SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Alex Smith’s Tuesday group interview, courtesy of the 49ers.
What are your feelings going into your first playoff game?
“Excited. Obviously, this is why you play. You play to get into the postseason. Get your ticket to the dance. Excited to be hosting a home game. Looking forward to it. Can’t wait to see what the stadium is like. Obviously, we’ve got a great challenge in front of us. I need to have a great week of preparation, so this is where it starts.”
They obviously are known for blitzing a fair amount. It’s high risk, high reward it seems. Do you see opportunities there to get some plays down the field?
“No question. That’s kind of the nature of the game when teams pressure a lot. Obviously you’ve got some chances to make plays. They’re good at it. They’ve been doing it so long. They know where they’re vulnerable. I think the guys in the secondary do a great job with it. They know where they’re vulnerable. They do a great job of trying to take away those big plays as much as possible. So, we’re going to have to be on top of it, no question.”
You’ve done really well, it seems like, passing particularly at home. Why do you think it’s been better there?
“I don’t know. It’s a great question. Obviously crowd noise plays into that, especially on third down when you’re trying to throw the ball on the road. Anywhere you go you’re going to be dealing with crowd noise. So at home, to be able to use the cadence and be able to communicate a little easier, verbally obviously helps. I think that might play into it.”
Talk about the line. How the line has been playing this year and specifically how C Jonathan Goodwin’s addition has played into the improvement up front?
“Those guys have had a tough job with coming together in such a short amount of time, with no offseason and adding Goody into the mix. They’ve gelled quickly. I think especially all the different things we do. They’ve just really come together, run and pass. They really set the tone for us in both those areas. Really set the tone for us on offense. It all starts up front with those guys. They just continue to do a great job week in and week out preparing themselves for what they’re going to face.”
How much have you relied on Jonathan this week specifically knowing that he spent the last few years against Saints Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams defense?
“Obviously there is a little bit of familiarity there. I’ve been able to pick his brain here and there on things. We still have to go out there and do it. It’s something to help us, but it would be like someone asking me about our defense. I’d have a little bit to say, but really I’m so used to preparing for the other team’s defense that I don’t know it that well. I could tell you a lot more about our offense. One of those things.”
How drastically different are these offenses? There’s a lot being made about their high-powered offense and your offense has done just enough to get to this point.
“You can say what you want. A lot of different ways to win games in this league. Obviously offensively, they’re doing a lot of great things right now. Record-setting offense. It’s kind of what you aspire to get to, no question, offensively. To be able to put up those kinds of numbers, do what they’re doing. They’ve been in it a long time. Doing it at a really high level, no question. It’s kind of for you guys to write about, to talk about the differences and differences of style. Whatever you want to call it. It is what it is. It still comes down to scoring more points than the other team and that’s what we’re looking to do.”
With that said, you don’t want to get in a track meet with these guys or a shootout. You want to stay within your own offense.
“We’re going to play our game. We’re not going to be somebody we’re not. We’re going to continue to do what we do. We’ve done it all year.”
Can you define what you do?
“I think that style is whatever it takes to win. I think we’re going to be multiple in the run game and the pass game. We’re going to do a lot of different things, personnels. We’re not going to make it easy for the defense to defend us in all facets of the game.”
Given the amount of time they blitzed in the preseason game and how many hits you took, what adjustments have you made and what do you expect to see in terms of the blitz?
“Going back and watching the preseason game, it’s obviously such a long time ago, but they brought heavy pressure and we didn’t handle it very well. It was early on for us and obviously we’ve come a long way since then.”
Are you expecting more of the same?
“There’s a fair amount of pressure in every single team they’ve played this year. So, I think we’re absolutely expecting it. How much, who knows, but you have to get ready for it.”
What kind of background do you have with QB Drew Brees?
“I know Drew a little bit. We have the same agent. He lives down in San Diego now, stays part of the year down there and trains down there. I’ve worked out with him down there and have gotten to know him a little bit.”
How much have your responsibilities at the line of scrimmage evolved, not just throughout this season, but over your career?
“It just depends. I’m not going to get into it too much, but it depends week-to-week. We do different things. It depends on who we play.”
How much has WR Michael Crabtree progressed this season? What is your confidence level in him?
