SANTA CLARA — Wednesday at his locker, Alex Smith answered questions about throwing deep passes, among other things. Here’s a complete transcript, courtesy of the 49ers.
Can you talk about just the challenge that the Bills bring? Head Coach Jim Harbaugh called them the best defensive line you guys have faced.
“Yeah, extremely talented on the defensive side of the ball, across the board. It starts up front with their D-line for sure. A bunch of talented guys, all can make plays. Just continues on, linebackers a bunch of playmakers, really athletic group. And then the secondary as well, young outside, but talented. So, a good test for us.”
What can you learn from the Patriots now? The Patriots were able to put up 45 points in the second half against them.
“You learn from all the film. The Patriots are different, all the teams are different. You learn from it, here and there. It’s a different system. They have different players, so take what you can.”
I know that you guys don’t have too much time for contemplation, but do you ever think of where you would be without Jim Harbaugh?
“Not at the moment, no. Like you said, I’m in the middle of the season. I’m trying to get ready to play the Bills.”
You must be happy though, once he arrived things got better for you and the team.
“I’m really enjoying where I’m at right now. I love my teammates, love the entire organization, love going out and doing what I do.”
Does anything Jim do surprise you at all or do you feel you know him now?
“He constantly surprises me, for sure. The great thing, I think, is he just keeps it about football and that makes coming to work fun.”
Who is your best offensive lineman right now?
“They all play different positions. I don’t think you can compare them. They all play different positions, you got a center and two guards, two tackles, they play on different sides. I couldn’t tell you.”
How much has that group as a whole grown, second year in the system?
“They’re playing really well. Everything we do starts with them, run and pass, starts up front. Those guys know that. We put a lot on them, a lot at times, and every week they seem to step up.”
What do you mean by that, we put a lot on them?
“Not just physically, mentally. Every week you can turn on the film – you play Minnesota, you play Green Bay, with those fronts they get after the passer. A lot of the time you’re seeing, every team is helping them, every team chips, every team slides, seven-man protections, eight-man protections, things like that. We put a lot on those guys. A lot of times we ask them to man up and it’s one-on-one, and you’ve got to get it done and they do. It’s a credit to them.”
When you were doing the film study of the last game, how did QB Colin Kaepernick’s plays go over in the quarterback room?
“We watched it as a team, but it was great. Obviously extremely efficient, it was great to see him get in there and make some plays and help us win.”
Are you happy with the way you’re playing right now?
“There’s always room for improvement. You only seem to be as happy as you’re last game. What you could have done. Turn on the film and as a quarterback, for me, you’re always just could I have done better. What were the throws I could have made, what could I have done differently? Bottom line is getting the win and obviously it was a great win and looking to get better and move on towards the Bills.”
Do you feel like you’re thinking through things well? Looking on tape do you feel like it matches up with what you thought at the moment, in the moment?
“Yeah, for the most part. I really feel like I see things well out there for the most part. Sunday I felt like I saw everything well. There wasn’t much that I turned on the tape and surprised me.”
When you go through it, do you find yourself – the things you wish you did as more, you wish you threw the ball there or that you wish you didn’t throw the one that you did?
“Most of the time you’re more upset about missed opportunities for sure. Turn on the film and a decision you should have made, a guy you should have gone to. But for me though, there wasn’t much of that on Sunday. Really the couple deep shots we had and really just wish we could have hit them. We were close, we were close on all of them. It’s a fine line from hitting those.”
On those plays are you throwing it to a spot? There were a couple plays where I think WR Mario Manningham might have gotten held up a little bit. So, did that impede his progress on balls that should have been?
“Yeah, it certainly affects it when you’re getting held out there, especially throwing the ball downfield. It’s a combination. I’m not throwing to a spot blindly. You’re looking at the receiver, trying to get a feel of his angle, his speed, trying to hit him running.”
What happened on those particular plays?
