SANTA CLARA – Here’s what Jim Harbaugh said about Alex Smith at today’s press conference.
Harbaugh starts with praise, and at the end he makes it very clear he wants Alex Smith to return to the Niners next year.
What Harbaugh didn’t say was whether he wants Smith back on a one-year deal or a multi-year one. The way he said it makes it seem like the Niners will offer him just a one-year contract.
Still, this announcement seems to confirm that the Niners will not make a run at Josh Johnson or Andrew Luck or Peyton Manning or any other quarterback this offseason. They’re rolling with who they’ve got.
For now.
HARBAUGH: “Anytime a quarterback can play sixteen games for you – start and play every down pretty much the entire season – that’s a man-sized job. That’s hard to do, and you don’t see many guys do it because it’s really hard. He’s been mentally tough, he’s been physically tough the entire year.”
Q: He made a play late in the game – I’m sure quarterbacks are taught to throw the ball away and avoid the sack – he held onto the ball for the sack to keep the clock going and force the Rams to take a timeout. Can you remind a guy to do that or does he just do that on his own?
HARBAUGH: “Well, we didn’t remind him to do that before the play started. You don’t want to plant that seed, plant a negative right before a play starts. But we talked about that in training camp, we talked about that in film study when we’re watching other players in the same situation, and he retains all that. He’s experienced enough now to know those things. That’s just situational football to him. He’s rarely going to have a lapse in that phase of the game. I know we’ve talked about that before – how good he is in terms of understanding situational plays in football (snaps his fingers) even as they’re occurring in split-second time. It’s just fun to see. And he makes a lot of those types of plays, and we’ve talked about that before – that they don’t show up in the yards statistics or the touchdown statistics when you start comparing him to other quarterbacks. But it’s there.”
Q: A week or so ago you said you consider Alex your guy going forward. Have you made that same verbal commitment to Alex?
HARBAUGH: “I’ve told Alex that, of course. I wouldn’t tell you something that I didn’t tell Alex, would I? (Laughs).”
Q: Is there a verbal agreement, almost like what you guys had before the lockout?
HARBAUGH: “No, no, I don’t know what verbal agreement you’re referring to, but…”
Q: He had your playbook.
HARBAUGH: “I told Alex that I wanted him, that, “Hey, we’re going to want you to come back here next year.” He’ focused on this season. That’s where his mindset wants to be. I totally respect that. We’ll talk about it and address it when the season’s over, the way I understand it.”
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NOTE: I just posted these comments at the end of the “grades” thread which may be just about finished. I hope it’s not too terrible for me to post again here.
There are those that think the Niners can solve their current (notice the word current as in not always) red zone problems by having the quarterback run more as they get closer to the end zone.
I can remember a lot of great running quarterbacks that had a lot of success but also had their seasons cut short. Montana and Young both added a great “extra” dimension to their respective offensives by being able to run with intelligence.
Maybe Young wasn’t always smart about when to run but he was exciting. Unfortunately I remember one season that lost it’s great ending because Young ran when he really didn’t have to. The playoff game was against Detroit at Candlestick and the winner was set to play Green Bay for the NFC championship the next week.
It was late in the fourth quarter and the Niners were ahead 7-0 and Young plowed into the end zone from a few yards out. A linebacker plowed into Young and broke some of his ribs. Taking the field goal would have left the Niners at 10-0 in a game they won 14-0. Young tried to play the next week but he wasn’t effective.
Another Super Bowl missed. Heavy duty running quarterbacks seem to miss more Super Bowls that smart running quarterbacks. It’s another aspect of the one and out syndrome — one hit and out.
For someone who started with the Niners in 1946, the unexpected great years have been a lot more fun than the years when anything less than winning the Super Bowl was a failure.
Enjoy.
It was actually the Eagles and it was in the 1997 season. Jerry Rice caught a beautiful one-hand TD reception with an broken-ribbed Steve Young lobbing it to him, in his own words, “like a shot-put.”
Grant stop playing Dr. Phil unless your are a psychologist and have a 6th sense about what people mean.
“The way he said it makes it seem like the Niners will offer him just a one-year contract”
Whatever it’s still an extension and 23 Jordan and all the other haters are feeling ill right about now. As they say in Canada:
Na na na na,
Na na na na
Hey hey hey, goodbye!
Na na na na
Na na na na
Hey hey hey goodbye!
why should Grant have to be a psychologist when Dr. Phil isn’t either?
LOL! I wasn’t gonna dog out Dr. Phil, but…..truth is truth.
20:1 odds there will be a meltdown on this blog before i get home from work.im glad he wants alex back.the longer youre in a system the better you come to fully understand it.maybe thats whats been missing the last 9 years:stability.
Only 20:1 ?
Heads are going to explode. Some people will be lighting themselves on fire. Cats and dogs living together. What a mess!
Complete collapse of civilization, I tell you. Didn’t the Mayans predict the Niners would re-sign Smith and the word would end?
*world
@Adam
Replace “What a mess!” with “mass hysteria!”. You’ll get a quote from Bill Murray in Ghostbusters. And it will be more appropriate as well. lol
Bay, MD,23j one more year or more and we haven’t even played the playoff game, hahahaha, you were wrong again!
Uhhhhh Check the past posts. I said…. “You are crazy if you dont think they will resign Smith” If they kept him when he stunk why would they get rid of him now after having his best season? Try again! If your going to put words in my mouth, make sure they arent able to be found.
Grant, the 9ers wouldn’t “reward” AS and his play this year with a “one year” contract. That would be an insult. He is only 27 and has played better than most anticipated and my guess is that it is a 3 year deal. We’ll find out soon…
That’s what I expected, too. But Harbaugh made a point of saying, “next year.” He’s usually precise with his words, in his own evasive way.
Ok I see where you are coming from based on that well worded phrase. Could also be he doesn’t want to play TB’s hand??!
Or perhaps by throwing out the unknown of the contract timeline you are trying to add another 150+ comments to this blog article like a sharp business man?
Harbaugh has already stated that he sees Alex Smith as the QB of the future. I just can’t stand all of this second guessing when time and time again, Harbaugh has done EXACTLY what he said he was going to do. Harbaugh has CONSISTENTLY praised Alex Smith. To even suggest that the 49ers would offer him a short term contract, just wreaks of a biased opinion by people who just can’t let it go. Alex is here to stay people…GET OVER IT.
Sounded like he was talking about his conversation with Smith from last year! “Next year” being the year we just watched. I think he confused you.
I think you’re reading too much into his choice of words Grant. He said he wanted him back next year yes, but he wasn’t speaking about the contract length when he said that. Just that he had told Smith he wanted him back.
I know we all try to read between the lines with this situation, but the truth is Harbaugh has been in Smiths corner from day one and it appears he still is. My guess is a 3 year deal with some good money up front so they can cut ties with him in a year or two if it doesn’t work out, or Kap overtakes him for the starting job.
So Hofer,
if it is truly only a one year contract, then what does that say to Alex Smith?
AS should look elsewhere. Why not? It’s not all about loyalty as we know. Need to make a living…
Bay if AS gets signed to a multi-year contract what will you say/do? Will you finally start giving him a little praise?
Hof…Maybe it’ll be a series of SIX 1 year contracts. LOL
61, well played! lol
Reeling, trying to find more excuses, have nothing left in the tank to blast Alex?
You’re looking into the wording too much Grant.
Just yesterday he told you (media) to insert any adjective you wanted about how important the bye week is for this team.
Point being he wants the bye week, just like he wants AS (1 yr does not say “I want yoy to lead us.”)
and it’s like Harbaugh gives the Media much in the way of clues into what he’s thinking or planning. I guess playing Johnny Carson’s Karnac helps the Media stay interested in JH’s usually vague answers.
Whether it’s Alex, CK or Tolzien, if they can help the TEAM win i’m good.
Alex is still young and can have a good run if he is signed to a long-term contract.
I said it at the beginning of the season and I haven’t changed my thinking, “If Hargaugh is good with Alex, i’m fine with it.”
Smart post. Not an idiotic rant.
AES,
Well said.
Keep your backhanded compliments to yourself Pork, we all know who you are.
