Alex Smith Looks Confused. John Carroll | Page 4

foamingatdamouth · 2010-09-15T07:44:50-07:00

Here's a good article written about the last game from the San Francisco Chronicle's entertainment journalist. It's not so much another Alex Smith critique piece as it is an observation from a professional writer and ordinary fan. I am aware that many of my readers do not care that the football season is under way. I get a kinder, gentler crowd, people who want sports to be noncompetitive. The only truly noncompetitive sport I know of is earthball, and I don't think people are playing that much anymore. Nice while it lasted. I, on the other hand, love all sorts of competitions. I like "Project Runway" and baseball, citywide treasure hunts and tennis, chess and poker and rugby. And nothing comes as close to the discredited but oh-so-amusing gladiatorial ideal as football. It's pretty much indefensible on an intellectual level, but as entertainment - pretty much fun. Which brings us to the San Francisco 49ers, the team with which Bay Area residents are supposed to have fun this year. We might have fun with the Oakland Raiders, but they are run by an older gentleman who seems to have lost his grip on many things. The game, as they say, has passed him by, and until he releases the team from his iron grip - and, pre-mortem, that seems unlikely - it would be masochistic to root for the Raiders. In a sense, rooting for any team is masochistic, because at the end of each year, only one team can be champion. But some of them at least have had a chance to win it all, and the Raiders do not have a prayer. I'd say the over/under on Raider victories this year would be four, and that could be generous. The 49ers are in a crux year. Ol' Linebacker Eyes himself, coach Mike Singletary, has proved himself to be a molder of men and a fiercely independent man of character. He has not yet proved himself to be a football coach, though, and that makes me nervous. Now he has his pieces in place, his team on the field, and we are led to believe that the playoffs are not an unreasonable expectation. Except ... well, there's Alex Smith, our allegedly brainy hope of the future who has already arrived at the future without justifying much hope. His passes are often wayward, and his game-management skills are questionable, as his career has been studded with panicky timeouts called, apparently, because he has become confused. Confusion is not a good look for a quarterback. It also seems to me, heresy of heresies, that Singletary becomes confused in game situations. A confused coach guiding a confused quarterback - not a good thing. Apparently both men are hardworking, studious, straight-shooting human beings admired by all who know them. Everyone so wants it all to work out well. And maybe it will, but the game against Seattle on Sunday was not encouraging. Understand: I don't have the inside scoop on anything. I am not a sportswriter; I do not cover games; I do not have off-the-record chats with people in the know. I just hang around in front of my television on Sundays and suffer. I believe that the offensive line will improve. I believe that our receivers will remember their skill sets. I believe our defense will discover its inner angry child. I can live with all that. But ... let me tell you about a fellow named Sam Bradford. He was a quarterback at Oklahoma who won the 2008 Heisman Trophy. Then he ripped up his shoulder in 2009, got it fixed up and entered the 2010 NFL draft. He was picked first by the St. Louis Rams, who haven't had a decent quarterback since Kurt Warner left town. Bradford started his first game as a professional football player on Sunday. He went 32 for 55. And he looked like the real deal. He looked realer than Alex Smith looked. His first game in the NFL, and he looked like the hope of the future. Not that the Rams will improve; he's probably the hope of someone else's future. But ... gosh darn it anyway, the Niners are the team of John Brodie and Joe Montana and Steve Young. We are entitled to greatness. Now, I admit that exactly one game has been played in the 2010 season. I admit that generalities and received wisdom may have crept into my penetrating analysis. But that is the right of every fan, to hold as many opinions as he wants, opinions that he may very well change after the next game - which will be Monday night against the Saints, so also maybe not. That's the whole point of spectator sports, to allow amateurs to argue about things that do not matter at all. Hooray! Boo! There's always next year! Cheer, cheer, for your San Francisco 49ers, who seem confused and preoccupied but what the heck. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/09/15/DDCU1FD9SR.DTL#ixzz0zbpkn5CV

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:24 PM

#46

DonnieDarko
Veteran
Posts: 66,879

Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by fly15:
Originally posted by Joecool:
Looking at that video it was 100% Alex Smith's fault.

