Comments on: Harbaugh makes the right call

By: ballder

ballder — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:43:23 +0000

IMHO, I don’t see this as a bad move at all. I have the utmost respect for Alex Smith as a player and even more for how he handles himself off the field. The kid is a class act. I’d be content to let him attempt to lead us to the Promised Land.
That being said, I believe what my eyes tell me. Whenever I watch AS, there simply isn’t any “ooomph!”. I always find myself watching the games and wondering what this 49er team would be like if we had a QB that was just a little more gun-slinger. So, in comes Kaep. T’was hard not to slobber over a performance like that, but it is only one game I tell myself. ( I talk to myself a lot apparently.)
The advantages of Kaep starting in NO, as I see them:
-Further evaluation of Kaep’s talent
-Lets Smith have more time to recover from a head injury
Worse case scenario is that he stinks up the place and we know he needs more time as a backup. Harbaugh will do the typical coach thing and say (lie) that they kept AS out as a precaution.
I don’t believe any of tht nonsense that it ruins team chemistry. The NFL isn’t about hurt feelings. You earn your spot when you get the opportunity however it comes, due to injury or otherwise. If Kaep starts lighting it up, he deserves to be the starter. If not, we have the Methusulah Alex Smith.
Either way, if Kaep starts, the arguement will be over Sunday. Go Niners!

By: nahcouldntbethat

nahcouldntbethat — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 15:35:25 +0000

Why would you start a game manager over a potentially great QB after an injury had allowed the latter to show his stuff?

If the 49ers were a lock for the Super Bowl with Smith at QB then obviously you start him even if you think Kaepernick might be much better.

I’m sure Wally Pipp was an acceptable first baseman.

By: FinFan68

FinFan68 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 14:26:54 +0000

His team, his call. I disagree with replacing a healthy Alex Smith. He has done what has been asked of him and he has excelled. But for a back-up returner muffing a pair of punts Smith would have started last year’s Super Bowl. He is very efficient and has a very good win/loss record under Harbaugh. Kaepernick has potential but is unproven. Last week’s game was very good but he was garbage in extended play in a previous game. Yanking the starting QB in the midst of a playoff/home field advantage run sends a poor message. If Smith is healthy (now) and is then needed later on, how will he respond? What about the rest of the team? Much more could be lost vs gained THIS year. If the 49ers start to slide, look no farther than this decision.

By: phishfan520

phishfan520 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:39:26 +0000

Poor Alex, you spurned the Dolphins in the offseason and returned to the 49ers. Now you have no job when you could of been the man in South Beach. I dont blaim Harbaugh anyways, I watched this kid in Nevada for two years before the Draft. He killed it at Nevada, its not just he was in a Pistol Offense people.

By: savannahrose44

savannahrose44 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:30:10 +0000

This makes Seattle fans very happy indeed. Merry Christmas Seahawks we have a full blown controversy in San Francisco. What ever happened to Alex is our guy Harbaugh? What a douche.

By: rexryansdirtysock

rexryansdirtysock — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:26:38 +0000

I feel like this is a reason for a locker room not to trust their coach.

This was Alex Smith’s team, he was playing the best ball of his career… then has the carpet ripped out from under him.

There is plenty of time for Kaepernick in the future, starting in 2013. But 2012 was Smith’s team. And unless the locker room truly wanted a change, I believe this is a mistake.

By: peytonwantsaflag

peytonwantsaflag — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:20:08 +0000

Two things, first THIS is why players try to hide injuries.

Second, why does harbaugh have to improve the “relationship”. They are men, they are professionals, they are footballers for crying out loud, they don’t have to have a relationship.

By: lionsdraftguy

lionsdraftguy — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:11:09 +0000

I hope this backfires on that bigmouth Harbaugh and that classless organization.

By: thereisfootballwestofjersey

thereisfootballwestofjersey — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:09:40 +0000

Here in the bay area – we’re simply tired of Alex Smith the NFL QB. We’ve swallowed him for 8 years! He’s all class and a great team member but he’s simply average on the field. Mike Nolan made the wrong choice drafting him #1. We’ve seen every aspect of his game and it’s the same old story – he’s simply dreadful on 3rd down – the money down. I realize he won the playoff game for us vs the Saints. That was his crowning moment but that’s one game in 200 we had to choke down.

