Comments on: Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith working closely together

By: freedomispopular

freedomispopular — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 02:11:39 +0000

Smith was actually starting to play well when Norv Turner was the OC. Had he not left for San Diego, he may have turned Smith into a quality starter.

By: cletusvandam

cletusvandam — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:58:46 +0000

As a Niner fan I could actually support bringing A Smith back. I still don’t think he is the long term solution, but if Harbaugh thinks there is something there I’m all for it.
I’d rather see K. Orton or even K Kolb brought in and a young guy drafted.
As long as Troy Smith and David Carr are sent packing I’m good

By: jagerbolt

jagerbolt — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:53:47 +0000

The guy had a good year with Norv Turner as his qb coach. It shows that he can learn and do well with the right mentor & system.

Is Harbaugh as good of a mentor as Turner? Who knows.

By: favrelous

favrelous — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:18:34 +0000

Classic. Women like to change men and NFL coaches want to change Alex smith. Neither is a good strategy. Harbaugh is starting out just like Singletary. Bad submissive cordinators and seeing something in Alex smith.

By: georgeblanda

georgeblanda — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 19:15:33 +0000

Huh, did I miss something? People act like Harbaugh was stitching “Hall of Fame” on the back of Smith’s jersey. They had a couple of meetings and threw the ball around! Harbaugh is watching tape and evaluating his options for all 22 starting positions, with the only exception being Patrick Willis LOL. Did you ever notice that everyone that proclaims that Smith must be banished from S.F. never has a realistic option for who the team can actually get to start next season? Kolb, Palmer, Orton, McNabb? They are all under contract with other teams, all have worts and all have multiple teams who will also want to trade for them. The idea of drafting a QB to start in year one is just plain silly, since there isn’t one QB that anyone thinks is ready to start in the NFL even in the draft.

By: cytofed

cytofed — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:46:41 +0000

Coaches usually make a name for their players but there are also players that also made a name for their coaches and when you are drafted as high as 1st overall those expectation will be on you. Recent look at high draft pick: Payton Maning(yes it’s been with the same oc), Michael Vick(led falcon to NFC chapionship) Carson palmer, Eli Maning, Matt Ryan(had an mediocore offensive line), Sam Bradford. I don’t think Alex smith fit in class of any of those guys. Those he does fit into the class of ryan leaf, Tim couch( although I think couch went to the play off) jamarcus Bussell and Joey Harrington. Hope to paint a clearer picture for you.

By: 11inthebox

11inthebox — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 17:18:50 +0000

@dspohn55:

Totally agree. The worst thing to happen to Smith was Norv Turner’s departure. Turner may not be a great head coach, but when it comes to quarterbacks, he’s the best in the business.

That one year he spent there was one of Smiths best season–in terms of mechanics and decision making.

By: dspohn55

dspohn55 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:47:59 +0000

Ignorant Niners fans hate Alex because of 2005-2008 and because Rodgers has developed into a top flight quarterback. But anybody who has watched him play the past 2 seasons can see this guy isn’t a bust. Alex isn’t JaMarcus, he’s an NFL qb.

It’s been well documented that Alex has gone through six offensive coordinators in six years (and next year would be his 7th), but he’s also been hampered by ineffective play calling. As sure as the sun rises in the morning, the Niners were going to run on 1st & 2nd down, setting up a 3rd & 8 or 3rd & 7, which is tough for any NFL qb. To give up on him now, after all these years of development, would be pretty dumb unless we can get Kolb.

As the talent at the surrounding skill positions has improved, so has Alex’s production. 2 years ago Alex had 18 td & 12 int in only 11 games. This past year, he had 14 td & 10 int in 11 games. Alex struggled some in very difficult road games (@ Atlanta, @ KC), but both were playoff teams & are generally considered 2 of the toughest places to play.

I’m one of the few Niners fans who still believes in Alex, and I would like to see him back.

By: cytofed

cytofed — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:37:53 +0000

This may be a good move for then ninners as proven in the past Alex smith flashed greatness in a few game then fold the rest of the way. this isn’t necessary a bad thing if history repeat itself this off season. Say Alex smith play well in the preseason win the starting then fold during the season 49ers would have a good chance at Andrew luck their qb of the future. No qb, owners, coaches, or fans like to look forward to losing but reality is that we don’t have a starting caliber qb on our team. If Alex smith was a quality starting qb we would have won game dating back to 2005 and worst case sanario won the west this this season at a weak 7-9.

By: willisgore2152

willisgore2152 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:26:42 +0000

Steve Young?

By: dmackdaddy

dmackdaddy — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:20:20 +0000

We only have David Carr on the roster as we speak, so we need to have JH check out AS under the hood. Like stated above, AS has had chances but never stability or a consistent game plan. He’s not bad and would make a great backup for us or a possible starter somewhere else when given time to learn another new plan. Dudes smart too. I dont think other QBs would have been as quick to learn as he’s had to learn. He’s also got the same QB rating as Palmer, Kolb, Orton, so its not like there is much better out there. We might as well sign him and trade him than just letting him go for free.

