Originally posted by lamontb:
Originally posted by unst4bl3:
Originally posted by dtg_9er:
Originally posted by classyfan49:
Playing more loosely would seem to go against Alex's cautious, deliberate nature, requiring a pretty significant transformation of his psychological makeup. I hope Harbaugh took clinical psych 101!
That would be my greatest worry at this point--his not being able to loosen up. But Harbaugh, even though intense, is intense about practicing with joy and fun, rather than scowling and judging every play. He is much more likely to get Smith to loosen up, whereas Nolan and Singletary fed Smith's tendency to internalize the pressure.
Hope is not the same thing as predicting or expecting. I hope the 9ers win the super bowl next year with Smith as their QB. I expect them to be more interesting but slipping and sliding as they convert to the WCO. As we watch them it should become apparent whether it is working or Harbaugh needs to make roster changes.
Sadly, the roster changes I could see necessary include: TE (if VD can't adjust), OL (not just Rachal but also others who can't move quickly), WR (if no one steps up), and QB (if none of them catch onto what Harbaugh is doing).
I remember the steve young led niners and the wco run plays that involved some trapping and pulling, and we had semi quick Olinemen then, i wonder if our current guys are up to the task. You pose a good question/statement there.
They used to run that FB inside trap to Floyd with perfection. folks really undervalued the Niners running game during the WCO years
that's the one I was thinking of, it was a beauty, steve young would take the snap, take like a half step turn to the fb and the fb already had a full head of steam, it was so quick, so beautiful.
Originally posted by JayBee:
Originally posted by oldman9er:
Originally posted by classyfan49:
Playing more loosely would seem to go against Alex's cautious, deliberate nature, requiring a pretty significant transformation of his psychological makeup. I hope Harbaugh took clinical psych 101!
Alex's nature... as described long ago by Urban Meyer... was that once he is comfortable with the intricacies of the system, he is instinctual and plays loosely. Problem was, he never had a steady and competent scheme long enough to reach that level of comfort. Add to that, the extreme rigidness of Nolan + Singletary, and it is no wonder his instincts and loose play were unattainable.
The only question left is, is the wiring in his brain irrevocably set? I genuinely do not think so. In some people, it would have been. They would have given up or had a Ryan Leaf-esque mental explosion. I don't see that from Alex's actions, words, or known character make-up.
So I guess we can expect much of the same from him under another new system?
My opinion is Harbaugh should be a positive influence on Alex, but there's only so much he can do. I think Alex will improve, but I think we'll still see much of the same "WTF?" moments from him. IMO
But if he can't get it done with Harbaugh..we can finally put this saga to rest. Eitherway, I want consistency at QB whether it's with Alex or someone else.
With The Exceptions of the semi wtf intentional grounding (partial bad call) against the falcons, and the WTF fumble against the Eagles. Alex didn't have as many major WTF's last, compared with past seasons.
Or maybe I am forgetting some other major ones?
[ Edited by unst4bl3 on Jul 8, 2011 at 2:09 PM ]
