Originally posted by Lifer:
Alex Smith is the 49ers quarterback of the interim. With the same system in place two years in a row, time to develop chemistry with his receivers, and improved O-line play, he should be a decent, middle of the pack QB in 2010.
However, if you look around the league at every team that has a legitimate shot of making it to the Super Bowl this year, every one of them has a QB who is considerably better than "middle of the pack."
Alex is decent. But the league has written the rules to favor the passing game and feature the QB. In the modern league, a decent QB is not enough. You need exceptional play at the position.
To my mind, the term "quarterback of the future" means greatness, or at least the potential for greatness. Alex is not that guy. However, the best way to find that guy is to draft him and bring him along slowly in your system. Ironically, Alex Smith gives you the luxury of doing that. Nate Davis doesn't need to be rushed into action. He can develop slowly, playing in the same system year after year. If, after a couple years, he looks like he doesn't have what it takes, you can draft another guy and bring him along slowly. Alex Smith is good enough to keep the seat warm until a real quarterback of the future arrives.
Good Point...
Out of the 12 playoff teams 11 of the 12 QB's are rated in the top half of the league in QB rate. Hell, 8 of the teams with a top 10 QB rate are in the playoffs. Only 1 team with a bottom 10 QB rate made the playoffs (and that's the Jets with a rookie QB).