Did you expect Alex Smith to take all of this sitting down?
No way. While we were sleeping last night he flew all the way to Miami to workout for the Dolphins, a bad team featuring Smith’s former high school teammate, Reggie Bush.
So, Smith means business.
He said this to the South Florida Sun-Senitinel: “This is the NFL. I guess nothing surprises me anymore. I never thought a year ago (Peyton) Manning would be a free agent either. I’m never surprised by anything.”
What a pro – taking it all in stride.
The Dolphins give Smith his best chance to get a fat pay-day this offseason, but he’d be stuck on a bad team going nowhere.
If things fall through with the Niners and Peyton Manning (and I don’t think they will – I think Manning will be a Niner), I’d bet Smith would take the first flight back to San Francisco so the two sides can make up and get back together.
Smith is just that kind of pro.
Update: Free agent guard Geoff Schwartz will work out for the Niners on Tuesday, according to his twitter. If Trent Baalke signs him, forget about drafting a guard in the first round.
49ers RSS feed
Loading ...
I believe the Niners will not land Peyton, because the niners will sign Alex Smith before Peyton makes a decision. Its logical, and its safe. Colin is not ready to be a starter, but keep Alex around for another year or so maybe its time for Colin. Who knows?
“So, Smith means business.”
Of course! JMorg and ASnyder left for money why not!!? Actually, he may visit Mia but it would be more vindictive to sign with Sea. They are more talented and his wife could still live in the Bay Area since it is *only* a two hour flight to Seattle. Oh how the tide turns…
Both Miami and Seattle could draft Smith a stud WR in the first round like, say, Michael Floyd.
Yep, and AS can then promptly turn said stud wide receiver into a bust….
Oh Jack, what a buzzkill! Actually, AS has gotten better looking at the stats the last 3 years and once the 9ers got more talent (VD).
Niners play against Miami this year right? that should be interesting if Alex signs there.
Hofer, Smith has had Davis since his second year. Why was he so bad during those first 3? Cue the excuses.
LoL @ Jack. I pray, pray, pray he takes his talents and league low production to Seattle. In Miami he will not start over Matt Moore.
It doesn’t matter whether they draft a stud WR or they trade for a stud WR – he will be rendered ineffective because simply put – Alex Smith can’t get him the ball
Jack,
Hofer, Smith has had Davis since his second year. Why was he so bad during those first 3? Cue the excuses.
Well the fact he spent almost two of them not playing due to an injured shoulder is a pretty good reason I’d say.
Rocket,
Who are you to let facts get in the way a good blasting of Smith? Everybody knows Smith should’ve just learned to throw left handed, while his shoulder healed.
Smith is not going to get the kind of money SF offered, with any other team out there. Might get about half of that with less years.
Do we really know that. Tier 2/3 wideouts are geting outrageous dollars….not so sure. AS is ascending and MFlynn after 2 games??! Who knows…?
Was I the only one that didn’t know we re signed carlos rodgers to a 4 year deal?
Apparently
We what??!??
yep
Yes.
I think you must be !
Even my mom knew that (but she’s an even bigger fan than me ;-)
No.
smith is starting to sound like a guy who has finally had enough. i think if manning doesn’t pick the 49ers there is no gaurantee that he will return. i think there is a very realistic chance that we could go into OTAs and training camp with josh johnson going against kaepernick for the starting spot.
btw – the idea floating out there that matt hasselbeck would be a better QB for us than smith if manning chooses the titans is absolutely ridiculous.
Smith would go back to the Niners if they didn’t get Manning. Niners offered him a contract weeks ago. He chose not to sign it. -whether he got bad advice or not-
Maybe he got bad advice from Sprewell. :)
Boy, his agent is one of the biggest sleeze-bags I have ever seen. Everyone keeps saying they offered Smith a contract and “he chose not to sign it”. How do you know that? Did his agent actually deliver him a contract and recommend he sign it? I really doubt that.
I can’t wait to see what this agent has to say for himself.
Hasselbeck is better than Smith but also very fragile.
Hasselback in his prime was better than Smith has been. Smith would be the better QB going forward IMO.
