Training Camp 2011-2012

Originally posted by Memphis9er:
Why can't Smith just be himself? I don't get the need to compare him to every other qb out there. He is the unquestioned starter of a team that was a couple of muffed punt returns from leading us to the superbowl for Christs sake. Even if he never throws for five thousand yards or 45 touchdowns he has shown heart, guts and a last year showed himself to be cool in the clutch. Not to mention giving us one of the greatest clutch performances not only in Niner history, but in league history. Yet there are a few here on a site for fans that want nothing more than to see him replaced now that he has a qb friendly coach. It might just be me, but I feel that Smith is going to surprise some folks this year.

I don't think Alex can just be himself...I don't think he can create his own ceiling. As much as some like to accept that he could never be "Elite", I think his ceiling is where Aaron Rodgers is. I really don't know how much better a QB can perform, than what Aaron has shown. I personally don't think he is half way as good as Rodgers, BUT he has shown that he can just be as athletic as well as shown flashes on various plays.

There is just that other aspect about Rodgers, that most QBs haven't achieved.....or at least on a consistent level. Aaron and his receivers talk about, when something goes wrong...like if a receiver runs the wrong route, Aaron has shown that he can still read his receiver's direction and throw it accordingly...all within a few seconds as pass rushers are breathing down his neck. I think this was touched on during their SuperBowl special.

Originally posted by cools:
Kendal, Kyle and Kap

None of whom are new offensive weapons (see title of thread).

Given that they'll be lining up against opponents' second and third string defenses, I think the most likely new guys to have strong preseasons will be LMJ and Jenkins, simply because of their speed and elusiveness. <Fill in QB here> will just need to get them the ball in space, and they'll be off to the races.

One other "new weapon" who could do very well is Brandon Jacobs. If he's serious about getting lots of playing time during the season, he'll be motivated to perform. I think we'll see him in there not just on 3rd-and-shorts and goal-line situations, but on first- and second-downs too. The coaches will want to see not only how he runs from scrimmage, but blocks, catches, etc.

Given our special teams, one or more "new weapon" could show very well returning punts or kickoffs. Neither LMJ nor Jenkins had a major role doing this in their college careers, but a UDFA or two may turn some heads.

All in all, going to be fun to watch. Hope nobody gets injured, though.

Originally posted by cools:
Kendal, Kyle and Kap

Double posted. Hate when that happens. :(

Originally posted by :
So you haven't read all the post about not learning the RZ plays and they didn't get a full TC arguments in this thread ?

Now your saying AS know all of the PB to the fullest

Wasn't about the QB knowing the playbook. The posts made were showing how we didn't have much if any time to implement or practice the RZ plays.. so we had to do that in tiny bits as the season progressed. Even our most prized weapon (Vernon) stated honestly that he didn't have it all down until later in the season... that alone is a huge indicator that the majority of the team was learning on the fly.

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
So you haven't read all the post about not learning the RZ plays and they didn't get a full TC arguments in this thread ?

Now your saying AS know all of the PB to the fullest

It is like you try not to understand the obvious point I was making: Alex had more time to work on mechanics this off-season because he had the majority (if not the entire) playbook and offense down.

In previous seasons he wasn't able to work on that stuff as much during the off-season because he was instead learning a new offense. We all know that he didn't have a complete grasp on the offense at the beginning of lat season, but during the season they installed a big part of it. Obviously they installed a bunch of redzone plays. I'm sure they didn't quite cover all of them, and maybe added some new things, but that is not even close to learning a completely new offense.

Remember the argument was why Alex didn't work on fundamentals (as much) in previous seasons. You said he just "didn't want it enough". It is obvious that he had less time because he was digesting a large amount of new information almost every off-season until this one.

Originally posted by LambdaChi49:
I'm excited for Alex. Think he's going to really take it to the next level this year. That said...he has GOT to improve his 3rd down play. I know I know...playcall matters...but when he has the chance to pass...he's gotta make it work. It's not like he's NOT clutch...he obviously is. 3rd and long/short/medium...whatever...is a critical down. So be clutch man!

1st and 2nd down = new Alex
3rd down (1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter) = old Alex.

