Here’s what Jim Harbaugh said on Monday about the 49ers quarterback controversy, courtesy of the 49ers.
I would imagine you don’t—are you going to announce the quarterback for Sunday, or is that still something that you’re going to decide throughout the week?
“Won’t today. Won’t today. As you know it’s the players’ day off. And will continue to consider it and wouldn’t announce anything before we had the chance to talk to our players.”
Just talk about what goes into this decision? Is it based on practices? Or is it based on the opponent? How are you deciding this, if it’s a week-to-week thing? Or could you just determine it permanently?
“Fair question. I think it starts with this week, this game. What gives our team the best chance to win this game, like it would at any position. Further, fair question to ask what goes into it. And my answer is this – [QB] Alex Smith is our starting quarterback. He has not done anything to lose that job. In fact, he’s playing at a very high level. Also, [QB] Colin Kaepernick, you can’t categorize him as a backup quarterback because he’s started games, and played very well in those games. So, in a unique situation you have two quarterbacks that are playing at a very high level. One’s your captain. One’s your starting quarterback. The other has played great football the last three football games. Both have a hot hand. So, it’s unique and it’s not unique to football. It’s not even unique to our team. We have [RB] Frank [Gore] and [RB] Kendall [Hunter]. Last year you had [LB] Parys [Haralson] and [LB] Aldon [Smith]. It’s not unique that it’s shared. This season the quarterback position has been shared. And at the end of the season you’ll look back on it and say, ‘that was shared.’ So, I think the thing that’s best for us, we’ve got two good guys.”
With that position specifically, do you need to make a call on this guy is our guy, like you did with Alex from the beginning of last year?
“Well, they’re both our guys. They’re our guys.”
You’re the star. You’re the guy who’s going to get the snaps in all the important situations at the start of the game, at the end of the game?
“Yeah, and it takes place before that. It takes place during the week as you determine who gets the majority of the reps. You want the guy that’s going to start the game and play the majority of the game to get the majority of those practice reps. So, it’s not so much determined in practice. Like, hey it’s an open competition out there on Wednesday because you kind of have to go a direction and make sure that that guy, that quarterback is going to get the majority of the reps. The other situation that I think will probably be different than last week is we’ll say who that quarterback is probably Wednesday. And the biggest reason is so our players aren’t all pressured to, ‘who is it?’ Everyone hammering them for the information. So, I think in my mind that’s the direction we’ll go.”
You mentioned earlier getting better and you’ve also talk about that often. After seeing the tape, in what ways do you think Colin got better from the Bears game to this game? Or did he?
“Well, I think first and foremost, just great in terms of his personal development and for our team to play in a really hostile environment in New Orleans. It was loud, loud there. Against a team that is fighting for their playoff lives, just like we’re fighting for our playoff lives. And both teams just poured their guts out in that football game. A real road playoff atmosphere. And I thought the improvement was there just that he was there. Just that he was playing in that game for him and for our team and acquitted himself very well.”
You gave him an A++ for the first game. What would you give him on this one?
“Winning effort in a very, very tough environment. And I thought he made some outstanding plays, as did so many guys on our team. That gives me an opening really to talk, hopefully you’ll allow me to talk a little bit about [LB] Ahmad Brooks, and the play that he made, the catch, to start with. And then finish it with the run. He just looked like he exploded off of that. The pressure we got on the quarterback of New Orleans. I heard some statistics, only a handful of times has he been sacked five times in a game. [DT] Ray McDonald getting push. [DT] Justin Smith getting push. Aldon, Ahmad. Again the two inside linebackers played extremely well. How do you know if you’re a good defense? You tackle. How do you know if you’re ready to play in a game? You tackle. And in this game, like the Bears game, there might have been a missed tackle. There might have been two. Haven’t gone all the way through it. But, like in the Bears game there was one missed tackle. Also, there were no missed tackles that allowed yards after the catch. So, every time we had a chance to contact a receiver after he caught the ball there was no yards after the catch. That’s huge. Especially when you’re talking about a guy like [RB] Darren Sproles having the ball. Not to mention [WR Marques] Colston and the others and [TE Jimmy] Graham. But, it wasn’t always picture perfect. [S] Donte Whitner gets Sproles down in the open field. It almost looked like he was going to squirm loose from it. But, Donte found a way to get him on the ground. And then you saw Aldon make the play at the boundary where he flipped over the top of him and just stayed with him. Contorted his body and made a tremendous play. [S Dashon] Goldson, Whitner again, excellent tackling. So, really, really, really pleased with that. Offensively, thought there are some things we can improve on. We took some big yardage chunks off our side of the ledger with calls that were made. Not just the penalty yardage, but it was the play that resulted from them. But, no drive bigger than the one to get the field goal toward the end of the game, nine-and-a-half minutes, 16, or 15 play drive. When you need it most. Also the big drive coming out in the third quarter. And a really good drive at the beginning to put the first points on the board. In a clean drive when you’re not making penalties or mistakes. It really shows what our offense can do.”
