Got an email from Jason Jenkins at the 49ers saying Alex Smith declined my request for an interview. I respect that, but I don't understand it. Alex and I get along well and the questions I intended to ask were fairly softball.
My son Iggy, just home from UCLA, said Smith's agent probably advised him not to speak to the media. Perhaps.
I wonder what you think. Why is Smith unwilling to give me and all other reporters an interview? Please help me understand this. But please don't resort to reporters are jerks, parasites, etc. That's too simple and it's wrong. Alex and the media always got along well. That's why I'm confused.
Since I'm not going to speak to Alex, I want to take this chance to wish him a happy Thanksgiving and a speedy recovery.
It's Paraag advising Alex, it's Alex's agent, it's the 49ers P.R. Mabye if you mentioned that you would drop trou ......that might help
he probably doesn't want to answer the same questions about where he figures into the future of the 49ers. Not to mention the fact that his career has not gone as he had planned.
Maybe Alex is sort of embarrassed? Frustrated?
I can tell you this, back when Alex and Nowin were "beefin", Alex could have forced the Niners to make a decision on who would they rather keep; The high priced draft pick or the egotistical coach.
I'm wiling to be the coach would have been out the door.
Lowell,
Every question you ask is a softball. Retire.
Lowell, when a football player is on IR, they are invisible. It must be some unwritten rule. Has anyone heard from Tom Brady about the current state of the Patriots? No.
Personally I think Alex is feeling disconnected like a lot of athletes do when they are not playing due to injury. I think he might be somewhat depressed. Failure on such a huge stage must be tough when everyone witnesses it. I also believe he feels he has nothing to add at this point. In other words, the story has played out until he does something “different” (like moves to a new team, regains his starting job etc). So in his mind, what is there to talk about? I also understand from being a long time reader of your column and now your blog he’s always been a straight up guy and a gentlemen. That weighs into my opinion on what is going on in his head. I have met some athletes who are pretty full of themselves so I appreciate Alex’s approach. Take a guy like Jeff George. It was hard to feel any sympathy for him, but with Alex even thought he has more money than I can dream of, mentally he took a real beating for it. I think that’s the reason he doesn’t want to talk. I think he truly feels bad about his lack of contribution. Obviously there might be some trust issues as his former head coach questioned his character in the press when he was playing hurt. I don’t think it’s personal in terms of you Lowell, I think he is a kid that is working things out.
What is there to understand? He's not playing, so why should he subject himself to your questions? You guys in the media are NOT to be trusted, and I don't blame him.
I like your stuff Lowell. RE Alex Smith:
Unlike most of the media world and fan blogs, I don't think Alex is a failed pick. In fact, given the right opportunity, he could be the guy. Put it this way, he effectively left the starting position with the niners 2-1 after a 7-9 season of improvement. Unlike our current two quarterback options, Alex doesn't make the 'big' mistake which has killed this team this season. He's also effectively sat behind somebody for two years of maturing, injured or not. The niners have put too much into this kid to let him hit the street without knowing what they've got. Take SD as an example of how not to find a qb. Despite phillip river's success, if they kept brees and drafted for another need in that draft instead of rivers, they'd be a better team. the point, be careful with the 'failure' label.