Alex Smith

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

No one wants him at that contract. He'll be cut because it's stupid of the Niners to pay so much for a backup and he'll get a chance elsewhere.

Matt Flynn makes more money to sit on the bench, and has proven far less in his career. I don't expect the Niners will just cut him free. After a full season of riding the pine, I could see it. But if they can't trade him, I think they'll hold onto him for another season, then cut him.

With the draft seriously lacking QB's, and with many teams needing a QB, I'd be shocked if they can't trade him for something decent.

 

[RR7]

I don't think it's a huge issue of paying a backup big money, if they couldn't find a trade, and Smith was actually willing, which I doubt. I don't think it's a starter/backup issue as much as money allocated to the position as a whole. So having an expensive backup but a super cheap starter isn't a big issue. Similar with Seattle.

 

[Natebishop3]

Actually, the losing was part of it. The Niners were still on quite a bit after the Seahawks came to the NFC. The Seahawks moving to the NFC was part of it (and the start). But once the Niners started sucking, ratings tanked and people were crying for the Seahawks, the "hometown" team. This is at least according to a family friend who would have some knowledge of the situation.

I don't know man... the change seemed almost instantaneous. Seagulls moved to NFC = Niners off Fox. It was either go to a sports bar or hope for a Monday night game. I really hate the Seagulls.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I don't know man... the change seemed almost instantaneous. Seagulls moved to NFC = Niners off Fox. It was either go to a sports bar or hope for a Monday night game. I really hate the Seagulls.

It wasn't instantaneous. They cut back on the Niners, and they showed most Seahawks games. Basically every Niners game was still on, as long as it wasn't at the same time as Seahawks games (unless the Niners were playing a top-tier opponent, then the Niners would generally get priority). Believe it or not, the seeming loss of the Portland market was supposedly a minor point of contention for the Niners when the Seahawks moved to the NFC. The NFL/networks tried to appease the Niners by continuing to show as many games as they could, but that kinda died down once the Niners started sucking (at least this is how it was all explained to me by someone I consider to have credible sources).

 

[blazerboy30]

Yes, like he did last year?? I mean, I'd get your opinion if I hadn't seen Smith blossom into what he's become. But I expected him to wilt against the Saints, but he stepped up like a champ. He had a decent game against the Giants, and that was not his fault they lost.

Blossom into what he's become? Harbaugh has had to baby him by giving him nothing to think about other than short dump passes and a power running game. Hell, I could look good playing quarterback in that system.

 

[Rhal]

I cant see teams giving up anything more then a fourth rounder for smith. He just isnt that great and has no upside. Maybe the vikings will give up more but I just dont see a team wanting him badly enough to give up a high pick for him. He is what he is, a qb with average mobility an average arm who isnt stupid.
The niners could get lucky because this year the QB draft is very weak but id keep him another year if noone offers a good pick because kapernick (however you spell his name) is going to get tackeled a lot as a running type QB and will be at a high risk for injury.
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[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Blossom into what he's become? Harbaugh has had to baby him by giving him nothing to think about other than short dump passes and a power running game. Hell, I could look good playing quarterback in that system.

Dude, really? Check Smith's stats. He had some of the most efficient games a QB can have. That ain't all the coaching. You have to have an able QB.

As I've said, I'm not saying he's some stud. But he's good. But I'm not even arguing that. You've said he's mentally weak, but reality indicates otherwise, and you've presented nothing that would indicate he's mentally weak.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

I cant see teams giving up anything more then a fourth rounder for smith. He just isnt that great and has no upside. Maybe the vikings will give up more but I just dont see a team wanting him badly enough to give up a high pick for him. He is what he is, a qb with average mobility an average arm who isnt stupid.
The niners could get lucky because this year the QB draft is very weak but id keep him another year if noone offers a good pick because kapernick (however you spell his name) is going to get tackeled a lot as a running type QB and will be at a high risk for injury.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

Agreed. I think you have to consider keeping him. But all it takes is one desperate team to up the bidding.

In keeping Smith another year, you do have to consider the potential chemistry issues. I don't think they'd be an issue with Smith, but it's something you have to consider any time you move a starter (who's being paid like a starter) to the backup role.