You mentioned that Alex hasn’t done anything to lose his job. How understanding are you of his situation? He was 13-3 last year, went to the playoffs, then 7-2, gets hurt and then doesn’t start. How much of your feelings go to him in this situation?
“The position that you’re in, I understand that part of it. I understand the position that you’re in because you’re asked – the guys will be hammered. You’ll go to Colin, you’ll go to Alex, should you be the starter and he’s got no good answer for you. He says, ‘yes I should be the starter,’ and we’re talking about either one of them, ‘yes I should be the starter.’ Then you look like you’re just building yourself up. And if you say no, then they hammer you, you don’t think you should be the starter. And then the people that say, so called subject matter experts that talk about, you should be making a fuss about it or a stink about it, shouldn’t be that accommodating. Sends the completely wrong message to me, for any young athlete that’s out there or high school athlete or quarterback, where their coach is trying to tell them it’s about the team and it’s about us all working together. So, that one gets me upset. That’s not what our two guys are about. They’re great team guys, they’re great example guys and we need them both. The other thing I don’t relate to is, the situation that they’re in because both have played extremely well. Not to delve back into my own personal history, but who’s going to start at quarterback this week, my experience has been, both guys were struggling. Myself and somebody else were struggling at the time and it’s like who’s struggling less, we’ll start them this week. This is a unique situation to my own experience because both have played extremely well.”
You referenced earlier, your personal history, how did you handle that when you were in the middle of that, who’s going to start this week? And if you were in Alex’s shoes, playing well, as you put it, would you have handled it as gracefully as he has?
“He’s a class act all the way. Team player, that’s why he’s been voted captain by our players. I don’t personally like delving back into my past or comparing it to this situation. I know I made one reference, that doesn’t mean I want to stand up here and peel the layers of the onion back all the way back to childhood. I think we’ve covered that ground, plowed that ground, the quarterback ground, as thoroughly as we can at this point. I know you’re going to have one more [AP writer] Janie [McCauley] on that.”
Have you made up your mind yet? And how much is this weighing on you every day or are you just waiting to announce it? Have you made a decision on it?
“That’s something, that again, we do as a team. There’s accord, consensus, I talk to our coaches and watch and re-watch the tape and think it through the best we can.”
Was there a package that Alex could have gotten in yesterday’s game? Was that a consideration or was it going to be all Kaepernick once he started?
“Anything is always a possibility. Wouldn’t talk about what we would have done or what we would do. Everything is a possibility.”
Is Alex’s health not an issue anymore? Is that completely resolved?
“I feel good about that. Yeah, I feel good about that now.”
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Colin is the man until he loses a game. Going throw for throw with Brady will be his biggest test.
One thing I wrote on Lowell’s blog is that I’ve been watching the NFL since 1967 and I don’t think I’ve EVER seen a QB situation like this beofre, where a QB is performing as well as Alex is, team in first place and yet his backup, to me and others, is demonstrably a better player right now. One could definately say that Alex has done nothing to lose his job, 70%/5th leading passer in NFL, team in first place, etc etc etc. Except for two factors. In last year’s playoffs, in his final five minutes against N.O., he was as good as Montana ever was (for those five minutes) – under the gun, he made every single play, not just the last pass, but the run and the long pass to Vernon which I thought was even better and clutch than the TD pass. But then he fell flat in the biggest game of his career, he couldn’t bring his A game to the NFC championship, a really good game from Alex would have meant the Super Bowl and no WAY he would have been questioned at all as the long term starter for this year. But he fell short. Yes, the NY Giants had something to do with that. But what was clear (and I wrote this to Lowell in an email three years ago), for all of the plusses about Alex, personally and athletically, is there ANYONE who feels he has what it takes to be a GREAT QB, to be really DANGEROUS to other teams? (to me his ceiling is “kerry Collins” who had a long nice career in the NFL, but not good enough for me, I want a Luck, Griffin, Big Ben, Eli, Brady, Rodgers level QB). I don’t think Harbaugh thinks that he is good enough and that is why the team pursued Manning (and they WANTED him).