Matt Hasselbach went to the superbowl, alex smith went to the playoffs once in 8 years you freaking tree stump. Alex Smith is inaccurate trash.
hasselbeck will be 37 during the upcoming season, injury prone, and have to learn the offense. smith will be 28, in his prime, and would finally have the opportunity to be in a stable system. having trouble seeing how MH would be a better option next year than AS.
Another knucklehead. Jason, get your facts straight or go surf porn.
It’s not that he would be better, it’s that if Manning pushed him out of Tennessee and we lose Smith he’d be about all there is out there on the FA list that would be worth a damn.
It’s a scary thought.
Adam, so true. But as mentioned, MH is who they interested in last year before he opted for Tenn.
I heard an interview with MH last year on sirius right after he signed with the Titans and they asked him why he chose the Titans and he said ” there were no other teams interested, tenn. was the only one that called so I went where I was wanted”
At the risk of sounding grossly pessimistic, let me ask this question: Given Peyton Manning’s medical history and putting aside all the “he knows what he’s getting into” rationalizations… how would you like to be the Owner, GM, or Coach who was responsible for hiring him, putting him on the field and then in the normal course of playing in a game… seeing him take a hard hit, or fall awkwardly, or just plain turn his head from one side to the other and suddenly become a quadriplegic? Can’t say I’d like that on my conscience. Would you?
Doctors cleared him to play. When you’re a football player your career could end tragically at any time.
If Manning is medically cleared and wants to continue playing football, I dont think a GM would feel responsible for the injury. Saddened yes, but shouldn’t feel at fault.
It would be no ones fault but his own. Just like any other player.
ooops, sorry, posted that comment under the wrong topic.
Look at you. All the bay area scribes and fans are saying MAYBE he (PM) will sign w/ 49ers. And you come out with “I think Manning will be a Niner”. Me, too.
The titans finished a game out from 1st place at 9-7 last year. They are an up and coming team, the team has former players in charge at key areas that played with AManning, PM’s wife was born in TN, PM played in TN, he could make his heir apparent in Indy (AL) look bad twice a year, he has two stud receivers, he can take charge of the offense, he would have a lifetime contract, due to familiarity he would make his home there permanently, etc, etc.
I agree. I think Manning will sign with Tennessee. You didn’t even mention the owner is willing to pay whatever for him. I don’t think Alex will come back either. I mean, how much can you ask one guy to put up with? If you were him would you ever believe another word Harbaugh said to you?
Harbabaalke stands a great chance to have egg all over their faces when this is done. And they will deserve it.
New rule:
If we don’t sign Smith let us never make mention of him ever again.
That way the Haters and Smithers can both shut up already.
By the way I’m in the camp that he is much better than the Haters give him credit for and he is not as talented as the Smithers wished he was.
One question. What makes some of you believe that Flynn is a better quarter back than AS? Seriously what concrete foundation is there for that belief. One game? Please enlighten.
Oh and willingness to pull the trigger =\= good QB.
“By the way I’m in the camp that he is much better than the Haters give him credit for and he is not as talented as the Smithers wished he was.”
Thank God!
Alex Smith killed VD career?
Hoff who do you think is better Alex or Matt H? I see people calling for a Matt signing if we loose the PM sweepstakes to the titans. I will not be happy how the niners handled it if we don’t have PM or AS. I was excited about PM until I found out how much he was asking for. I always say its CK time because he is a niner now and with a off season??
Matt Hassleback? No thank you.
It would make me literally sick to have MH on this team. Much rather go with CK or even Tolzien for that matter!
Not sure why people are criticizing the Niners and ready to mock them if Manning and AS go somewhere else. The Niners did their part and put a good offer on the table. It was AS who gambled and may lose.
It was not a “good” offer. But it was a legitimate offer and he should have signed. He has no one to blame but himself and maybe the agent.
I am because we wont have a starting QB. Whats left? Flynn?
Not mock them though. I am a 49er fan.
