Originally posted by sacniner:
Originally posted by billbird2111:
Originally posted by Wubbie:
A lot of you guys are delusional when it comes to bashing Alex Smith.
- Alex Smith is the best QB CURRENTLY on the roster.
The Plan SHOULD be:
1.) Fire Singletary and hire an offensive-minded Head Coach
The problem we've had is a lack of continuity on offense. And philosophically, we've carried a ball-control team that relied on a good defense to win games. True, that CAN win ballgames, as seen with the Ravens and Steelers... But I think the fans have had enough with this line of thinking. MOST winning teams in the league are quarterback-driven.
One of the major problems we've had is the lack of continuity on offense. By hiring an offensive-minded coach, that problem is solved for as long as he's head coach. It'll be HIS offense. I'd prefer if he keeps Mike Johnson, because I think he'll be a good play-caller in the long-run. It'd be nice to be a West Coast Offense, but it all depends on who is available at the time. If Mike Johnson can adapt and run a WCO, or whatever offense the new HC wants, that'd be good. If not, we'll have to see him go.
Gruden, in my opinion, is our best choice. He runs a West Coast offense, but uses a power-running variation of it. It would fit our personnel very well, and we'd have minimal turnover as he brings in guys that would fit his scheme. But all in all... it depends on who's available.
2A.) Look for a free agent QB or trade for one.
This team is ready to win now. Unfortunately for Alex this season, the offensive line is too young and inexperienced for a marginal QB to win with. A superstar QB like Manning probably could win, but not a QB on the fringe like Alex.
By next season though, HOPEFULLY the line will have progressed like it should have. They should be able to take care of whoever is their QB. (That's a big if, and a question the head coach needs to seriously consider).
But we need to try to upgrade the QB position via a trade or free agent signing. The offense has everything it needs, except the QB. The offensive line needs time to gel. Like I said, it's unfortunate for Alex that it had to be this season... but it is what it is. By next year, the only missing piece on offense is the QB.
2B.) Draft a QB high in the draft.
Alex Smith may or may not be the answer (most will probably say he is NOT). But if we cannot find a veteran QB, we must draft a QB. That QB will be in a very good situation, especially if we fire Singletary and hire an offensive-minded Head Coach.
Reason I say he'll be in a good situation is this... This rookie will not be (hopefully!) on a team that just went 2-14 like Alex Smith did. He'll have Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree, and Frank Gore as weapons. He'll (hopefully) have an emerging offensive line that had experienced its growing pains the season before.
3.) Retain Alex Smith for 2 years
Unless we land a Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, the QB situation will likely be questionable. We'll most likely get a solid veteran on the level of Kyle Orton, or someone like that.
Or, if we went with Option 1B and drafted a QB, he'll be a rookie. Who knows if he'll be ready to play? With an established offensive cast, he could potentially have a rookie season a la Ryan or Sanchez... or he might need some time.
If it's the latter, rather than the former, we'll need someone who knows the offense and has a decent amount of chemistry with his teammates. That man could be Alex Smith. It also gives a LONGSHOT chance that Alex could bust a Drew Brees, but it's more to give the rookie QB time to groom.
Wait..
Did you just say "retain Alex Smith for two years?"
Why on God's Green Earth WHY? Isn't this season ENOUGH for you already? You really want him back at the controls?
Nope -- I say we cut our losses. Alex Smith is gone. I don't care if he develops into Superman with another team. Who gives a rat's hind end? I don't. I want Alex GONE. Period. End of story.
The rest of your post I agree with. Kind of. Well -- to be honest -- my eyes kind of glazed over with that "Retain Alex Smith" part. I started barfing on my computer screen from that point forward.
That's great. Who do you want at QB? Draft a rook and hope it pans out? Or get a s*itty retread free agent QB. It's VERY rare to have a solid starting QB on the market. Smith will probably be the best option until a youngster is groomed.
Or, there might be Shaun Hill. Boy, if we had him we would be the best team in the NFL. He is amazing.
For better or for worse, the best the 49ers could hope for next season would be that Jed would hire Gruden, or someone with a similar offensive pedigree, and get it done immediately after the season is over. That person could then talk to Alex and convince him that there will be an actual 2011 NFL offensive scheme in place that would allow players to take advantage of their skill set instead of some archaic mindset that has been dead for 20 years, and consequently Smith would have a chance to actually play in a decent system.
While I do not believe that will happen, it would allow the 49ers to have a starter in place that can run things until a rookie develops. I don't want to see another Rattay for five games and then a raw rookie begins on-the-field training.
As to an FA coming in that will be measurably better than Smith, that will not happen. Even a cursory look at starting QBs around the league will quickly reveal that there are 3 classes; some very good ones who will not be available at any price, some who are definitely worse than Smith, and about a dozen who are just like Alex Smith but wearing a different jersey right now.
In all my years of watching NFL football, I have never seen a year so marked by poor quality QB play, and it isn't getting any better. Hence, the best thing that can happen for the 49ers is that Smith gets healthy and can play again before the season is over.
We will know about that when the X-rays and MRI are completed. He will have to be healthy enough to at least hand off with both hands. Unfortunately, in order for a shoulder separation to heal properly, it needs to be immobilized, or at least in a limited range of motion for a period of time. With this OL playing as poorly as it is, Smith would be a fool to come back and attempt to play before his shoulder is fully healed. If he comes back early and re-injures it, he will have less value in FA after this season. Therefore it is in his best interest not to waste his body on an offense that is dragging a pre-historic offensive philosophy around by the neck.