1. FB flat, not FB corner: Norris' route was to the flat which is why he turned to look from that direction.

2. Alex not only threw high, he threw to Norris' back shoulder side: Not only was the route a flat route meaning he should have led Norris to the sideline, he threw the ball as if it were a corner route and inside shoulder rather than to Norris' outside shoulder.

Singletary said Alex passes were outstanding....

Sing is starting to lose credibility.

sing was a middle linebacker and doesn't understand a good qb

nolan was a d coordinator and doesn't understand a good qb

notice a trend?? we need an offensive minded HC, really, really bad

[ Edited by WestCoast on Sep 15, 2010 at 13:25:07 ]

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:29 PM

#47

SybErkRimInAL
Veteran
Posts: 59,185

3rd quarter, 10:00 mark.

1st and 10, smith rolls right, throws at the last minute to VD, except he waits so long that when VD finally catches the ball, he has no choice but to go out of bounds. He throws the ball a second earlier, VD has tons of running room in front of him. The LB covering him was a good 4 yards trailing.

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:32 PM

#48

SybErkRimInAL
Veteran
Posts: 59,185

3rd quarter, 8:40 mark.

3rd and 5, smith gets good protection, Ginn's streaking down the right hash, has a couple steps on the DB. Smith underthrows him for the near pick. punt time.....

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:34 PM

#49

bigmike55
Veteran
Posts: 3,474

Alex Smith was born confused.

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:35 PM

#50

Kneel_B4_ZOD
Veteran
Posts: 134

Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
alex smith is the main problem, but we have no other option right now

this. Watching the game again right now. Should of been up 17-0 in the first half had it not been for Alex Smiths overthrows of both Morgan and Norris. Flawless first 25 minutes by our D. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

I's say you embody the masochism the writer was pointing out in sports fans.

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:38 PM

#51

SybErkRimInAL
Veteran
Posts: 59,185

Originally posted by Kneel_B4_ZOD:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
alex smith is the main problem, but we have no other option right now

this. Watching the game again right now. Should of been up 17-0 in the first half had it not been for Alex Smiths overthrows of both Morgan and Norris. Flawless first 25 minutes by our D. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

I's say you embody the masochism the writer was pointing out in sports fans.

i most definitely do.

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:49 PM

#52

DaveWilcox
Veteran
Posts: 3,717

Originally posted by WestCoast:
Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
alex smith is the main problem, but we have no other option right now

this. Watching the game again right now. Should of been up 17-0 in the first half had it not been for Alex Smiths overthrows of both Morgan and Norris. Flawless first 25 minutes by our D. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Your watching that again ? You must be really into self mutilation.

just wanted to see some things.
People were saying Smith HAD to throw the ball that high to get it over the defender, bulls**t. He threw it at least 3 feet over the outstretched arms of the jumping linebacker. So....... LB is about 6'2", add arm length and vertical leap another 3'6" (at least) plus how much higher than the tip of the defenders hand the ball appeared to be, 3' (probably more). Smith lofted the ball 12 and 1/2 feet in the air. Is that really necessary to get it over a defender who's about 5 yards away from you???

I watched the game again yesterday as well and this is one play where I said the same damn thing. I rewinded that pass to Norris at least 5 times and saw that the DE wasn't as close to Alex as I thought. Alex did not have to lob the pass. He got impatient. The defender didn't even jump at Smith.

Watch the tape.

ive seen aaron rodgers have pin point accuracy throwing the ball while his reciever is bracketed 20 yards downfield and threads the needle with chaos all around the pocket. alex smith will never have that kind of poise.

I think we can all agree that drafting Smith instead of Rodgers was a huge mistake. Look at it this way. We can't undo the 2005 draft, that ship has sailed. This is a make or break year for Alex, he'll either earn a new contract with his play on the field or he'll be gone.

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:50 PM

#53

49erJim
Veteran
Posts: 21,524

Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
3rd quarter, 8:40 mark.

3rd and 5, smith gets good protection, Ginn's streaking down the right hash, has a couple steps on the DB. Smith underthrows him for the near pick. punt time.....

THAT was a bad toss, that really hurt. I remember I said to myself thats a play he has to make and can't.