“I really think Michael’s playing at a high level. I don’t think he gets a ton of attention for all of the reasons you guys have explained. Defense obviously is playing lights-out this year and offense is a little bit flying under the radar. I think Michael is a prime example of that. I think he’s playing at a really high level for us and it kind of goes unnoticed a little bit, but not around here. I think every guy appreciates what he does in the run game and the pass. He continues to make plays for us.”
Have you seen more of a connection?
“Over the course of the year, no question. It was a new system at the beginning of the season and he was still down with an injury at the start. I think just looking to continue to grow each week.”
How much are you enjoying this week and being in the playoffs?
“It’s obviously new territory for a lot of us, me included, to still be playing football right now. It was fun watching games last weekend knowing that we had a game coming up and we’re still rolling. It’s exciting and I’m obviously not reflecting on it, but enjoying still playing football.”
What do you think the chances are of you out-throwing Drew Brees?
“I have no idea. I don’t care. I really don’t care. I’m looking to outscore him. He can throw for however many yards he wants to.”
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Looks like Harbaugh is really starting to rub off on Alex. I don’t ever remember Alex being this forward and direct with his comments. Go NINERS’ Saturday can’t get here fast enough!!!!!!!!
Well said Krazy
man up or go home
Man Sunday can’t come fast enough!!!
Does anyone believe we might end up really taking it to them and the outcome won’t even be close?!? I do for one… and The Stick is going to be OUT OF CONTROL!!! RING NUMBER SIX!!!
Saturday Brotha! Dont want you showing up to an empty lot. Like Clark W Grisswald. lol
@ninermd: classic
Wally World!! First ones here, First ones here…….First ones here. LMAO. My top 5 fave movie of all time.
Benny dont be a Clark. Wheeew
that was CLASSIC!!! Great one NINERMD =)
Hey man… our song is killing it on KMEL’s contest. Thanks again!
Sorry Yall but I couldnt resist. This is what I imagined if Benny had shown up Sunday to the stick. lmao
http://youtu.be/GEbz6kvnQDA
WHY???? Cuzz were the Blanco’s. LMAO! Ok last one.
ok settle down ninermd. I think you got enough play out of that joke already .
Yep Yep Benny and your tune will be slappin on this baby————————-> http://youtu.be/_g1y2kYmKW8
@ninermd
That is a bad toy!! Where can a Niner fan get one of those?
Is it a custom built job?
Yes sir. Me and a buddy of mine who is a dirty Steeler fan built it before he left for the Army. Its more custom now. I got some 9er speaker covers for the top ones. And more add ons to come. Thx for the love. I get a lot of looks at the stick. And it makes a guy’s day. My friends love it. I take it rafting down the river and blast it all day, pool parties. Camping. You name it. Its one of my favorite things Ive built. Wheeew! GO NINERS!
Ever thought of patenting and marketing that thing? I’d buy one!!
Priest…. I was wondering where you have been. Na no laker one, but someone had the balls to ask me to make them a celtics one. Access DEnied! Lol
Dude, the game is on Saturday lol
That is nice md. Did you make a Lakers one too?
I think I detected a little push back from Alex Smith today. Sounds like he isn’t backing down from the challenge.
Sounds like AS has his game face on…TESTY! Me too. lol
Can’t wait to see what the stadium is like”….A Smith
Let me tell you what its going to be like Mr Smith. Its going to be LOUD, Obnoxious, Crazy and full of RED!!!!!! Get our back because weve got yours. Niiiiiiiners!!!!
I like the fire fromAlex. Lets see it on the field. With this attitude Im saying he Finally breaks 300 yards on Sat. And 150 of those will come from KW.
Thataboy MD. Where are you tailgating? I’ll pop by. I’ll be wearing my number 4 Harbaugh jersey…
Pole M…. Where I be. Ill save a shot for ya. Not gonna be as big. Some of my peeps couldnt afford those big prices. ;-) But we still get down. Beer Pong anyone? lol
I’m up for some beer pong
Pole M over by the entrance to Hunters Point? Isn’t that RV parking?
AS has to leave skin tissue, blood, and broken teeth on the field Saturday – WIN baby. Go 9ers!!!
Its the 49er table out there. Come on by.
I love Alex’s attitude,
He basically confirmed my belief that there’s “Many Ways To Skin A Cat”.