“The one, especially down the left sideline there, an overthrow, probably too flat of a ball. Deep balls, if you don’t really get it up and turn it over, you give those guys a better chance to run under it. The second one, just a fine line, six inches, just getting it out there.”
Can’t help but notice, when you throw deep, you throw it to TE Vernon Davis most of the time. When you hit him, is it just a fact of coverage with him or are you just more comfortable with him throwing deep?
“It’ something he and I have a lot of work on. We’ve worked on it a lot over the years, for sure. So, he’s someone I feel extremely comfortable with letting the ball go. Feel like we have a good relationship, definitely feel comfortable there, you know, and getting there with the other guys. You know, it’s funny some days you, you hate saying this, but some days you hit all of them and some days you don’t. It’s kind of like that with the long ball a little bit sometimes. Such a fine line, they’re not high percentage throws. Something I think, practice you get better at, the more you do it you get better.”
How much part of your game plan should that be? Are you guys really working on integrating more long ball?
“That is something that is going to change week-to-week. It’s going to depend on matchups, who we like on the matchup. No, if a team is going to play conservative, especially the way the Jets did, turn on the film and every week before that, very aggressive. And turn on that film and they were not, a lot of coverage, two high safeties the entire time. So, you’re not going to get as many shots. That’s just the way the game goes.”
Obviously we talked a lot in May about your mechanics and former baseball player Tom House. How have your mechanics held up?
“I feel good. At this point, it’s not something that I’m thinking a lot about. I feel healthy. I feel really good. Shoulder feels great, my body feels good. So, that’s the most important thing.”
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LET’S GO OAKLAND!!!!! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEW!!! What a shocking year for my two teams. Nobody thunk OAKlAND Nobody thunk the NINERS! WHHHHEEEEEEW
+1 Baby!! Today I busted out my Frank Thomas Jersey from 2006
Nice. Now I still have to rock my older gear. Because the bandwagon fans are out in full. Now I’m glad my 9ers and A’s stickers on my truck are old and faded. TRUE DIE HARD! Wheeew. Can’t wait for the tailgate party at the sium. ;-) and I will be wearing my old school bash brothers hat.
My Oakland A’s memories center around the likes of Reggie Jackson, Jim “Catfish” Hunter, Joe Rudi, Captain Sal Bando, Campy Campenares, Vida Blue, and Dick Williams.
I still remember Reggie hitting a homerun off the light tower during an All-Star game in Detroit. That was right out of the movie “The Natural” the only thing missing was the all the lights exploding and the shooting sparks. In a word: WOW!!!
Good luck MD.
Hope my Giants make it to the World Series and meet up with you guys.
” but some days you hit all of them and some days you don’t.” I feel there is never a day when Alex hits of of them.
Maybe he was talking about practice?
Not yet anyway. Except for a busted play where Moss was left completely uncovered, going into his 5th game Smith has yet to connect with a WR for a TD.
I was inspired by how many times he targeted WRs in the first game, but it seems like that was a one and done trend in the sense that he has gone back to last years style in recent weeks.
It would be interesting to see if JH delegates or if he is hands on during the game planning. GR (or JH) needs to ensure the offense can produce when they need to be more productive and that includes the pass offense.
Detroit game. Maiocco did an article on how he pretty much played a perfect game. I think it was the Detroit game anyways….or Minnesota. :)
He’s only really comfortable hitting Vernon long. His comments are telling. He has confidence throwing into double coverage and over the top with V – look at the Saints game last year. However, Alex is playing it safe with everyone else. He consistently overthrows Crab (or Crab gets jammed), but he seems to miss Manningham a little shorter. I’m hopeful it’s only a matter of time there – but we won’t find out until there’s a need to play from behind.
I’m not thrilled with the offense, but the 9ers are winning their way. Only 4 games into the season, let’s see how they progress. More VD and MM would bet great!
