My wife says she won't allow me to watch any football during our weekend getaway to Pollock Pines. But I'm sure she was just kidding.
Anyway, before hitting the road, I'll try to tie up a few loose ends with some answers to questions I've received over the past couple days:
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Question: How did Michael Crabtree's signing affect the 49ers' salary cap?
Maiocco: Crabtree counts $1.83 million against the cap this season, which is the maximum the 49ers could devote to him to stay within their rookie salary pool.
The 49ers are $10.4 million under the salary cap. The average cap space available for all teams in the NFL is $7.9 million. At both ends of the spectrum,
But in actual dollars spent this season in payroll, the 49ers are more than $7 million over the league average. The 49ers' payroll is $132.5 million. The league average is $125 million.
Q: Is the Crabtree contract good or bad for the 49ers?
MM: I've spoken with agents who have the contract in front of them, and it's very difficult to break it down. We won't know exactly how much of the six-year, $32 million deal he'll receive until the contract has run its course.
One thing about the contract for the 49ers is that Crabtree is scheduled to earn $4 million in the sixth-year of the deal. This means it will be significantly easier for them to sign him to a contract extension - if they want to sign him to a contract extension - before the deal expires. Another Eugene Parker client, Larry Fitzgerald, had all the leverage against the Cardinals because his final-year salary figure was more than $16 million.
But the part of the deal that makes sense is that Crabtree will get paid like a star if he becomes a star. The 49ers would love to see the contract max out, because that would mean Crabtree has earned every penny. In that case, it's a win-win.
Of course, Crabtree did not have to remain unsigned for 71 days. But the 49ers might actually benefit in the long term. If the deal had been done at the start of camp, it would've been a five-year contract. But the 49ers insisted on a sixth-year being added after he missed all that time. He'll be in uniform next week against the Texans, so he'll be available for 11 games this season. So Crabtree's deal is actually a 5-and-two-thirds-year contract.
Q: How big of an impact do you think Crabtree makes in his first game? (BOSS2185)
MM: That will be determined over the weekend and in the Wednesday practice before the Texans game. Crabtree will play, coach Mike Singletary said. From the limited practice I saw on Wednesday, he looks like he's coming along pretty well. The original plan is for him to play the slot in three-WR sets. We'll see if his classroom work and play on the practice field does anything - one way or the other - to influence that original design.
Q: With Crabtree signing, does this mean last year for Isaac Bruce? (Krazo74)
MM: Probably. Bruce's contract expires at the end of the season, and it's time for the 49ers to find more playing time for Jason Hill.
Q: Now who do you think will handle the kick and punt returns? (Hatz49)
MM: Arnaz Battle will handle punts, and Delanie Walker might continue to do kickoff returns. Also, Micheal Spurlock and Josh Morgan have return capabilities. Michael Robinson is one of the deep men on kickoffs, but that's mostly for blocking duties.
I was surprised the 49ers cut Allen Rossum. After all, the guy was outstanding last season with a 26.8 yard average on kickoff returns (with one TD) and a 14.9 average on punt returns. He had a 75-yard punt return for a TD against the Seahawks that was nullified by Glen Coffee's illegal block. Ironically, Singletary said the move to cut Rossum and keep Spurlock was made because of special teams. Rossum did not cover kicks and punts.
And, by the way, a club source tells me there is nothing to the report that the 49ers are pursuing a trade for Browns return specialist Joshua Cribbs.
Q: Why did the 49ers release rookie running back Kory Sheets?
MM: I'll defer to coach Mike Singletary on this one. "Kory is a good runner," Singletary said, "but there's a lot more to football than running." This is the same kind of reasoning for why the 49ers were not as high on Thomas Clayton as many of the fans. It also is a strong indication that this decision to allow him to be signed by the Miami Dolphins was influenced greatly at the coaching level.
In general terms, a team's front office controls the fate of draft picks in whom the club has invested some money. Late-round picks and free agents often are at the mercy of the coaching staff - the people who work closely with the players and whose responsibility it is to implement their skills on the field.
So the 49ers lost Sheets this week. The Dolphins have to keep him on their 53-man roster for three weeks. If Sheets gets released at some point, I'm not sure it's a given that the 49ers would try to pick him up again.