 

[PapaG]

These dates, especially the $7.5m for next year, are going to play a big role in whether or not Smith can be traded or is just cut.

With $7.5m due long before the draft, the 49ers aren't going to get much value for him in terms of picks.

Whoever said a 3rd-round pick is probably on the right track, or even a 4th- or 5th-round pick.

There are 2 key dates to keep in mind: 1) March 12, 2013 (tentatively based on new league year date, and 2) April 1, 2013. The former date is when Alex Smith is due a $1 million roster bonus. The latter date is when his $7.5 million base salary for 2013 becomes fully guaranteed. Whatever the 49ers elect to do, $1 million of that $7.5 million is already guaranteed separate from the base salary and the earlier March roster bonus.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

These dates, especially the $7.5m for next year, are going to play a big role in whether or not Smith can be traded or is just cut.

With $7.5m due long before the draft, the 49ers aren't going to get much value for him in terms of picks.

Whoever said a 3rd-round pick is probably on the right track, or even a 4th- or 5th-round pick.

This. Smith has shown enough teams will be interested. And two late picks (rounds 4-5) ain't bad value. You either get that, or if you're worried about Kaep's health and/or development, then you keep Smith. Personally, and I know I may be viewed as biased because I'm a Niners fan, but the position is not a bad position to be in.

 

[PapaG]

This. Smith has shown enough teams will be interested. And two late picks (rounds 4-5) ain't bad value. You either get that, or if you're worried about Kaep's health and/or development, then you keep Smith. Personally, and I know I may be viewed as biased because I'm a Niners fan, but the position is not a bad position to be in.

Not a bad position, but with that contract, I wouldn't expect much value back in a trade when he can just be cut and become a free agent. I think his arm strength is always going to be a problem, and paying him $7.5 million next year may be a stretch for teams that actually need QBs, such as my Raiders, the Cardinals, the Jets, and KC, due to the cap hit.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Not a bad position, but with that contract, I wouldn't expect much value back in a trade when he can just be cut and become a free agent. I think his arm strength is always going to be a problem, and paying him $7.5 million next year may be a stretch for teams that actually need QBs, such as my Raiders, the Cardinals, the Jets, and KC, due to the cap hit.

Agreed. But I don't think the Niners will feel they have to cut him, either. He's under contract. Unless they go super-deep and/or win the SB, they can sell him on, one, he's under contract and two, come compete for the starting position.

The dude is far less of a bitch than most pro athletes. The current situation shows that.

 

[Natebishop3]

Agreed. But I don't think the Niners will feel they have to cut him, either. He's under contract. Unless they go super-deep and/or win the SB, they can sell him on, one, he's under contract and two, come compete for the starting position.

The dude is far less of a bitch than most pro athletes. The current situation shows that.

You know what though, it's unfair to him. The guy has stuck with the team through all the bullshit, and he was finally doing well, but still lost his job because of an injury (and not a serious one). I'm not saying I want him back in the starting lineup, but I think he's good enough to start in the NFL and if the team doesn't see a future for him as Niner, they need to either cut or trade him. He has earned that. Relegating him to a backup in his prime is unfair and disrespectful to a guy who has given quite a bit to San Francisco. Let him go somewhere else and get a fresh start.

 

[ehizzy3]

You know what though, it's unfair to him. The guy has stuck with the team through all the bullshit, and he was finally doing well, but still lost his job because of an injury (and not a serious one). I'm not saying I want him back in the starting lineup, but I think he's good enough to start in the NFL and if the team doesn't see a future for him as Niner, they need to either cut or trade him. He has earned that. Relegating him to a backup in his prime is unfair and disrespectful to a guy who has given quite a bit to San Francisco. Let him go somewhere else and get a fresh start.

as a niner fan you might have a more respected perspective, but....he was only good last year and then this year, so what did he really give them? not like he was carrying his weight when they blew

 

[Natebishop3]

as a niner fan you might have a more respected perspective, but....he was only good last year and then this year, so what did he really give them? not like he was carrying his weight when they blew

But, shit, that could be said about a lot of QBs in the NFL. How many current starters have been consistently good over their entire careers? You could probably count them on one hand.

