Comments on: What Went Wrong? Issue #2 – Alex Smith

By: indianajim

indianajim — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:20:09 +0000

lovethegame, Martz is clearly the most qualified, successful, experienced offensive coordinator out there right now, and if anybody can bring greatness out of Smith, he can.

moonkai, 10 quarters that are “fun as hell to look at” at the end of a meaningless season mean nothing in the face of two seasons and three games worth of film.

By: lovethegame

lovethegame — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:40:53 +0000

First of all, much better article than that I have seen in the paid print media all year. Kudos! Smith right now reminds of the state of Steve Young’s career circa 1987 when Walsh traded Tampa for him. At that time John Madden said “If Young had anything, he would have shown it by now. The 49ers don’t have any corner on great coaching”. Of course he was wrong, because Walsh was unique. I think Martz is also unique and has a genuine feel for quarterback play. As Kurt Warner said, during practice Martz never paid attention to whether a pass was completed, only to the footwork and timing. Walsh did the same – just ask Steve Young. There a lot of things that make up the chemistry of between great offensive coaches and a QB, but Martz and Turner are among the handful that have it. I see some good things coming in 2008.

By: moonkai

moonkai — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 03:41:48 +0000

With all due respect, no more excuses for Smith. He is a bust .. period. Hill came in, took it all up … positives and negatives … and just played his heart out … and the whole team got fired up … all 10 quarters of it … and it was fun as hell to look at. Go Hill ! Go niners ! Let’s play some good football !

By: Coach Dan

Coach Dan — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 01:54:05 +0000

Absolutely the best read all year. Well done. Alex is gonna do just fine once a decent offensive system is reinstated.

By: indianajim

indianajim — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:56:08 +0000

Thank you very much, guys.

949, that is a very good point, and one that has concerned me, as well. But I look at a guy like Philip Rivers who yells a lot and looks angry, and I see a guy who will flame out because of emotion.

The thing that Martz can instill in Alex is a little more hard-nosed leadership. I think he’s tried to be a good student and not cause problems. The injury issue woke something up in him, I think.

By: papa

papa — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 23:08:01 +0000

Great read IJ and I agree. Smith is a good QB and has had to deal with an inordinate amount of adversity for one so young. I hope he’s able to put the skeptics to rest once and for all by beating all comers for QB this next season and earning his rightful spot on the roster as the starter.

By: Moses

Moses — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:19:35 +0000

I am impressed. You actually understand football. So many times it’s the land of blowhards with quick, hysterical analysis instead of deep thought and trying to separate the wheat from the chaff.

By: The 949

The 949 — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 22:11:57 +0000

Great article. I, too, hold out hope for young Alex and feel that he has all the physical tools to succeed. However, for him to be a complete quarterback, I need to see 2 things from him that he has yet to show: (1) passion for the game and (2) leadership. Hill showed me more of those two things in 3 games than I have seen from Alex in 3 seasons. Alex needs to make this HIS team and he needs every coach and team member to see and understand that NO ONE cares more than him. That is when he will have arrived.

By: indianajim

indianajim — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:58:47 +0000

nutjob – Thanks for reading! Good to know I now have a nutjob on my side….

49ers Fan – Actually it’s a tier structure with incentive bonuses and balloon payments based on sales of Vitamin Water. I usually get more on days he wears the goatee than on days he shaves it, and it’s all subsidized by the Santa Clara Stadium Authority. And Matt Maiocco’s mom.

By: 49ers Fan

49ers Fan — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 21:58:39 +0000

How much is Alex Smith paying you?

j/k, nice article, I hope Martz can help Smith progress. One thing I would like to mentions is that Smith did very well in the spread offense while in Utah…and I think Martz likes to set things up in a similiar manner.