Q: Looking ahead, do you believe the Niners will keep both 1st round picks next year, or trade one or both? (FrankyTheKid)
MM: A lot of things can happen between now and the draft, and the 49ers' draft strategy will continue to evolve. If there's a player the 49ers really like, they should be able to move up a few spots and nab him.
Q: Is it possible the 49ers look at acquiring Brady Quinn? (michaelwinner)
MM: I wouldn't think so. I doubt the 49ers feel Quinn is a better option right now to any of the team's three QBs in their current spots. In other words, I'm sure they like a developing Nate Davis over Quinn as the No. 3, and Alex Smith as the No. 2. And, of course, they don't believe Quinn could step in now and be a better option in this offense than Shaun Hill as the starter.
The trade deadline is this coming Tuesday. There's a chance the 49ers could swing a trade - but I wouldn't necessarily expect it. And even if they were active, I'm not sure if it would be as a buyer or seller. Certainly, they have plenty of bodies at wide receiver to deal, if they're so inclined (and can find a trade partner).
Q: What's Alex Smith's status with team now full blown backup or still prospect and future starting QB? (Marc322)
MM: They're going to see where it takes them. He is signed for this year and next. He has been practicing well, so they remain optimistic that he'll be productive when (if) he gets his chance. It's now been two full seasons since the shoulder injury knocked him out of the lineup. The way the 49ers are currently constructed, he would have his best chance at success.
Q:
Smith addressed in the podcast, he is the only QB who lives in the Bay Area. Alex's wife goes to culinary school, so it would not be cool for him to leave town. Hill and Davis -- and almost everybody else on the team - booked their flights when coach Mike Singletary told them of the bye-week plans a couple weeks ago. This is the only time in a five-month stretch that players can get away and see family. Smith has nothing else to do, so he said he'd come by and throw some passes.
Q: Do you think Singletary will put Wragge at RG? What kind of O-line changes do you think he'll make over the bye week? (aliman92)
MM: Singletary said he would probably make some changes, and he said there were a couple different ideas they're kicking around. Chilo Rachal has clearly been a disappointment at right guard. (Hear what Singletary said about him on the sideline during the Rams game.)
The new line figures to involve a man named Tony.
Yes, Wragge could be inserted at right guard. Tony Pashos could figure into the mix in some way, too. Right tackle Adam Snyder is hobbled with a leg injury. Pashos played most of the game Sunday at right tackle. He started to play some guard before the Jaguars cut him at the end of training camp. We'll just have to wait until after the weekend to find out.
* * *
..you tied it up nicely....have fun with the wifey and a good weekend....
"The way the 49ers are currently constructed, he would have his best chance at success."
I agree - this was a guy that had success in college, in the nfl he took a 4-12 team to 7-9 wins in his second year......
...no reason he can't take a 7-9 team to 9-7 wins....
Very well put Oneniner.
Have a great vacation with Sarah, Matt.
As for me, it turns out this weekend is going to be a beautiful, very comfortable, and unseasonably temperate weekend here in the Bay Area ... the Tampa Bay Area.
I will probably give the DirecTV Red Zone Channel a whirl on Sunday.
Matt
What if anything do you think the coaches will be doing this year to evaluate Nate Davis? It would seem very important to next year's draft plans, if they like him enough they don't need another costly number 1 QB pick and would be able to concentrate on the biggest problem with the team, the OL.
Bill49er
Good point Bill49er - may have to play Nate Davis to make decision @ draft stategy.
Re line, one weak sister can contaminate a line. If Wragge was that good he should have been inserted long ago. May have to pick up someone from outside.
Sheets - as said before, a back who can take it outside does something that blocking alone doesn't accomplish. Interesting to see how he fits their single wing.
Enjoy your vacation avoid TV, we'll let you know how things turn out ;)
Here is the Wragge - Chilo problem...Chilo = 2nd round pick...Wragge = undrafted dude if I am not mistaken. Sit the pick and play the guy off the street and you have to admit bad picks were made. Kind like the QB situation, so that is why we had to endure A. Smith for so long. Lets hope the coaches can figure this out.
If Delanie walker is truly going to return kick offs, then I think it is safe to say that we are not a threat to have a return for a touchdown, unless I am greatly misinterpreting Walker's speed.
I don't know how many other teams can say the same thing. I gotta think few or none. I confess I am mystified by this.