That was not a competitive offer. It was essentially telling AS that you are not as good as Sanchez or Fitspatrick and you didnt do enough to warrant there contracts. This is the first real hiccup from the FO. If they get PM they will think they are smarter than god, if they dont they need to eat some humble pie and walk the walk. They f—– a very loyal player and will need to do some damage control. The 9er locker room will not be as trusting of Jim “who has it better than us” Harbaugh. I have to think AS may have heard that PM might come to the 9ers, hence the trip to Miami.
Riley,
No, it will say that Sanchez and Fitz got overpaid. This is what they and you are really worth. Look at who they are and how they played. They are no different that Smith. He might be a tad better than they are. Not by much. Those teams overpay, the Niners don’t.
They didn’t screw a loyal player. He’s a free agent. He didn’t sign his offer. The 49ers didn’t base the offer on what the Bills And Jets paid their QB. Those teams were dumb and overpaid. The 49ers offered what they felt he was worth.
All you guys that were so satisfied with mediocrity, get ready to turn the volume up.
What I love the most from this turn of events is the silence from DS and OneDolphin…. )
that is not the free market way. And that is why PM can eff somebody at age 36 and a year out of football.
We might get to see what they offer AS if PM goes somewhere besides SF.
” That’s not how the NFL works. You get paid what you are worth!”
“No, it will say that Sanchez and Fitz got overpaid. This is what they and you are really worth. Look at who they are and how they played. They are no different that Smith. He might be a tad better than they are. Not by much. Those teams overpay, the Niners don’t.”
Sooo, how the NFL works is they pay you what your worth but sometimes they don’t? Please do explain!
P.Carroll will roll-out the red-carpet for Alex. But I don’t particularly trust PC’ motives. PC still carries some lingering ill-feelings towards Harbaugh and I hope his interest in Alex is not simply a smokescreen to ‘stick-it’ to Harbaugh. Still Alex is no ones fool, he more then anyone knows the contention between these two coaches and will not want to play the ‘pawn’ in their feud.
OK, I let my imagination run a little wild on that one (lol), but no one can tell me that Harbaugh and Carroll are the closest of friends.
I believe Alex will go the Broncos once Denver loses out on the PM sweepstakes. Alex waited a long time to get to the playoffs and Denver offers him the best opprtunity at this point to keep him there.
Good thoughts about Denver. I haven’t thought about them. I say seachickens because of the Carroll connection. I think If PM signs somewhere else Pete would love to screw Jim.
Does PC bug you guys as much as he does me?Can’t stand him or Schwartz(secretly wish Harbaugh would have clocked him when he has yapping at his heels…)!
And so would Alex.
No way would A. Smith go to Denver if they do not land PM. The Tebownauts would be more or less okay with replacing their boy with a certain hall of famer. But if it were Smith they would be up in arms. Why would Alex want to deal with that? I don’t think that there’s a question if Smith would return to the 9ers if Peyton does not sign with SF. The 49ers are a Super Bowl caliber team Smith knows that.
There’s an article on profootballtalk.com that says Denver will likely go after AS or MH if peyton signs wth 9ers or titans! The odd man out!
I don’t think signing Smith would be the best way to stick it to Harbaugh, lol.
If we don’t get PM and JH wants to sign smith it would. I know you don’t like smith but lets hope it all works out for us and no one else!
Big P,
I’m having a wonderful time on the blog Big P. Manning is signing here. If he does not, he’s a bigger fool than the Niners would’ve been for not going after him. We have what I’ve wanted for 8 years, a new, Elite QB.
waterman,
I have met SMith and I do like the guy. He was very gracious with my son and I. He took pictures and chatted with us and was a very nice person. I have always wanted him to do well. I mean that. Life is much more important than football. He is a good person and does a lot of great, charitable work. I have even stated that I expected to see improvement in year two under Harbaugh and would be happy for him to come back. I just don’t like being told that everybody else around him is holding him back from greatness like the Smither’s claim. It’s annoying and it’s polarizing. At the end of the day, I trust Harbaugh. Doesn’t sound like the SMither’s do anymore.
Grant, what is the biggest reason you think manning will be a niner when all this is said and done?
Denver and Tennessee don’t give him good enough chances to win Super Bowls. Manning’s too old to gamble on good-not-great teams.
