Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:
Originally posted by oldman9er:
Quote:
The Press Democrat that the NFL sent a memo to the 49ers asking them not to discuss their free agents, most notably Smith, during the lockout. But, again, Harbaugh spoke glowingly about Smith on Sunday. "He's a neat guy," Harbaugh told - Enberg. "I'm really interested in him, in just the character of Alex Smith. He's been maligned by the hometown fans there. And his family's had to read a lot of that on the internet. "And he's really even been thrown under the bus by his own team more than once. And the kind of character of a guy that would want to come back, prove himself with that same football team, that's rare kind of character. (It) probably falls somewhere in the endangered and extinct range. So we can win with that."

If Harbaugh believes, so do I. I can't imagine Smith playing any worse than when he was actually coached by guys who had no idea what they are doing the last few years.
does harbaugh's acknowledging that the 49rts have thrown alex under the bus, more than once, make him an alexcuser?
I think harbaugh has a chance to really mold smith into a winning qb,,,,his offense scehemes will be light years ahead owhat niners have had in a long time...look at cardinal's games, they get people open...not alot of niners receivers have got open in past few years (more so under martz than any other coordinator imo)
and alex is not without talent and skills, imo, to be a winner...inconsistency and making the occasional bonehead play have been his biggest problems...but he has had flashes of excellence in the past...examples include last second drives vs cardinals in 2007, and saints last year....comeback vs eagles last season...throwing for over 200 yards in a half vs texans, and in 2nd qrtr vs packers in 2009,,,decision making and getting the ball out quickly have all improved in past two seasons, though again not consistently...
at least that is how one niners fan sees it