Should the 49ers be the favorite in the NFC?

Originally posted by Memphis9er:

Originally posted by nflguy49:
Alex IS the biggest question mark/weakness on this team. Hopefully the additional offseason with Harbaugh and some new weapons (Moss, Manningham, Jenkins etc) will result in a better performance from Alex Smith next season.

Even though SF reached the NFC Championship game last season our passing offense was s**t. Niners offense was also the worst in the league on 3rd downs last yr. This isn't news to anyone who watched the Niners convert only ONE third down in the NFC championship game loss to NY. Alex Smith's lack of pocket presence, field awareness, and hesitation to "pull the trigger" were major factors in the Niners 3rd down failures in the biggest game of the season.

We need Alex to improve a ton if we want to again be in position to reach the Superbowl.

The third down percentage was every bit as much on the rest of the offense as Smith, playcalling as well. It is shortsighted to try and blame it on one player when so many factors are involved.

Smith was good in the Red Zone in past years. What was different last year? His team mates, game plan and play calling were the new wrinkles so they can assume much of the blame for a conservative offense.

Now can we ask: Which players played better in clutch situations all year? Justin Smith, Alex Smith and VD...anyone else stand out?

...and no, the niners should be the heavy favorite in the west but GB and NYG are still in the way for the NFC favorite tag.

No, we should be one of the favorites along with Green Bay and the Giants, not "the favorite".

I tend to skip Skip. His role is a contrarian - argue w/anything and everthing that others agree on or like.

As far as your question - I don't care if we are considered tthe favorites in the nfc BUT if it's an intelligent discussion about it then we have to be in the top 4. Included are the Packers, Saints, Giants and the GREAT 49ERS!

Originally posted by 9ersLiferInChicago:

Skip Bayless is drunk and smoking fat rocks if he thinks the Seahawks are going to win the west over the 49ers. You know, this really gets on my nerves. Every year people like this yahoo predict the Seahawks to win the west. Matt Flynn is seriously hyped and is gonna have a rude awakening when he gets introduced to Aldon Smith & Co. He might not even win the starting job in Seattle much less win the division.

Skip Bayless just says things for the sake of argument and to oppose Smith.

Its gonna be great this year not hoping to finish #1 in the west to go to the playoffs.. now i feel like ill be watching games just seeing the performance and how we will do come playoff time, waiting for the postseason.. no more OH MY GAWD I HOPE WE WIN lol

Originally posted by Chief:
No, we should be one of the favorites along with Green Bay and the Giants, not "the favorite".

Pretty much this. No need to get greedy and start proclaiming we iz the true favorites. It should be enough for the time being to know that once in the playoffs, we have just as much of a chance to bring home the trophy as those others.

... and listening to anything from Skip Bayless??? for shame!

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Chief:
No, we should be one of the favorites along with Green Bay and the Giants, not "the favorite".

Pretty much this. No need to get greedy and start proclaiming we iz the true favorites. It should be enough for the time being to know that once in the playoffs, we have just as much of a chance to bring home the trophy as those others.

... and listening to anything from Skip Bayless??? for shame!

I doubt every expert/fan/columinist thinks we are the NFC favorites, just as there are gonna be some people that will think we are the favorites. this video should make you happy not the other way around..

Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Smith was good in the Red Zone in past years. What was different last year? His team mates, game plan and play calling were the new wrinkles so they can assume much of the blame for a conservative offense.

Now can we ask: Which players played better in clutch situations all year? Justin Smith, Alex Smith and VD...anyone else stand out?

...and no, the niners should be the heavy favorite in the west but GB and NYG are still in the way for the NFC favorite tag.

I swear I am so sick of that stupid red zone stat that just states TD-INT. What is equally as important is TD conversion %.

Originally posted by Chief:
No, we should be one of the favorites along with Green Bay and the Giants, not "the favorite".

THIS

Alex Smith is NOT a weakness. What about Alex that should be in question, is his ability to grow from year 1 to year 2 and throughout year 2.

Essentially, last year was Alex's rookie season. Never in his entire career has he been in position to grow from one year to the next under the same offense. We're not talking about an OLB growing from year 1 to 2, but a QB who essentially, has to know everything about the offense and opposition, all the position responsibilities and line calls while being a consistent winner/leader.

Last offseason, we saw this leadership and character during an abbreviated stink. QB's ran these for their teams and they ran them for a reason. Last year he proved he could digest another new offensive system and even teach it to others. He proved his heart, character and commitment to this 49ers organization and its fans. He proved on the field that he could beat a Drew Brees in the playoffs at his very own game. He proved that given the opportunity, he could lead his team from behind to win games. He proved he could contribute significantly to a 13-3 team (when needed and also by not hurting the team) and one that almost reached the Superbowl.

So this year? He's again lead the team through offseason workout attendance and commitment. For the first time in is entire career, he is able to focus on the little things (but critical) such as learning about his leadership style in relating to others, adopting a more cut-throat attitude, focusing on his passing mechanics and footwork, developing timing and chemistry with all of his new weapons, building upon installations in year 2 of the playbook, etc.

These are all great signs that Alex will only continue to grow and develop and build upon his skill set and off all the gains he made last year in his rookie season.

PS: As for the two areas where our work is cut out, 3rd down %'s (to me, issue was more on 1st downs) and RZ efficiency, this is an area the entire TEAM needs to work on, not just Alex. Alex has proven to be one of the very best in year's past in the RZ. So we at least know he can excel in this area. The future looks bright so before we start calling him a weakness or the main reason we will not reach the Superbowl, think back only to the NFCCG...Alex was about 6th on that list of real reasons we lost that game.

Originally posted by dhp318:
I swear I am so sick of that stupid red zone stat that just states TD-INT. What is equally as important is TD conversion %.

What stat are you referring to? There are none in my post.

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by dhp318:

I swear I am so sick of that stupid red zone stat that just states TD-INT. What is equally as important is TD conversion %.

What stat are you referring to? There are none in my post.

He is assuming you were referring to that stat when saying Alex was a good RZ QB in the past.

Originally posted by Godsleftsock:

Originally posted by dtg_9er:

Originally posted by dhp318:
I swear I am so sick of that stupid red zone stat that just states TD-INT. What is equally as important is TD conversion %.

What stat are you referring to? There are none in my post.

He is assuming you were referring to that stat when saying Alex was a good RZ QB in the past.

Hmm...guess you'd have to spell it out for me but since he's sick of that stupid stuff I won't expect a detailed response.

I would rather be the underdog for one more year, it may be too late for that though.

"Essentially, last year was Alex's rookie season."