Still feel like Smith would sign with the Niners if Manning doesn’t. If by chance Smith didn’t, I think you go after Flynn b4 Hasselbeck.
I feel like you could get Smith on a cheaper contract. No one else is going to offer Smith the type of money the Niners have to this point
Hot off the presses, from the Star-Ledger: “Former Jets TE Matthew Mulligan has visits with the San Francisco 49ers and St. Louis Rams currently scheduled, according to a person with knowledge of his visits. That person requested anonymity because the teams have not announced the visits.”
Color me confused.
If the Niners signed him, he would probably compete with Nate Byham for the blocking tight end position.
I get that it’s just that I though we had enough TEs.
Hmm,I know Fleener is not a blocking TE but does this tip the cards against him.Do we plan a trade(DW maybe?)!
No, I don’t think this affects Fleener, I think it affects Byham. Drafting Fleener would affect Delanie Walker.
Yeah I got that Grant,plethora of TE’s causes the speculation.I would not be surprised to see DW dealt in a move up in the draft.
But wait, Harbaugh lavished heaps of praise for Delanie! Oh, never mind. Who else did Harbaugh praise? Justin Smith? Oh oh. He gone.
I wonder if it happened this way: 49ers offer 3 yrs/$8M to Alex. Alex is ok with that but his agent (Condon) talks him to playing it a little harder, thinking he can get it to $10 or get more guaranteed money. This guy has a history of playing hardball with the Patriots. 49ers are not inclined to budge much because they want to re-sign their defensive starters and get some WR help, possibly Wallace. They are skeptical that he will get better offers. They are sincere that there is no great Peyton interest. Then Peyton or his agent contact the 49ers and say he is interested in them. They say maybe, get on plane to have him workout and have their medical people do an evaluation. Manning is more impressive and more interested than expected. Manning says he is still weighing all his options and will get back to them. Alex is now reeling. He wonders if he had just taken the initial offer before FA, it would all be over. He is pissed at his agent, and wonders who the hell he is really working for, Alex or Peyton. He considers firing him. Condon calms him down and makes some phone calls to get Alex some interest from other teams. That’s where everything sits right now.
That’s pretty much what I wrote in the previous post. And I agree. Obviously.
Plausible. Smith needs to stand up for himself for once and fire the slime-bag on the spot then sign with Seattle, who actually has a pretty good team despite what most Niner fans think.
You might be right.
Yeah, the only thing this agent is going to care about is his paycheck (and his reputation so he makes more money.) Who are you going to give your time to the $90 mill guy or the $24 mill guy?
The slimy thing to me is that if Smith said, “I have no interest in playing anywhere else, I’m staying in San Fran, make it happen,” and the the Dime Bag turns around and works a deal for Manning to the Niners behind the scenes, the guy is dirt and deserves to be dragged in the mud.
It sounds like the deal was done (terms were OK) but never signed. So who tells Smith not to sign or doesn’t tell him that the thing is ready to be signed and just shoves it aside? The agent.
Sounds like a dirtball to me.
Adam,
The truth is we don’t know how this went down. If Condon did what you laid out above, then yeah he pretty much screwed one of his clients royally. I’m not so sure that is what happened though. I’m speculating just like everyone else, but it appears to me that Manning wanted the Niners involved in the option list and if that is the case, Condon has no choice in the matter. Smith also seems to realize the significance of Manning being available from the comments he gave to the Florida paper this morning.
I seriously, seriously doubt there was any deception or backstabbing going on here. I think Manning just threw a wrench into everything by showing interest in SF.
I know! I got it! offer PM season tickets for life in our new stadium. That’s got to be worth 100m or so right! jk
Folks lets be real here. There’s now a real chance we could lose Smith and Manning could chose the Titans or the Broncos. This is very very bad for us. It’s actually making me a bit nervous. We have a team thats ready to goto the SB with either Smith or Manning and Smith is much younger. healthier and already knows the playbook. We dont even know how Peyton is going to play under a completely new playbook. This is not good.
Manning is a stud. Enough said
Does not make me nervous. This tells me that Harbaugh feels CK is ready to take over if neither signs. He probably prefers to groom him a little longer, but is willing to give him a shot if things don’t work out with Smith/Manning.