Now, again, Alex is performing at a high level, but he is clearly not a great QB or among the best in the NFL (and it is debatable if he is as good as Flacco or Schaub, though he might be). Forget all these freaking STATS, will you? Just open your eyes and LOOK. One guy was downgrading Namath’s stats fercryinoutloud. Yeah, Namath’s stats look lousy now, but I’m telling you, he was a GREAT quarterback, and in the days when Al Davis was still coherent in the late 60s, he put it well that Namath “tilts the field.” I don’t know that Kaep quite does that. But LOOK at him play. Not just his super athletic ability, but his maturity, leadership and most of all, his super (and quiet) confidence. This guy is a winner.
After the Bear game, I didn’t think there is any way that Harbaugh can now go back to Alex (would have been shocked if he did), but I’m now starting to think he might do that. And if so …. if you think Alex was under pressure to perform before ….
One closing comment. While I do recognize this as a unique situation, a QB performing as well as he ever has, team winning, etc etc etc …. as I noted to Lowell yesterday, isn’t the contract between coach and players that the coach will do everything he can to help the team be successful? And isn’t the primary act in that contract, the one thing every single player MUST depend on for his own career, that the coach will play the best player at every position? Wouldn’t violating that lose the confidence of players who compete for their jobs every year? That friendship, past accomplishments and every other consideration take second place or less to WHO IS THE BEST PLAYER. I think Alex is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever seen in Bay Area sports, a loyal, dedicated, hard worker (who has been paid tens of millions of dollars by the way for his work), but …. I think Kaep is THE BETTER PLAYER. Just sayin’
This was a good post. It is all going to play out the way it should. It’s not about favorite, likes or dislikes. I think Harbaugh is smart and knows what he’s doing. He’s got savvy. Alex has done everything that’s asked of him. Sure he sucks sometimes. He also plays well sometimes. His knock is consistency. KAEP looks all world but it’s only 2 games so far.
I like the fact that Harbaugh said Alex is the starter, not because I’m a Smith guy (God I wanted that Payton Manning trade!), but a niner guy. I want to the team to win period. I could care less who is under the Center.
I think QB is a complex position and there are many attributes that define the BEST Player. Not just one or two. It’s more then just physical ability, it’s mental toughness, etc.
Who knows, maybe seeing what KAEP can do will push Smith to be better, take a few more chances, play with an edge.
Next year is KAEP’s year for sure and I’m down with that!
Yes, it all comes down to this — he has become a better player.
Some simple questions:
1. Of the two, whom would you rely on to sustain a drive?
2. Of the two, whom would you rely on to keep a play alive?
2. Of the two, whom would you rely on to get the ball from point A to point B — on time, accurately, and leading the receiver?
When they drafted Colin, there were questions about his pocket skills, delivery, and ability to read an NFL defense. Also, he obviously knew nothing about the offense. Sometime within the last month or so, he has put everything together.
They guy is a stud and has demonstrated that over about 10 quarters against decent defenses. It’s his time.
Because he is: The Kapinator!!
George — I have been really impressed with his pocket skills. I’ve always thought that was something that ultimately can’t be taught. He has sensed the rush, moved around, eluded grasps, all while looking downfield. That is an “it” factor that I have never seen Alex excel in. So yeah, whenever he put it together IDK, but he looked vastly superior to previous moments in preseason games.
Well said, KezarMike.
Coach,
I’m a little confused a lot hurt. My therapist told me that I should communicate how I feel.
Coach I was ready to leave. I promised to never wear Niner gear again. I put my San Diego Padres hat on and that was that.
But you told me you saw something in me. You said that with my help you wanted to build something special.
