SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith spoke to reporters after the Niners morning practice at minicamp on Tuesday. He said the offense has been able to try new thing and “push boundaries” because they have a full offseason this year. They hope the boundary pushing will improve efficiency on third down and in the red zone. Personally, Smith said he’s slowly perfecting his new throwing mechanics, and he’s changed exercises – no more bench press, lots of shoulder warmups before practice. I transcribed the full interview below. Enjoy.
Q: How often did you have to stay at the facility late last year because you didn’t have an offseason and you didn’t have minicamps, and how late were you staying?
ALEX SMITH: It just depended. Some weeks more than others. I don’t know if it was just because of the shortened offseason. Definitely in training camp and preseason I put a lot of time in, trying to play catch-up.
Q: How much has Greg Roman tweaked the offense this offseason?
ALEX SMITH: It’s kind of laughable to compare it to last year. This time last year we were at San Jose State doing what we could, which wasn’t much. This year, I know this offseason, even with the limited time and the new regulations we really got a lot of work in and really pushed the tempo. We’re not even close to where we were last year, but that doesn’t guarantee us anything. Obviously we’re a lot further ahead than we were last year, but you’ve still got to go out there and play and win games. It’s a good start right now.
Q: But how has the playbook specifically changed this offseason?
ALEX SMITH: Having a season under our belt, we have a huge volume of film to watch and areas to get better at, concepts we do well that we can build off, adding some things that we like here and there. You look around the league at who’s doing what well. For red zone and third down situations, you can look around the league and maybe add some concepts here or refine some things we need to work on. It’s the offseason. We’re not playing tomorrow. It’s like the driving range – if you yank one left it’s not the end of the world. You can try some things out here. You can really push the boundaries.
Q: Given how well you guys performed last year, it’s easy to dismiss the importance of the offseason program, but where will you guys improve the most from the full offseason?
ALEX SMITH: Everywhere except for the physical part of the game. That’s really what we’re not getting out here. No pads on. You can’t be physical, so it’s hard especially for the guys up front that really need the practice of using their shoulder pads, leverage, things like that. Even outside, the corners and receivers are used to getting press work, jam work, and you don’t get that right now. There’s other of focus and that’s where we direct our attention.
Q: So is the offseason program overrated?
ALEX SMITH: No, no, I’m not saying that. You’re limited – only so many practices, you can only be in helmets, no contact. Certain parts of the camp are very similar to the games and other parts aren’t. You try to get work in all areas and stay well rounded, but it’s tough to really practice the physical nature of the game out here when we don’t have pads.
Q: How do you think Randy Moss and Mario Manningham will affect the looks you’ll face from defenses next season?
ALEX SMITH: It’s tough to say at this point. They’re both explosive guys, they both have their strengths and they both can do a lot. Those guys have been around a lot of football. They’re both really smart. They have a great sense of the game no matter where you stick them. They pick up things fast. We’ll see what happens come season. The great thing is to have all these guys that can make plays. That really makes it tough on defenses.
Q: How have the mechanical alterations to your throwing motion gone so far?
ALEX SMITH: It’s gone well. It’s a work in progress. I’ve thrown millions of times; it’s not like I’m going to change things overnight. And these are very small things I’ve continued to work on. Sometimes I find myself at the end of practice – I don’t know if it’s fatigue or whatever – but all of a sudden I kind of fall back into some different things I’ve been doing. Just continuing to work, continuing to get better at it. I definitely feel better.
Q: Roman says you watch your individual throws at the end of the day. Do you see a difference between now and how you were throwing at the end of April?
ALEX SMITH: Yeah, a little bit. There are little things I’m conscious of. I know a big deal’s been made of the front knee, which is very true, but come football time I’m not sitting on top of a mound. It’s just football; it’s different. When 300-pound guys are running at you, you just react and throw. Those are the times when no one cares about the mechanics. I don’t care who you are – the deal is get the ball to the guy before you get tackled. It’s a give and take. There’s a fine line there. This is the time for me to really pay close attention to that stuff, that’s why I do pay close attention to the film. We have the QB Cam going and I can really watch my footwork and my mechanics. Come training camp and season when it gets competitive, I don’t want to be thinking about it – good or bad. It’s more about production then.
Q: What about the strength in your shoulder? Has that improved? Tom House said you were working on really small muscles.