Harbaugh gets $5M a year either way this plays out.
Although the 49ers seem to be the best opportunity for Manning, I have a gut feel that Manning will NOT be a 49er. Additionally, although Alex Smith may get a fat paycheck from the Dolphins, it will be career suicide. If he signs there, he’ll be released within 24 months (and I’m being kind). Smith on a bad team will be an absolute disaster!
Who the heck is Matthew Mulligan???
That famous tight end with six receptions in his NFL career.
Lol. Guy who sucked at golf?
Looks like a blocking TE or ST player.
The only player we can afford once we pay Peyton.
With everything we’ve got going on right now, what the heck are we looking at tight ends for?
If Maaning goes elsewhere and Alex goes to Miami. You Smith haters will be begging for him back by week 2. Keapernik isnt close and may never be close to being a starting QB.
I’m all in with whoever JH chooses. Ask Jordo what he thinks!
Hof how was dinner in the city-wine selection?
Top, how are you?!! Enjoyed the city and needed a break from the FA circus. I brought my own wine and paid a corkage of $30. I had a nice Phelps cab.
30$’s(?) ouch.Where did you land Delfina’s?
Fred,
NEVER, NEVER,NEVER. Kap will be just fine. Our defense and special teams will protect him just like they did protect your boy Elite Alex.
We have a team here. Manning/Niner press conference tomorrow. Stay tuned.
This is all, smart, shrewd business by Smith’s agent, for Smith. It’s all about leverage and negotiation. AS gets a deal, doesn’t like it. It’s fair. PM is out there. Teams are going to want him. Those that don’t expose their need for a QB. They might as the 2nd, 3rd option. You might get more that the current offer. Are you willing to roll the dice? AS, for once, takes a chance, let the chips fall where they may.
Let’s say PM signs with Niners. AS can now interview with TN, SEA, DEN in addition to MIA. Let’s say PM doesn’t sign with NINERS, he still has that option.
There aren’t that many good QB options for those teams, and while AS may not set the world ablaze, he’s not horrible. He can parlay his one good year and get a fresh start and more money. It’s all about supply and demand and agents, sleazballs that they are, know that. It’s their job to get maximum dollar for their clients and their services…
Like.
No matter what happens i wish Alex the best. He is a class act and a team player. GO NINERS
I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
Same here.
This might all be some sort of gamesmanship. Harbaugh thinks he’s the second coming of Walsh and Walsh was famous for misdirection.
This could all be great or it could be the end. Hell it’s 2012, we’re all doomed anyway. :P
*If* Harbaugh thinks…
DarrelB says:
March 18, 2012 at 11:09 am
“Boy, his agent is one of the biggest sleeze-bags I have ever seen. Everyone keeps saying they offered Smith a contract and “he chose not to sign it”. How do you know that? Did his agent actually deliver him a contract and recommend he sign it? I really doubt that.
I can’t wait to see what this agent has to say for himself.”
DarrelB, not to fan the flame here, but you may be right. If that is the case here, my contention 4 years ago that Alex may be the most ‘snakebit’ player in sports will have come true.
AES, AS seemed happy with the 3 yr deal so either the 9er brassed slowed the process by entering the PM sweepstakes or TC slowed the process by telling AS he could get more money and then the PM camp contacts the 9ers for a look see. Hmm. All very interesting…when will the dust clear? My guess 2pm tomorrow when PM signs with (??)!
Good ‘CSI’ work Hofe (lol). But I think the ‘decision’ comes on Tuesday. An extra day allows for TC to weigh every angle for both Alex and Payton.
But at this point it would be a complete surprise if Manning does not sign here. The Org has been pro-active in bringing in the pieces of the puzzle to show PM that they are shoreing up the WR area. The ‘table’ is being set for Manning and it is starting to look like feast.
Still, I only want PM if he’s willing to sign at a ‘bargin price.’ Afterall, we are giving him a great opportunity to acheive what seems to be important to him at this stage in his career; a SUPERBOWL!
