Originally posted by adembroski:
I voted 25%...
We all know Alex Smith has the talent. We've seen moments of brilliance from him. I think the issue is time. It's late in the game for Smith.
I think if a great offensive and QBing mind had been there from day 1, Alex Smith would be one of the best in the NFL right now. That wasn't the case, and he's not.
You all know an Alex Smith in your office, or have known him. He keeps to himself early on, slowly taking things in, trying not to rock any boats. He wants to be noticed and be invited into the social world, but he doesn't push the issue. He wont jump into conversations. When being taught something, he seems confused but generally doesn't ask many questions. He comes off as slow, but you note his e-mails are impeccably intelligent.
At some point you catch him in his comfort zone. Maybe it's his favorite bar, or you have a mutual friend, and all of the sudden he's personable and boisterous, almost too friendly. You finally engage him in a conversation on a subject he knows and you finally realize he's genius level smart.
Alex Smith is this guy. He needs to be made comfortable because he doesn't possess a great deal of self-confidence until he's well schooled in what he's doing, at which point he will run with it.
This all works against Smith right now. Smith's most immediate issue right now is his mechanics, which has worsened since college. If you remember, his accuracy was the big selling point in the draft... the Nolan regime changed his mechanics and he has some terrible habits now. However, even if his mechanics are addressed and he regains his accuracy, it's going to take him 1-2 years to learn Harbaugh's offense... a memorization-heavy system. He's older, it's easier for him to understand concepts, harder to memorize.
So... Smith has the talent to be coached up, but I think it's too late in his career now.
you are absolutly right but one thing i voted for 50 percent cause alex does have the skills to dominate when he knows the offense he can pick apart a defense. but his thoughts does take control and then he sucks ass. but i am confidant that jim h can still coach him up nicely and go to the playoffs with him next season.