Once that s**t gets together...we won't be good...we'll be unstoppable.

I agree with this. I think one thing that is overlooked is how bad the running was on third down. It ranked lower than just the passing by itself. If Jacobs can be that guy, the o-line can hold up a little better, the passing game can be more of a threat, and Alex can trust his receivers and be accurate, then together those numbers will rise.

Also, I think fans need to realize that Harbaugh is a situational tactician. He is still going to lean to the conservative side at times, and will likely coach Smith to do the same thing depending on field position/game situation. My hope is that with a little bit more trust and comfort with Smith and the rest of the offense, we see some more aggressive plays called in those situations when appropriate.

Expectations. This is what I worry about. Why are we heaping so much on the man?

His track record is not good when we place high expectations on him (see his early years). I think it is simply wonderful we all have concluded that his first six years were solely the fault of the coach's (no continuity). If the reason he hasn't performed in the past is a result of his first year into a playbook, then he should had a lousy year 2011, but be poised for a good one this year?

I thought part of his success last year was staying within himself and not doing too much. Counted on the D and running game a lot.

Last year: Shorented year, new coach, new playbook =low expectations
This year: 13 game winners, new weapons in the back field and Wideout, great OLine = BIG EXPECTATIONS

So if Alex does not go to the next level, we scream for his backup? Because this is his 2nd year with PB and Coach?

Losses this year will be blamed on Alex this year. Will be much tougher, we won't sneak up on anyone. Expectations do that. I expect many here will be disappointed. I do not expect Alex to reach this new level and I expect an incremental advance and won't be disappointed.

Originally posted by dtcomposer:

Originally posted by LambdaChi49:
I'm excited for Alex. Think he's going to really take it to the next level this year. That said...he has GOT to improve his 3rd down play. I know I know...playcall matters...but when he has the chance to pass...he's gotta make it work. It's not like he's NOT clutch...he obviously is. 3rd and long/short/medium...whatever...is a critical down. So be clutch man!

1st and 2nd down = new Alex
3rd down (1st, 2nd, and 3rd quarter) = old Alex.

Once that s**t gets together...we won't be good...we'll be unstoppable.

I agree with this. I think one thing that is overlooked is how bad the running was on third down. It ranked lower than just the passing by itself. If Jacobs can be that guy, the o-line can hold up a little better, the passing game can be more of a threat, and Alex can trust his receivers and be accurate, then together those numbers will rise.

Also, I think fans need to realize that Harbaugh is a situational tactician. He is still going to lean to the conservative side at times, and will likely coach Smith to do the same thing depending on field position/game situation. My hope is that with a little bit more trust and comfort with Smith and the rest of the offense, we see some more aggressive plays called in those situations when appropriate.

Totally agreed. Will be interesting to see how this whole offense improved. They know they are the only unit that didn't played up to par with the great defense and ST. Though they know they help a lot by not turning the ball over --even Fangio mentioned this-- they could have done much better. Especially with more weapons this year.

Originally posted by OldJoe:
Expectations. This is what I worry about. Why are we heaping so much on the man?

His track record is not good when we place high expectations on him (see his early years). I think it is simply wonderful we all have concluded that his first six years were fault of the coach's (no continuity). If the reason he hasn't performed in the past is a result of his first year into a playbook, then he should had a lousy year 2011, but be poised for a good one this year?

I thought part of his success last year was staying within himself and not doing too much. Counted on the D and running game a lot.

Last year, shorented year, new coach, new playbook =low expectations
This year, 13 game winning returning team, new weapons in the back field and Wideout, great OLine = BIG EXPECTATIONS

So if Alex does not go to the next level, we scream for his backup? Because this is his 2nd year with PB and Coach?

Losses this year will be blamed on Alex this year. Will be much tougher, we won't sneak up on anyone. Expectations do that. I expect many here will be disappointed. I do not expect Alex to reach this new level and I expect an incremental advance and won't be disappointed.

I don't get this post at all, to be honest.

The high expectations are gonna be there. Harbaugh went conservative not just to alleviate Alex's load of pressure but that of the whole team. OL pass pro.. injured, sub-par WRs.. great D and STs. Everyone on offense learning to crawl before they walk. It just made sense. Jim will still look for relative balance, so we are not adding ridiculous pressure to Alex. Just the same intense pressure that's always there for a QB to do his part.