You led me on by asking me to caddie for you. I took a lot of heat for that. You called me a pro bowl QB. You called me elite. You named me captain. You told me stats didn’t matter. You told me sacks didn’t matter. My neighbor picked me up as a fantasy QB after I completed 25 out of 27 passes. And then you broke up with me. Publicly. That’s what it felt like anyway.
Guess mine is not the first heart broken,
my eyes are not the first to cry. Hopelessly devoted to you……..
I am watching the bears beat down from ck again and wanted to note another aspect that I noticed. The delayed handoffs and qb run fakes work very well with ck and not so much Smith. The things and other angles this kid brings is far superior to Alex smiths talents. This kid is amazing. Only 2 starts and has put together back to back games equal or better than any back to back games a 7 year veteran has ever put together. Bright future ahead.
Lol I’m the loser? And yet YOU still come around where you’re not wanted posting under 50 different screen names…….. And we all know who’s knees are forever scraped because of #11. Onelame/banned3times beat it! You and bs are irrelevant now!
Oh and for the clowns that want to discredit CK’s game in the toughest environment to date for this team yesterday and want to say the defense bailed him out. There weren’t two pick 6′s on Monday night. How come no of you smith fans want to talk about that game? You love bringing up old Alex smith games? Pathetic haters!!!!! Or racists. Either way you slice it. It makes no damn sense
Grants word extraordinary applies to the Bears game. Was a very impressive game. The Saints game eh he was good but nothing none of us havnt seen from many many QBs in the NFL. The Bears game was a great start for CK no doubt. The offense only put up 17 points yesterday against possible the worst defense in football. However they held onto the ball kept Breeze off the field. Just keepin it real.
Kaepernick made more extraordinary plays against the Saints than he did against the Bears.
Under,
CK’s play yesterday? Extraordinary it was not! He was elusive in the pocket and made plays by using his feet, but those two passes – one INT and the other saved by RMoss – were very poor plays. I’m sure JH cringed when he saw those two plays on the game film. In my other comment I gave him a B.
Took no sacks though, did he Hof? Astounding, given the Niners proclivity for allowing sacks. Most sacks taken in the NFL since the beginning of 2011 … but zero in this game? Extraordinary!
To me what was extraordinary about the Bears game was his overall performance in his first start ever against a very fine defense. His performance that night was extraordinary. In fact in my many many years of football I cannot remember a QB come in and do what CK did. CK made good/great plays last and to boot playing in New Orleans is not an easy task even for the most vetearn QBs. I can appreciate the effort, I just believe that the extraordinary isnt an adjective that I would use in last nites game. It was a good game for CK no doubt.
Hof
I didnt give him a grade on here, didnt pass out any grades this time around. But I was thinking a B was about right. Nothing wrong with a B by the way. CK has showen some promise for sure. I guess its good to have the problem of two good QBs.
What made Kaep’s game against the saints remarkable was over coming the loud, hostile Superdome environment.
Grant
CK also made a bonehead Int and fumbled the ball.
If not for Brooks pick 6, the Saints head into the locker room knowing they can beat us. Instead they went in wondering if they can ever beat us.
My spouse who doesn’t care for the Niners or AS or CK said that CK didn’t play well. Take from that what you wish. That the defense saved CK after his Int on a poor throw into double coverage. He should have displayed his “play making ability” and ran it or just been smart and thrown that ball 10 yards out of bounds and live to the next down since we were nearing scoring range (or would have if Akers can kick a freaking FG).
hof
Don’t forget the very nice play by MC to prevent an errant pass from getting Int as well.
DS
Do you have anything positive to say about CK7? Did you not see the throws he made that Alex Smith rarely makes? Did you not see CK7′s pocket presence – something we have yet to see from the 8 year veteran? A hater?
I did say postive things about him. He played great against the Bears in a game the Bears stank. He deserved his A there.
In this last game though….No. He doesn’t deserve anyhere near an A grade.
While your jaws are gaping open, did you notice Moss in the Bears game had his hand hurt because CK throws threw the ball too hard all the time? A lot of good it does you to have a strong arm if you injure the WR’s. A ball should be thrown no harder than it needs to be to get to the WR in time. CK hasn’t displayed that ability.
That ability is key by the way in what made JM the best ever.
14 points against the worse D in the NFL isn’t a stellar day. It works. We won. He deserves a “C”. Maybe you can be a little critical of CK as well Nick.
