott McKillop had a difficult time in a drill in which linebackers man-covered backs and tight ends. Glen Coffee got past him easily on a wheel route. He was guilty of pass interference against Bear Pascoe, and he whiffed on an attempted jam of Thomas Clayton, allowing him to get several steps behind him for a complete pass.
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When center Eric Heitmann got up hobbling after a play, the 49ers had a first-team offensive line of: C Cody Wallace, RG Matt Spanos and LG Tony Wragge. Heitmann returned a little later.
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I'm going to pause briefly for lunch.
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OK, I'm back from lunch.
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The team got in a lot of work this morning, as they have only a special-teams practice scheduled for the afternoon.
The 49ers worked a lot on the running game, as well as the red-zone offense and defense.
Smith had a very good stretch of plays when he lofted a 30-yard TD pass to Vernon Davis over Manny Lawson. Then, he hit Isaac Bruce in stride on a post pattern from about the same distance. Smith put his next pass on the money to Brandon Jones on a deep corner route, but Jones' feet tangled with Mark Roman's and the ball fell incomplete.
Shaun Hill had a better completion percentage in 11-on-11, connecting 10 of 13 passes, while Smith completed 5 of 10.
These are only 11-on-11. Obviously, it does not take into account the 7-on-7 passing. During 7-on-7, Smith made some tremendous throws, hitting Josh Morgan over Shawntae Spencer. He drilled a 12-yard out to Dominique Zeigler at the sideline, and he lofted another TD pass to Vernon Davis. That throw - delivered precisely on time -- really excited QB coach Mike Johnson.
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Mike Singletary really liked what he saw from today's elongated practice. He liked the energy and the execution. He said he saw the offense make plays and the defense make plays. "Most important, we have learned how to practice," Singletary said. "We're getting good work on both sides."
The 49ers were on their final play of one 11-on-11 session, Vernon Davis found a soft spot in the defense about 10 yards down field. Hill found him with the pass but
However, the defense knew what was coming and
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Matt,
Did you write this piece with the sole pupose of fanning the flames of a single reader's passion? Everyone knows who I mean.
I'm surprised he's not already chimed in
Matt -- Do you know if Rachal has a history of migraines?
ha ha ha......Houston - grow up...Mbarrows had similar comments about today's practice...
I love it...lovin it....My boy is back.....Go niners
Hey it's great that Alex is really doing well & I'm happy for him but let's not get too excited just yet. I'm rooting for Alex & if he can do it in these Pre-Season games then that's when I'll get really excited. Very encouraging non the less considering all the HELL he's gone thru that last 2 years.
Best play of camp: 25-yard td from smith to bruce.....SAY WHAT!!!.....
I am telling you guys....we have a franchise QB - you just don't know it yet.....
...you will see what i know in a couple of weeks....trust the oneniner...
Excellent stuff.. hopeflly this will FINALLY be Alex's breakout season.
oneniner, as a great man once said "I know it's important, I honestly do but we're talking about practice. We're talking about practice man. We're talking about practice. We're talking about practice. We're not talking about the game. We're talking about practice".
Shawn Hill is the best QB when it matters...in a game.
Matt - Could you please get the low-down on Patrick Willis's ankle? This is starting to worry me :(
Also, do you think Baas's injury is going to need an MRI in a week, when the swelling goes down?
Thanks Matt for your great blog!! :)
Jason in San Leandro
oneniner,
Child Please, Glad to see Alex doing well but the 49ers made a HUGE MISTAKE last year not starting Hill in Game 1 and would be making another HUGE MISTAKE this year if Hill doesn't start Game 1.
seems to me Matt Barrows article was fanning the flames more towards Hill as having the leg up on winning the compitition....although noting smith's fine passes
me, i am really interested in observing smith.....and do hope to see that maturity under pressure...
seems like not much QB pressure yet in camp and of course defenses are not set up to take away certain kinds of offensive schemes.....so for now i don't put much credence in hearing about pretty passes and how it will translate later in the real in season schemes....
Shaun Hill is cool....i dont hate or dislike the guy...but the truth is - He his not 49er material...
SonomaDragon - We're not just talking practice...this are reports from people that have watched A.Smith since he was drafted.....he must be looking good than when he played a game/practice or else both MM and MB wouldn't be writing this things...
This is the first time MM has written - "there is a strong chance he will be the starter when the regular season opens"
19 TD's
31 Int's
63.5 QB Rating
Average passing yds per game - 146
54.4% Completion %
These are the CAREER stats for our "Franchice QB". And I'm the one who needs to grow up? I realize these numbers are skewed based on the level of talent around him and other well documented circumstances. I really hope the kid breaks out and does become something special. We'll see what happens when it counts. Right now I'll temper my enthusiasm.