True Hofer,
But as Roman said in his KNBR segment Tuesday morning with Murph & Mac that it’s very important to continue to work on the Long Ball in practice so it translate in games. He said it’s crucial that the 49ers have that in their arsenal.
Well….Let’s start seeing it happen on Sunday against the Bills.
Interesting. That tells me that AS has a choice where to go in his progression and he’s not taking the shot.
Contradicts what the Smithers have been saying all along.
f49er if AS has not thrown one nice deep ball to a WR all preseason and all 4 games this season, what makes you think he will start now? It’s not in his DNA.
IMO they brought in CK to chuck it deep to let Smith know that if he doesn’t do it, they have #7 on the bench that will.
@ bay:
IMO they brought in CK to chuck it deep to let Smith know that if he doesn’t do it, they have #7 on the bench that will.
IMO, you are, once again, projecting your beliefs and attitudes onto Harbaugh, when it is very clear he does not share them.
Let’s assume for the sake of argument that Harbaugh shares your overvaluation of the deep pass and let’s further assume that Alex Smith has refused to throw the deep pass despite his coaches’ desires. If those things were true, why would Harbaugh need to send a message to Smith by having Kaepernick throw long? Why wouldn’t he simply tell Smith directly to throw more deep passes? Do you somehow think Harbaugh is afraid of a confrontation?
@ Claude,
no I think that Harbaugh is intelligent enough to approach his QB in such a manner that he doesn’t mentally shut him down.
Look based on the fact that Moss and Manningham were brought in and their strength is the vertical route it’s not rocket science.
Now if everything else is clicking like the first two games, then it’s absolutely acceptable that Smith doesn’t go deep.
When the underneath stuff is not working and you find yourself trailing, then you have to attack. Smith has both not attacked and missed wide open targets and not seen open targets. Not acceptable.
Did you hear Roman yesterday mention that they had to attack more downfield? That’s coming from the OC.
I don’t know how much you understand coaching Claude, but you work on your weaknesses now, now at the end of the year. You also make sure your backups are sharp and ready to go. Seems Harbaugh is doing that.
Bay, for all of this hyperbole about CK throwing deep, it didn’t work – poor throw and into coverage. Why do you assume CK is the answer for throwing deep? Based on what, a 6 yd run? Preseason? You’re putting your eggs in a basket that hasn’t been tested or used before. This is the worst kind of faith.
Bay, Harbaugh’s game plans to me have said this, “we are going to do this, we will actually show you that we are going to do this, try and stop it!
He is doing exactly what Singletary tried to do. They go out hit people in the mouth. They are not a charity, they do not give the ball away. And they execute the plan from start to the finish.
They did that in three of the four games. The exception was the Vikes where they got away from their strengths and it cost them.
Now you will say that when Alex is relied upon to throw it, they fail. I dont think that happened in the Vikes game because they got it within 4 and the defense layed an egg giving up a long scoring drive. After that, the Vikes sat back and played coverage and game over.
Because he missed some throws I dont see that as a failure or a correlation of what will happen in future games. Also, to even speak of a QB controversy is really all speculation.
@ Bay:
no I think that Harbaugh is intelligent enough to approach his QB in such a manner that he doesn’t mentally shut him down
Man, you are so predictable. First, you project your beliefs onto Harbaugh, and now you play untrained amateur psychologist. Like so many of your football beliefs, your belief that Smith is emotionally unstable is unfounded. Moreover, if Harbaugh was worried about Smith shutting down mentally, he wouldn’t have put Kaepernick in the game in the first place.
Playing Kaepernick had nothing to do with sending a message to Smith and everything to do with sending messages to future opposing defensive coordinators (you had better prepare for everything) and to the nonstarters on the team (stay focused and ready – everybody gets a chance to contribute).
Your continuing fantasy that Harbaugh shares your beliefs and attitudes about Alex Smith, deep passes and offensive schemes is amusing.
@Claude & FDM, let Bay have the stage on this new development. This is classical fiction at its best. Just when you think it cannot get anymore bizarre, these guys come up with something totally outer space to degrade Alex. It’s priceless humor!