I agree with oneniner when he says "....have fun with the wifey and a good weekend...."
Enjoy yourself Matt and have a great weekend!
It would be very difficult to give any playing time to Nate Davis considering that the 49ers will be in the mix of winning the division thru out this season. The 49ers don't have the luxury of playing Davis, yet I do understand the dilema of finding out just what they have in Davis before next year's draft. That's a tough one! My guess is that the coaching staff is already very comfortable with what Davis CAN be potentially so I don't think they commit to spending alot of money drafting another QB. I believe as everybody else knows that the 49ers will draft HEAVILY on lineman & pass rusher in next years draft.
MM - if next year colt mcCoy or sam bradford falls on the 49ers' lap, do you think they would draft one of them?
i do believe that alex smith will have another shot at success. don't ask me why, but i can feel it.
nate davis will get his shot, but most of you are right. as long as he sits no. 3, it'll be a long shot. although, remember in 2007? smith, dilfer, went down, hill came in, and then, even hill got hurt, and they had to get weinke. so there's always a chance. never say never.
have a great trip MM! it's going to be a nice weekend. raiders not going to be on the tube, but seattle/arizona is a game to watch.
49erthor:
If one or both of those QB's are still there when we draft,I hope we trade down and pick up another pick or two in the upcoming deep ,deep,very deep draft !
I have heard that a 2nd round pick in the 2010 draft will probably be as good as a 1st rounder in many drafts of the past. We can really load up and hopefully put most of the last pieces of the puzzle together in the 2010 draft.
It looks like a bright future,with the roster we have and then with free agency and the draft !!!
Barley: Walker has been great for us returning kickoffs !
I always want a shifty and quick guy for punt returns and for kickoff returns,but Rossum was slipping and we can't take up a roster spot for a player who does one thing and does that thing worse than he once did.
Hopefully we find a young shifty guy soon.I had been complaining about that for years,until we got rossum.
Yeah, but I am wondering, since we have kept Spurlock, if he might be better than Walker. At least I know he HAS run one back.
I am more concerned about using Battle as punt returner than I am about walker at kickoff returner. Walker is steady and usually gets us back past the 20,many times to the 30-35 !
Why Crabtree Will Never Make His $40 Million
It turns out the devil in that $40 million contract really is in the details
By JOE KUKURA
Updated 5:00 PM PDT, Thu, Oct 15, 2009
...his agent Eugene Parker were demanding a $40 million dollar contract.
Those two will tell you they got their money.
The official word on the day it was signed is that the contract was for six years and $32 million that could maximize to $40 million with incentives.
Now the incentives are becoming public and it turns out Crabtree will have to fly to Colorado in a homemade balloon before he reaches that $40 million.
ProFootballTalk.com has the deets and they're so outlandish that Crabtree couldn't reach them if he was the second coming of Jerry Rice.
"On three occasions in the first five years of the deal," PFT notes, "(1) Crabtree must participate in 80 percent of the snaps on offense; (2) Crabtree must qualify for the Pro Bowl; (3) the 49ers must win 14 games; and (4) Crabtree must be named Super Bowl MVP."
It is mathematically impossible for Michael Crabtree to play 80 percent of the snaps on offense this year when he's already missed nearly half of the season.
Crabtree doesn't need to hit just one of those incentives, he needs to hit them all, three times in the next five seasons. Even in the 49ers' heyday of Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Carmen Policy's salary cap chicanery, the Niners never won three Super Bowls within five seasons. And even in their five Super Bowl seasons, only twice did they win 14 or more regular season games.
And that $17 million in "guaranteed money"? ProFootballTalk.com reports that "Of the $17 million in guaranteed money, $6.395 of it is guaranteed for injury only." In other words, Crabtree can be cut for performance reasons and still not see most of that $17 million "guaranteed".
So if Crabtree plays more like J.J. Stokes than Jerry Rice, he'll also be playing with Monopoly money.
Joe Kukura is a freelance writer who promises to try and avoid repeating the names "Stokes" or "Druckenmiller" in any future columns.
NBC Local Media
A.Smith deserves ONE MORE CHANCE as a 9er. I think from a business stand point of view and a football stand point.
Top_Cat you are WRONG when it comes to A.Smith! The guy was coming on in Norv Turners Offense towards the end of that year. He personally won the game in the regular season opener against the Cardinals the following year and got destroyed 2 weeks later by Rocky Benard!