Glad to hear that Smith is throwing well. I was holding out hope that he might start to meet his potential this season, and this is an indication he may do just that. We'll just have to see how he plays in the preseason. When's the last time we had two QBs and the argument was which one is better, not which is less bad...
We can all agree that we want the kid to succeed.
But I'll ride the same wagon that Houston 9er is on.
Guys - Let's let Oneniner enjoy this post before we jump down his throat. BTW - Sando from ESPN has been in town for 3 days watching practice and he is reporting the same: Alex Smith is lighting up training camp and looks like a new man:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-9-533/Something-to-write-about-in-49ers--QB-race.html
..Mr.Texas stated A.Smith stats then wrote ..."I realize these numbers are skewed based on the level of talent around him and other well documented circumstances"....
..wtf...did you expect?...duh - of course the numbers can't be relied on...
its like that saying from texas.- ...we don't need stimilus money but due to the bad economy we are requesting a loan....:).....or we want to secede but we still need federal $$$
..or ..as they say in texas - "An empty bucket makes the most racket."....
in the case of Mr. Texas - "If you put his brains in a bumblebee, he would fly backwards."
Which is it texan "the leader of Men" - so far your comments show you are the leader of boys....
...i am so freaking excited.....you guys have to believe in A.Smith the comeback kid......honestly, If I tell you a hen dips snuff, you can look under her wing.
Until he does it in a regular season game I'll continue to be a skeptic.
Lord have mercy I've never laughed at a blog thread so much in my life. I'm really excited that A.Smith is starting to shine and realize his potential, because that's what the 49ers invested in. I've always pulled for A.Smith and I hope this translates to when it really matters.
However, I think he needs at LEAST 1 more season on the bench. If he starts this year, he has NO room for error. Technically, he's only played 1 season (his rookie year was a wash, and was injured after 06), so one more year won't be an injustice at all. Myer said he is best when he has the system thoroughly engrained in his mind anyway. Also, he was great in 7 on 7, but struggled in 11 on 11. Not sure if everyone's aware (oneniner), but real NFL games require 11 players on the field, not 7.
So, in the words of ANOTHER great man..."Lets not start suckin' each others [dougnuts] just yet..."
Well that is dandy that he looked good on the intermediate and long passes. But speaking out of my ___, aren't shorter passes the most attempted? IIRC, Smith struggled mightily on those.
We'll know a lot more during the preseason. Until then, it is the difference between my practice golf swing, and the real one.
I think, for so many reasons, even if Smith is better in preseason a wise move is to start the season with Hill. Better/Wiser for Smith and frankly I think Hill has earned it.
Honestly, I'm just glad that the competition does not include JTO, Favre (Farve?), or Vick.
This is where it is frustrating that Sing has gagged the coaching staff. It would be great to sit down with Mike Johnson and talk mechanics/changes to A.Smith. Matt, do you think it is a confidence thing (his arm is healthy and he has nothing to lose), a trust thing (throwing the WR open) or a mechanical thing (not locking his front leg)
7 on 7s leave a lot more open space/player. Smith does better during 7 on 7s. Hill seems to do considerably better in 11 on 11s. Games are 11 on 11s. While I am a Hill fan, the 11 on 11s better represent game situations.
Would really like to see Vernon Davis be very successful. He still seems to drop the ball too much when it counts.
It's great that Alex is doing well. It's great that Shaun is doing well, too. Most likely, they will both be needed over a long season, and we do hope it's a longer season than the last few years. It's really great that Raye's system seems to be working so well. For all of you saying, Alex needs to prove it in real games, the same thing is true for Raye's system. I'm excited about all the good news, but let's see how the team plays against other teams.
One point though: if Alex and Shaun are completing passes, but Shaun's go for 10 yards and a first down, while Alex's go 30 yards and a TD, who would you play?
At this point I would play Hill. Also not ruling out Smith in the future. He is younger and another year of bench time and learning may be the making of him as the quarterback of the future.
Which play has the higher probability of success at a frequent rate? Answer that and you've got your starter.
I don't get some fans saying "Alex should sit on the bench to learn the offense better"? Aren't both QB's learning a new offense? That makes no sense at all what so ever. Like I said before may the best man win.
Fumblin'...stumblin' Davis AGAIN! Notice this is happening in practice! What's he gonna do when the pressure of the game is in his head and on his hands?
Man! I hope these are just misprints by Matt!
