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Is it the general consensus that Alex Smith will never be an "elite" quarterback? I've definitely read a lot of praise about his recent growth and rapid improvement, but it seems that most pundits expect his improvement to plateau around the level of "capable" NFL quarterback.

I really haven't had the chance to watch him often, as I've lived in Portland for the duration of his NFL career, so I can't judge for myself. I know he had a rough first season, and a mediocre (but much improved) second season... But what is it about this very young QB (who has great physical talent and seems to be maturing quickly) that has NFL experts only moderately excited about his future?

I dont think he'll ever be Joe Montana or Steve Young but I do think he can lead this team. And when I say lead this team I do mean to a Championship. He should have a good year this year now that he finally has a good group of WR around him.

So, I would say that its neither. He wont be the second coming but he definitly isnt going to be average.

After last night, I am thinking that Alex still has a long way to go before he's even 'capable'. He looked completely lost at some points, and that was against a mostly 2nd string SD defense. Our D looked great though.

Smith is very average, he gets to start because nolan drafted him, signed him to big contract. More and more people will figure that out, and start calling for his ass.

toffee wrote:Smith is very average, he gets to start because nolan drafted him, signed him to big contract. More and more people will figure that out, and start calling for his ass.

You know I am starting to wonder the same thing. He will have shades of brilliance but I still have some faith because Walsh saw something special in him.

KR4 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



You know I am starting to wonder the same thing. He will have shades of brilliance but I still have some faith because Walsh saw something special in him.

I saw him in college...he rolled out, he ran, he threw TO A RECIEVER instead of flingin it to an area.

In this offense...He's playing like a 3rd stringer. I'm not certain he"d do better in any other but as a quick release stay in the pocket QB....he has made no progress really. There's a dozen Frickin' ARENA ball QBs who can hit a guys hands on a little 10 yd pass. We may as well have Mike Robinson play QB. NOW we have recievers....but the ball has to be sorta near them

IMO he looked fantastic on the last drive. Got it done, and would have gotten it done easier if not for some big drops.

Tonight--after looking crappy all the way-Smith is getting a boost from a loose prevent by an Ariz team that's not too good on D. Smith finally ran-kept a drive going. Then Battle stretched-caught one and fumbled ito the EZ-we recover-but had Smith been a GOOD passer, Battle takes it full stride and it's a score. Niner's may win....final drive--80+ yds....but the Niners had about 150 TOTAL yards to that point.

Phoenix was not bringing the same rush on that drive. A good rush seems to distract Smith. He CAN throw long...but if there's guys all around he's unable to block it out.

Alex Smith can be a great quarterback if the coaches just play to his strenghs they have to get the guy moving at times. He could have took off running the whole game the way they were blitzing but the coaches arent letting him. The last drive they took off the leash and he showed what he could do. Norv Turner had Smith rolling out the pocket didnt try and keep him stationary in the pocket to get blasted. He can make all the throw on the field the offensive coordinator has to call the right plays.

I say thank god he's got such a high football I.Q.

he's kinda of like mike Dadgumleavy, always with
the high bb I.Q.

Smith seems to be really good at throwing o.b. to the right...

I say, send him on a bunch of negged bootlegs in the pitt game.


even the canadian star garcia would have made those two games
easy victories, with his 2 step drop, jump up and zing it to somebody
style.

had some thoughts that if smith goes down, they should pick up
andrew walter, if the raiders dump him...bez they always want to
save the old man for insurance..

Right now, after two games, I think average is too good a compliment for Smith. I have no faith in him at this point in his career.

I still think Alex is really intriguing. Hostler/Nolan need to let Smith out of the gates a little earlier. He's so good out of the pocket. Or, at least, he's more of a threat to make a big play out of the pocket. I really think he's making better decisions too, so I don't think he'll get intercepted so much this year. The one interception last game seemed like it was more T. Jacob's fault.

Whatever, I think that if Nol-stler keeps Smith on the move, it makes out defense much harder to contain. Once we have defenses on their heels, Gore will start getting a little more room to do his thing.

Just for comparison's sake, Brett Favre's 3rd season stats:

60.9% Pass Completion
3303 yds
19 TDs
24 Int
Rat 72.2

Of course, Favre's next season was, statistically pro bowl caliber (33Td, 14Int, 90.7Rat), and I don't think anybody is expecting that can't kind of jump from Smith. I just wanted to show that Favre had uneven stats early on in his career.

Right now, he's not even average. He's rushing passes, goes out of the pocket at times without really having a goal which results in him being sacked. Besides really the beginning 5-6 minutes of the Steelers game and the game winning drive against Arizona did he really anything for me to be positive in. I really hope he does well since he has all the tools to be an above average QB, but as of now I don't have much faith. Hopefully he proves me wrong.

There is no reason what so ever to believe SF can win a playoff game yet alone the SB with Smith at the QB. Perhaps that will change over time and with some good wideouts but for now I give it a 5% chance at best.

Smith is out at least the next two games, but more likely he's going to miss all of October.

I've never been a big believer in Smith, but I thought he made major strides last season. Apparently it didn't take, because he's been every bit as awful as Charlie Frye, other than one good drive.

Something seems to be up with our O-line, too.

It's not something...it's poor coaching.

no qb can function behind that line, how does a dt get a free running start against a qb. larry allen u slacker!

FaTaL wrote:no qb can function behind that line, how does a dt get a free running start against a qb. larry allen u slacker!

which idiot signed larry?