The Santa Rosa Press Democrat just posted my dad’s column for Thursday, so I’m linking to it. When they post my article I’ll link to that, too.
Here’s an excerpt from my dad’s column:
“Alex Smith had one great game. Check that. He had one great part of one game. He needs to show it wasn’t a fluke, a one-time deal. He needs to do it again. Joe Montana and Steve Young are in the Hall of Fame because they had a great game and then they did it again and again and again. It’s the “again” that makes a quarterback special.”
To read the whole column, click here.
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“a failure on Sunday will plunge Smith once again into a netherworld of uncertainty.”
Gotta vehemently disagree with that. Alex has done SO MUCH this year that no one thought he was capable of, that he’s insured himself a LOT more support than that. As one of his teammates said the other day, “What more does the guy have to do?” He’s already proven himself, regardless of what he does this Sunday. Of course we all want to see him excel, put the Giants away quickly, then lead the guys to victory in the Super Bowl. But for my money, we’ve gotten, well, our money’s worth out of him already this year. And the years to come? As Huey and the News once sang, “The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.”
Yeah, what Lowell said there was kinda “overcooked.” A failure would plunge Alex into Steve Young territory in the sense that when Steve did not bring his A game to those first two NFC Championship games with Dallas, the fan base was VERY uncertain about his ability to deliver in the biggest games. Actually he really didn’t have a great game in the 3rd one either that the 49ers won (it was a good one and of course he had a spectacular SB). Steve then didn’t have real good games in the losses in the playoffs the rest of his career. Not trying to discredit him, he was a tremendous player. I’m just saying that Lowell is right in the sense that the greater you aspire to be as an NFl QB, the more you have to KEEP coming through. BUT…may I point out that no matter what happens this next game, with all of his great stat games, Tony Romo has NEVER come through under pressure like Alex has (ditto Phillip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Matt Stafford, etc with all of their gaudy passing yards and TDs stats)
Oh, and I have to add that I do expect Alex to have a spectacular game this Sunday and lead the 49ers into the Super Bowl. Oh yeah baby, oh yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (as Austin Powers would say if he was a 49ers fan)
Your dad needs to lighten up. He should work for espn and cover Tom Brady
That was a really good article. I don’t see it as a slam against AS but more something positive. Everyone finally got to see the guy that they’ve been waiting for since 05. Now keep it coming.
I think Lowell is right in that Alex has to perform again at a high level when it’s do or die. In between that he has to manage the game and put his team in a position to stay in it til that moment arises, if it arises.
I believe in Smith, so should other fans because frankly, he’s proven it all year in a subtle way and then in dramatic fashion vs the Saints.
It only gets harder from here and Alex will need VD Gore Crabs and the oline to step up or carry him if need be. The reason why the Niners win the superbowl is because they are the true definition of TEAM.
+1
I disagree with this one , yes I was down on Alex in years past , but this year , it was his 4th down pass to walker that beat the Lions , his 2nd half tripple TD drives against philly , yes justin smith swatted the ball away , and Def kept us in game , but he put 21points on board , he was whole game plan against giants last time we played em , and last week he proved all critics wrong , anyone who thinks this was a fluke is nuts , Harbaugh kept training wheels on Alex most of the year but they’re slowly coming off.Win or lose this was a great year , I’ve been a hardcore niners fan since I was 10 , (28 years) and supported them for the last decade even when we’re down. GO NINERS!
I’ve said all season and in previous seasons that the 9ers need weapons on offense. VD did his thing with single coverage against N.O. AS can only do it again if the WR’s play at a very high level. We will see. Not on AS but on the WR’s to play the game of their lives…
???? It’s not on Alex Smith? It’s on the WR? Hofer the WR’s don’t throw the balls to themselves.
Don’t start slamming the WR’s otherwise that makes you a hater. Williams was hugely responsible for Alex’s sweep touchdown. His lone drop was on a barely catchable high ball. Ginn while he was in made a beautiful catch on the ground of a poorly thrown slant. Although Crabs caught a TD, he struggled the most. I thought he had three drops but it was truly only 2. The other was a poorly thrown ball at his feet.