Alex doesn't have to reach some "new level" of intangible excellence for this team to achieve ring # 6. He's already good enough. Now that it seems the receivers are deeper and better... the OL even slightly better... now that ALL players are more squared away with the system in yr 2? Alex can play just as he did and we win big.

If the D is roughly as strong (which it sounds like they may be even stronger)... if the OL is even slightly improved (which they should be)... then NO... disappointment will not be in the cards.

if its written by Grant Cohn dont waste your time

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Alex doesn't have to reach some "new level" of intangible excellence for this team to achieve ring # 6. He's already good enough

. .................
If the D is roughly as strong (which it sounds like they may be even stronger)... if the OL is even slightly improved

Are you not seeing "Alex" and "Next Level" in the same sentence all over this place, like I am? You are describing nearly the Ravens and Trent Dilfer Superbowl win. I don't see anyone saying if he plays the same a Trent, it'd be cool.
Did we load up on Defense and just expect him to "manage games"? I'm not seeing that.

I think we win 10 games and don't reach the NFC Champ. I think we will be better than last year but the record won't show it. I think Alex plays a little better than last year (and many won't think that is good enough). And most here will call for his head.

Originally posted by WookieOftheYear:
if its written by Grant Cohn dont waste your time

this

havent clicked on his blog in a long ass time

Originally posted by OldJoe:

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Alex doesn't have to reach some "new level" of intangible excellence for this team to achieve ring # 6. He's already good enough

. .................
If the D is roughly as strong (which it sounds like they may be even stronger)... if the OL is even slightly improved

Are you not seeing "Alex" and "Next Level" in the same sentence all over this place, like I am? You are describing nearly the Ravens and Trent Dilfer Superbowl win. I don't see anyone saying if he plays the same a Trent, it'd be cool.
Did we load up on Defense and just expect him to "manage games"? I'm not seeing that.

I think we win 10 games and don't reach the NFC Champ. I think we will be better than last year but the record won't show it. I think Alex plays a little better than last year (and many won't think that is good enough). And most here will call for his head.

There is something wrong with using Trent Dilfer as an example here.

Dilfer had a 76.6 QBR... 12 TDs... 11 INTs... 59.3 comp %... 1,500 yds passing... in his one year with the Ravens in that SB year.

Smith had a 90.7 QBR... 17 TDs... 5 INTs... 61.3 comp %... 3,100 yds passing... in his one year with the Niners and Jim Harbaugh's yr 1 arrival.

I also see 10 or 11 wins, but I don't see why we can't win it all this year.

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by OldJoe:

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Alex doesn't have to reach some "new level" of intangible excellence for this team to achieve ring # 6. He's already good enough

<blockquote class="quote">. .................
If the D is roughly as strong (which it sounds like they may be even stronger)... if the OL is even slightly improved

Are you not seeing "Alex" and "Next Level" in the same sentence all over this place, like I am? You are describing nearly the Ravens and Trent Dilfer Superbowl win. I don't see anyone saying if he plays the same a Trent, it'd be cool.
Did we load up on Defense and just expect him to "manage games"? I'm not seeing that.

I think we win 10 games and don't reach the NFC Champ. I think we will be better than last year but the record won't show it. I think Alex plays a little better than last year (and many won't think that is good enough). And most here will call for his head.

There is something wrong with using Trent Dilfer as an example here.

Dilfer had a 76.6 QBR... 12 TDs... 11 INTs... 59.3 comp %... 1,500 yds passing... in his one year with the Ravens in that SB year.

Smith had a 90.7 QBR... 17 TDs... 5 INTs... 61.3 comp %... 3,100 yds passing... in his one year with the Niners and Jim Harbaugh's yr 1 arrival.

I also see 10 or 11 wins, but I don't see why we can't win it all this year.

Yup there is something wrong...TD has a ring

Originally posted by 49AllTheTime:
Yup here is something ..TD has a ring

What is with you, dude? The trolling gets annoying. Time to contribute around here, eh?