The game before that, the line was a sieve and not once but twice recievers ran the wrong routes in critical conditions.
You always say I watched the games and...well just so happens I watch a couple of those game...not all parts of games with A.Smith in that year with Norv. You are not paying attention to how young this kid was, how different the system was and how ROTTEN his receivers were.
Whew...glad I got that off my chest and wasted about 10 minutes of my life!
YOU THE MAN T_C! You Commie hate'in stud!!
Giddy Up!!
I just hope somehow we can get our offensoive line together before our next game. These guys can't possibly be that bad. I'm tired of seeing our backs get hit at the liv]ne of scrimmage almost every single play. Gore seems to feel like we have a player in Crabtree. He says that he and Crabs are gonna make it happen after the bye. I believe him. Come on Sing, do something with that O- Line or its max protect time for the rest of the season!
John from HB...it's just my opinion, but I think you're 100% correct. Give the young man another chance. Jeeze, he's what, 25 now? Maybe 26? Rich Gannon "sucked" until he was 84 years old and joined the Rayduhz.
I think Top_kitten lost his credibility when he started saying that he "knows for a fact that 31 other teams didn't want Alex Smith" and Alex had to crawl "on his hands and knees" to get another chance with the 9ers. I didn't realize that T_C actually was Tom Condon, because Tom Condon is the only one in the world who would know that sort of information.
So...Tom...if you're such a great agent, why do you spend so much time pretending to be an authority on all things 49ers? Shouldn't you be working for your other clients?
Agree. Please make something happen during this bye week. Have Pashos play the RG and Snyder the RT while Chilo gets it.
It will be impressive to see what a difference makes to have an OLine that actually works.
Plus, if we could have Raye shake it up a little bit during this bye week. We can´t be playing that conservative, cmon Raye, give us a little fun here...
Monterrey...I seriously doubt that Raye is calling 50-60% of his pass plays with the RB as the primary target. Watch Hill's eyes...the play is intended to go downfield, but the safety valve gets used most of the time. Raye's not dumb. Could be any number of issues...receivers not getting separation, QB not comfortable throwing into coverage, etc etc etc. I think Hill's decisions are making Raye look overly conservative. Not that his decisions are bad, I can't see the whole field half of the time. Just my opinion.
FatHead you commie hate'in Son of a Gun!! I like the way you think!!
Commies suck.
When and if the OL gets its junk together I'd like to see Mr. Davis get a chance towards the end of the season when and if the playoff scenario is set to show he's the real McCoy. Then we can unload our #1 draft bust.
"unload our #1 draft bust". If you're such a great evaluator of NFL talent, maybe you should be getting busy with your NFL team rather than posting crap on the magic internet google machine.
All you expert talent scouts need to go back to your jobs that actually pay you (Jack in the Box) and leave the talent evaluation up to the 9ers brass that knows a hell of a lot more than you do.
Something that might actually work, but probably won't be considered, is putting Baas at C and Heitmann at LG.
Baas is more a C then OG, and if we were to make a Trade move, Baas is the guy that makes the most sense IMO.
Wallace seems to be the 'Odd' piece to this OL puzzle due to his size, but there's no argument the Right Side of this line is the headache right now.
Hoping to see a move before Tuesday, but I'm guessing it's easier for the changes on Defense at this point then inserting another OL change off the street?
Go for DL if possible, Draft OL for youth in April.
Matt,
Do you think the worse possible scenario over the next three weeks is that the cardinals or seahawks win both or one of the divisional games against each other? The way I see it is that the 49ers make the playoffs by beating one or the other team in their final game. Do you see either of those two teams splitting each other or one winning outright? I guess what I am saying is if the cardinals win both games against the seachicken then we beat them on dec. 14th thats a lock right...or vice versa with the seachickens?
Hi Matt, Have a nice vacation. Maybe the organization should rethink its' policy of not paying for guards. Justin Smiley and Kyle Kosier would look pretty good filling the positions. Maybe one of the reasons Sheets was left unprotected was that there was nobody to pull outside on sweeps. Baas seem heavy footed, Smiley was nimble. There is no speed on this team and teams with it will take advantage. A good indication of how this team prepares for an opponent will be how they handle Andre Johnson, one of the two or three best at his position.