Colin Kaepernick can and will throw the ball to beat you and with OC Greg Roman’s dominant running game and bizarre littany of scheme’s – Niners just got way harder to game plan.

I’m so excited by this announcement I’m unable to sleep. Thank you coach Harbaugh.

By: cowboyhater

cowboyhater — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:09:16 +0000

Wow, that’s a ballsy move as we get closer to the playoffs. Bottom line, no matter how efficient Smith has been, he just does not have those dynamic skills that these younger QB’s have. This game is changing before our eyes, and how they now protect QB’s, alot of teams are now looking of those athletic QB’s who are cerebral, and can be that duel threat. These QB’s give defenses fits when you are preparing for them. My only question is the timing. Remember people, this is not a feel good league, it’s a heartless business, and teams don’t care about their players feelings, they just want to win.

By: istallion

istallion — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:09:04 +0000

As a NY Giant fan I’m sad to see this change. I know we can best 49ers with Smith at helm. I’m not so sure about the result under Kaepernick. He is much scarier.

By: lawyermalloy

lawyermalloy — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:54:47 +0000

I just don’t get!
I realize Kaepernick is “his guy” but he’s replacing a guy who has one of the highest QB ratings in the league. I think the saying goes
” If it aint broke, don’t fix it”!

By: johnnyjagfan

johnnyjagfan — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:45:47 +0000

I don’t understand why if you’re in the division lead why you switch QBs. He played one good game! Now you’re putting him on the road in a loud, loud dome and making him keep up with Brees? What happens on the plane ride back after this week’s loss? If the 9ers were like my Jags, a QB switch makes sense to me. But, a couple weeks ago, the coach was lobbying the NFL to make Smith the most efficient passer ever in a game. Did he forget that? Impulse ride in S.F. Sorry 9ers fans.

By: metalhead65

metalhead65 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:38:03 +0000

I hope smith has a headache this weekend and will not be available should the 49er’s need him. guess his team mates will know how valuable he is when they need him and he is not there won’t they?

By: vikescry1

vikescry1 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:14:44 +0000

this is a ballsy move, if it works harbaygh will be seen as a genius, if not a donkey. i’m thinking a donkey… if kap struggles and cost’s the niners a game, switching back and forth lose’s credibility in the locker room, time will tell.

By: onbucky96

onbucky96 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 12:03:44 +0000

As a guy who HATES Jim Harbaugh, I’m eager to see this train wreck. Jimmy is a lying A-hole who is vastly over-rated as a head coach. It’s not often you root for someone to fail, but in Jimmy’s case I find it easy. Hope Brees and co. wipe the turf w/Jimmy’s smug face.

By: rehred

rehred — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 10:40:36 +0000

Bad move. It’ll come back to bite the Niners this year. I can understand if this is the preseason, but here you have a guy who has been pretty efficient all year, but he just got backstabbed by his own coach. Been a Niners fan since Steve Young’s era, and something about this move is not feeling right. Hopefully I’m wrong.

By: wcdunkenfield

wcdunkenfield — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 10:06:27 +0000

Ring, ring…

“Hello, Alex? This is the entire City Of Philadelphia calling…”

By: xmnojox

xmnojox — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 09:01:32 +0000

LOL Smith is not accurate?
OKA, he doesnot pass deep balls, but he is already number1 in %complet. – 70% = best in league!

next season see him in Arizona, and it kill me, because i hate Arizona and like Alex.

By: ishudbgm

ishudbgm — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 08:17:44 +0000

Last time I checked Smith was top 5 in the league in QB rating and had the green light to check-in and out of any play he wanted to. Colin went up against a dead Bears team that had no tape on him. Spags isn’t as good as he once was and neither is the Saints D but that crowd still is and so is that high scoring offense that he will have to go shot for shot with. On the road against a Saints team that feels hot right now just doesn’t seem like a good scenario. Both Harbaughs baffle me.

By: cashcarewins

cashcarewins — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 07:50:02 +0000

You may remember that JH tried to trade over Cincy to get Dalton. So Kap, like Smith, is the backup plan. Personally, I prefered Kap and am a big fan of Alex. Looking forward to Sunday’s game.

By: sixjak

sixjak — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 07:36:19 +0000

Yep.^^^ Tolzien is not a solid #2 going into the playoffs.

