JTO shows flashes then begins to stink it up. Exit Mike Nolan. Enter Samurai Mike. JTO's leash shortens as does Martz' freedom with his play calling. JTO has a horrible game and Mike is quick to utilize his hook. Yanks JTO and in comes Al... wait, Alex Smith is on IR. If he is not, does Mike give Smith the shot or does he go with Hill? Who knows. So he goes with Shaun Hill, and is pleasantly surprised at his toughness, grittyness, ability to lead the team, and knack for pulling of W's.
Everything is fine but the question of Alex Smith still remains. He undergoes surgery and cheers the team on from the sideline. Season ends.
Offseason begins, and Alex's throws look sharper than ever. Surgery looks to have helped Alex and he looks like a new man. Singletary still liking the fact that Shaun Hill is a proven leader and winner has a tough choice to make. Do you sit the guy that won games for you last year, or start Smith again on the merits of his draft position? He makes the right call, all the while knowing that Smith has more athletic ability, arm strength, and all around physical tools to be a better QB than Hill.
Singletary decides to do the Stand Up thing, and give his team a chance to win with the proven winner, though limited in his abilities. Does he also have an alterior motive? Does he want to bring fire, passion and motivation out of young Alex, who is now maturing into a veteran? Does he think Alex would possibly still fourish one day, when the expectations of his draft position and contract are further and further in the past?
We all know one thing, and that Singletary is a no nonsense kind of guy. He wants winners and he wants to win now! Hill starts to stink it up again, and Singletary is confident enough in Smith, that he decides to give him a shot... He comes in and tears it up. Of course they are playing from 3 scores behind, but you can't argue that he didn't look like a bonafide NFL QB. A good one at that!
So Sing had no choice but to bench JTO for Hill, because Smith is on IR. He lets Hill start, but does he do this with every intention of lighting a huge fire under Smith's. Did Singletary KNOW Alex would be starting at some point this season? I think so. I think it was all part of his plan to bring the best out of Alex. I think he knows how to motivate and lead players and get them to play their hearts out. I think we see a new Alex Smith from this day forward, and we have Coach Singletary to thank for it. Go Niners!