Fathead is it? I've watched enough football (40yrs) to know when I see a QB who does not have what it takes to make it in the pros. This "kid" Smith has horrible mechanics, terrible accuracy, and totally not cool under pressure, calm like the Montana. The dude has no pocket presence whatsoever. Face it he is backing up a journeyman "Kilmer" type. Get over your man crush or go get a room with onewhiner.
I would not look for Baas to play center ever. The guy can barely play guard.
Davis has made some great,game-changing receptions this year.The haters have blamed him for just being a blocker,as if it were a choice,said he had hands of stone,then ranted he was too muscled to catch over his shoulder.His playing says that these knocks are no longer valid.You know,like his previous attitude,no longer knock-worthy.Now blame him for the hot reads even though its based on nothing more than third-person observations Yernon has matured,maybe some of his detractors should do the same..
I love me some Vernon Davis- almost looked like Brent Jones. I would look for him over and over down the seam.
With the O-line playing poorly, chances are we'll see Alex Smith at QB before long. Sadly, if he gets the same support Shaun is getting, he won't have great success either. It's hard to make any play work if the line breaks down. The skill players can't show their skills if they're hit before they can get going.
You really have to ask if McC has his head on straight when it comes to the OL. He drafted Baas and Rachal with high 2nd round picks, but they aren't performing. He says "you can get guards", but he can't seem to get good ones. He fooled himself with the Smith signing, something the Steelers didn't allow themselves to do. Last year he was lucky to get Sims late, as mediocre as he is at this point. Now we get Pashos late, which is a good thing in a bad situation. We carry Wallace on the roster, but not to actually play. All this in a run oriented offense.
All that said, I do believe the offense will get better as the year goes on and the defense will carry us to some wins on the way to December, when a playoffs spot will be available if we can beat Arizona and Seattle again.
wow! that contract is so bad... just awful... I'm shocked crabtree agreed to sign to those horrible terms. he held out 71 days... might as well hold out for the rest of the season if you're going to get a shitty deal like that. that's definitely a fire the agent type deal.
The longest holdout gets the worst deal. Sounds right to me.
Well I have to say you've changed your tone quite a bit, oneniner. You see no one really had a problem with your wanting A. Smith as the starting QB. It was always about your presenting your case in a respectful, non-annoying way. I've seen your last few posts and thanks for changing it up. I actually understand and respect your opinion nowadays, even if I may not always agree.
Unless Alex has had a natural instincts transplant, he will never be an adequate starter in the NFL.
Delanie Walker ran three kickoffs for TDs in college and one in an exhibition game for the 49ers. It doesn't take just speed to be a good kick returner and Walker's ability to bounce off tacklers makes him dangerous.
Sheets was an excellent runner, but a complete liability in pass protection. He would have gotten our QB killed. He also didn't show much interest in learning how to block and was in Singletary's doghouse. He won't be back.
I agree with you and that is exactly what I mean.
I have been watching the Colts and the successful teams and basically all of them have pretty strong OLines.
Also, about Raye. I don't mean Raye to send a lot of plays down the field to have fun. What I would like to see is more mixing plays and variety. It seems like everytime we do the same and then we go 3 and out.
If at least we could do some play action, some sweep runs, etc.
But always seems to me the runs through the middle on 1st and 2nd downs, then the pass on 3rd down always 1 or 2 yds short of the 1st down (this could be actually a bad decision from Hill or a bad route from the receiver)
But definetly improving the OLine play will make a huge difference for our running game and after that for our passing game.
If Alex Smith is sooooooooo talented that he could do even better now with a better team than he had with Norv turner, The why did he not beat out Shaun Hill for the starting job?
Those people who are criticizing Top Cat for saying A.Smith sucks need to answer that question. Most people calling for A. Smith would say that Shaun Hill sucks. SO that makes this even more of a legitimate question.
If Alex smith is that good then why couldn't he out perform Shaun Hill to earn the starting job?
Better yet... If you think Shaun Hill sucks....AND.... A. Smith couldn't out perform him in preseason, how is A. Smith a better choice?
Its a simple question.
There is no way A. Smith just magically became the QB you all wish he was overnight. Wake up! The Dream is over!
