Originally posted by MSteitz468:Originally posted by OnTheClock:Originally posted by SmokeCrabtrees:Originally posted by OnTheClock:Originally posted by Ceadderman:Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
I have no doubt smith can make throws on a practice field, with no real pass rush. It's the way he panics when the pocket breaks down that makes him suck. Also, his slow ass release.
He panics? Really? Syber I can show you several games where he didn't panic. He kept drives alive with his feet. And shoot man, if he did panic as you suggest he did, then can you REALLY blame him? Especially after fat @$$ Rocky Bernard came in free an unblocked and did an impression of Jimmy SuperFly Snuka? Not a very good impression but it still put Alex out.
You'd panic too when a 325 lb. guy plants you in the turf. And comparing the two Alex MAY have a slow release (I do believe that he worked on this, but...) , it still will get there faster than ANY lame duck pass that Hill throws. Shoot I think Smith would have time to go to the sideline get a Starbuck's Venti Caramel Mochiato, and throw the ball. Just beating Hill's wounded duck pass.
~Ceadder
Yeah, I don't know. I always thought Smith actually did pretty well under pressure. Through 06 and the start of 07, he had Glass Jennings and Kwame Harris at OT for him with Patrick Estes and Snyder as backups. Larry Allen also was out for six games in 06, which if you don't remember, is why we HAD to use Estes at LT when Jennings got hurt. Another note: In the games Alex started playing hurt in 2007, Jennings had just been lost for the season in the prior game. Yikes. Torn shoulder + No OL as well.
Then looking at his weapons again: Gilmore, Bryant, Taylor Jacobs, Brandon Williams, and Battle -- Wow. It's amazing he was able to do ANYTHING. Then consider 07, he didn't even have Bryant anymore, nor did he have him late in 06 after he got suspended.
Our defense? Sammy Davis? Brandon Moore? Melvin Oliver? Roman? B.J Tucker? Chad Williams? T.J. Slaughter? Holy crap. How did we even win 7 games?! It's remarkable.
This really deserves it's own post, but it'd simply be locked and it wouldn't matter because it has already been discussed -- and ignored.
Anyone that tries to claim the team Hill is currently playing on is comparable in ANY way, shape, or form to Alex's teams.. They're completely wrong. Alex wouldn't be defended if there was no valid reasoning. Simple reasoning such as stated above is an enormous part of why there is such strong belief that Alex could succeed after managing to accomplish seemingly a spectacular feat, considering what he had to work with when one truly looks at it all, from offense to defense to coaching.
Fans are just unreal to themselves if they can't see Shaun Hill has LIMITED POTENTIAL...PERIOD. Alex on the other hand can atleast prove us something,he can go in with the weapons we have which he's never had anywhere near what he worked with in the past. He's more mobile so hell have a better chance to avoid sacks. He's wiser,stronger&has a stronger arm. He needs to get a nod with a winning record like this so we can see if he can lead us to the playoffs,the worst that can come out of it is WE KNOW FOR A FACT he couldn't complete the task&have all talks end.
Seeing if Alex can do it once and for all is really all people are asking for. If he can't now, then that's it. It's done. No excuses. Develop Davis, stick it out with Hill, and/or draft another QB. For now, Hill needs to be given the opportunity to rebound. Only if he cannot does Alex see the field. I like Alex, but this is how it needs to be.
As stated, we cannot know for a fact that Alex couldn't do it right now. We just can't. With only one complete season as a starter under his belt, which happened to be with such dramatic improvement while still with an abominably bad supporting cast (read above) all around, it cannot be helped to consider he realistically would have a chance at success if given the opportunity.
Just as Alex would have no excuses with this team. Hill gets NO excuses either. OL, "lack of weapons," poor defensive support. No. No excuses. Not with this team we've got. You go out there and get it done. If you can't, get your tail on the freaking bench.
Back to the topic -- I don't know if Crabtree cares who's throwing it to him, but he sure seems to be a little more.. "close" .. I suppose.. with Alex as far as talking (chatting on the sidelines) and developing a rapport through practice, etc.
I'm sure the coaches see every f**king day whether or not he can do it. Obviously he's not better than Hill! Get over it, in fact, trade Smith for Brady Quinn.
Because he is so much better