Let me add this to my 12:27 comment. Playing Kaepernick was also about finding a way to use his talents to help the team win.
Know what’s funny Claude, I’m throwing out my opinion and you are tearing it apart. Making it sound like I don’t know what I’m talking about. Then comes the funny part. You then in turn throw out your opinion like it’s gospel.
I prefaced everything by saying I think. My opinion. Bottom line, not my fault Smith keeps missing open scoring opportunities. Not my fault he along with Roman are terrible in the red zone. According to you it shouldn’t matter since has a QB rating that places him 7th. Gee Claude you are so smart……
@ Bay:
Not all opinions are created equal. Your opinions typically involve you projecting your biases (pro deep pass, anti-Smith, etc.) onto others and/or you interpreting all events through those biases. Your opinion that Harbaugh had Kaepernick throw deep because he wanted to send a message to Smith is only the latest example.
My opinion that the 49ers had Kaepernick throw deep to give future opposing defensive coordinators something to prepare for isn’t the product of any inherent bias. Rather, it comes from paying attention to what people say and do, and then applying common sense.
By the way, here’s some corroborative support for my position: http://www.mercurynews.com/49ers/ci_21700912/harbaugh-led-49ers-dont-just-play-better-they
Let me know when you find something supporting your assertion that Harbaugh is the type of coach who, instead of directly and clearly communicating his wishes to his starting QB, would rather send indirect, ambiguous messages through the plays called in specialty packages for the backup QB.
I think it has a lot to do with trust, we do not have any wrs that go take the damn ball out of the air. That is the biggest thing i think ,but we havent tried that much. I say take a few more shots a game
“Some days you hit some days you don’t” ask Arron
Rodgers or Drew Brees that they gonna say I’ll hit
More ofthen than not.
You know Hov, if your gonna try and critisize Alex, at least get the quote right for heavens sake.
and the spelling…
First half of that was like reading a Harbaugh presser.
Nice interview and AS is always cordial with the media.
I did find it interesting that AS mentioned his shoulder feeling fine. I don’t recall him making references to shoulder over the last two years.
I hope that there are no after effects with the shoulder surgery still lingering.
AES,
Look at our posts, we are thinking the same thing.
You and AES don’t think the same way. He talks on a multitude of 9er issues and you are a rerun of QB criticism. Absolutely nothing in common!
Nobody thinks like you cause first of all you don’t know how to. There is some football knowledge in that pea brain but you chose to regurgitate an awful obsession with Alex.
Seriously, tell us what he did to you. Did he deny you an autograph, didn’t shake your sons hand? What was it? Had to been something?
Hofer,
It’s killing you that you support Smith so staunchly and he looks just like the same qb from last year. Even his average numbers are the same average numbers as last year.
NEWSFLASH, it has never been Alex SMith’s improvement. It’s JH’s offense. The picks are down because the passes are shorter. Captain discount doublecheckdown didn’t start checking down or choosing the shorter routes this year or last year. Alex has always chosen the shorter route 80% of the time.
Alex has never thrown for a ton of yardage, he still doesn’t. The big difference is the minimizing of the turnovers. That’s a product of JH making Smith a game manager and allowing him to eat sacks and not take chances making throws in tight windows.
When is the last time anyone on this board has seen Alex Smith make a throw like the one he made to VD against New Orleans? Now what about before that throw?
He hasn’t threw a ball in a tight window since, and think about before. That throw to Davis was the throw of his career. Give me another?
AES, his mechanics are tied to his shoulder. I don’t think we read into something that isn’t there. Let’s not be too dramatic.
@Hofe
How is this being dramatic?
Hofe, when was the last time you heard AS say anything regarding his shoulder?
I thought it interesting that he volunteered this tidbit of information without anyone asking about it (shoulder).
