Originally posted by Joecool:Originally posted by Memphis9er:Originally posted by Joecool:
You know how in all the other years, the main question was not whether or not we had enough talent to win the division, it was always about what type of play we would get from the QB position.
I think that this offense will help Alex Smith. That's not really the question. The question is, will Alex Smith help this offense.
He has shown to be a solid enough QB to hold the fort but we are forgetting about one HUGE weakness which I will discuss a little further down, but first:
1. Will Gore have more space to run the ball?
2. Will the receivers be in better position to catch in space?
3. Will the ball spread keep teams unbalanced?
Two of the three questions revolve around the passing game. Now here's a more important question that's ALL about perspective because you never have perspective until you step outside and look back at yourself.
4. What will teams fear when playing us?
Ask yourself, when we play SEA, would you want our defense to play max cover because we will be afraid of Seattle's new QB or should we run blitz them like crazy and force the QB to make extremely quick reads and throws to beat us? If we play the Cardinals or Rams who also have unproven to semi proven QB's but solid talent at the RB position, do you want us to attack their running game or sit back and don't let their QB beat us?
Now back to Alex Smith and perspective. Remember back in 2007 after Gore had that monster year in 2006. 2007 was the first year teams began to run blitz us right up the middle like crazy and teams have not stopped doing this since then. It has been a tougher road for Gore with his average yards per carry dropping from that awesome 5+ ypc in 2006. Since 2006, our offense has struggled.
You are the Cardinals, Seahawks, and Rams head coach. You know we will try to have a dynamic passing attack to spread the ball but you don't know how effective it will be or how much it will hurt your team. HOWEVER, you do know that if you let Gore get going, your team is as good as dead. So what do you do? Run blitz like crazy clogging between the tackles vs the run and if the 49ers pass, then you are bringing immediate pressure.
The big question is, can Alex do what he has always been weakest at, which is the quick read vs that "run blitz" or whatever blitz teams were doing up the middle to stuff Gore and pressure the QB? No matter how good he looks in practice, can he make that jump pass 2 steps into his drop as the pressure is about to shoulder his chest and can he do it with accuracy along with the correct read.
No one is afraid of our passing game and they will force Alex Smith to be sharp and quick.
Let us see if he can do this. He will not be tested on this very important assignment in preseason.
He has gotten better at getting rid of the ball quicker, hopefully hyaving real audibles and running a system designed to get the ball out quickly will pay off. Good post Joe, valid question.
I agree he has gotten better overall but I am not convinced he has gotten better at the non-audible execute as designed quick hitting routes. The routes that Steve Young called, "blind" throws. The slants or 5 yard curls where he must let it go or don't throw it at all because it will be too late. The kind where he will get hit from a combination of a blitz and the fact that the O-Line will only block for a 3-step drop.
Unfortunately, we probably won't see this executed in preseason. We will see him throw the route but not under the pressure of a regular seasoned defensive game plan.
Man, if he can execute this is drawn up, he will destroy teams and Gore will have a grin so wide on his face that we will be able to see it from the bleachers as he runs through the gaping holes.
I am sure Harbaugh will get around to that, Smith seems to be genuinely excited to have a real coach now, you can tell this is the most excited he has ever been with his pro situation.