Brady
Manning
Brees
Rodgers

Manning had some down years. Roethlisberger is amazing when he's healthy, but that seems rare. Who else is there? It seems like every year there's a guy who has a career year, and then falls off. Outside of the DB, it has to be one of the most mercurial positions in the NFL.

 

[blazerboy30]

Dude, really? Check Smith's stats. He had some of the most efficient games a QB can have. That ain't all the coaching. You have to have an able QB.

As I've said, I'm not saying he's some stud. But he's good. But I'm not even arguing that. You've said he's mentally weak, but reality indicates otherwise, and you've presented nothing that would indicate he's mentally weak.

Dude, check his stats comparing his performance with and without Harbaugh and then try to tell me it isn't mostly about the coach in his case.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Dude, check his stats comparing his performance with and without Harbaugh and then try to tell me it isn't mostly about the coach in his case.

Tell me how he's mentally weak!

Your totally digressing from the argument and talking about something I've never said. It's not like Smith never showed flashes of potential. Harbaugh is a great coach, no doubt. I give a lot of props in getting what he was able to out of Smith. But the Niners were a complete waste before Harbaugh showed up. Suddenly other players are stepping up, Smith gets more protection, etc. The coaches prior to Harbaugh (and nearly the entire team) were absolute garbage.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Dude, check his stats comparing his performance with and without Harbaugh and then try to tell me it isn't mostly about the coach in his case.

Mike McCarthy. Norv Turner. Jim Hostler. Mike Martz. Jimmy Raye II. Mike Johnson.

6 offensive coordinators in his first 7 years. How many quarterbacks have been successful with that kind of system turnover? Name me one. I'll wait...

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

Mike McCarthy. Norv Turner. Jim Hostler. Mike Martz. Jimmy Raye II. Mike Johnson.

6 offensive coordinators in his first 7 years. How many quarterbacks have been successful with that kind of system turnover? Name me one. I'll wait...

Don't forget the head coaching. Those dudes were terrible.

I'm sorry - I love Harbaugh. I think he's an excellent coach. But thinking that it's solely the coach that is responsible for Smith's turnaround is pure lunacy. Dude battled a serious shoulder injury, had no protection, no offensive options (besides Gore), not to mention the coaching/OC issues.

 

[Natebishop3]

Not to mention he finally got a healthy Crabtree, Vernon Davis, etc. Now this year he had a lot of weapons in Moss, Crabtree, Davis, Manningham, etc.

 

[RR7]

Mike McCarthy. Norv Turner. Jim Hostler. Mike Martz. Jimmy Raye II. Mike Johnson.

6 offensive coordinators in his first 7 years. How many quarterbacks have been successful with that kind of system turnover? Name me one. I'll wait...

Not trying to completely argue against Alex SMith, but last year was easily his best year. But it's not like he had consistency last season. Last season was his first with, again, a new HC and OC.

 

[Nikolokolus]

As an outsider with absolutely no skin in the game, I think AS looks like an ideal backup. He protects the ball, he's smart, but his ability to drive the ball down the field and make stick throws is just not there. As for whether or not teams will hotly pursue him via trade, I guess part of that is going to come down to how desperate they are for a "placeholder" type of QB -- presumably, the acquiring team understands that there's not much left to develop out of him and he's going to be the kind of guy that will professionally manage a game for you but probably won't win them for you.

The only teams that immediately spring to mind are those with a "defense-first" philosophy, or teams that primarily see themselves as a running team. So maybe a team like the Jets, Bears, Vikings, Jacksonville, Baltimore, etc. would be a decent landing spot, but I don't see teams offering much more than a fifth or sixth round pick for him given the fact that the Niners have no leverage (because they can't eat his cap hit).

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Where-will-Alex-Smith-land-next-year-4133430.php

New article up on sfgate.com. This beat writer says Smith will be coveted, and the Niners will likely receive something significant in return. Oh, and Smith is third in QB rating this season.

I just think people haven't seen as much of Smith as they like to say they have. As I've said, he's no star, but he's a better QB than people give him credit for.

 

[Sinobas]

When can you start trading? He's due for a 10 million dollar roster bonus in April, so I imagine he'll be cut if he's not able to be traded before then. The Eagles got a 2nd rounder for Kolb....but he didn't have nearly as large a contract as Smith.