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"It's going to be interesting in San Francisco," Meyer said. "Alex is an extremely quick learner. However, he's a guy that, until he understands it, he is nonfunctional. He is a guy that -- I keep hearing how Brett Favre kind of makes something out of nothing and is a person that runs around to make a play -- Alex Smith is not that kind of player. Alex Smith is a person that, once he is taught, has to learn it all. He might struggle early, but once he gets it, he gets it." - Urban Meyer
He also said...
"I'm going to be anxious to watch his development with the 49ers. Alex is so careful with the ball. His touchdown-to-interception ratio the last 2 years was phenomenal (47 touchdowns and seven interceptions). That's because, unless he knows exactly what's going on, he won't throw it. He won't just try to guess and take a shot. He has to know.
"That's why, early in his career, and early in our career with him at Utah, he was not an effective passer, because he really didn't understand. Once he understood, there was no one better. He learns quickly, though. But he's not a guy that you throw the ball out there and tell him, 'Go play.' He wants to know what is exactly expected of him and then he becomes a dynamite player.'
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Now looking back we all made frequent reference to this break down as Alex struggled after being thrown to the wolves basically. This time however he was allowed to sit back and lean BEFORE he was thrown in there. The results this time seems to ring true to what Urban said oh so long ago and if this all is true we may just be on to something here. Smith looked completely at ease out there this week all of those 'ineffective' traits were gone. All I saw was to quote Urban 'a dynamite player'
Go niners!! Go Smitty!!
[ Edited by DJD on Oct 28, 2009 at 9:38 AM ]