ALEX SMITH: Yeah, exactly. Over time, as you get older as a thrower you get stronger in certain areas because of the repetitive motion, and you get weaker in certain areas. A lot of exercises counteract that. I feel great. I remember when I first talked to Drew (Brees) about it. The first thing he preached was the routine you build, the daily routine. This isn’t something you do now and then – it’s an every-single-day deal. In the long run he feels much better because of it. That’s something I’ve noticed, and I totally agree with it – the daily deal, the warm up, the routine you get into before you step out here on the field, and the difference it makes.
Q: You didn’t attempt a lot of far downfield throws last season – the deep go routes. Did that have anything to with the shoulder, the offense, the personnel?
ALEX SMITH: I don’t know. It’s not something I shy away from. I’m pulling the trigger whenever I can. Every game’s different. Every scenario’s different. There were some games maybe were I probably could have taken a few more shots, but a lot of them maybe not. It’s just the way the game went. I think towards the end of the year we certainly were stretching the field more. I don’t know if that’s because we got more comfortable, but towards the end of the year (we had) definitely more chunk plays, better play-actions passes and things like that.
Q: What are some exercises you do now that you didn’t do before?
ALEX SMITH: Quite a bit. The intense shoulder warmup even before you set foot out here. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve just walked out here and started throwing, and how unhealthy that is. Not doing so much bench press is one of the things he preaches. As a football player, from the day I was a little kid all you want to do when you walk into the gym is bench press and pushups, Things like that are not really great for throwing, so I’m trying to stay away from them. And all those little muscles in the back of your shoulder don’t get nearly as much attention as the front of the shoulder.
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I think towards the end of the year we certainly were stretching the field more. I don’t know if that’s because we got more comfortable, but towards the end of the year (we had) definitely more chunk plays, better play-actions passes and things like that.-A Smith
Thats what I saw, “with my own two eyeballs” Prime. lol Thats why I am saying this passing attack and Smith is going to light up defenses. Is it August yet?
kinda like how you think the game is viewed differently at the stadium than on TV, are you saying your eyeballs are different from everyone elses?
….lol…..
There is a reason coaches and players study “all 22″ tape instead of TV angles. The game looks a lot different when you can see the entire field.
Lemons…. Let this moron continue to talk. Clueless people are the best. I guess Latino has his own camera crew at games. Notice how the little ankle biter is the only one that agrees. Keep it going Latino. You’re killing yourself, easier for me. Thx
That’s correct 67, and the only way you accomplish that is by reviewing tape.
Being at the game, you see MUCH less than watching at home, it’s not even close. The only thing that you see better at the game is the defensive backfield alignments. You can’t tell the where the DL are lined up, you get terrible angles because you are in ONE place the whole time. I could go on and on.
Anyone who argues that you can see more at a game than at home is only attempting to justify the hundreds\thousands of dollars they spent on their tickets. That being said I go to 1 or 2 games every year, because I like the atomsphere, but it always pisses me off a couple of time a game that I can’t get a different angle, or rewind or slow the play down to see what really happened.
If the tv directors would just widen out their shot just enough to include the wideouts I’d like that better.
If I had access to overhead coaches’ tapes I’d probably get nothing much else done all day.
I hear ya Tuna, that would be sweet. I like to watch the ‘little things’ quite often, like blitz pickups, DL|LB stunts and the like. The only way to see those clearly is on your TV.
We broached this subject in an earlier blog post and I would much prefer to watch a game on TV as opposed to the stadium. The stadium experience is fun due to the atmosphere, but you are severely limited in seeing everything play out and individual matchups. Nevermind standing in line forever for piss breaks, food and beer.
@rocket
We would need NASA to determine how many times the “at home” vs. “live” debate has been done on this blog.
Do you work for NASA? Just wondering since your name here is “rocket”. If so, then we have our NASA rep here!
lol
DS,
Nope, it’s just an old nickname I’ve had since grade school. No NASA connections here.
You might need to NASA to determine how many times it has been broached, but you don’t need anybody to determine which is better to see more of the game’s details. It’s a one-way topic.
It’s just my first time joining this conversation, I couldn’t take the lunacy anymore. This blog used to be 75% football talk and 25% BS it has totally switched the last year or so.
But not all the “Rocket Boys” went on to become scientists. Only 1 in fact went to NASA. You may be one of those other guys.
