where could Alex Smith go?

[clyde_carbon]

it's a legit reason why smith should be much improved next season. any qb would improve being in the same system as they get more comfortable with the playbook.

I don't think it's a legit reason anymore. It was the first three years, but he's been in the league for seven years now. He's familiar with pro style route concepts and protection schemes, and while the terminology might be different, it's not like it's a completely different offense from some of offenses he's played in.

And really, if we're gonna have to wait until every position on offense is upgraded and he's knows the playbook from front to back before he can make a real difference (which is still an if), then that's another reason we should start looking for a replacement.

 

[MHSL82]

it's a legit reason why smith should be much improved next season. any qb would improve being in the same system as they get more comfortable with the playbook.

I think it's a legit reason why he'll improve, not a legit reason for why he wasn't better than he was. I think everyone should improve from year 1 to year 2 - regardless of position and with or without some Meyer quote.

I don't think it's a legit reason anymore. It was the first three years, but he's been in the league for seven years now. He's familiar with pro style route concepts and protection schemes, and while the terminology might be different, it's not like it's a completely different offense from some of offenses he's played in.

And really, if we're gonna have to wait until every position on offense is upgraded and he's knows the playbook from front to back before he can make a real difference (which is still an if), then that's another reason we should start looking for a replacement.

I think we've already found his replacement, if he is to be replaced - no reason to have to go look for one. Plus, I think there's always a reason to go look for the replacement if you don't have one - just look at Manning. No one would replace him but for the injury, but they would have been in a better position in 2011, if they had found the replacement. (Though with Luck they are in a better position than had Painter panned out.)

Now we're just seeing whether he can build on what he had last year. This year is a results year, not a process year. I thought other years were process years, meaning it was an issue whether he was getting there the right way and had the right development.

This year is the make or break year and I've never felt before that it was. I know that others have said that in 2010 or 2011, but in 2010 I thought the coaches were so bad (even before the season I felt this way) and in 2011 I thought we had so many reasons for it not working out (shortened season, first time coach, fans hated him). I think we can wait this next month or so, see the off-season competition, and if Kaep's not there, wait out the year seeing what Alex is capable of. I don't see a single excuse for this next year, though I'm sure others will find them. Smith should make do (due?) with the receivers he has, at the very least our receivers will know the system and Harbaugh will play to their strengths.

(This post is for everyone, not just who I quoted - a general reply.)

 

[Flyingiguana]

I don't think it's a legit reason anymore. It was the first three years, but he's been in the league for seven years now. He's familiar with pro style route concepts and protection schemes, and while the terminology might be different, it's not like it's a completely different offense from some of offenses he's played in.

And really, if we're gonna have to wait until every position on offense is upgraded and he's knows the playbook from front to back before he can make a real difference (which is still an if), then that's another reason we should start looking for a replacement.

we need players who can actually play their positions, we don't need to upgrade every position

 

[deep9er]

People like simple things. It's simpler if everyone is in their little boxes and if the boxes are checked off. It ends further inquiry and you can move on your way. Plus, it comes with the added incentive that you can tell people that football is not their sport or that they are clearly wrong about something in the future. I mean, how many people can say that?

The way I see it is it's pretty easy to see that we know what his skillset is. We have a coach that has recognized what he is currently capable of and has applied it to this offense. What we don't know is what his skillsets could be with proper coaching and a few more options at offense. We don't know he'll improve, regress, or stagnate and we don't know if what that is will ever be enough. (For example, with great WRs maybe Smith doesn't need to improve THAT much (though I think he will and must improve)?) We can guess at where that may be and when some guess, they state it with authority, which doesn't mean a hell of a lot. It goes to what I said about closure and finality, simplicity. It makes you a genius and who doesn't want to be a genius?

I'm glad I get to sit back and watch what happens and I am very happy that we have a coaching staff that I am confident will get the most out of Smith and everybody else. We don't have a Smith coach like we had a defense coach before. We dont have a coach who is worried about other people doing too good of a job that threatens his. We have an everybody coach now and we'll get the best - even if one day or next year that means without Smith.

My guess is that Smith will improve (but get more TOs), our offense around him will improve (but not all-world), and our defense will be great (but perhaps fall a bit). Where his ceiling is, I don't know and neither does anybody else, no matter what they say or how loud they say it or how they say it. That's what makes sports so great and difference of opinion and personalities is what makes message boards so great.

agree. we're now the hunted and play a tougher schedule.

 

[Southern9er]

Really? So after 7 fucking years you still have no idea what Alex's skill set entails or what he's capable of?

Wow. He must be the most mysterious QB of all time.

Yes...and you don't know either...potty mouth.

Last year at this time did you think he would have as good a year as he did? That he would make that kind of improvement? By using the 7 year comment you sound like Cazic, it's devoid of considering what was going on with the team, coaches, staff, injuries...if you say he got a fair shake and those were circumstances that he should have achieved under...that's just willful ignorance.

And don't change what I said...I said nothing about his "skill set"... yeah...I think he is the most mysterious QB of all time...but not as mysterious as to why Cheerios cling to the side of the bowl or why black holes are not black.

You think he's peaked...I don't...play with these and relax Francis :squeeze: I hope you don't talk to people like that face to face...it probably won't work out for you well.

 

[Southern9er]

People like simple things. It's simpler if everyone is in their little boxes and if the boxes are checked off. It ends further inquiry and you can move on your way. Plus, it comes with the added incentive that you can tell people that football is not their sport or that they are clearly wrong about something in the future. I mean, how many people can say that?

The way I see it is it's pretty easy to see that we know what his skillset is. We have a coach that has recognized what he is currently capable of and has applied it to this offense. What we don't know is what his skillsets could be with proper coaching and a few more options at offense. We don't know he'll improve, regress, or stagnate and we don't know if what that is will ever be enough. (For example, with great WRs maybe Smith doesn't need to improve THAT much (though I think he will and must improve)?) We can guess at where that may be and when some guess, they state it with authority, which doesn't mean a hell of a lot. It goes to what I said about closure and finality, simplicity. It makes you a genius and who doesn't want to be a genius?

I'm glad I get to sit back and watch what happens and I am very happy that we have a coaching staff that I am confident will get the most out of Smith and everybody else. We don't have a Smith coach like we had a defense coach before. We dont have a coach who is worried about other people doing too good of a job that threatens his. We have an everybody coach now and we'll get the best - even if one day or next year that means without Smith.

My guess is that Smith will improve (but get more TOs), our offense around him will improve (but not all-world), and our defense will be great (but perhaps fall a bit). Where his ceiling is, I don't know and neither does anybody else, no matter what they say or how loud they say it or how they say it. That's what makes sports so great and difference of opinion and personalities is what makes message boards so great.

And that is really it isn't it? No one thought he would be a 9er after 2010, then no one thought he could do what he did in 2011, imagine what he "won't" be able to do in 2012...

Clyde's a hypocrit...says he doesn't know if Smith will improve or not, then says he knows what he's capable of...I think Smith's skill set is still developing because it was NEVER really developed in the first place.