Alex doesn’t have to be legendary, or even great. He needs to be consistently good though. I’ll be there Sunday hoping we can close it out against the GMen!
Bay, too bad you didn’t/haven’t supported AS as much as the WR’s that have been mediocre at best since JM was injured. Everyone is saying AS needs a play maker WR and is stating so in the mock drafts. AS came through time for MC to play like a high draft pick.
+1 , Hofer you sound like a crabs hater like always.
Niner Faithfull, we must ROCK THE STICK this Sunday and support this team. I am so pumped, watching this clip makes want to scream from now until sunday!
http://www.49ers.com/media-gallery/videos/Rock-The-Stick/13d93731-26df-4f37-993f-ab41daf1360b
Please do not sell your tickets to G fans and lets rock the stick. Alex Smith is going to shine. GO NINERSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Its true. He does need to keep it up. Last week was just the start of greatness. I had total faith for the first time since his second year that he would drive our team down field. Why would I lose that faith now? Ive been saying it for 4 games. HE WILL BREAK 300 YARDS in this win on Sunday. Destiny is here and it will not be denied. This team is winning it all. 81 and 11 are just to similar. GIANTS DO NOT CELEBRATE ON OUR FIELD!
Season ticket holders that sell their tickets need to sell only to 9er fans. PERIOD!
Season ticket holders shouldnt be selling their damn tickets AT ALL period!
True but you know they will so if they do…sell the DAMN tickets to only those in red!!
The only Giants who are allowed to celebrate in San Francisco are the ones with the black and orange caps, capisce???????
You are correct, We must rock the stick this sunday and support this team. Come on Niner Fans rain and shine please show up and support the team.
On the other note, Alex would had at least 350 yards if the WRs did not drop his passes. The long pass attempt to Swain could have been a long TD if they connected. I truly believe Alex has improved tremendously and this offense can become scary in the future. GO NINERS
There are some for sale:
http://seatgeek.com/ny-giants-49ers-tickets/1-22-2012-san-francisco-california-candlestick-park/nfl/722872/
Thanks for posting Grant. I must politely disagree that he only played good in part of the game. Watching the replay last night it seems like the majority of the lull they went through in the middle of the game was due to the Saints offense having sustained drives.
The 49ers only had 2 possessions in the second quarter. On the first one Goodwin was injured and the o line went in the tank. On the second possession they were moving the ball into scoring position until Crabtree dropped consecutive passes forcing 3rd and long and a subsequent sack.
I have been waiting for decades for Lowell to write a single good column, let alone two in a row.
And seriously Grant, isnt it time to get off your daddies jock? Stop referencing him, be your own man…. er man boy.
@Sims
Which makes you what for posting?
I wonder if Alex is only willing to “cut Loose” with the ball when he trusts the receiver to be where he is suppose to be. I think there are only 3 receivers he trusts like that; Davis, Walker and Morgan.
Sunday Crabtree needs to play hard, be where he is suppose to be and fight for every ball. The Niners need him to play to the level he is capable.
It also won’t hurt if we got Walker back.
Harbaugh to Alex: “You know how to whistle, don’t you? You just get your hands on the ball and throw.”
Nothin’ like a little Jimminy Cricket to get you fired up! ;-)
Actually I think that’s Lauren Bacall.
You’re right Jon – I forgot about Lauren Bacall. And the Cricket actually said “pucker up and blow”.
Of course, I can’t picture Harbaugh talking to Alex in the same voice Lauren used when she said that line…that’d be a little weird, lol!
Yes, it was Jim “Bacall” Harbaugh speaking to Alex “Bogart” Smith that I was thinking of. Not familiar with the Jimminy Cricket allusion – though I’m fond of exclaiming “Jimminy Crickets!” when I get really excited. Thanks for laughing with me, 49erGirl and John JPDX. Are you ready for some football?!
No offense to Grant’s father, but does anybody wonder why Harbaugh has a dislike for the media? I assume the column is just an editorial, but it seems to be something I would read in a New York newspaper.
JH is the only good QB to HC I can think of.
He dealt with the media differently than other HC in the NFL because as QB, you deal with the media more than any other player.
His mindset with the media as HC is the result from his time as QB interactions with the media.