I'm just repeating what Urban Myer said about is former QB.
http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/default.asp?item=2238168
The reality is this: it does not matter how well Smith does in practice. The truth comes during game time. I still think that Hill is the better QB, but if Smith proves to be better, then the Niners will have an excellent starter and should do well this season.
Cmon Matt, tell the truth, you made this post because you were not getting enough hits on the blog page...
One good practice and all of a sudden AS is in position for the starting spot??? I dont believe that. I want to see him in a real game, not even in the preseason.
I like AS so much, but he has to prove it when it matters!!
Couldn't agree more Lodi, It's the way it should be.
Mike in SF #2,
I checked out the ESPN/Sando article along with the comments & I was pleasantly surprised with 90% of the comments being Pro-Alex. It's nice to know that there are alot of Alex Backers.
yeah yeah yeah, we've all heard the "Smith looks fantastic" words before in previous camps. Unfortunately, it's the games he more often than not he panics and looks terrible in. I wouldn't get my hopes up just yet after a few days of camp. The one thing about Hill is he's a gamer. Not the most skilled, but a gamer.
Dude. You crack me up. Keep up the Alex love. Hopefully it will work out for all of us.
To all rooting for Alex Smith:
What's wrong with you people?! I am tired of losing! Tired! Shaun Hill is the first QB we've had since Young that I can watch and actually believe we can win! Smith is a baby. He's not tough. He blames other people for his bad outings. Blamed Nolan and he'll blame anyone else but him. He has no nerves. He practices like he's great. His abilities probably are, but he gets nervous in games. You have to be cool under pressure and that is what Hill is! Hill is a smooth dude! His passes are not always pretty but they make it to the receiver. Check his completion percentage. 8-4 as a starter. Never had a better starting staff than Smith has experienced. This team finished the 2nd half with Hill and have faith in him. The team does not have faith in Smith. I too wanted Smith to be this stud since I wanted the Niners to take Braylon Edwards and we took some kid who was good in his system. I'll tell you all! He can't take the pressure! Look at Rodgers. Atleast he can take the pressure and will welcome it. Passed on him too. Alex Smith is basicly a little girl come game time. Hill is the starter. Sing Sing can smell fear and Smith is full of it! GO HILL! GO NINERS!
Why are people getting so daym excited about practice? Alex has always been a good practice player, its what hes done on game day the past several years (even when he was healthy) that scares me. Matt, are you trying to stir something up here? Everytime you have reported the stats, Shaun Hill's numbers have always looked better. Hmmmmm... kind of fishy there.
TheNinerFan... I am with you 110%. I dont know how many plasmas I have destroyed because of throwing beer bottles at it watching Alex Smith throw a duck to the opposing player and then trot off the field with his head hung low. The kid has good practice talent.. real game talent he folds under pressure. The big thing he lacks is "leadership." Shaun Hill doesnt have all the tools, but he has the leadership and I know for sure the locker room will back Shaun any day of the week.
Smith has been as badly handled as any first rd QB since Plunkett. Like Plunkett, a layoff has helped him adjust to the pressure, and the speed of the pro game. We all know that for both Hill and Smith, the performance against first team defenses will tell the tale. What Matt is making clear is that this isn't the same Smith. He might now be as good as his talent
Whether its Hill or Smith, one thing is becoming increasingly clear, the Niners will have two capable QB's in 2009. I disagree with the blogger who made Smith out to be a blamer (not sure if that's a word but i'm useing it anyway) and complainer. Smith has been more then professional throughout his stay here and even if he does not win the starting job he is to be commended for taking a huge cut in pay in order to remain on the team and try to justify his No. 1 selection.
GO NINERS!
All this talk about Hill and Alex is...amusing. The key point we're seeing develop is the QB competition Singletary wants. These are two guys who are good buds...so it's a "friendly" battle, but still a spirited one. That translates into much better QB play for our team...no matter who wins the starting job. Hill's had success in recent games, while Alex hasn't. So, in some fans' minds, he should be the starter. I get that. However, I think Alex deserves a lot of credit for bucking the odds against him and progressing this far. The proof will be in the preseason games...Hill's got a higher completion pct., especially on the shorter routes. Alex gives us a QB who can get the ball downfield much better. It'll be interesting to see which one prevails...but the bottom line is, the team has two guys who can get the job done...and that's really what matters most.
Frank said...
I think Alex deserves a lot of credit for bucking the odds against him and progressing this far.
--------------------------------------------------------------Progressing this far? He has progressed? Oh ,you mean his injury has progressed,not his game. Oh,well we all agree with that. But his game seems to still have all those major flaws that it has always had. I am still waiting for him to play good football,that is the progress that matters to me and we have not seen much of that YET.