I don’t know how you interpreted that comment to mean that they would only offer Alex a 1-year contract. Unless Alex stinks up the play-offs he will be in demand by a number of teams for much more than a 1-year contract. A 1-year for 2011 made sense for both the team and the player because of the lockout – the Niners didn’t want to commit to anything longer because of Alex’ shaky history, and Alex needed the Niners this year to reestablish his value. I don’t see him signing up for less than 4-years @ $9-10M per.
I absolutely agree with your post, V2. If the 49ers want him back, they’ll have to offer more than a 1 year deal, guaranteed. It’s unfathamable that he comes back on another 1 yr deal.
i dont read anything in the comments of harbaugh to indicate that he was saying he only wants smith back for next year…niners would have to know that if they want smith the have to make a multi year comtract commitment–why would smith take a 1 year deal after a breakout season?
Great to see the Niners securing the bye .. and my oldest son, who gives me crap about Vernon dropping passes, got an ear-full, yesterday !
It looked like Harbs was gonna pull Alex right before the Lamb’s late rally..
but evidently, decided to keep him in to “save” the game …
Now, when you think about it … when was the last time THAT could have been said ?
I’ll be rooting for The Lions this weekend… only because .. The Harbs really knows how to get under Swartz’s skin !!
Go Alex !! … Get us #6 !!
Now Harbaugh is precise in his words, before it was one word answers and very vague, nice try!
Bye bye haters, bye bye!!!!!!!!
+ 1
The Coach said that Alex Smith is a PRO BOWL QB, why would he just offer Alex a one year contract, according to MM , a couple of weeks ago, the Niners were going to offer Alex a 3 year contract for roughly 8 million a year. But the jury is still out, if he is one and done in playoffs and plays poorly, it might be one year and if we go deep in the playoffs perhaps he will get a 3 year deal.
@Neal
If that happened, and they only did offer 1 year that would send a bad vibe to the other players.
Play 1 bad game and we’ll kick you out, or look to replace you (1 year contract would mean that this time around). It would create the same uptight atmosphere MS had…and we know how this team plays under those circumstances.
@DS,
Thanks for answering my post, I have no problem in giving him a one or maybe a two year deal, what does it say to the player’s and the fans when the last six years, he has been mediocre at best and we still kept him. I don’t believe that has ever happen in the NFL. Alex has made a ton of money for poor performances, if he walks I believe in the coach we will continue to have the same success, with CK or a free agent.
@Neal
AS only got 1 big contract. And every #1 pick does, so you can’t hate him for that.
The 2nd contract didn’t break the bank, and the 5 million for this year was just 1 million more than Kerry Collins got from Indy this year. Yeah. He got paid 4 million and played only a handful of games (winning none) until they kicked him out. So for 1 million more the Niners got the 2nd best record in the NFL, and the Colts have the worse record. I feel the Niners got quite a bargain here.
Add the fact that AS has improved each year (stats, general viewing him proves this out), and I think a multi deal is deserving and coming.
AS won’t try to screw the Niners (ask for 20 million a year type thing). AS could have emailed every other team the Niners playbook if he wanted (JH gave it to him while AS was not under contract). He didn’t.
P.S. If you treat me respectfully (as you have) I will reply more often than not. lol
“I don’t believe that has ever happen in the NFL.”
It’s not only happened. It happened in San Francisco.
#12 – John Brodie. 17 years with the 49ers. Granted it was a different time and all that, but he didn’t have stellar numbers compared to today’s players. He wasn’t always great but he grew in to got better and got us close to a Superbowl 10 years before Joe.
It happens. It’s what many of us say all the time in the support of him: a QB isn’t on an island, he needs weapons around him, he needs a good O-line, etc. This team has the capability to be great if this season is any indicator.
Bradshaw has said the same thing about his situation in comparison to Smith. He sees similarities in his first few years compared to Smith with the exception of the revolving door of OC’s.
@DS,
I don’t hate AS but let’s say I don’t have a love affair with him, yes it was one contract but they could of cut him after season 4 or 5. I hate the saying but it is what it is, sometimes making amazing throws and other times back to Alex. I do have to say the O- line has been inconsistent along with the receiver’s not being world beaters.Although they have shown big improvement as of late. Let’s enjoy the season and as the Rev would say then we will move forward.
@neal
Interesting how all 3 of those areas:
QB
WR
OL
seemed to have gotten better all at once and show the same inconsistent nature.
“we talked about that in film study when we’re watching other players in the same situation”
Do you think he is watching the older film archives of the great JM and SY in action or the more contemporary QB’s like PM and TB?
I have no problem at all with A. Smith coming back. A full training camp to implement more of the west coast offense, a good draft and maybe more impact free agents signed for him to use, and he’s smart and willing to further tudor a smart but raw rookie (ColinK) with Cam Newton-type skills is a good situation to have. 13-3 speaks for itself and needs to be rewarded.
Harbaugh,like every other coach wishs he had a QB he didnt have to baby,didnt HAVE to play it so close to the vest..or had the background baggage of terrible seasons-and so many of them.
He figures if Alex is on a wave..he can’t count on it. That’s why the franchise isnt rushing to sign Alex. And if your Alex,your not much of a threat to leave..it’s a co dependent relationship.
I figure too-Alex is always a worry to reinjure that shoulder. One hard sack..and he’s out for months.
“One hard sack..and he’s out for months.”
Glad all those hits and sacks he’s taken this year have been soft ones . LOL
Stan is a Raider fan per his pointed game comments. He is green with envy. lol
Oh,then those past season sacks that knocked him out were special magic sacks? His shoulder surgery was my imagination?
This year,many a Alex sack was Alex taking a dive. His lack of turnovers is because before he could have a ball knocked loose-he was already on the turf.
I don’t mean to be insulting but such comments really speak to a very low football IQ and a very strong bias.
@V2
Compared with many other posts, this is rather tame.
Stan,
stay classy and dont be a douche simples
Smith will most likely be our best option at QB for the next couple years. I know a few people like Josh Johnson but that is based off of what him playing for Harbaugh in SD in college. Guy hasn’t shown much in the NFL, not saying he wouldn’t be better, just saying theres a possibility he’s not, so why turn our back on Smith. I don’t think trading for Luck or Manning would be smart because we will have to give up so much to get either. But if we were to trade i would go with Manning no doubt, assuming he is 100%. With Luck there is the unknown factor of if he will live up to the hype. Yes i know he is the most pro ready QB ever, but that doesn’t mean no matter what he will live up to it. I say stick with Smith and add a Big name WR and watch the offense take off next year. I know some think Smith as hit his playing “Ceiling” but i ask you how? He had 3150 yards, 17 TD’s, 5 Int’s, 61.4 completion %, and a 90.7 QB rating, All with a below average receiving core. All the receivers we have are strictly possession receivers. So if were to sign a big name receiver say a VJax, and have Josh Morgan return why wouldn’t Smith do better?
Adam,
Look at it this way…..3150 yds. in the first year of the system….throwing for a minimum of 80 more yds. per game next year, puts him at the 4400 yd level…..not out of the question.
Exactly what im saying. I do think with how the NFL is nowadays, if Smith given another weapon he could be a 4000 yard 25 TD guy.
heard some rumor luck may stay at stanford
That would be hilarious
Could be interesting of that were to happen. It would make for a prety good 1-2 QB draft in 2012 with Matt Barkley opting to stay at USC for his senior year.
My bad….I meant 2013.
sorry Adam707, I’m going to disagree with you on this one. I think you could put a Calvin Johnson or a Larry Fitzgerald on this team and they would end the season with just average WR stats. Why? Because Alex Smith has accuracy issues. How many times have we seen the “go-route” down the sidelines this season with our WR/TE a step or two behind coverage only to not have any chance to catch the ball because it is 5-10 yds. out of bounds. How many times have we seen a wide open receiver have to stop or jump to catch a pass rather than having it delivered in stride. How many times have our Receivers been “thrown open”? They don’t call the screen pass to often because with AS even the screen pass is an adventure. I for one think that if we had a Matt Ryan, or a Matthew Stafford, or even a Matt Flynn, you’d see Coach Roman take more shots down the field or in the end zone. I think AS has shown some improvement this season and that’s great, but being in his 7th season I think he should be showing more, more than a 7th year Rookie would. With that said, I hope Roman and Coach H. take the training wheels off AS and tell him its sink or swim time …….. otherwise, the only guy putting up points for us will be David Akers and that’s not a good thing ……………… Go Niners!!