By: opshuns

opshuns — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 07:27:15 +0000

Volkswagen or Mercedes??? The NFL is in the business of making money; as we know from the prices of the jerseys, and the best product is going to be on the field. That said, Colin make us all believers…

By: bigjdve

bigjdve — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 07:24:32 +0000

This is really bad timing. They were winning with Smith, forget for a minute what this does to Smith.

Let’s think about Kaepernick, he sees that even if he is winning he could get pulled. It is one thing to do badly and get pulled, but to lose your job when you have been playing well? What level of security can Kap get out of that?

Then you are shooting Smith for the 2nd time this year, you can’t go back to him now, he won’t trust you.

I hope it works for Harbaugh, but he is playing really high stakes poker, with really slim chances.

By: rainponcho87

rainponcho87 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 06:53:59 +0000

Nowhere does it say that Kaepernick is the starter for the rest of the season. I think he is just deciding about this weekend. It is a short week coming off a MNF game with Thanksgiving thrown in as well as a fair bit of travel. One guy just came off a stellar performance against a great defense under the bright lights. Give him another opportunity while Smith recovers from his concussion. Nothing is set in stone. If Kaepernick shreds NO like he did CHI then you may have to make a more firm stance on who the starter is going forward.

By: Nevis

Nevis — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 06:29:36 +0000

grantgoodman93 says:
mayorsils49 says:
Nov 21, 2012 11:22 PM
smith played his ass off against new orleans last year. 26 for his last 28 attempts…i hope this is a joke

——————–

And produced NO points in the first quarter against the Rams. The bulk of his completion run was 2-5 yard throws that the receivers turned into big gains.

He routinely misses wide open guys downfield, preferring to dump it off to a back or shallow route WR. There are all kinds of issues with his game that simply don’t show up on the stat sheet.

If you think Alex can make the throws CK was hitting on Monday night, you’re need to drink more.

By: Nevis

Nevis — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 06:25:03 +0000

And to anyone who truly thinks that Alex was a key reason for their success — believe me, he would not do as well with another team. Anyone who has followed this team and all of Alex’s career understands he is limited QB, in countless ways that don’t show up on the stat sheet.

Alex Smith was a babysitter for the franchise QB from the second Harbaugh was hired.

By: redrocker77

redrocker77 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 06:22:23 +0000

Didn’t I just see Kap suck in a overtime tie game a couple weeks ago? Harbaugh is crazy to do this. Shocking.

By: Nevis

Nevis — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 06:21:47 +0000

This doesn’t come as much of a surprise if you follow the breadcrumb trail.

Observe –

1. During Harbaugh’s intro press conference, 49ers GM Trent Baalke looks white as a ghost as Harbaugh openly campaigns for Alex Smith. Baalke is nervous about Alex, but knows with the lockout, has no choice.

2. Alex is molded and turns into a high functioning QB. He remains unspectacular but efficient. He is one of many reasons the 49ers reach the title game.

3. Harbaalke, knowing they could do better at QB, work out Manning. Smith is upset, but ends up signing for the exact same contract the 49ers offered him before he know about Manning. This means the 49ers told Alex “take it or leave it.” This tells you Alex needed the 49ers more than they needed him.

4. Kaepernick is inserted into the flow of games, mostly in wild cat formations, but never in garbage time. This gives him a taste in the huddle and to kill real-time nerves.

5. Due to injury, Kaep is given a gameplan and Harbaugh/Roman leave off the training wheels. They prepare him, but essentially throw him to the wolves and he shines.

Bottom line, Alex has always been a product of Harbaugh, period. Take a QB with gobs more potential and now you have a truly frightening juggernaut in the 49ers.

And what Kaep lacks in experience, he’ll make up for in production and big-play value.

The 49ers should be able to withstand a couple bumps in the road.

By: kappy32

kappy32 — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 06:18:07 +0000

Football’s version of being Wally Pipp’d. From now on, when an NFL starter loses his position to a youngster after being forced out with an injury, it’ll be called “being Alex Smith’d.”

For those of you who don’t know, Wally Pipp was a very good first baseman for the New York Yankees. Pipp was actually the AL home run champion two years, 1916 & 1917. Well, in 1925, Pipp sat out a game because of a “headache” (a/k/a concussion), and a unknown player named Lou Gehrig filled in as his replacement. Well, Gehrig went on to play in 2,130 consecutive games & Pipp never got his job back. Therefore, when a player goes down from an injury & loses his starting position to his replacement, even when he’s healthy, it’s called “being Wally Pipp’d.”