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:54 PM

#54

nyc49erking
Member
Posts: 61

The majority of the 49er fan base has quite a lack of football knowledge. If anyone watched the game, they would understand that QB Smith played the position quite well. Even the so called "bad pass" to Norris, was exactly where it needed to be......but Norris, who is the most un-athletic guy on the team decided to stop his route, like an amateur. The hatred for our QB id FLAT OUT RIDICULOUS. I swear sometimes this fanbase acts like the KKK toward a brotha, in regards to Smith.

Sep 15, 2010 at 1:56 PM

#55

SybErkRimInAL
Veteran
Posts: 59,185

Originally posted by nyc49erking:
The majority of the 49er fan base has quite a lack of football knowledge. If anyone watched the game, they would understand that QB Smith played the position quite well. Even the so called "bad pass" to Norris, was exactly where it needed to be......but Norris, who is the most un-athletic guy on the team decided to stop his route, like an amateur. The hatred for our QB id FLAT OUT RIDICULOUS. I swear sometimes this fanbase acts like the KKK toward a brotha, in regards to Smith.

"Even the so called "bad pass" to Norris, was exactly where it needed to be"

Sep 15, 2010 at 2:09 PM

#56

simplyfloyd
Veteran
Posts: 2,857

Originally posted by Leathaface:
Originally posted by valrod33:
Originally posted by Joecool:
Looking at that video it was 100% Alex Smith's fault.

1. FB flat, not FB corner: Norris' route was to the flat which is why he turned to look from that direction.

2. Alex not only threw high, he threw to Norris' back shoulder side: Not only was the route a flat route meaning he should have led Norris to the sideline, he threw the ball as if it were a corner route and inside shoulder rather than to Norris' outside shoulder.

Why was Norris even running short of the endzone. It was 4th down he had to get to the endzone not at the 1.

Im not making an excuse for Alex. It was a bad throw.

but on top of that If the Play was for Norris to go out to the flat then thats just stupid given the situation(4th and goal)

If it was a corner route what the f**k was norris doing? Why was Norris even an option?

with that being said the play was there to be made and it wasnt

It wasn't 4th and goal. It was 4th and one inch.

Regardless, it's Smith's fault...all he has to do is SEE the guy and throw it to him, lol.

Isn't that what Jimmy Raye was quoted saying was a stregth of Nate Davis.

"He see's the open guy, and he gets him the ball"

hmmm.....If Alex can't get things together this season. I say we let Davis have a shot. Carr is 30....what's he going to prove? Is he going to be awesome and we sign him to a 7 year deal...probably not

Sep 15, 2010 at 2:17 PM

#57

bigmike55
Veteran
Posts: 3,474

Originally posted by DaveWilcox:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
alex smith is the main problem, but we have no other option right now

this. Watching the game again right now. Should of been up 17-0 in the first half had it not been for Alex Smiths overthrows of both Morgan and Norris. Flawless first 25 minutes by our D. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Your watching that again ? You must be really into self mutilation.

just wanted to see some things.
People were saying Smith HAD to throw the ball that high to get it over the defender, bulls**t. He threw it at least 3 feet over the outstretched arms of the jumping linebacker. So....... LB is about 6'2", add arm length and vertical leap another 3'6" (at least) plus how much higher than the tip of the defenders hand the ball appeared to be, 3' (probably more). Smith lofted the ball 12 and 1/2 feet in the air. Is that really necessary to get it over a defender who's about 5 yards away from you???

I watched the game again yesterday as well and this is one play where I said the same damn thing. I rewinded that pass to Norris at least 5 times and saw that the DE wasn't as close to Alex as I thought. Alex did not have to lob the pass. He got impatient. The defender didn't even jump at Smith.

Watch the tape.

ive seen aaron rodgers have pin point accuracy throwing the ball while his reciever is bracketed 20 yards downfield and threads the needle with chaos all around the pocket. alex smith will never have that kind of poise.

I think we can all agree that drafting Smith instead of Rodgers was a huge mistake. Look at it this way. We can't undo the 2005 draft, that ship has sailed. This is a make or break year for Alex, he'll either earn a new contract with his play on the field or he'll be gone.

I was watching the replay of the packers eagles game and boy was Aaron Rodgers on point with his throws.