Nate probably won't get much play this year,as noted above.Next year's camp should be interesting however. Bolstering OL in the next draft will be a priority,i've been eyeing the prospects and I'm convinced this can occur readily. Don't be surprised however if we pickup one of the two top safety prospects in first round(Eric Berry or Taylor Mays) if they are available -both are exceptional and worthy. Ofcourse,there are two interesting NT's available next year(Cody and Okung )and although NT play has been better recently-with the glaring exception of the Atlanta game -many feel this is an area we need to address asap ! Further, pass rushers will fill the bill. Did I mention RB's-(as in Ben Tate at BAMA or Ingram at Auburn,maybe Toby G. at Stanford)?
Wow...40 years of watching. I still think McCloughan knows a bit more though. If Smith was as bad as you claim, I seriously doubt he'd be on the roster. And if you think it's McCloughan's ignorance that keeps him on the roster, then I'd have to say there's a good percentage of NFL executives who probably disagree with your assessment.
Maybe Smith will be completely out of the NFL in a couple of years, maybe not. Maybe he'll turn things around and live up to the hype of a top overall pick, maybe not. Maybe he'll end up somewhere in the middle. Bottom line...how does anyone KNOW right now? If you're basing your belief that he's a "bust" on the past body of work, then you must be assuming that he's incapable of getting better. Why are you so sure that he won't? Does he lack the character and work ethic needed to improve? After 40 years of watching, I'd think that you would have seen examples of QB's who improved over time in the NFL.
Don't get me wrong, I like Hill as the starting QB. But the Smith-slamming is just really tiresome.
We can't pussyfoot around with the o-line anymore.This is where we spend some money in F/A and get proven commodities who meet our exact needs.Taylor Mays has replaced Percy Harvin as my playmaker obsession.Codyi is the rare two-gapper who could be the low-risk answer to quickly elevate our pass rush.Franklin should .still be in the rotation
Smith Slamming? How about Smith spinning? Thats what I'm tired of. You ask what it is he lacks? Intestinal fortitude and the ability to combine that with the Montana "Cool" as bombs are exploding all around your ass. Does that register in your Fathead?
Is that crickets I hear chirping or is it just the A. Smith supporters have no answer for my question?
Truth hurts so much they want to pretend the question is not out there! ... If A. Smith is as good as all his supporters believe he is then he would've won the starting job hands down against S. Hill in the preseason competition plain and simple!! Did he? Nope.
If... Then... Therefore...
Problem solving in its simplest form!
IF A.Smith was worse than Hill
Then he is not as good as Hill
Therefore he is a backup and Hill is the starter!!!
Mays is impressive as is Berry-if we snag one of those guys we start strong.Cody yes.If we get a shot at FA OL prospect of quality or pass rushing monster then by all means. Secondary rounds OL prospects next year like Mike Iupati(idaho)-he might go lower first- or Zane Barnes(idaho)'Mike Johnson(Bama)or James Fox(Miami)would bolster well!
You're not even following along, are you? I never asked what he lacked. I asked what gift you possessed that lets you KNOW something as fact when McCloughan can't see it himself. And what exactly did I spin? Did I say that Smith was the second coming? I said that I DON'T KNOW how his career will turn out. And anybody who claims that they know more than the 49er front office just sounds like a pompous dork.
Crabtree's having good practices . . .
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2009/10/17/crabtree-expected-to-play-12-15-snaps-after-very-good-practices/
I'm with you, as of yet we don't know if Smith's a bust or not yet since we haven't seen him play in any real games for 2 years. I'd like the Niners to be sure before they get rid of him.
You'd think he'd singlehandedly kept the Niners from getting better since he was drafted from bitterness shown by the Alex haters. There weren't many great choices in the 05 draft in the top 12 -11 Ware and12 Merriman.
Hold on to the Smith dream and when you finally realize you have been in denial, have McCloughan pick you up so you all can car pool to the nearest therapist.
I really hope we win the next game as a team again and we stop this QB talk... I don't mind who plays at QB as long as we win. We have been winning with Hill and just after one huge loss, all this conversation started.
We really have other things to improve as an urgency other than the QB situation. OLine and Play Calling get better and automatically will be back in business to finish at least 8-8 or even 9-7.
Also, will be interesting to see how Crabtree starts to pan out on this offense and if that is the factor we need to have things shaken up a little bit on Raye's mind....