Alex Smith photo at Florida airport. He looks a little more bulked up! Also looks disgusted to me.
What the hell is the guy behind Alex whispering to the lady?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/sfl-qb-alex-smith-visits-dolphins-20120318,0,5539364.story
Check out the gluts? :P
The haters and lovers I hope are all 49er fans and if they don’t want to see the team win then they are not fans. If you want Alex to go to the Seachickens while we don’t have a starting QB? Or to AZ? Then I just don’t know what your thinking.
I try to be upbeat but this part of the business has me down today. I was rubbing my hands together when I found about a possible PM but im not liking how this is going right now. Makes me want to go away until we have a QB.
Spot on Waterman
Yep. This hasn’t been handled very well, regardless of how it all pans out….
Alex is very smart and he knows that the system can make or break the QB. If he selects the seahawks then he will be facing a very good defense that is going to bring wood every time they meet. The best thing to do right now for Alex is to see what is out there and if PM does not sign with the 49ers then he should come back and take the 3 year contract. GO NINERS
Chicago, whoever is the 9ers QB this year has a tough schedule with many good defenses. Not a showstopper by any measure…
correct however he would be playing in the same system and a head coach that will support him. Also out defense is going to keep the game in reach. In addition, with addition of Moss and Manningham we have good group of wideouts.
I’m not impressed with the WRs signings unless they get a stud (top 3) from the draft or MW.
Omg if smith went to Seattle he would have two of the worst games of his career. I’d bet he wouldn’t throw for over 100 if he faced us. He’d be better fit staying out of the NFC west. If al Davis was still alive I’d bet they would be interested in smith as a back up to Palmer or a starter when Palmer gets killed this year.
That would not shock me even with Al Davis not alive. Alex may surprise everyone and decide to move across the bay. Wouldn’t be the first long tenured Niner to do that…
There isnt a QB in free agency(besides Manning) that is as good as Alex Smith or has as much experience. He will be courted big time by alot of teams after Peyton signs with Tenneessee. the 8 million we offered him will turn into 10-12 really quick.
Those of you , who don’t think we are getting Manning, I’m taking small wagers. Just so nobody gets hurt financially. I’ll bet a 6 pack of Iced tea. All comers. Smith is a Niner. Believe that. Press conference tomorrow. Gonna be a great day.
Catch that play on words. Just wanted to get the Smithers excited!!
PEYTON MANNING WILL BE A NINER TOMORROW!
If I’m wrong. Alex SMith will NEVER wear a Niner uniform again. He’s finally had enough. His family would never let him play for this franchise again.
23J – Don’t jinx us man! :-)
Jordan with your sorry record on predictions the past year, I think you’d be better off with predicting Smith as a Niner if you really want to see Manning come to the Bay.
Jordan says, “Smith is a Niner. Believe that. Press conference tomorrow. Gonna be a great day.”
LMAO Jordan, you got a little ahead of yourself there. Settle down, you are having a case of premature jocularity.
Jordo, just answer the question that I asked you two days ago and earlier this morning, will you support *any* QB JH rolls with this year??! I’ve already stated I’m against the PM move but I’m all in if it happens because I’m a 9er fan FIRST! How about it Jordo!!! Man up!
What’s the over/under that Jordo answers my question??!
+1
Against the PM move, but all in if it happens.
23 …. Crabs is right. Don’t go jinxing us now. Take it easy! I’m a serious superstition kind of guy. :-) and I’m usually good at winning bets. So I can’t take your bet. But it’s good to know you want Alex back with open arms.( (onelame’ ( if it were true) head will finally raise up he would stand up out of the corner he is balling in ,wipe his water logged eyes off and run to his computer to start pounding the keyboard saying “I TOLD YOU SMITH WAS A COLDBLOODED ASSASIN” “EAT MY TRUCKLOAD OF CROW YOU HATING *ASTERDS!!! NOW LEAVE BRITTANY eeh emm ALEX ALONE”!!!! Lol btw where is onelame? I think I’ll search some MIa blogs and hunt for the name onefin…. Hmmmm
Jordo, I’m still waiting for the ANSWER to my question.
Jordan and wagers.
Makes me giggle.