Have you seen half of the throws both of those receivers get? Double and triple coverage and they make plays. Fitz and Calvin both get quality stats regardless of who their QB is. They are that type of player. Last year Fitz had the worst of the worst QB’s and he still managed 1137 yards and 6 TD’s
9ersurf,
Good post. Good because it is the truth. I’ve not even read the replies to your post but I can imagine what they will be. Your post says exactly what I’ve been saying for months. It’s playoff time. We will see what we have.
Most annoying verbal tick in the 2011 NFL season: the use of the superfluous “a.”
Tell us, 9erSurf, what is “a” Calvin Johnson? What is “a” Larry Fitzgerald? “A” Matt Stafford, Ryan, Flynn? Are these individuals clonable? I hate to point this out, because frankly, it’s ticky-tacky, but boy oh boy, you have been watching way too much Mike Mayock. I can almost hear your lisp!
While your points are valid, they reek of Haterade. How about giving the guy who developed Andrew Luck a couple of seasons with the #1 draft pick who just tied the NFL single-season record for INTs before you get on the Niners’ QB’s case?! And please don’t point to any of those 7 years as though any of them were potentially beneficial to the guy who was thrown out to slaughter by The Two Frauds.
Thx.
@Pork
Stan is a Raider fan. I hope you know that means no further explanation is necessary.
And, sorry. If anybody thinks that LF does not make any QB better, they are in need of a new brain. I saw some clips from the last AR game, and the guy made about 5 catches that nobody had any business making. A few of them should have been intercepted if not for LF.
People on this board don’t think a great WR can help as much as they actually can. Too obsessed with the QB throwing perfect passes every time. That Cards QB had some good stats. If not for LF, they would be a lot worse. Has nothing at all to do with him. Has to do with LF.
Sorry.
This post was not placed properly. : )
Jordan,
I agree with him too. Those of us that are not convinced see all of Alex’s limitations. Those that support see his limitations too. They just don’t talk about them, instead they protect. So instead of talking about what we already know, what is the solution?
Is there someone out there that we can realistically sign that is an immediate improvement? I want Manning. I know he will cost a lot, but I want HIM. His health is a big issue though according to Colts ownership.
Brees is second on my wish list. Can we get him? Only if we severely break the bank. I really doubt the Saints will let him go.
Flynn? He sure looked good. Ok, no he looked great. Made all the throws. Quick, accurate, good decision making. No chemistry excuses or lack of playing time excuses. He’s worth taking a look at. Might have to break the bank for him but it’s a smart risk. We already broke the bank on Alex hoping for greatness. Granted life has not been fair to him but reality is we got a game manager in his 7th year.
If none of these pan out, then realistically we need Alex until our home grown talent takes his job away. Either way, one by one the excuses go away.
Offensive line was an excuse and a legitimate one for half the season. They have improved greatly but the stats have not.
WR’s not being able to get open were an excuse but not so much anymore. Crabtree gets open often and was missed so often on deeper routes that the accuracy issue is the number one knock on Smith.
Playcalling. This one is interesting and I think it’s the most legitimate excuse. I love our new coaching staff, and you have to take the good with the bad. Having said that, our playcalling was pretty boring this year. Made me question how badly we wanted it at times.
Either way, these question will get answered after the season is over.
For now I give my full support to our QB. We are in the playoffs. Not just the QB but the entire team need to step up their game. More than anything I wish for a healthy productive Gore. Without that, our power running team is a power running team with no power runner……. I think if Gore’s good, we are good. Go Niners.
Yessss, back in the playoffs, lets be positive people, how long has it been, that we could actually say that!
Stan..
Have you been watching the Niner games, this season ?
I have .. and Alex has been put to the turf… many times !
… and quite a few of those times, it seems, would have put a lot of
lesser QBs on the IR !!
A 13-3 record … the #2 seed … and the NFC West crown, are enough
to bring Alex back on a multi-year deal …
Deal with it !
If the team doesnt think that-or Harbaugh..what does that tell you? hmm?..Something about Alex and smoke and mirrors that the team recognizes.
Stan,
Remember,
We are still talking about alex Smith. Guys don’t realize that there is reason for pessimism. 1 decent year with the coach holding your hand does not make a career. I’m not impressed and I don’t need perfection. I’m still suspect but the playoffs will tell the story.
>>If the team doesnt think that-or Harbaugh..what does that tell you?
What are you talking about? All season long Harbaugh has been gushing over Smith, infuriating the “haters” and, frankly, even embarrassing the “smithers”. Elite? Pro-bowl? That started with the team, not posters on this blog.
Where in your mind does that equal a one year deal?
Grant,
Did you see the Colts owner say that they were going in a different direction at QB? Said he didn’t believe Manning physically could come back.
On another note, curious why you didn’t post Cosell’s interview from last week.
Lastly I want to apologize for my rant earlier today. It’s disrespectful to your blog. Shouldn’t let people get me to that point.
KC and SD said they are going a different direction at WR? Do you think Bowe and Jackson would look good in 9er uniforms? Maybe get some trade value for MC?
Can’t trade MC, he’s becoming Alex’s favorite target
Adam707, Just responding to Bay’s interesting comment…lol
No hof.
I saw Jackson just watch a defender intercept the ball in the endzone with the game on the line.
And why trade MC now? Don’t get that line of thought. Just like The Warriors team. We have 2 good players..we need 3. Well, trade one of our good players away then to get another good player (still have 2 at the end where they still need 3).
DS, cool your jets, just messing with Bay…
Let’s put it this way – If you were a WR1 Free Agent, would you come to San Fran. to catch passes from Alex Smith? If you answered yes, then I have a pond in the Pacific Ocean that I’d like to sell to you.
Bayarea if you could please, your thoughts on Harbaugh’s comments that he wants Alex Smith back?
1. Did AS earn a right to come back?
2.Were you not wrong once again when it comes to everything up to and including Alex?
3.Will you continue to dog the guy when his coach who will win COY, the GM, most likely executive of the year, known now as NFL experts in the field of personnel as it relates to NFL players, be wrong?
Back off BAF. He’s right about everything, with the sole exception being Alex. It would be interesting to get his response to my comment far far below. What say you BAF?
You’re getting soft, BAF! BAF P Soft is in the building! What would Kim Jong Hardballs say!
@jordan bay ninermd lmao all I got to say
Greg Roman to interview for Penn State coaching job. Looks like hes going to get a lot of attention :/
NE Pats offensive coordinator O’ Brien, the leading candidate reports ESPN.
I know but Roman will also interview. I dont like to see that
He already interviewed last month.
Well then sportscenter info is all screwed
@Adam707
If Roman is hired, and Norv was fired from SD (2 straight seasons without making the playoffs) do you want Norv?
Different system. Norv doesn’t run WCO.
Geep Chryst will be the next OC if Roman leaves. I dont think its such a big deal like years past because JH oversees this area anyways.
IF you call what we run a WCO. Gore had 1700 yards with Norv and Alex had a very productive season. Definitely should give him consideration if the situation calls for it.
@Adam707
That is basically along the same lines of what I was thinking.
You might be frightened/concerned about that. lol
An OC with experience working with this offense. Our team was moving in the right direction while he was here
As Prime states above most likely a JH guy. BTW, Norv supposedly is staying in SD for another year.
Its a WHAT IF convo
If that is true hof, Norv must have something on the SD owners. He was hired to get to and win a Super Bowl with all the pieces in place (QB, RB, MLB, WR, etc.) He has gotten worse each year.
@hof
If nothing else it gets the blog conversation off of AS for a bit. Even an avid AS supporter (as you know I am) has to like that. : )
Norv system is also a number based system where as WCO that Harbaugh runs is a language based system. WCO or any other system is evolving system and have to change over time, it even changed with Walsh. So its not all about how much a running back is rushing and the QB is throwing.
Norv runs the “digital system”, rather than the WCO. Even though the current WCO doesn’t resemble that run by 49ers of the ’80′s and ’90′s, the termonology is the same, and quite different from what Norv is used to. Norv is probably bright enough to adjust, but it would probably be something of an obstacle.
@DS94
Some guys are not meant to be HC’s in the NFL, and I have to believe that Norv is one of those guys….just the way it is.