2 Keys to winning on Saturday that I’m very confident about;
49er O-line Contolling The Line Of Scrimmage & the Clock
Jimbo – Game Time Coaching
I don’t have to mention the Defense because they’ll do what they’ve been doing All Year….Causing Havoc & Getting Turnovers.
ditto f49er
Alex is ready to go.
+1 if you are 100% behind Alex Smith right now!
+1 all in
+1. Win or go home!
@openminded
I have been since draft day.
What good would it have done me to do anything but? It would just turn you into an angry disgruntled fan, and if that’s the case; why are you choosing to live that life? Move on instead.
@ ds – since draft day here too.
@undercenter
Nice to know that there is somebody else here that agrees.
Far too often I read this blog and don’t get a positive vibe regarding the guy who handles the ball on every play (not counting the Center).
#1 I have seen good things from alex every single year, i never wrote him off.. the guy is a true competitor that faced ALOT of adversity.. I hardly doubt brees, rodgers, brady etc could handle some of it..look at palmer he b*tched up and moved on…ALEX DIDNT!!! let me say one last thing….GO NINERS!!!!!!!! its time to get dirty!!! hit the saints in the mouth and move on
@nick
So what is #2, 3, etc.
Sorry. Just being a jerk. lol
If you look at the number of starts AS has had, how diifferent is it from AR? Add to that the revelation that coaching matters, and how much time has AS really had to show how good he can be?
As an AS supporter, I can say without hesitation that the most frustrating thing as a fan for me has been the nagging issue of “How well has he been coached to learn the QB position at the NFL level?”
I always suspected that he didn’t get good coaching and that a good deal of the good AS (hate that term by the way) was all him. Him teaching himself, natural talents, etc.
This year has more than convinced me that notion of mine was more right than wrong.
lol it was suppose to say +1 not #1..lol my bad man..
Alex has alot of natural talent and i agree with you i think the coaches knew that and kinda left it alone i think harbaugh comes in with a qb background..tweeks a few things, gives AS some confidence then we have the new and improved… good post man.. NINERS
“Offense sells tickets, defense wins games, special team wins championships” Jeff Fisher.
Not to worry, Alex. All three components of the team will score on Saturday.
i don’t think the defense has scored this year…..no special teams TD (well except for akers to crabtree) since week 2 i think……
Jg,
Goldson has an interception return for a td.
CR Int return TD against TB.
Carlos Rogers INT for TD against TB, Teddy Ginn JR & PR for TDs against the Seachickens week 1.
Good answer Alex!!! Don’t these idiots know you have been outscoring these teams all season, (13 games worth)!!!! Also we came so close to beating the Saints just last season….
Md good to see you in good spirits and ready to rock it out Saturday. I’ll be cursing from afar but it’s our time for a playoff run. We win Saturday, it’s superbowl time!
Yes sir…. Sometimes real life situations make these petty arguements seem alot smaller. Game face is on. Im nervous for our team, but if we go out Im going out with a bang. If we win. Im winning big also! Wheeew. Saints 65 49ers 6. ;-)
Hey Michael Crabtree,
You’re not cheering, you’re playing! Gametime is Saturday at 1:30 bro.
I love my groupies!
Michael Crabtree!!!! Micheal Crabtree!!!! Michael Crabtree!!!! How you doing peeps!
Contract extension,Contract extension,Contract extension, bye bye bye bye bye hater!
“Hater.” Lol. Where did Oneniner go? He has been quiet lately…….maybe he is scared that the URL Detective will expose him AGAIN?
……..or maybe your just looking for a fight? The Michael Crabtree thing was a joke but of course haters like you and 23J took that way too far. Thats okay though, enjoy your glee in looking to start something up and causing dissension among fans, its what haters do, so do whatever makes you happy Big P!
@Prime
I took the MC as a joke as well.
What I don’t see the haters doing is get all up in arms when somebody logs in as another person’s name and writes up a bunch of BS using that person’s name.
They sure are silent when it comes to that. And those are the ones I want to be banned. You log in as somebody else and make fun of them, cuss them out, whatever, then you deserve to be banned.
Just antagonistics jerks looking to stir it up with fans who take this stuff seriuosly, maybe too serious but whatever, let them have their fun cause were gonna win Saturday and the critisism is already starting to die. Like you said, by this time next year, they will be all gone!
Michael Crabtree,
It was a joke after you got caught is more like it. You have been doing that crap forever. Funny that you got so upset about me wondering where Oneniner was.