Sep 15, 2010 at 2:18 PM

#58

SybErkRimInAL
Veteran
Posts: 59,185

Originally posted by bigmike55:
Originally posted by DaveWilcox:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
alex smith is the main problem, but we have no other option right now

this. Watching the game again right now. Should of been up 17-0 in the first half had it not been for Alex Smiths overthrows of both Morgan and Norris. Flawless first 25 minutes by our D. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Your watching that again ? You must be really into self mutilation.

just wanted to see some things.
People were saying Smith HAD to throw the ball that high to get it over the defender, bulls**t. He threw it at least 3 feet over the outstretched arms of the jumping linebacker. So....... LB is about 6'2", add arm length and vertical leap another 3'6" (at least) plus how much higher than the tip of the defenders hand the ball appeared to be, 3' (probably more). Smith lofted the ball 12 and 1/2 feet in the air. Is that really necessary to get it over a defender who's about 5 yards away from you???

I watched the game again yesterday as well and this is one play where I said the same damn thing. I rewinded that pass to Norris at least 5 times and saw that the DE wasn't as close to Alex as I thought. Alex did not have to lob the pass. He got impatient. The defender didn't even jump at Smith.

Watch the tape.

ive seen aaron rodgers have pin point accuracy throwing the ball while his reciever is bracketed 20 yards downfield and threads the needle with chaos all around the pocket. alex smith will never have that kind of poise.

I think we can all agree that drafting Smith instead of Rodgers was a huge mistake. Look at it this way. We can't undo the 2005 draft, that ship has sailed. This is a make or break year for Alex, he'll either earn a new contract with his play on the field or he'll be gone.

I was watching the replay of the packers eagles game and boy was Aaron Rodgers on point with his throws.

hey, don't you know!? Accuracy and ball placement mean nothing in the NFL. WR's, RB's and even FB's are supposed to make the play regardless how off-target the throw is.

Sep 15, 2010 at 2:18 PM

#59

FredFlintstone
Veteran
Posts: 46,741

Originally posted by bigmike55:
Originally posted by DaveWilcox:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
Originally posted by BETTERDAYZ9ERS:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by susweel:
Originally posted by SybErkRimInAL:
Originally posted by WestCoast:
alex smith is the main problem, but we have no other option right now

this. Watching the game again right now. Should of been up 17-0 in the first half had it not been for Alex Smiths overthrows of both Morgan and Norris. Flawless first 25 minutes by our D. FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Your watching that again ? You must be really into self mutilation.

just wanted to see some things.
People were saying Smith HAD to throw the ball that high to get it over the defender, bulls**t. He threw it at least 3 feet over the outstretched arms of the jumping linebacker. So....... LB is about 6'2", add arm length and vertical leap another 3'6" (at least) plus how much higher than the tip of the defenders hand the ball appeared to be, 3' (probably more). Smith lofted the ball 12 and 1/2 feet in the air. Is that really necessary to get it over a defender who's about 5 yards away from you???

I watched the game again yesterday as well and this is one play where I said the same damn thing. I rewinded that pass to Norris at least 5 times and saw that the DE wasn't as close to Alex as I thought. Alex did not have to lob the pass. He got impatient. The defender didn't even jump at Smith.

Watch the tape.

ive seen aaron rodgers have pin point accuracy throwing the ball while his reciever is bracketed 20 yards downfield and threads the needle with chaos all around the pocket. alex smith will never have that kind of poise.

I think we can all agree that drafting Smith instead of Rodgers was a huge mistake. Look at it this way. We can't undo the 2005 draft, that ship has sailed. This is a make or break year for Alex, he'll either earn a new contract with his play on the field or he'll be gone.

I was watching the replay of the packers eagles game and boy was Aaron Rodgers on point with his throws.

especially that beauty to jennings. F**K I HATE WATCHING RODGERS PLAY

Sep 15, 2010 at 2:26 PM

#60

CrAnKD4TCRabTree
Member
Posts: 868

Originally posted by nyc49erking:
The majority of the 49er fan base has quite a lack of football knowledge. If anyone watched the game, they would understand that QB Smith played the position quite well. Even the so called "bad pass" to Norris, was exactly where it needed to be......but Norris, who is the most un-athletic guy on the team decided to stop his route, like an amateur. The hatred for our QB id FLAT OUT RIDICULOUS. I swear sometimes this fanbase acts like the KKK toward a brotha, in regards to Smith.

this