If fired, Novell will go to Dallas as the OC.
I think I can handle maybe one more year of Alex. Two if he keeps building on where he’s at right now, and accelerates his learning curve. A lot of other QBs throw into tight windows and have the fundamental accuracy down like it’s second nature. I totally get being conservative and not turning it over. But at the same time you can’t sit on the ball the entire game, every game and hope to win out. It’s just too difficult to win that way in the playoffs as you have zero margin for error. I hope they have a plan for the near future as our young team will be getting up in age soon. There is only a small window of opportunity for teams like us and I hope we get a great young QB into the fold if Alex isn’t taking chances a year from now.
I don’t think AS has reached his ceiling, but he will have to stop worrying about screwing up, before he can get comfortable enough to be great, he really is kinda like an abused child, needs more time with JH.I am willing to be patient if JH is, after all its his ass on the line if he doesn’t win.great season, what really saw that coming.9ers4life.
Lmao whats bay ninermd Jordan gonna say o no not another year with this guy ahhhhhhhhh lmao to funny
Another offseason and OTA’s under this staff, plus additions at the WR’s position and this team will be able to compete for NFC WEST titles and superbowls for a long time. Young team, great coaches, and in great salary cap shape, arrow pointing up!
@prime
I come to this blog for depressing thoughts and to read the hating on the team, it’s players and between each of us.
Your post just ruined that. lol
Sorry DS, that was the news I was looking for cause no matter what happens from here, the haters were flat out wrong and this extension just proves that we as fans dont know jack. We should just trust and BELIEVE in the people that get paid millions of dollars to evaluate and make the decisions as it pertains to evaluating NFL talent. Im pretty confident in JH/Baalke in what they have done and will do moving forward.
I never had that same belief in Sing, Nolan. There is just a fresh smelling optimism in the air now with the 49ers.
You clowns are going nuts over this 1 year deal……… Like I told Primeniner. I said the 49ers would resign Smith. So adding my name to this group is pointless. Jokes on you Jack!!! Buahahahahaa
>>You clowns are going nuts over this 1 year deal
1 year deal? Wrong until the bitter, bitter end, my friend.
Isn’t Buahahahaha the dorky sinister laugh used by Jordo!? You’ve been outed. Please come out of the closet, JordoMD. The jig is up.
Wow-seeing Harbaughs arrogance at the presscon. He’s just too smart for the media…he’s first to tell you.
…and you’d like to stand up there and answer some of the questions he gets asked? Jed should give him an extra Mil just for that. If you like a HC that loves to talk try the Jets, you’ll probably like that a lot better.
Harbaugh is a jerk to the press. He doesn’t need to be. There’s other good coaches who get along fine with the press. Ultimately, they pay his salary.
Respectfully disagree, ultimately the fans pay Harbaugh’s salary. We as fans may like some of the extraneous info sportswriters get us but they aren’t as important to the game as they used to be with the internet now. Sorry Grant. With all the media shows the HC is required to do, it would take a lot of patients to answer the same questions over and over as well as some of the things they get asked knowing full well he won’t answer them. It’s a two way street especially for a coach putting in what..12-16 hour days.
Harbaugh just blew Lowell off -big time. He’s banker serious,no room for explaining trickeration. The presscon was like a wake…Jim’s attitude.
But,man he can coach!
And -no flashy suits or pedicures for Jim.
Stan,
Does that mean you want Hue fired?
Alex’s contract will look similar to Gore’s contract. Solid guaranteed money, with a lot of incentives to sweeten the deal. I’m thinking 3-4 years, $4-6 million per year guaranteed with lots of incentives. That’s a fair deal, but we don’t really know yet how much the front office really values Alex. We seem to use a pay scale system, then sweeten it for our own guys.
One thing we know for sure, Alex is first to be signed followed by Joshua Morgan. I’m curious to see what we offer Carlos Rogers.
I think the team has more leverage when it comes to signing Alex Smith to a fair deal. I don’t think he will be offered huge money by another team. He knows his best chance to be successful is right here with Coach Harbaugh. I have a feeling Carlos Rogers will not be back because he will cash in on his terriffic year through free agency while the 49ers have Mr. Culliver and Mr. Brown and Mr. Brock as their starters next year.
What!? Alex could go start with the Dolphins, Seahawks, Redskins (though he doesn’t really fits Mike Shanahan’s prototypical qb), or Browns….4 teams in dire need of a qb and haven’t recently drafted one. Arizona might even be in the mix (and I think he’d beat out Kolb). But I think ultimate, the team needs and wants stability, they don’t want to rock the boat right now with so many things going well.
As for Carlos Rogers….really?…again, really?…. you’d let Rogers get away to start T. Brown OR T. Brock? Not a chance in hell. Rogers already said that he wants to be in SF and the 49ers want him there, he’ll be in red&gold next year on a long term contract
and they’ve got a bunch of FA’s having good seasons this year. Which ones are the top priorities is the big question??? Who’s willing to take a little less to stay so they can sign as many as possible?
I’m not sure, unless he wins a big playoff game or makes it to the superbowl, that Alex would necessarily ask for big money.
My sense from listening to him is that he feels he has something to prove here, that his work isn’t done.
@Adam
AS stays here unless the FO refuses to pay him even minimum wage $10/hr). Even then he volunteers to play QB and stay with JH (not the only QB who would either I bet).
Money is not an issue on either side for this deal.
MC is just starting to show flashes of what he could be JM will be back and KW will only get better as well not as concerned with Rec core, as O line consistency, IMHO
I agree. The Rec core is solid, but I think they draft a good receiver (depending on who’s on the board at CB or ILB), to challenge Kyle Williams and Joshua Morgan for a #2/3 spot. We were way too thin this year at WR, and it would hurt us to push Ginn down the roster and use him primarily as a return guy. I think the o-line is playing waaaay better right now. They regressed a little a few weeks ago, but has since pulled it back together. I think they’ll ultimately be much improved next year.
Things are looking up us!
Adding one of these big FA’s woud only help. We could actually run 3 or 4 wide sets that teams would be scared of
I like Kyle Williams – the guy is a playmaker
So I just wantched the presser and from my viewpoint, where you got that JH only wants him back for just one year is beyond the realm of true. Cmon man!
I saw it earlier. And came to the same conclusion as you Prime. lol
@Grant
See my post near the top of this blog…if you are asking me.
Unless JH is a live in the moment guy then you might be able to explain the 1 year thing. But I still don’t buy it. He never gives a blank “We’ll see.” answer to anything about AS. He is always happy. Like I have said a ton, JH sees himself in AS. Why would he only want AS for1 year?
Why did he choose to use the words “next year”? The questioner didn’t use that phrase.
Once again, cmon man! Trying to figure out underlying messages, especially Harbaugh? Cmon man!
Harbaugh’s not much of a long-term thinker (or at least that’s what he wants you to believe, right?)
So with him, everything is “next”. Next game, next season, etc. Sort of a one-thing-at-a-time guy.
I think they probably offer him a three year deal, structured in a way that allows them to move on after next season if they don’t view him as capable of leading this team to a championship. He has improved enough that he deserves another contract, but he hasn’t shown enough to command a big money, long term deal. Another season in the system and another talented draft class surrounding him will give you a better idea of his ceiling.
I agree, BigP. They’ll probably give him a multi-year deal with just the first year guaranteed.
That makes sense. They have to find out one way or another what they have in CK and Tolzien. If CK is still pretty wild he may need another year, or maybe he’ll never fully develop. Who knows.
BigP,
That’s how I see it as well. More money up front so they can cut him without it affecting them too greatly if they decide to go in a different direction.
BigP, agree with some of your comment. But why would AS and his agent sign a contract that would be structured in a way that allows them (9ers) to move on after just one season? What do you consider “big money”?
So if Harbaugh uses the comment we want you back next year. Where does one interpert that as only a one year deal. I dont think he is talking in absolutes. I dont see a one year deal there at all. I read it as the first year of a multi year contract. I doubt very seriously that the front office would even consider a one year deal with Alex. If they did wouldnt blame Alex for going elsewhere, but I dont think thats going to happen. Alex has manned up and deserves a three year deal. And no Alex is not elite.
To me, it’s interesting that Harbaugh’s been asked twice about this topic, and the first time the reporter asked about Alex Smith’s “long-term status,” and today another reporter asked about Alex Smith “going forward.” Harbaugh offered “next year” all on his own.