: – )
Lol bray…. I don’t know where you sit, but your crazy if you think you can see more on tv. Hmmm. A 50 yard span or 100. You do the math. Aaaand when the ball is snapped on tv they only show the front lines and qb until the ball is thrown or handed off. At the stadium you can see the routes being ran that you can’t see on tv when the camera is ON the FRONT LINES!!!! I don’t even know why I am arguing over this. I’m sure the coaches in the booths are watching live on tv when the plays are being ran. WOW! How does the head coach do it without the tv.
Funny, this topic was just discussed on NPR at lunch.
There’s a movement under way again to bring replay to baseball (as umpires have admitted they can’t see the last five feet of the pitch) and to boxing after the Pacquiao fight.
As much as I loved going to the Stick, baseball is fun in the park, football is a drag (if you’re in to seeing the details like I am.) Much better experience with slow-mo and replay, etc.
Boozing it up with the buddies? The Stick. Study the game? HDTV is most definitely the way to go.
Am glad Alex went to the throwing guru. And had that talk with Brees. Sounds like you are begining to work on the throwing muscles in the shoulder. Why wasnt that part of your regime to begin with after surgery?
The throwing guru is also a shrink. I think the psycho analysis has paid off. Alex sounds more confident. I’m pulling the trigger whenever I can.
I hope confidents translates into “over my dead body”
mind set.
…”hope confidents translates into “over my dead body”
mind set.”……that happened last year (NO game)….this year its gonna translate to “show me the $$$”….
Way to think about the team onelame. You know the other 52 guys? Man your pathetic.
Oneniner have alex’s baby and be quiet. Every year for the last 5 years all you talk about is alex and every prediction you make is wrong. You actually wanted Nolan and Sing then you blame them for alex’s failures. Football isn’t for you, you are just not catching on.
Alex sounds like he will be the (cue the music)6million dollar man, better, stronger, faster. Might we see a slight gunslinger mentality with all these WOMD at his disposal? I mean he does have that huge boulder on his shoulder…I think he’s going to respond this year gunsblazing and blow that boulder to Smithereens.
LOL You don’t all the sudden go from meek with no confidence to “take no prisoners” mentality, you either have those personality traits or you don’t, he’s late 20′s his personality is what it is. Take a psycology class you dolts.
…”We have the QB Cam going and I can really watch”….
Oh no! More Cam? Shh!
LOL
Hopefully the mechanical improvements stick when the bullets start flying. I want football to start yesterday.
Good stuff. Thanks, Grant.
It’s just mini-camp but I’ll take what I can get! :P
It always amazes me how little NFL QB’s actually work on mechanics and how poorly sometimes they can treat their bodies. Not saying anything against Alex because I think alot of QB’s just go out and throw without a proper warmup and with absolutely no consideration for throwing mechanics. I guess the theory is that these guys are professional so they should just know how to do everything. It begs the question, what in the world the QB coach is doing if he’s not preaching these things to the QB’s?
Good point houston.
There may be a reason beyond “the guy sucks” as to why so many great college QB’s don’t make it in the NFL.
Ahh Alex Smith the eternal rookie lol. Every year the guy supposedly reinvents himself in the off season then the bullets are live and he stinks like always. Somebody put this lame horse down.
Somebody put this lame horse down
Great reference, now please follow it.
If it were his poor mechanics that made him play with little or no pocket awareness,not being able to see the field and not be able to read defenses,and not be able to get rid of the ball on time and also made him telegraph his throws,and also make him afraid to make throws to open receivers because they are not at least 5 yards wide open,etc etc etc, then maybe an improvement in mechanics could be the answer? At best mechanics could possibly help with his poor accuracy,we can all hope he improves at least in that one area !
I expect alex to improve because of the mechanics change and mostly because it will be the 2nd year in the system…but imho he is still a 2nd tier talent . But at least if the new shoulder warm up works out he won’t re-injure that shoulder again :) !
…and …Alex has also stated that he doesn’t believe he will complete the process of fixing his mechanics this season ! So I guess that is another built in ALexcuse for him to fall back on if he doesn’t do well again this year ? Actually it is for his over the top fans to use,since Alex himself has too much class to use excuses !
That should make you happy. You’ll have tons of fodder going in to the next off-season. :P