I mentioned back in 2010 that it seemed like AS was favoring his shoulder when throwing. That would have made sense back in 2010 because the surgery was somewhat recent. But to AS’ credit he’s never mentioned any after effects regarding the shoulder.
No big deal Hofe, just something that stood out for me.
Funny, last question the reporter asked Jim about his mechanics. Alex proceeds to tell them that he feels good, he feels healthy and that the shoulder is fine.
I get the feeling that the shoulder clearly has some negative impact on the deep ball. 1 touchdown to the toys in 4 weeks. Crabtree has to be sick. Leading the team in receptions, NO touchdowns. He should have three though.
VD is doing fine except when he is kept in to help the OL block when things breakdown. VD is the most explosive receiver on the team and should get more touches. It’s GR’s job to make sure his playmaker gets involved in the offense early and often. More VD and MM is a good thing for the offense and for the QB!
Hofer,
But its your boy Alex SMiths job to deliver the football. He SCARED to pull the trigger. The receivers are Tom Brady open, they are Drew Brees open, they are Cam Newton open, but they are NOT Alex Smith open. Smith needs an extra 4-5 yards. That window isn’t big enough for Smith.
Roman and Harbaugh were geniuses last year. Now they have forgotten how to call plays????? C’mon man. The pass play is there, the QB has to make the throw accurately and on time sometimes.
Cam Newton, Jordan? He of the 1-3 Panthers? 4 tds, 5 picks and 4 fumbles? Maybe if Cam was watching the game instead of sitting on the bench with a towel on his head he wouldn’t throw as many picks.
You poke fun at people lumping AS in with elite company, well that definitely applies to putting Cam Newton in with Brady and Brees. All I see in Newton is a bigger Vick. Good athlete, average qb.
Sean,
I’m not talking about anything except Cam’s ability to throw in tight windows and give his receivers a chance to make plays. Nothing else. Smith can’t do that. Can we stay on topic?
You didn’t see my point? Tell me the last time you saw Smith fit a throw in between a couple of defenders? I’ll help you. The Saint game last year. What about prior to that? Uh???
Jordan, granted I have only watched one Panther game this season and it was the game vs the Giants. Newton couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn in that game let alone a tight window.
One other nice AS throw that comes to mind was the fourth down td pass to DW in Detroit. If I put some effort into it I could find more. I’m just not sold on Newton. Agree to disagree.
Sean,
big difference. One has an occasional great game, the other has an occasional bad game….
Bay,
Newton is struggling somewhat this year. Not only that, he’s showing something of a lack of character, with his moping around like a baby. It’s great he hates losing, but the way he deals with it is like a junior high kid. I hope he gets through it, because he’s an unbelievable talent.
Sean,
Please tell me that you are not talking about the slant from th 4 yard line to Walker that was caught at the 1 and Walker had to fight for the extra yard. I don’t know if that was a tough throw into a tight space. I know it wasn’t a long one though. As Singletary would say, “Gotta look at the film!” I will tonite.
I am pretty open about my my disdain for Alex Smith’s lack of production. However, I’m believe that it is too early for Kaepernick to take this team. I don’t think Kaepernick has earned the leadership Alex Smith has. Kaepernick needs to make the most of his outtings. He needs to complete those deep passes to Moss. He needs to move the offense through the air. He needs to do this over SEVERAL games before the team is willing to embrace Kaepernick as their leader on the field.
I believe that is why we are seeing Kaepernick in spurts. It’s up to him to make the most of those opportunities. Until then, Smith is going to be the starter. Expect to see more and more of Kaepernick though.
Great perspective Medic. Leadership is huge on a football team. CK7 will develop this as his game evolves.
Alex is adequate for this offense so Harbaugh has the luxury of phasing him out slowly as CK7 grows.
its not even the deep balls that are a problem..
its his reluctance to pull the trigger on 3rd downs and push the rock aggressively,
he has to step it up….sacks suck…throw the ball toward our endzone, int’s be damned
Go Niners