I don’t care about the outcome of this game…I have always thought highly of Alex and he will keep us competitive for a long time..I’d love for us to win this game and I DO think we will, but I will not jump to the negative said and bash Alex if we do not win this ball game…NO ONE thought we could get this far(maybe not Harbaugh) and Alex is the biggest reason for our overall success this season…you all may not agree with this
Win loose or draw the 49ers and Alex Smith have exceeded all expectations this season. I would have been happy with a winning record. We got that, the division, the #2 seed in the NFC, a first round bye, a divisional playoff victory against a great team in what has to be viewed as one of the most exciting football games ever played and now a chance for the NFC title at home and a shot at the SB. Anothing beyond this, this year is pure GRAVY. My only worry at this point is that the 49ers don’t return to mediocrity next season, because the bar has been set pretty high. As for Alex Smith, just goes to show what proper handling can do for someone who has always had the talent, brains and intestinal fortitude to be a successful NFL quarterback, but was terribly mishandled prior to the current leadership. The monkey is gone, this guy is a winner and he’s gonna prove it come sunday!
Good point fellow niner fan…I’m with ya- whatever the outcome
Bay,
Crabtrees first drop was on a low ball, but one that any receiver in the NFL should make. Of the three drops the third one was the most excusable because the DB made a nice play to knock it loose.
Have to agree with you on the great blocking by Williams. Great block on Smiths TD, and also another nice one on the big sweep run by Gore on their first possession to start the game. He may be small but he brings the lumber.
Unfair column. Smith has played great plenty of times this season.
Proof?
14-3 record.
Hey, if y’all want to see some interesting Alex Smith highlights, there’s a video on youtube of Alex running the ball (both in college and pros). I think it’s also on this video that you can see Alex blocking on various reverses and sweeps. He lays OUT defenders! He was also a helluva runner at Utah. Like to see more plays like that (he said in presser on Sat that he likes to run the ball).
I’m not looking for Alex Smith to play for the Hall of Fame. I’m looking for him to do his part in getting the TEAM into the Super Bowl and winning it. I don’t root for players to get into the Pro Bowl or the HOF. I root for my TEAM to win their next game. This next game is huge and the entire TEAM will need to be better than they were last week. They played well enough to score more points than their opponent. The players admit they left some points on the field, missed a few tackles, had some missed communication issues, etc. They want the victory on Sunday more than we do – they are acutely aware of the do or die situation they face. They need no reminder from us fans or reporters. They need the fans support at the stadium. The reporters can write what they want. The outcome is decided on the field not in the reporters’ columns. In the end, what fan is going to be influenced by a reporter’s opinion? We have our own eyes and can make our own opinions.
I’d love Alex to get a 157.6 passer rating, 300+ yards, 4+ TDs, a QBR of 100 . But more important than any of that, I want the Niners to win. So if Alex gets a 23 QBR and a 61 passer rating and the Niners win? I’ll still be overjoyed. I’m done judging NFL players. I’m just not qualified. I’ll leave that to Baalke and JH.
Sorry Lowell but like most of these other comments I think you have over-cooked Alex a bit up to this point. That game and Alex’s win was epic in proportion for what it represented. I mean even better than some SB’s such as Doug Williams and the Redskins victory what…20 years ago maybe.
Alex out Brees’ed Brees.
When most were sighing after the Saints TD with 1:37 sec left “but what a great year it’s been”, Alex took them down the field and scored with an incredible scud missile launch to VD with 7 secs left. Later Alex was quoted saying he knew it would have to be a “Bam, Bam” play.
I read an article that said Montana won his first playoff game as did Steve Young. Jeff Garcia did not. Jeff Garcia was a pro bowl Quarterback that could never really deliver in the playoffs. Alex not only won his first playoff game but it was of such magnitude, that even guys like Roger Craig said he had never seen or heard a crowds response on a game like this last one against the Saints.
Let me put it this way, when I saw the Ravens game, I said to myself, “who’s the better QB and who would you want going into a SuperBowl”? Most would probably have said Joe Flacco, do you think they would say that now? Do you think if John Harbaugh had a chance to choose between Flacco and Alex to go to the SB who do you think he would want to install behind his center?