Got caught? This isnt elementary school loser where I could get detention, it was a joke, just like your a joke!
Enjoy trying to stir up your BS, Ill be talking football, you be talking hating, you do that well!
@Prime
Nice classy response there. BigP could learn a thing or two from that.
Mr. Crabtree,
It’s okay, you got caught patna. It’s funny considering you always deny doing it, that’s all. I had such high regard for your honesty prior to this event.
Crabtree,
What’s the problem??? It’s okay to have 9 screen names if you want to. Why not be Alex Smith. You’re the hater, you hate to use one screen name! URL detective wants to talk to you onecrabprime!
BIG P you wanna keep playing this up, go ahead! When it comes to anything you or 23J says, Im like the Honey Badger, the Honey Badger dont give a sh$T!!!!!!!!
23J, you wanna bet on the contract extension for As after the season or are you still yellow?
Michael Crabtree,
Hoes the foot? Bwahahahaha.
Please can you bring back the oneniner guy? I like that impersonation better! The guy with 9 names wants to make a bet!! Which one of you guys are betting??? You are in the hall of shame on the blog clown. Turn in you 9 resignations!!!
Does not matter if I have 100 screen names, fact is, put your money or your reputation where your mouth is. You dont think Alex will get resigned, the entire football world does, man up?
Did I miss something? Prime – were you caught double posting?
@49er girl, 23J made some dumb comment about Michael Crabtree and not resigning with the 49ers so I logged back in as a joke with a screen name of MC and made some comment as if i was him. Now I apparently am a multiple poster, whatever, it was joke, but like I mentioned, Im the Honey Badger when it comes to haters like your group, the Honey Badger dont give a sh$t!!!!!!
I respectfully asked you a question and you call me a hater.
Classy.
49erGirl,
Grant called out the Honey Badger for posting under the name Michael Crabtree. Oneniner dissapeared soon after but I get the feeling he is just fine. :P
Sorry 49er girl, just going off past history.
@Big P:”Grant called out the Honey Badger for posting under the name Michael Crabtree”
Now its called out, when you learn the definition of a joke and not fabricate things to your liking, maybe people on here will take you serious. Until then, keep the hate campign going guy, your doing it well!
You want to start a war with me, Im game, you wanna let it go, thats probably in your best interest.
If they can check for that now then all I can say is “awesome!”
Have a feeling there’s more than one guilty party. Will be nice to see them called out on it!
Too funny that oneniner disappeared…..I….will…..not….miss….his….posts……
49erGirl,
Oneniner didnt disappear. He is primeninercrabtree. He is all 3 guys all wrapped up in one. He has 6 personalities.
Michael Crabtree is supposed to be at practice instead of posting with the loser DS on this blog. Crabtree doesn’t realize that DS( who reads every post on this entire blog) doesn’t like him or his game.
Michael Crabtree, the guy that can be in 4 places at one time. No wonder he has foot issues. That’s a lot of running bro.
Hey honey Crabtree oneniner Primetime. You’ve been identified as being a double agent. Does that mean you are also an animal as well as a football player as well as a clown poster on this blog with 6 personalities and multiple screen names? You are pathetic.
I know you are pathetic. You are even issuing apologies to 49ergirl. After all the names your alter ego has called her. HoneyCrabtime, you are a clown for real. I think you should officially ban yourself ipuntil after the superbowl. You are an embarrassment to the Smithers!
The Wringley Bros circus is back in town folks, starring funny man, 23J, come one come all and see the great hater perform his live act of hating 24/7. Then when the 49ers win he says “gee, so glad I was wrong, im a Niner fan, then repeats the cycle. Its a show you just cant miss!
Can everybody here just look at the first post of this thread.
Prime was complimenting md
md actually to his credit replied without putting prime down.
Everything after that is just one person hating another. All of it following Prime complimenting md.
And not shockingly, 23J is the one who started the whole fight going on now.
What did you expect from him, everyone knows 23J agenda, a) critsize Smith and b)go after people who believe in Smith.
DS, thanks for holding true but best advice you ever gave me and others, just ignore this guy. Niners are in a great position this weekend to win and win in the future. Its good to be a 49er fan right now, the critics can say what they want, this is the start of something special in SF. Go Niners!