Wasn’t it last week MB asked about the “long term status” of AS as QB and that’s when AS said “yes”?
@Grant
Just a shot in the dark, but coaches think in terms of this year or 1 year. GM’s think 3-6 years down the road.
May just be the hard-wiring of HC’s.
Besides has he talked about multi-year deals for ANYBODY? I don’t recall any. Does that mean he does not want anybody signed for more than 1 year?
Grant,
I get what your saying, but maybe to JH “next year” is “going forward”.
you’re, that should’ve been.
I’ve been making this point for a while now now about how this feels like ’81. Yes, I’m going to go there. Let me preface by saying that Joe was my favorite player of all time, so don’t give me crap for posting this. Some of you weren’t even alive when the guy played.
Here are some stat comparisons (from Sando at ESPN):
Stat ’81 Montana ’11 Smith
W-L 13-3 13-3
Comp.-att. 311-488 274-446
Pct. 63.7 61.4
Yards 3,565 3,150
Yards/att. 7.3 7.1
TD 19 17
INT 12 5
Sacks 26 44
NFL rating 88.4 90.7
This is interesting because it shows the similarities of two guys getting in to a brand new system. You could probably argue that Walsh had even more time than Harbaugh did with the ’80 season. The other side of that argument would be that modern players at least understand the idea of the west coast offense. So maybe the installation time is somewhat of a wash but the guys still had to learn it.
I’ll grant that Smith doesn’t always pass the eyeball test with flying colors but looking at his past seasons to this one? There’s no comparison. He’s finally putting up respectable numbers. The TQBR thing has him in the 70s (out of a 100) the last several games. He’s making progress. I hate to say this because this will cause a few people to blow their toupees but I almost look at Smith as a rookie every time he gets one of these big system or coach changes. What happens, as Ray Ratto pointed out, when Smith has some stability (as opposed to chaos) around him? Two years in the same system, what’s that going to produce?
As Sando points out, these were two different eras, of course and different supporting casts. The question will be will Harbaugh find the JRs and JTs to enhance the offense as Walsh did a bit later? So far the blueprint looks a lot like ’81. I think Hofer mentioned this as well – there’s a certain feeling with this. Vaguely familiar and starting to feel a little more like Niners football of the Dynasty I era – just my opinion.
Link to Sando’s article: http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/56254/49ers-fans-worried-better-think-again
Sorry for the weird formatting – that didn’t quite work as intended.
+1
Adam, thanks for posting. Sando is one of my favorite reads. I agree and I’ve said it for weeks, the 9ers need playmakers especially the WR’s. MC is looking like he is taking it to the next level but not even on the fringe of elite yet. Some of the production of the WR’s can be attributed to the new system/program (similar to AS).
If the staff and TB can add to the core, this team can be good for 10 years.
Yeah, absolutely. Matter of fact I’d be real surprised if they don’t snag one of the big receivers like Sanu or Jones in the first round. Jones may hold to the second but won’t be around in the bottom of it.
The trend seems to be to get the big, fast guys with good hands. I’m all for taking one. JT was excellent at making guys miss (and so was T.O. as I was reminded the other day.) We’re missing that component.
I agree with you on Crabs. He’s starting to come around. The more reps he gets with Smith, the better they’ll both be. I think it’s inevitable that all of the Niners players are starting to see what a team-first approach looks like. I think they’re buying what Harbaugh is selling, the proof is in the pudding as they say. Put the team first and all the accolades and awards will follow. If Crabs’ foot holds together, then we’ve got something there. I like Morgan and Williams. Ginn is a must on kick returns but I’m not sold on him as a receiver. If Hunter can make some quick kick returns, the thing about Ginn as a must might be questionable.
I’d like to see a big body get on the squad and shed some tackles for YAC.
Adam,
I was struck by the similarities a week ago, and was all set to post something similar to your post, but thought of the sh– storm that it would stir up and didn’t the “Post Comment” button.
You know you’re saying that AS is as good as JM with post, don’t you? Man, you’re crazy! No way are you simply comparing two somewhat similar sets of stats, and relating them only to the year in which they were produced.
Ex, I think it is more of a comparison of upside. Can AS reach the certain heights of the success that JM had? Need more play makers and more signature plays. Even Brady doesn’t have the signature plays that JM has. Field goals don’t count.
Hofer,
I was trying to be sarcastic in my second paragraph. I guess I didn’t do a good job. I don’t think Adam is crazy. I think the comparison of passing stats between the ’81 season and this one is interesting. I also don’t think Adam was comparing AS to JM, just AS’s stats this year to JM’s stats in ’81. I think his point was that AS probably has room to improve next year, and, hopefully, beyond.
Be prepared fellow Adam, this post will be discredited shortly
Good article Adam. Thanks for posting it. Smith is not Montana obviously, but their circumstances are similar as far as how their particular seasons unfolded. That 81 Niner team came out of left field just like this one has, and won by running the ball as much or more than passing. The biggest difference is the talent on offense on this team was quite a bit better than that one. They had a number of average talent starters on that offense but succeeded because of how well Montana ran the system.
Smith is a vet in time spent in the NFL but when you have had to learn 6 different offenses in a 7 year span it’s tough. While he certainly wasn’t a world beater this season, it was a pretty good season for him and you’d have to think – well the anti Smith people wouldn’t but I digress – that a second year in the system would result in a more productive offense.
You’re neglecting eras Adam. In 1981 3500 yards was a great season. In 2011 we have 10 QBs over 4000 yards. Including a rookie.
In 1981 two QBs were better than 60% completions. In 2011 there are 18 QBs over 60%.
In 1981 3 QBs had a rating over 90. In 2011 10 QBs have a rating over 90.
You’re comparing a 1981 Ferrari to a 2011 Mazda RX-7 and saying “look, the Mazda is almost as fast!” Maybe so, but it’s still a Mazda.
That being said, blue-collar mechanic Harbaugh might be able to soup up the engine on that Mazda a bit to make it more competitive.
Yeah, I agree. What I said below is that I don’t know what happens when you take a 1981-style team up against one of these 2011 playoff teams.
I don’t know if the 30-year-old numbers type of a team can beat the modern teams but it will be interesting to find out.
I just found the comparison to be interesting.
I completely agree with you on the “feel” of this team comparing to the “feel” of 1981. It is eerily similar. Even the record ended up the same.
I like your legwork on providing resource info Adam, always have. But the one important stat of note in your Montana 81, Alex 11,
is: Montana ’1′ SB win, Alex ’0′ SB. Let’s get Alex to win one SB before we can place his name next to Montana. No disrespect, just saying, let’s get to the SB AND win before comparing the two.
The 81 regular season was prior to Joe’s ring, AES. I mean we could clarify and say the ’81 season ran right in to the ’82 Superbowl and after the ’82 Superbowl, yes Montana had a ring.
The comparison though is between two players without any post season experience. Just the regular season numbers.
Y’all are assuming a lot. Harbaugh said htey want him back. Didn’t say they want him back as a starter. Didn’t say they wouldn’t go after someone else, which I still believe they will (Josh Johnson).
If Alex is not competing for the starting job, he will regress. He’ll probably regress anyway, given what a lame little turd he is, but if he’s the unquestioned starter, the 49ers time in the playoffs will be a short one, indeed.
It’s safe to say the stars aligned just right for Harbaugh his first season. No crippling injuries like the Texans or bears, no dips*it mouth-off people, very few if any brushes with the law on the part of the players. Had not all those other factors not aligned to give the 49ers wins in other ways, they’d probably have been 6-10 again. But to suggest Alex had a lot to do with the winning record is nothing short of laughable. Unless you think Alex with training wheels constitutes a pro-bowl player. It does not.
The 49ers will be booted quickly from the playoffs if they are forced into a track meet type of game. They do not have the skill position players to compete with Brees or Rodgers on their terms. Alex will NEVER win a track-meet-style game. He is incapable. Because he’s a loser.
Take that last sentence, and that is a perfect description of yourself.
Nice ad hominem, no refutation of any of my points. Typical for a Smither.
Why would anyone take you seriously enough to answer you?
And don’t throw your “turds” around and then come back on someone else with the ad hominem claim. Please.