I read somewhere that Alex requested a no sign-and-trade clause in his contract. Not sure if that held up the signing. Also we don’t know how much of that $24M was guaranteed. It’s all meaningless “opinionating” based on no real information. Grant, get off that computer and go dig up some information. I’d like you for once to break some astounding news. Even Kevin Lynch is getting into the action quoting sources :)
Great point Mood. Don’t you write for NinerNation or ? It really is interesting that the agents use ASchefter for most of the breaking news!
ESPN has just announced that the 49ers are no longer in the mix for Payton Manning, down to e Denver and the Titans. they aslo said that the 49ers are in full panic mode if Smith signs with Miami, which is very possible according to NLF souces. So now the 49ers are going to bring in Matt Flynn for a work out on Monday or Tuesday of this week. What a mess the 49ers have made of this, they may be without a viable quarterback going into the draft and may have to draft one….the 49er management gets an F for this blinder!
????
False report. This guy must work for AP too.
The NLF league must be new.
Can anyone confirm this comment??
The latest is that Smith is headed up to Seattle to workout after the Miami trip.
I can confirm that Josh O’Brien is about 12 and in serious need of attention.
Even if your unconfirmed report is true, there will be no ‘panic’ if we lose out on both players. Believe me, Harbaugh/Baalke will have the 49ers deep in the playoffs without these two players.
No sweat dude.
If Harbaugh can make Smith a somewhat decent C plus QB last season, I am not worried if we have Kaep start.
Jack,
He can’t work for AP, he can’t spell. Rule #1 O’ Brien. You shouldn’t try and scoop a blog if you can’t spell. It kills the credibility of the breaking news that you are trying to report! Bwahahahaha!
Maybe PM is not all in with the JH mantra of getting the best guys in here to compete for the starting QB job.
Besides if PM was really interested in getting on the best team based on last years team, and it had zilch to do with money, PM would sign a vet min deal, or a RM deal with no guaranteed money.
All of you hypocrites who bashed Grant, that he predicted that their is only a 40% chance if Alex returns and you bozo’s were saying 99% , where are you now, do you think it is a 99% chance bawa bawa bawa.
Crabs,
Manning called us, we didn’t call him. Google Jim Trotter, sports illustrated. We are the team that said the we were not looking for a QB, but if Manning called us, we certainly would check him out. Trotter said 1 playoff team’s Gm said this. Let’s look at the playoff teams.
AFC- Denver, Pittsburg, New England, Baltimore, Cinncinati, Houston.
We can cross off Pittsburg, Houston, Baltimore, Cinncinati, and New England. Obviously because they never got involved for Manning. We can cross off Denver because the Broncos reached out to Manning.
NFC- Niners, Giants, Packers, Saints, Falcons, Lions. Of those 5 teams, who does not have a Franchise QB. The San Francisco 49ers.
Common sense says that Peyton Manning called the 49ers about this opportunity. Tony Dungy mentioned the Niners in the beginning. Steve Young just said it friday. Do you guys honestly believe that Peyton Manning would call the Niners and say that he was interested in playing for them, then decide to back out.
Do you guy’s think the Niners had to keep Manning a secret because they reached out to him. No way. Other teams didn’t do it. If they went that route, then Smith knew they were going after Manning. The Niners would’ve told him.
So what if the Niners had flown out to see Manning throw and didn’t like what they saw? No harm, no foul. They wait for Alex. We know that didn’t happen.
So basically, the people who don’t believe Manning is coming here, you are willing to think that Manning would yank our chain??? We are the only team he called. Everyone else called him. Him calling us is exactly how JH would’ve have wanted it to be. To protect what he said or did with Smith in the last year. Manning reached out to us. To protect the integrity of the front office, who offered Smith a deal and Smith chose to sit on it for almost 6 weeks.
You don’t think Steve Young has connections? Tony Dungy doesn’t have Peyton’s ear? C”mon man! Niner’s / Manning press conference tomorrow. Stay tuned.
23J – That’s what I said, Manning contacted Niners.
23jordan,
You make a good argument. I guess we will find out by Tuesday.