@Prime
It just disgusts me that we have Saints fans saying crap about our team on this blog, and here we are doing:
a. Fighting one another. We should be fighting them a lot more. Maybe I am just too old, but when another teams fans attack your team, everybody should join in and go at them.
b. The Saints fans who are coming here have a good reason to doubt the Niners. The Niner fans here, no need to name the bloggers we all know are hating on their own team more than the opposition. Heck, they are nicer than we are. Giving more compliments than many here do. Pathetic.
Maybe this will wake everybody up to realize the stupid stuff they write about our own team is doing no good. And I meant an earlier post of mine last night. I have more decent conversations with other teams fans because they respect our team more than many here. Sad.
DS,
You are insignificant on this blog. Keep fighting with the Saints fans. They are dumb enough to believe that you actually know something about 49er football. Maybe they aren’t. At any rate, I know you don’t. Biggest troll on this blog. Keep latching onto anyone that posts an entry. You are lost and PrimeCrabtreeNinertime is the only friend you have.
I, personally am waiting for you to get lost for about 6 months. You are embarrassing me with your pathetic sympathy rants. Start a troll Niner fan Alex Smith blog. Take PrimeclownCrabtree with you!
It is good to know that everybody here is such a great person and fan.
Jordan, WTF is wrong with you? We are all Niners fans here and pulling for our team in the biggest game in a decade. If you want to amp up your anti-this-poster or anti-that-poster vendettas how about wating until the playoffs are over?
You are looking really small right about now.
@jordan:
Biggest troll on this blog.
Pot, meet kettle. Kettle, this is pot.
Typical 23J, a negative Nelly.
Looking for some advice, what is a good time to get to the stick for the game? 10? 11? 12? Is there lots around to do and see or what? I have been to tonnes of games in minny, Dallas, and buffalo but never San Fran … Was saving up my air miles for a special occassion like Saturday. Any advice would be huge thanks! Good place to eat around there before and after, etc. Thanks guys, Niners Forever!
I like to get to the game around 3 hrs before. Gives you time to BBQ and throw a football around. And of course have a few beers.
9 am. If your tailgating. Adam is right. Gives you time to watch the early games. BBQ and drink. There are boothes inside that you can check out. They usually BBQ and have some kind of Beer girl stampede. Lots to do. People in the lots are great. As long as you have 49er gear on. If you dont know anyone out there. Come by pole M.
Nice, thanks for the advice guys, I am pumped! Will be wearing Crabtree or old school Rice and just redid my wife’s Clements jersey to Rogers!
TONIGHT!!!!!
If this isn’t confidence, I don’t know what is. GO NINERS!!!!!!
Wow A.Smith
Do or die. Win or cry. Lead your men to victory Alex. You can do it.
How healthy is P Willy right now? We need the dynamic tackling duo to be sprinting down runners and TE’s, and maybe WR’s. This is a huge game!
That’s my biggest concern, PW’s hammy. He needs to be at full strength so he can impose his will across the whole field.
heard PW has been working hard holding nothing back
Wonder if Delaney is doing any running or conditioning…
It’s going to be typical grindup game for the 9ers. We should win ‘cus we’re a better overall team (8 pro bowl selections, 5 all pros). We know what N.O. will be showing and I’m sure the coaches have prepared for it. It will go right down to the wire.
Alex looks and sounds VERY ready to go. No matter how you feel about him as a QB, you can’t help but like this guy. Also with his best year being his first under JH, one can logically assume that he will continue to get better and better as he works in this offense. Let’s see some BIG games from Crabtree and Vernon come Saturday.
Man !!! You 9er Fans are delusional ! We talk’in about Alex Smith here ! Not Tom Brady ! Yall in for a rude awaking come Sat! C’mon Man Alex Smith vs Drew Brees
@Blove
And prior to Tom Brady winning his first Super Bowl, what great things did he accomplish?
This blog goes by so fast-But anybody brought up when Singletary said WE WILL STOP Drew Brees…they almost did?..So, under Harbaugh I trust..as a coach!
@ DS94everXev
I see you 9er Fans haven’t got a clue ! Alex Smith has been in the league for 7 yrs and not one playoff win, not to mention he was a first rd pick ! Can’t say the same for Brady. He’s not gonna take yall to the promis land !
@blove
Your comment might mean something about the Niners, but since you clearly don’t know what has happened here, your thoughts mean nothing.
Thanks for coming.