Are you really that ignorant?? I am now Alex Smith just to completely annoy the $*% out of you. Don't worry, fathead, oneniner, john from HB - a couple of bad games by Nate Davis and he will be a bust too. Why don't you guys suck it up and accept the fact that Alex is still a NINER! Do you not think it would be in the NINERS best interest to have this guy succeed??? You can hate all you want, but as long as he is here, you should be a fan and hope that he can turn his career around, and help the NINERS become a playoff team for years!! It has nothing to do with the Alex Smith dream, it has everything to do with the future of the NINERS! Nate Davis still has to learn! All we know is what we saw in the preseason, which was very impressive. WTH did Alex Smith have to throw to? Brian Gilmore? Brandon Lloyd? Ashley Lelie? What kind of O-line did he have? Heck, I would be like a deer in the headlights, too. Didn't we go from back-to-back 2-14 seasons to 7-9? I don't remember the 4-12.
ONENINER said it best. The way this team is built NOW he has the best chance to succeed. So, why don't you Alex Smith haters pull your heads out and realize he is still a part of this team. He is just a snap away from playing and trying to salvage his career? Do you think he WANTS to be a bust? Do you think is is not motivated and hungry for another shot? You may as well get on board because he isn't going anywhere this year, and it doesn't do any of us any good to slam him. I don't remember anybody bashing the guy coming off the 7-9 season. We all thought the team was turning the corner, and then he got body slammed by a very large dude! "Man, Alex, you suck for that!" "You're a bust!!" "You can't cut it in the NFL!" Nobody remembers in the 3 games he played before he got hurt that WR's dropped 10% of his passes! So, Shaun Hill looks HORRIBLE and it's the O-lines fault. Alex Smith was a KID learning a new offense every year with no talent around him. Does anybody recall a guy named Brett Favre??? I believe he came up with ATL, and then was shipped off to Green Bay because he SUCKED... Do you guys really want to see that happen to the NINERS?? Peyton Manning didn't even light it up until his 3rd year, and he had Marvin Harrison.
I am not saying Alex Smith will be great, or that he is already; however, I believe he is smart enough, athletic enough, and has the work ehtic to turn it around and prove all you clowns wrong in the process. Therefore, I agree that he should get one more shot, and by all means if there is no improvement, then SEE YA!! You are a bust!!
GO ALEX SMITH!!!!! GO NINERS!!!! GO HOME HATERS!!!
blah blah blah
Excuses prop up the weak. Ignore the facts and you advertise your stupidity. We will ride Hill through this season and next year will be Mr. Davis' chance to win the starting job. Alex Smith will be forgotten only to be cherished in your isolated groupie gatherings in your mothers basement.
Alex having been restructured is where he needs to be right now, a valuable back up.
Norv Turner could be looking for work next year, what if?
The position of Offensive Coordinator needs to stop being a revolving door. I doubt a change is made again. Besides, Mr. Turner to me is overrated.
Don't necessarily agree with you about Smith, but no doubt about your last two statements (the door and Turner), so very true.
A. Smith is a winner no matter what...he made millions and has a HOT wife!!! thats all I'd need, razoreater talks too much, don't tell me show me! Hahaha
Dood...High Five Digital or not, you wanna digi fist bump. Here it is~!!!
Alex is going to succeed in this league, as niner or
as an enemy. Nolan ruined this kid..Mike Nolan has no clue about people. Mike Nolan was a Dr York hirer. Mike Nolan was a PRIMA DONNA. Mike Nolan was and will always be a fraud as a head coach. The only thing that Mike Nolan did for this franchise was 1- Coach Sing and 2 - GM now in place.
The only people in the league that think are GM sucks are blog commentators on this site and others. I just want one more chance for the kid in a niner uni..if he fails...well then I will be with the majority asking for him to be sent to New England. However until then, he deserves ONE MORE CHANCE!!
Can we possibly find a way to obtain a NT/DE maybe a FS before Tuesday?
Call Crazy Uncle Al and ask him what the price tag is for Ellis, Seymour or Michael Huff.
Throw a WR/OG maybe Mark Roman in a package and see what happens.
If we can find some help for the Pass Rush and remix the OL things could certainly improve for the Nov/Dec run.
....dude....nice read...i dont think u comment much on da blog.....i am impressed.......
