Comments on: Alex Smith, Then and Now

By: Junior

Junior — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 17:35:56 +0000

Having learned Coach Turner’s system and now heading back to Coach Martz’s form of the spread, Alex should be comfortable this season, providing his arm is ready.

By: indianajim

indianajim — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:42:33 +0000

Thanks for all the great comments, guys. On the 49ers Paradise boards I’m considered an Alex Smith apologist, and I’m okay with that.

I look at the Norv Turner season as the only indication of what he can do with proper coaching and support. Yeah there were some bad games, but also some good ones. I look at the games against Oakland, Philly, Seattle and Denver in particular. It was the only season in which he started every game, and the only season where a 49er quarterback took every single snap.

Comparing the upcoming season to ‘06, I see a lot more things in place. I see Patrick Willis and a 3rd-year Manny Lawson. I see a Nate Clements-led secondary. I see no more Derek Smith! Where ‘06 had Antonio Bryant, ‘08 has Isaac Bruce and Bryant Johnson and Mike Martz as the dude in charge.

I see good things coming.

Ninerstray, I would agree that it is a possibility, and it would be bad news except for the fact that Ted Tollner is here. He is extremely well-versed in this style of offense, and while not Mike Martz, he is certainly capable. Many teams get by with what we’d consider average coordinators. No one would say the Colts’ coordinator is a genius, but they win.

Mike Martz has said he’s doing what he loves, and that’s coaching the offense. I tend to think that the way his health was threatened at the end of his tenure in St. Louis made him genuinely reevaluate things. I’m not certain he’s ready to make the leap to head coach after one season, and I’m not certain interest in him would be very high until after the ‘09 season.

If he does leave, though, I have much more confidence in Ted Tollner than Jim Hostler. And Ted Tollner has no designs on a Head Coach position.

By: VaNiner

VaNiner — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:27:06 +0000

People forget that Alex Smith not only had to learn a pro-system, but he just turned 21, and was the youngest starting QB his rookie season. In fast, Alex was still the youngest starting QB his second season with Norv Turner.
At 24, the fourth OC, and enduring the painful process of the Niner’s acquiring the talent to surround him, Alex Smith still has a lot of upside.

When comparing Smith to Matt Ryan, this year’s potential number 1 pick, you see much more upside with Smith. Yes. Smith. Ryan may contribute earlier in his career, may be more pro-ready, can be credited with “intangibles” seen by his comeback ACC victories – however- when you look at the physical package, the arm, the footwork, release, mobility, vision, and overall talent – Smith would be the better prospect one-on-one against Matt Ryan had they both came out the same year.

Niner fan’s should give it a rest and give Alex Smith another 2 years under the same OC, and same system. The fans should see what Smith can when the talent around him steps up and the coaching is there to allow him to excel.

By: Ninerstray

Ninerstray — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:06:28 +0000

You nailed it, Jim! I bet no one could name a quarterback who has ever had to deal with as much adversity in their first 3 years as Alex. I’ve just got a strong feeling that I can’t shake, that this quarterback and team are going to have amazing success this year. On the downside, I also can’t shake the feeling we’ll lose most of our competent staff the following year.

By: Dendog

Dendog — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:52:51 +0000

Niiiiice. Great piece. I’m sor sick-n-tired of arguing with my frieds about Alex and his upside potential. Everything you said is exactly right. Especially the part about him being “resilient”. Get ready folks, Alex is about is about to mature into a true NFL Qb before all of our eyes. And I can’t wait to see it. Again, excellent piece.