Pot and kettle.
Hasselbeck is a loser. Alex hasn’t had opportunities until this year to display his skills. Give him these playoffs before you write him off, or else you look like a lame little turd loser.
BB,
I’m curious what level of improvement would it have taken for you not to think of AS as “a lame little turd”? 20 point improvement in passer rating? A 30 point improvement?
Is it possible that you are so invested in hating AS, that you can’t see anything else?
Ex-Golfer – I want to see the training wheels come off. They have not. Until the training wheels come off, I will remain a hater.
Enjoy cheering for Smith to play poorly bud. Whatever floats your boat.
“If Alex is not competing for the starting job, he will regress. He’ll probably regress anyway, given what a lame little turd he is”
BB you’re pathetic.
@Exgolfer…
BB is an authority of ‘turds’…he spends alot of time cleaning turds from the litter boxes of cats…
“BB?” Belichic is that you ? Get the hell off of our blog!!
Nah, Belichick has more class than this clown. Belechick would argue logically with you, not emotionally. This guy has a man crush on Joe Montana, and has a ‘hold on for dear life’ grip on his jock.
One major difference between this season and next is training camp will allow Alex to study all off-season long and come back with the entire playbook at his disposal from the get-go. Next year will reveal Alex’s true potential. It is in the Niners’ best interest to sign him for three years. If he is the next Montana, it will show next year. If Kaepernick’s high-grade plutonium gifts are coachable, the Niners will have two (or three) Harbaugh-coached, top-flight QBs, which will enable them to acquire extra 1st & 2nd round draft picks.
Though I like what you had to say, I’m sure you realize that there is only one Joe Montana, so it’s not only unfair, but unrealistic to make that comparison. Be prepared to get a boatload of flack from the likes of 23, BAF, MD etc. I’m happy that Alex has had the season he has, and believe that the 9er’s give him an extension.
Like you said, a full off-season with OTA’s, etc. we should see exactly what Alex has under the hood, so to speak. Make no mistake, the off-season also benefits CK and Tolzien as well, so nothing is etched in stone for the 2012 season. The organization is focused on winning, and will go with the QB that gives them the best opportunity to win, hands down. That being said, I think that Coach Harbaugh and his staff are on the ball, and see what they need to in Alex.
“if”
None of us who watched Joe Montana thinks Alex (or any other QB) could match the legend, but we should be prepared to see #11 back next year, and to see him vastly improved. The real question is whether Alex’s supreme intelligence is of greater value than Kaepernick’s otherworldly physical tools and/or Tolzien’s innately keen decisiveness. Bottom line is that these three guys will be back next year to compete for the job. Tolzien (obviously) is the wildcard, as it is reasonable to believe that Harbaugh might make a pitch to JJ, but Alex will return, if he so chooses.
The next Montana, I just threw up in my mouth a little!
..with a 13-3 record, I would think you were used to doing that!!!!!…….bet the new contract will require you wear a diaper…..
Go away, loser! Your bet was lost. Man up and scram. And read a post before you puke.
Pork,
You’re a realazz! Shut up punk!
I’m glad that a revolving door will finally stay shut. Alex earned his keep this year. The only question is if Roman will be back next season. This team needs continuity at that position in order to get better on offense. That and a big wide receiver.
For anybody trying to use the “He didn’t say one or multiple years” bit, I pose this question: Since when has Jim his full gameplan to the media?
That question should be this: Since when has Harbaugh ever told his full gameplan to the media?
My fault.
I would rather go the free agent route for a wide receiver and focus on other areas of need in the draft. CB, RG, and FA come to mind.
whether its a 1, 2, or 3 yr contract for Alex barely matters: after a 13-3 season, he is the franchise’s qb, but he will continue to have to play well if he wants to keep that job and earn another mega-contract. i hope he does both.
i’d guess its a 2 or 3 yr contract – its all about the signing bonus, and the Niners dont appear to have cap problems anymore (is that correct, Grant?)
i’d bet against a 1 yr contract – in addition to his solid play this year, the Niners dont exactly have another alternative lined up to take over a division champion (Kaep has taken what, 5-10 snaps all year?) and as every Alex Smith diehard fan knows, it takes 2 years in a system before any qb can be any good ;-)
Luck just connected on a 52 yard pass. Guess he didn’t get the memo that the long ball is not part of Harbaughs offense.
It’s not a major part of the WCO. How’d you like that roll-out laser rocket arm interception? Is that what you want from your QB?
How do you know what is part of Harbaughs offense and what isn’t. Luck doesn’t operate afraid and he is running Harbaughs offense.
@Moobs … BAF hates Alex Smith.
@BAF … but what about the interception? Did you like that?
The long ball is part of everyone’s offense.
The 130 yards rushing midway through 2nd quarter is a bigger part.
I thought that was interesting that Cardinal are a 55% rush team. I thought it might be just a bit more tilted toward the pass attack – especially this year.
@Adam
Just goes to show:
No matter who the QB is, it is always safer to run the ball. Secure the ball. Don’t turn it over and get TO on D and you will still win a lot of games. Whether the year is 1981, 2011 or 2111.
All these youngsters don’t understand that.
I didn’t realize that Smith never threw a long pass this year Bay. Thanks for setting us straight.
It’s not that the deep ball wasn’t a part of the BW WCO, just that it wasn’t a central part. That can be seen [besides watching the games] in two stats: yards per pass and completion percentage. If a QB has a high completion precentage AND a middling yards per pass average, you can safely deduce that throwing deep isn’t a staple in the offense that QB runs.
Bay stop trying to stir it up, the faithful are trying to enjoy the fact that JH wants Alex Smith back as the Niners QB for next year and beyond.
Your angry about it obviously cause for the now 100th time, your wrong about Alex. You should save face now cause its starting to get embarrassing. And please leave my Mom out of it, she does however make the best crow ever!
Alex Smith, Carlos Rogers, Joshua Morgan, Ted Ginn Jr., Larry Grant, and maybe Adam Snyder. Let the others walk.
I’m sure Jim Harbaugh would like to keep Alex around next year, and maybe for a few more years. They have a great relationship and Harbaugh has really taken Alex under his wing.
However, it is not up to Harbaugh. It’s ultimately the decision of Trent Baalke. I’d be curious to see how he would answer the same question.
Get real… in this particular post, your disdain for AS colors you green. It’s like saying your husband makes vitally important decisions about the household without your input. Baalke has final say (or so we are told) but you’d better believe he wouldn’t dare go against Harbaugh when it comes to the QB position.
The same problem as the same as the 2011 season. If there’s nothing in FA and we’re too close to the bottom in the draft, it’s better to stick with what we have.
How about Blackmon? Wow! I want a receiver in April.
But we have receivers. By saying you want to replace our receivers doesn’t that make you a hater? Especially right after we make it into the playoffs?
@Adam
What?
You can find WR’s anywhere in the draft. Moore on the Raiders was a 5 th(?) round pick.
So I don’t care if we are on the lower end of the draft board (32′nd) because there are lots of WR’s around. A lot more than competent WR’s than there are QB’s.
And I still think a top WR would want to come here. With AS or not. The Niners are going to be fav’s to advance far into the playoffs next year, and we all know WR’s in the NFL don’t lack for self-confidence, so they will all think they are the ones who can get us to repeat!
Me? Nah, not a hater. we had QB too yet, we drafted one of those.
I’m still pulling for Dwight Jones to be there when we draft. I like this kid.
>>Why do people insist on reading so much into a simple statement?
A question best asked of Grant and his analysis of JH’s “next year” comment.
>>I’d be curious to see how he would answer the same question.
Trying to get info out of Harbaugh is like pulling teeth. You don’t think he and Balke have huddled on this one before making the emphatic public declaration?
49erGirl, don’t let all the recent publicity fog your reasoning.
I never said I thought Baalke would answer the question if presented by the media, only that I would like to know his answer vs. Harbaugh’s answer.
Why do people insist on reading so much into a simple statement?
@ribico
I agree.
TB & JH don’t make mistakes like this.
They know everything long before we do. I’m fine with that. I know I don’t know anything (some people here think they know all), and am just along for the ride.
Oops… should be here.
>>Why do people insist on reading so much into a simple statement?