"I am not saying Alex Smith will be great, or that he is already; however, I believe he is smart enough, athletic enough, and has the work ehtic to turn it around"
....couldn't have written it better.......good stuff
ONE MORE CHANCE?????? ONE MORE CHANCE????
A Smith was given this "ONE MORE CHANCE" you so desperately want him to have. It was called a chance to dethrone Hill from the starting position Hill should have earned from the previous year.
A. Smith was given this "ONE MORE CHANCE" during preseason and training camp and HE FAILED!!!!!!!
Unless Hill gets injured or shows continued poor judgment or poor play then Smith will not get "ONE MORE CHANCE" he has had enough "ONE MORE CHANCE"s!!!!
Last year he couldn't separate himself in the competition with that "ONE MORE CHANCE".
This year he couldn't separate himself in the competition with that "ONE MORE CHANCE".
Hill is continually crapped on by many on these blogs but you still have yet to answer the question.
If Hill is as bad as you say he is.
AND
A. Smith couldn't out play him in the preseason and Training camp.
Then how is A. Smith the better choice?
There is no answer that will satisfy an Alex lover. They are too blinded by the misconceived notion that Alex is the answer. Even when Alex has proven he isn't as good as Hill!!!
My goodness how many mulligans does this guy get before you acolytes open your eyes and recognize him for the failure he is??????
Razoreater. wow that's some great football knowledge. My mothers basement?? Spectacular stuff you angry little man. Are you a Niner fan? Or do you just like to say "i told you so?" If Alex Smith can succeed and take off, then the Niners are not set back 2-3 years trying to develop a QB. You obvuously just hate the guy, which is fine, you are entitled to your opinion and can't help your emotions, but for the love of Pete, get over it. The preseason was his first action in a live games in almost 2 years. He isn't Joe Montana or Steve Young - we has NINER FANS were obviously spoiled in that regard.
Shaun Hill won the job last year, and we all know it. He just had to not lose it! I don't think either QB looked all that good in preseason.. In fact, neither of them did much of anything. It was Also Alex Smith's first live action in nearly two years.
Mike Nolan did ruin this guy!! How great would it be for everyone involved if this guy were to find his game, and be a winner? I guess not so great for you, since you couldn't hate the guy anymore and constantly remind us how you were right all along. Is that really what you want? Or do you want what is best for the NIners!!
If the Niners lose to Houston, and don't generate much offense against Indy, then I think a switch is coming! If you still can't cut it, then Alex, don't let the door hit you in the @$$ on the way out!! Until then, strap it on and shut these so-called Niner fans up and earn your money!
Mark Sanchez!! his team ran for 300 yards and he managed to throw 5 picks??? I don't remember Smith throwing 5 INT's in a game.. Sanchez must be a bust and cut it in the NFL. Oh wait, he's still a kid.
Obviously you're the one blinded... Is that all you can say?? This isn't about loving Alex Smith, it's about loving the Niners, and wanting what is best for the team. And I don't care WTF it is!! Man, it's like arguing with females..
And you know whats best for the team? What factual basis do you have that proves A. Smith is the better answer for our team?
My facts are that if A. Smith was better, he would have won the competition outright. With out even breaking a sweat.
Hill doesn't set the bar very high yet Smith can not clear it!
I trust my coaches and team enough to know that if Smith is the answer he would've already been in there.
I never said Alex Smith was best for the team!! Hear only what you want to hear! Let's face it, it's not like Shaun Hill makes us all forget about Alex Smith... a journeyman back-up who has reached his ceiling. I'm not so sure Smith has yet. He is teetering on the brink of BUST status, but there are actually real Niner fans who would like to see this guy succeed because it would be a win win for everybody! I'm sorry you don't see that.
I don't have love for the guy, but I defeniately don't have hatred towards him either! You would have to be a pretty special player to have come in here at 21 and succeed given the crap he had around him. I'm a realist and I don't expect hall of fame play overnight.
"Hill doesn't set the bar very high yet Smith can not clear it" That is actually pretty funny. However, it's safe to say that Hill has more talent around him than Smith ever had.
Singletary went with the safe option cuz he had faith in his defense and running game..
I said I want what is best for the team, and I don't care WHO THAT IS! You continue to hear only what you want to hear.
THANK YOU!!!!!
LMFAO!!