Either way, the Niners will be competitive with who ever they choose. Although, I like Smith over Manning.
Doc
Doc – You like Smith over Manning???
That’s why I love this blog. Free entertainment!
Crab15,
Isn’t that what I said?
How much more better can Manning be?
I think this is poor ethics by Niner management not to give Smith the go after what he did for the team least year.
Niners will be more competitive this than last year who ever the QB is between Manning and Smith.
Oh and Crab15, its called freedom of speech.
Doc
Good point , I really believe Bud Adams will panic and give Manning part of his franchise, we may have to take a step back with colin, Johnson or the kid but you gotta believe we are in the right direction, Hope Alex and Jim are still friends.
I believe Smith will be back. It is surprising that this thing has gotten out of whack so quickly. Some points to ponder:
1 Peyton Manning is going to be 36, wants a lot of money (about 90 million), coming off multiple neck surgeries and will more than likely have to play against his brother.
2. Coaching staff will have to make changes to strategy and current team culture that is already in place. Harbaugh caught in the middle, has anyone actually asked for his opinion other than what he thought of Mannings arm strength and how he looked?
3. Possibility, T. Balke is not a advocate for Smith as witnessed prior to this past season. Hence this is why the P. Manning scenario is in play.
4. Greed and conflict of interest with Condon agency. Had A. Smith hold off on signing to see how much more he is negotiable for once Manning is off the market. Remember these agencies make commission.
In my opinion the agents screwed this one up with greed. Alex Smith wanted to sign but his agent held off looking for the pay check. I believe the Niners will be improved with the reinforcement and upgrade of receivers corps giving Smith better opportunities. I would stay with youth and away from age with injury risk. There is already chemistry I wouldn’t want to see it broken up.
Just my thoughts.
Doc
I think this about explains it all:
“Barrows cites sources saying Smith is ticked off with the 49ers for what he perceived as a gap between their public comments and the contract offer they made him. We might have previously assumed hard feelings had developed between the 49ers and Smith, but this is the first I’ve seen it reported. The presence of hard feelings recasts this situation. We should no longer see this as simply a case of both sides doing their professional duty by exploring options available to them.”
Makes the whole operation look dirty but you know employer/employee relations are never all that great, especially in the big companies. We’ve all probably been screwed once or twice. It is what it is, I guess. It’s a shame.
It still comes down to who will pay the most and what the best situation is for him out of the options he has. If Manning chooses Denver or Tennessee, then SF is Smith’s best option unless the Seahawks offer more money, which I have a hard time seeing.
I’m watching a movie with three bad asses-Gerard Butler (300) Christian Bale (Batman) and Mathew McConahey..its a Mad Max World where they tell each other horror storys of men killed in battle..those no blinking growling talk storys with sweat and drama…as they battled…DRAGONS!..yeah,as in Puff. The CGI is terrible and its a 2002 movie-Not a one of them is affordable now….lol,Dragons! The more intense they get, the giggle factor goes up…
For those that are freaked out that me may not land Manning AND we may lose Smith, my advice is to chill out. It is certainly a distinct possibility but doesn’t portend the end of the world OR the end of our SB chances.
Last year we came within a hair of the SB. But we had a huge amount of breaks go our way — and I mean breaks in the TO department. There is no way we’ll be able to have that kind of TO differential again. That just doesn’t happen. We have kept our strong D intact, and beefed up the WR corps. But we dodged the injury bullet last year too and you just can’t expect to get to the same hair length away from the SB again without aggressively increasing your odds — namely by improving our offense by some leaps and bounds.
Even if AS came back it is not a given that improvement would be enough. In the end, I think that JH and TB have a much better handle on the expectations for him than we do. If they do not sign PM/AS I for one am not going to panic. Instead I believe they’ll get JJ or even CK ready to lead the offense.
Interesting times.
actually injury played a part in the way the season ended….morgan, BE, gore was sort of shut down for a while, PW but grant picked up the slac…..and finally ginn… a few of those injury bugs where ill timed….
do agree the +28 turnovers probably won’t be approached….but also field position contributed to this tendency….and could again…..
long fields to navigate lead to turn overs