A question best asked of Grant and his analysis of JH’s “next year” comment.
eta: what makes you think there would be any variation in Balke’s and Harbaugh’s answers? You know the team would do *anything* to sidestep a manufactored controversy.
ribico,
I’m interested in Baalke’s honest answer – not one he would give to the press. He’s a scout and has a great eye for talent. I’m curious of his take on Alex’s progress this year and if he is seeing the same things Harbaugh is, or if he feels that there is another prospect with more of an upside. I don’t honestly expect to ever hear that answer.
There is a reason the organization did not give Harbaugh control over personnel decisions – they did not want to make the same mistake they did with Sing and Nolan. And no, I’m not insinuating that Harbaugh and Baalke disagree on Alex or his contract status.
I’d just like to be a fly on the wall when they discuss him and his future with the team.
>>I’m curious of his take on Alex’s progress this year and if he is seeing the same things Harbaugh is, or if he feels that there is another prospect with more of an upside.
9erGirl, will your curiousity will be satisfied when they announce the terms of the new deal? And if you are still curious, later on in FA period and TC when they set the QB roster?
…see what i am saying……49ergrl is a hater……and has no clue about football…….just here to get a raise out of the boys……
Go home. When I look at our QB I judge his play, I don’t drool over his picture with a tube of astroglyde.
Yeah, and you just provided us with your incredible insight into the game with this post now, didn’t you?
…..babe….nothing against you in real life…I just don’t think you have the intellect to discuss niner football…..not cuz you are female…..but cuz you bring nothing to the table except a face with red lipstick….
the fact that you think baalke will say something different baffles the mind……anyone with a brain could have figured that out…..
…FYI – Baalke was part of the team that drafted Alex….
Oneniner – you have made disparaging remarks about what you think parts of my anatomy look like, and now are calling me “babe” and insulting my intelligence.
Yet, you say you have nothing personal against me. How is all of that not personal?
Oh, speaking of your stellar football knowledge – Baalke was hired immediately following the 2005 draft. Alex was drafted in 2005 – just before Baalke was hired.
Nice try Mr. football genius.
…49ergrl you are not real……just a fantasy on the blog….so nothing personal…
2005 – 2007 …..Regional Scout, San Francisco 49ers
2004….College Scouting Coordinator, Washington Redskins
McCloughan hired Baalke as a scout in 2005.
Can you provide any evidence it was after the draft?…..
http://www.49ers.com/team/staff/trent-baalke/8551a07d-d52e-4bb6-8e3e-c5c1244cad74
Eat crow, a$$hole
Just in case you have trouble reading such a long bio – this should simplify things for you.
“He first joined the franchise immediately following the 2005 NFL Draft as the team’s Western Region Scout, a position he held through 2007.”
lmao…”Baalke enters his seventh season with the 49ers and his 14th in the National Football League. Named the 49ers General Manager on January 4, 2011, Baalke oversees all facets of football operations.”……..
where does it say he was hired after the 2005 draft???…..lol
Had a feeling you wouldn’t be smart enough to expand the section to read the entire thing – spelled it out for you above.
..lol…ok you got me…..good one….i owe you an apology…dammit… :-)
nice one…..I will stop criticizing you for 2 weeks…..
My turn to LMAO!
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.. :-)
oneniner, debate her and others on matters 49ers… do you have to be such a jerk personally?
what did trent and jed say last year…..what did JH say last year….think this question has been answered
Good point 49er girl but at 5 year 25 million, I’m pretty sure JH has a say in personnel. To publicly state they want Alex back even before the playoffs show that he believes he can develop Smith even further. Just think with another offseason an upgrade at WR, we could finally see the Niners return to glory days.
don’t believe a 5 year deal is the plan….heck i wouldn’t be surprised if JH really only wants a 1 year deal….in fact maybe AS doesn’t want more than a one year deal as well….in the mode of a lincicum (sp?)
the AFC west wow….only one game and the power of pray separated first from last and the pray comes in because 3 teams were tied at 8-8…not to discount all the tie breakers but geesh what a division
Adam as much as I appreciate your posts, why would you bring up the comparison of JM and AS?
In the context of installing the WCO and the general 1981 kind of feel to the season.
@prime
Not the first post Adam has written comparing the two with respect to their breakout years.
Like I said above, Joe is my favorite Niner of all time and I’ve been a Niner fan since the dark days so I’ve seen a lot of football. Remember too that Joe actually told all of us to be patient and this will take a little time but that once it’s opened up everything is laid out for the QB – he just has to learn to trust the system.
The comparison only holds in the sense that it “feels” like 1981. Just something about it. Now… if you look at those numbers and what QBs are putting up today (especially the top 3 elite guys) I’m not sure how that works out in the playoffs. Can we take 1981 numbers and beat the 2011 Saints? Don’t know the answer to that.
My only point was that there’s a similar vibe going on. We know Harbaugh and Roman watched a ton of installation videos, is it coincidence that the two sets of numbers are similar? Again, don’t know.
Does this mean Smith has similar success potential in the year(s) to come? Don’t know that either. Just seems eerily similar to 30 years ago.
@Adam
I remember that interview.
I would like to see JM be interviewed again soon and get his thoughts on the team…AS in particular.
Yeah, I wish Montana did more interviews. I always get the feeling from him that he feels like he doesn’t have much more to say, but I always like listening to him. Always learn something.
@Adam
I liken JM to one of those old legendary gunmen in a western or Obi-Wan in Star Wars.
Stays out of most things, but when they speak…nobody else really matters to me.
Adam
I rmemeber the interview, and also agree with alot of what you said. The probelm is that not everyone here is like you and me. You see, I’m also one of those fans that’s been a true faithful, i.e., around since Red Hickey coached the team, which means that I’m not one of those fans that has the ‘I want it all, and I want it now’ attitude. I think alot of the fans that post here are relatively ‘young’ and became fans when the Walsh regime was taking a hold on Bay Area football, and thats fine. With that, they really have no idea what it’s like to be patient, and let the coaching staff and GM make the moves necessary to field a consistent winner. We got a taste of it in the late 60′s and early 70′s, and seemed to hit a wall. Then along comes Eddie D. He made a couple of judgemental errors early on, but in the end, it all worked out for us. It was a long time coming, we lived through it, and when it was all over we came out on top….I trust the same will happen this time around.
@55niner
What do you mean? One of the anti-win group said if you support AS you must be 55 years old.
So, there must be plenty of older fans here, right? lol
@DS94
Actually, I’m 57 years old. I would certainly hope that there are some ‘older’ fans left. There is no doubt that the fan demographic (sorry, Bay. I know that Tupac woudn’t use demographic) has changed, which is a natural progression. Before the season, I figured the 9er’s to go 8-8, so , needless to say I’m extremely happy with the season. On into the playoffs, and we’ll see what happens.
@55niner
Oh man. Don’t reveal your age. Let us make it up/change and wonder about it. lol
@DS94,
Not to worry, DS, it’s only a number……kind of like stats…….ya’ know what I mean?
Lose a good number of draft picks or resign Alex Smith. Overpay for a QB or resign Alex Smith so other key free agents can be retained and other key needs can be filled. Keep the team in flux constantly or resign Alex Smith. Unless Drew Brees wants to come to the Niners or Alex Smith wants to be paid like a top 5 QB, I really don’t think Trent Baalke has that hard of a decision to make.
Getting Blackmon would require draft picks to be sacrificed. If he fell down to them, then yeah. But I still feel like the answer at WR líes in free agency.
WR is the one glaring position we need (some say QB). Why not draft up even if we have to sacrifice a couple picks. Blackmon is a big physical receiver and a very classy guy too. Would fit in well here.
@Adam707
Two words:
Atlanta Falcons
Santonio Holmes should be available. :p
Hahaha good one. No one will want a shorter, less talented T.O on their team
Yeah… wonder if that guy is going to have a job anywhere next season. Somebody will think they can calm him down and resurrect him. He seems like a pain in the backside.
What about them
@Adam707
The Falcons gave up a ton for Julius Jones because they too felt WR was the only thing they needed.
They gave up 5 picks I think. Whatever it was, everybody not in Atlanta said it was too much.
This year Atlanta fell quite a bit record wise and are on the road after having home-field last year.
JJ was not Jerry Rice this year. So the rule of not trading up for players (WR’s especially) in the first round seems to apply.
