How many of the 4 critical WCO QB traits does Alex Smith have?

Originally posted by ApatheticIAm:
this thread is fixed. I can't vote for all of them

Sure you can, it's at the top

Originally posted by communist:

Since when is arm strength a must-have in the WCO system?

Decision making: Absolutely no boneheaded throws so far and no cricical throw-outs either. Instead, sometimes he threw nice passes though he had pressure in his face.
Pocket mobility: Imo, he is mobile enough to escape pressure IF there is a chance to do so. Proved that already for several times this season. That is POCKET mobility as well.
Accuracy: Improved but still not his best attribute by far.
Arm strength: Enough arm for all the throws a QB has to do in this league. Not a Colt Mccoy-arm at all.

So, whats your point?

Come on.

He lacks decision making and accuracy. His arm strength is probably average for a professional QB and, while he has the ability to be mobile in the pocket, he really doesn't know how to use that ability. Sure, he eludes some sacks now and then, but he often has a chance to move around in the pocket to buy more time and make a throw (not the same as scrambling to the outside), but fails to do so.

As for his lack of decision making, well, if I have to explain it, you're either not watching or don't know what a QB should be doing (even though many announcers call QBs on it during games). Most of the time, he holds the ball too long, resulting in either a sack or incompletion. On a 3 step drop, he should be throwing the ball immediately after he sets, but he's too conservative and doesn't know how to "throw a receiver open," which is something ALL good QBs do. If the receiver isn't already open when he looks his way, Smith holds the ball. That's a combination of indecisiveness and conservativeness, and it doesn't help the offensive line in any way.

If I have to argue the accuracy issues with anyone, they're not watching the games. Just go back and watch him sail the ball 10 feet over Morgan's head or the numerous times he skipped the ball off the turf as if he was throwing rocks into a lake against the Bengals. Obviously, he makes some accurate throws, but the inaccurate passes are not uncommon and any QB that is considered accurate does not commonly throw poor passes the way Alex does.

The only trait on the list that Alex really has is arm strength - even though it's average for an NFL QB - because he has the strength to make the throws asked of him. Ability-wise, he CAN possess all 4 traits, but he doesn't.

Originally posted by cook49er:

1 - arm strength. And that is the LEAST required attribute in the WCO, hence why Young and Garcia excelled in it. Alex has good arm strength, too bad he doesnt use it as often.

2 - Decision making - not even close. Some will cite his minimal turnovers as the main reason to defend good decision making, but they're missing the big picture. We were 5-15 on 3rd down conversions today, and Alex completed only 2 pass plays for a 3rd down conversion. He is too hesitant; he only passes the ball to his receivers only if they are wide open; he checks down too quick and doesnt let the play develop; he opts for the short pass when long yardage is required. These are not good decision making attributes. Yes, our oline is putrid and our offense has suffered for it. But Alex hasnt helped the cause either. He lack of audibling when the defense is throwing blitz packages and not attempting to throw deep to punish defenses putting pressure on an already lack luster line.


3 - Accuracy - short passes: great. Long passes: great (this year). Intermediate passes (10-20 yards): bad. Take it for what its worth, but it seems like he struggles in situations when long yardage is required.


4 - Pocket mobility - tough to assess, since there's not much of a pocket available most times. But from what Ive seen, seems frazzled and quickens his throws (prob bc he gets hit so much). Doesnt let the play fully develop sometimes, and receivers look like they wouldve broken open if they had another second.


I'll give him 1.5 out of 4, which is an improvement from the 1 /4 he's had in seasons past.

He needs to learn to anticipate the receiver getting open and place the ball in the right spot. In other words, he needs to "throw the receiver open." This is something he cannot do (yes, he's done it maybe a handful of times that I can recall - out of over 1,500 pass attempts). Watch any good QB and you'll see them doing it. Peyton Manning does it all the time, but you don't have to look at superstar QBs like Manning to see it in action.

Originally posted by ObePwnD:

You have problems dude.

Serious ones...