To quote Johnny above: “I would prefer they look to someone else but Alex Smith isn’t a horrifying backup plan if the draft or free agency doesn’t work out.”

By: dgforreal

dgforreal — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:16:17 +0000

*sigh

By: someonestolesociofan

someonestolesociofan — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:15:20 +0000

I think Smith has all the tools. The change in mindset/philosophy might do him well. Harbaugh probably met with him, liked what he heard, liked what the film showed him, and decided to give him essentially a one year audition. As an ex-QB, Harbaugh may be what Smith needs to emerge.

By: tombrookshire

tombrookshire — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:15:16 +0000

What CBA?

By: rayvens

rayvens — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 16:12:19 +0000

da11ascowboys says: Feb 9, 2011 10:22 AM

2029 NFL Season… 49ers see progress being made in Alex Smith.

————————————————————————————————————

Best comment of the year!…LMAO!

By: eknirb

eknirb — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:45:35 +0000

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

By: mvp43

mvp43 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:44:25 +0000

Alex Smith has gone through numerous coaching changes. He can be a good QB if he can stay in the same system for more than 1 year and benefit from some real coaching. Had SF selected Aaron Rodgers number 1 overall and threw him right into the fire, I bet he would’ve had the same struggles.

By: chapnastier

chapnastier — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:36:28 +0000

@ liquidmuse

While I agree with 95% of what you said, Greggers was never a lawyer.

By: johnnyshore

johnnyshore — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:32:32 +0000

As a Niner fan, there were times where Alex showed flashes of being a good qb..and the other 75% (or more) of the time he looked awful and was unbearably frustrating to watch. If Harbaugh can bring out the good in him I’m all for it. He needs to stop being so panicky with the football and learn how to take a sack rather than try and scramble then fumble or throw it up. I would prefer they look to someone else but Alex Smith isn’t a horrifying backup plan if the draft or free agency doesn’t work out.

By: loungefly74

loungefly74 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:27:47 +0000

ugh…look, i’m cool that we gave alex several opportunities to come around, he does have talent, but he just has worn out his spot here in SF. alex is a back-up QB. we need new blood to start for us.

By: otistaylor89

otistaylor89 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:27:31 +0000

Waste.of.time

By: bleedgreen

bleedgreen — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:26:17 +0000

How would it violate the CBA? He wasn’t required to be there. He wasn’t paid to be there. And why would not being on the roster preclude him from being around and talking to Harbaugh? If he’s not under contract with any team, he can run naked around the practice field if the team is OK with it, no?

By: da11ascowboys

da11ascowboys — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:22:53 +0000

2029 NFL Season… 49ers see progress being made in Alex Smith.

By: mrplow3

mrplow3 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:18:52 +0000

I know it’s popular to rip Alex Smith as a bust. But watching him play on Monday night this year I was shocked at how good his game was.

He was alot of talent which is probabaly what JH likes.

Keep in mind please before ripping this kid, he has had a new offensive cordinator EVERY YEAR since joining the 49ers including two just this season. Had he been giving some offensive stability I believe he could be a solid QB in this league.

By: joecool16280

joecool16280 — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:12:59 +0000

Work some magic Harbaugh…PLEASE!

By: wutthecrapman

wutthecrapman — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:12:14 +0000

If I was the 9ers GM, I’d seriously look to the draft.

They’ve spent years on Alex, its now time to move on. He’ll make a quality back up.

By: liquidmuse

liquidmuse — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:09:20 +0000

Sorry, Mr. Rosenthal, I see *you* wrote this piece. My semi-apologies. But I see the lawyer has trained you well ;o)

By: liquidmuse

liquidmuse — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:07:41 +0000

Ok, I’m sorry—this reminds me of the St. Pete Times beat reporter who almost got Aqib Talib suspended because he reported that Aqib spent his one game suspension in a luxury box @ the stadium. What is the point of bringing up “Oh, gee, does practicing with his coach violate the CBA?”. SPIRIT of the law, please. Let the two guys throw the ball around without bringing a lawyer in, fer chrissakes. You wouldn’t last a day in the old days, when reporters *rightfully* let the athletes do what the hell they wanted within reason. The fact you have an “arrest ticker” is *highly* offensive to the players, & makes me wonder how much you actually love the game.
Oh wait…you *were* a lawyer, correct? I guess it makes sense now that this is where your brain goes.(Just like the Aaron Rodgers/cancer ambulance chase scene…)

By: jc1958coo

jc1958coo — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:02:46 +0000

what he’s saying alex is that your not good enough, but we have to keep you one more year!
that’ll fire the team up, sounds like denver and cutler! harbaugh is another mc daniels!