JJ did more than expected considering having an injury that stalled him. Their problem was thinking their defense needed no help when last year it was no where near one of the best. Our case is much different. We have the best D in the NFL, and only 3 starters at 30+ years of age. So we wont have to draft high to replace any of them. I just think when you have one position that is clearly your weakness you do what you can to fix it.
@Adam707
Ok (not in agreement though).lol
How much do you give up to get one of these WR’s?
Keep in mind that 1 1′st and 1 3′rd are basically giving up the picks we used to get PW and NB. The best pair of MLB’s in the league.
You can see that I cherish draft picks.
That would be Julio Jones, Brainiac.
Mr. Pessimistic, keep trying, your soon to be idol is going to be in SF long term, or up until JH gets fired which does not look like it’s going to happen anytime soon. Hate is a vicious type of stress!
Sign Dwayne Bowe!
Or VJax
Reggie Wayne, Vincent Jackson, DeSean Jackson, Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston, Brandon Lloyd are all receivers set to be FA’s that more than likely will not return to their teams next year. I’d take any one except Desean, But i have a feeling we will not go after any.
And none would come here. Unless they’d be ok with 40% less production. And if one big bodied receiver did sign, then the beloved Morgan would Lise lots of playing time.
Tell you what, V Jack and Kaep would be deadly.
Some receivers care about winning more than they do $$$$
Come on Adam. Tell me the last time a low productive QB had a top wideout sign with him?
Braylon only signed here cause he had character issues. Look at the incentives in his contract and you can tell he drank the coolaid. He figured out halfway through he wasn’t going to reach those figures with this QB so he developed a negative energy. That’s why he was cut.
>>Tell you what, V Jack and Kaep would be deadly.
Unlikely the Niners would trade CK to the Chargers.
Unless they’d do a straight up deal for Rivers.
Brandon Marshall was traded to and signed an extension with Miami before last season. Elite WR that signed to play with a worse QB than Smith.
“Unless they’d be ok with 40% less production.”
I would think they’d come for the chance to be contenders again next year. Look at all those guys who flocked to the Eagles (no pun intended :P) because they thought the dream team was the ticket to the Superbowl.
Meh… I don’t know. I’d still rather go the draft route. Find a guy with some good value, maybe McNutt or Streeter in the 2nd or 3rd, even. Streeter is 6′ 5″ – Smith can hit him and his comp passer numbers will look fantastic! :P
>>Unless they’d be ok with 40% less production
Their call – a big fish for the fantasy lovers or a chance to compete for championships for the foreseeable future.
No loss, A ME guy has no business on this team anyway.
707 guess you forgot about his holdout, character issues. With a good head the entire NFL would have wanted Marshal.
WR’s are divas by nature. Especially the most productive ones. Given a choice a high end WR would not come to this offense and play with this QB.
Interesting though that Harbaugh said he was going to make the position relevant again….
Do know he has character issues, nonetheless a big time WR that signed with a BAD team with an even worse QB. Just depends how bad people wanna win.
Bay i’m doing more of wishful thinking instead of what will actually happen.
Only way to get a stud WR to play on a bad offense is to over pay. Marshall has a 50 Million dollar contract.
DeSean won’t come here. He doesn’t fit the team concept and he’d be in Alex’s face every five seconds for not throwing the ball deep to him….
Reggie Wayne’s best days are behind him….
For a big WR we will have to do it through the draft. And whoever it is that comes in, Morgan will be the odd man out. Williams is the speed guy, Crabs is not leaving the field, so it will be Morgan splitting reps.
An interesting guy that might come over if we over pay is Plaxico. He was a model citizen too. Unfortunately too many teams will want him.
I do agree only way we get a big name guy is to over pay. We have the $$ to do so.
Seriously?! We need a big receiver for the redzone and so teams will have to think twice about double coverage, Ginn could focus on the return, Kyle Williams could continue to work on developing his receiving skills, add different looks to this offense besides just in the running game, and allowed the wide receivers to stay fresh. How does that make me a hater?
True. Bill Walsh was real good at trading picks for steals later in the draft. I just this team needs a vet in the receiving corps.
I wouldn’t take Desean or Brandon. Both have a real big ego.
You’re basing that on this year Bay. They would have a full offseason to build a rapport with Alex Smith. Also, you just showed yourself as a Morgan hater. Makes one of your previous posts a moot point.
So would Smith and VJax, Bay.
Must be why Braylon screwed up in Cleveland and New York too. Stupid post Bay.
Come on Bay money and the chance to win outweigh production for some athletes. I’m not sure VJack is that guy but Bowe might be itching to get out of KC.
I’m not a believer of spending money on free agent WR so the draft might be the most sensible move.
BTW, where can I send you my Moms famous crow dish? Your gonna love it!
I’m also going to read your column next year, Grant. But the year after? You are history, pal! ;)
Talk about a weird parsing of speech.
I’d worry more about the Packers than the Saints. They beat the Lions with Flynn.
MWN, Blackmon would be a nice addition. There are some other potential receivers coming into the draft that are inticeing as well. If you get some time take a look at Walters draft prospects for 2012. Players like A.Jefferey’ (S.Carolina), Dwight Jones, Kendall Wright and Sanu all have had great college careers.
I remember the last receiver (Rashawn Woods) we drafted from OSU who didn’t pan out. He was our #1 pick that year and we took a big loss because it was a wasted pick. In any case, I also can’t help but to look at receivers like M.Colston, Wes Welker and Victor ‘Salsa” Cruz who either came in mid – late round or undrafted free agent.
Looking at the top receivers entering the draft they seem to have the recent prototype size of 6′ 2″ 205 lbs. and 4.5 40 speed. Jefferey’ and Dw.Jones could be available in the late 1st without giving anything up.
After what happened in A. Jefferys bowl game i dont see him coming to the niners. Harbaugh would want a guy with class.
I didn’t say that if a good WR falls to the Niners that they shouldn’t take them. I’d be thrilled if Blackmon fell to them. I just think one with NFL experience would serve them better.
The only thing is, the draft is pretty deep with receivers this year. Some big guys, too. If we wanted a red zone threat, might be the way to go. But you could be right, experience doesn’t hurt either.
If Carlos Rogers doesn’t come back and say Adam Snyder as well, those two areas would be better addressed vía the draft. WR is a harder learning curve.
Actually I became a fan the year after their last Super Bowl. Poor me. lol.
As we all would 49erGirl. Especially why Edwards was released so close to the playoffs and the receiving corps so weak. I just think a bargain like Smith is good to pass up. That way he can aquire the other pieces needed to out this team over the top.
NFL experience is always a plus because at least you know what you are getting. Adam707 made a valid comment. Harbaugh seems to stay away from players who have attitude issues.
I haven’t had a chance to see which Veteren R’cvr’ would be F/A’ this year, but i’ll look it up.
I would say Wayne and Colston would fit this team best, but I’m not a GM or HC.
Just took a look at potential NFL R’cvr F/A.’ Here is a possible list that might fit our scheme:
Jackson (San Diego)
D.Bowe (Chiefs)
J.Nelson (Packers)
I agree with you that M.Colston would also be a good signee.
There are other player as well, namely D’swn.Jackson (Eagles) but I don’t see Philly letting him go. Might be to ‘edgy’ for Harbaugh as well?
D Jackson doesnt want to be in Philly. That should be the big name we sogn next year. That dude can stretch the field and catch. ;-)
Overtime in the Fiesta Bowl!!! What a way for Luck and Blackmon to end their time at their respective programs.
I’m outta here. See ya again and GO NINERS!!!!!
…….and alot…….of……periods……
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Like I said last month. Who in their right mind would think they wouldnt resign Smith. Primeniner, and Hov… You two Love to add me in your little kid games. And it seems you are the ones sweating this “1 year” prediction. Ha ha ha You kids kill me. Its gotta suck when an insult backfires……and when you BOLDLY say…….. Ed McCaffery was our greatest reciever. LMAO!!!!!
Right minds? That would be kitty and Jordo.
I will Cheer for any QB that wears the Red and Gold. GO NINERS
Smith suck. The defense and David Ackers are the reason we gotten where we are. Unfortunately, when we play Green Bay or New Orleans it will be interception city as Alex has one touch or vision.
The proverbial 2000 post A Smith topic, here we go again.