Originally posted by Wubbie:
So we've watched Alex Smith ever since he was drafted in 2005.
2005 = Terrible season, though expected for a rookie.
2006 = Vast improvement over rookie season. Still had a way to go, but improvement.
2007 = Battled through injuries before being placed on IR.
2008 = Injured all year.
2009 = Made a comeback and looked like at least a decent NFL QB
2010 and beyond = Unknown if he's a starting QB or merely a serviceable QB
Alex's career in San Francisco has been unusual, even by NFL standards. 5 different coordinators and 2 huge injuries in 2007 & 2008.
But the STRANGEST part about his career is that the 49ers have had patience and faith in him. In thinking of QBs drafted in the first round that didn't pan out (David Carr, Ryan Leaf, Kyle Boller, etc.), it seems like they only made it to the 3rd or 4th year and the team moved on.
Can you guys think of ANY other QB situation in which the QB made it so far into their contract and still have a shot at being the starter? Because I can't...
I don't think it's our organization being foolish or anything. I simply think that the organization realizes that 2 season-ending injuries and 5 different QBs could ruin a QB. Had Alex not been injured in 2007 and 2008, I think we would've known what we had at QB, and would've planned appropriately.
Or do you think it was us being stubborn, not willing to admit there was a chance we made a mistake?
OR... do you think it was that we didn't have a great alternative? We tried, unsuccessfully to bring in a veteran QB, and drafting a rookie might've taken some time to produce results.
One way to look at it is the woe is me approach and say look at all the bad things that have happened to the kid... But, what separates the winners and losers is what the guy makes out of the opportunities that he's presented with.
2005 Alex was presented an opportunity to learn on the job. He was given the chance to start his rookie year and learn the speed and timing of an NFL O.
2006. Had the whole off season as the dedicated starter to learn the O and master a QB friendly system.
2007. Unfortunate injury; but, provided an opportunity to sit and learn from a (not all that great, but still) Superbowl winning QB and great team leader.
2008. Given an opportunity to win a starting spot; but, suffered injuries. This gave him the opportunity to study and learn from the creator of the greatest show on turf.
2009. Given the opportunity to win the starting job and show us all what he has learned the past few seasons. Did not win the job in TC; but, acquired the job when Shaun Hill lost it during the season. With his opportunity to start once again, what did he show us?
So, does Alex's performance this past season look like a 1st overall pick that was given the chance to start his rookie season, study and learn behind a SB winning QB, and study under and play for 3 very successful NFL OC's?
I don't see any better options than Smith right now (unless Nate steps up his game), so were probably stuck with this kid; but, I'm not impressed with what he's made of his NFL opportunities.