It’s not objective reality for Alex Smith to get credit for a come back last year against the Eagles or beating the Giants in regular season, when it was Justin Smith who made plays to seal both wins. It’s not objective reality that Smith gets credit for vanquishing NO in the playoffs when it was 3 1st half defensive turnovers that provided short fields and obtained the lead. Smith is one of the many leaders on this team and a contributor, but he isn’t the playmaker needed to get them over the top. 8 more games to #6!
disagree….AS helped put justin in position to be the last hero
Justin Smith is a HOF player. If you are going that route, then you must conclude that Lott was greatly aided by Joe Montana as well. Which is all fine and good, but that means your analysis is way off base if you are trying to give CK credit but not AS.
Credit to where credit is deserved. I think CK is the better qb and support starting him. But AS deserves all the credit due him for the last 4 minutes against NO last year. That was clutch play.
ninermd,
dude really, racists? give me a break
Stupid, blind, hater, pathetic, racist. You pick one. Because I couldn’t see why anyone would say or think Smith is a better qb than CK. so feel free to pick jdilla. You’re a smither anyways so what would you know
Because one is stupid you label them a racist. You devalue the actual racists in this world by using it incorrectly, which is a shame. Anyway, you can continue to call me names or label me whatever you like, that is your only defense. If you’ve bothered to read anything I’ve wrote, instead of just putting a label on me, you would know my argument was never about who was better. It was about making a change midseason given the teams relevant success. I have no doubt CK has the potential to be an extremely more talented qb than Smith, anyone can see his toolset and understand. However, for this season, not next season and the ones to come, I still think you ride this year out with Smith given what the team has accomplished with him under center. If the team had been struggling this year, then of course changing qb’s is a no brainer. Now, continue to call me names because I have a different opinion and am not afraid to speak my mind.
Alex Smith has lost all 3 games at the Superdome in his career, but yea that was not his fault.
DS, did you compliment Crabs? LOL. : >)
BTW, it was a nice play on his part.
Now this blog’s viral Hatfield/McCoy feud has gone national: Bayless and A.Smith were bloviating about Harbaugh.
MC made a very nice play there displaying some of the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet that makes a great player.
It is concerning to me though that MC has been absent with the QB who will throw it to his WR’s. I don’t know what that is about.
Did you notice on CK’s TD run in the redzone that MC wasn’t in there to block? That RM was. I was suprised by that.
JH says
And will continue to consider it and wouldn’t announce anything before we had the chance to talk to our players ….
That’s something, that again, we do as a team. There’s accord, consensus, I talk to our coaches and watch and re-watch the tape and think it through the best we can.
If the decision is consensus based, then CK7 will be the starting QB. The players and coaches will most likely choose CK7 over AS. He puts them in the best situation to succeed (individually and as a team).
Hard to say, Nick. A lot of the players are good friends with Alex and sympathize with him losing his job while injured. Could be a divided locker room. I’m guessing the players are having just as hard of a time being objective as we are. Staley is Smith’s bff…Gore and V. Davis have his back too. I’m guessing the WR’s are probably clamoring for CK7.
It’s a much tougher call to make when the guy in question is as popular with his teammates as Alex is. Harbaugh has to find out how his team leaders feel about things and make his decision based on both performance and potential impact to morale.
Agree with you on your points ’9er Girl…I think what makes it a little tougher on Harbaugh, might be the fact that Alex is a Team Captain, voted as such by his team mates.
In any case, JH is going to make his decision on what he believes will insure the continued success of the 49er’s, for the remainder of this season and beyond.
Hey 9erGirl,
Great to see you back on the blog!!
DWhitner made some interesting comments regarding AS as well. Grant posted the pro CK related comments from him, but he also stated that AS is the “3rd rated QB in the league” and he feels for him. I find it very interesting that he stated the “3rd rated” statement. So you know it is the back of the minds of these vets knowing they could get injured and lose their job as a result!
AS is a man and a proven team player….he does not get butt hurt like so many insinuate…he has gone thru these trials and now he is going through another trial and this time has been shown by CK (just like montana was shown by kemp/cavanaugh) how to take the top off the defense…how quickly AS demonstrates this aspect of growth I don’t know…
AS is only about 3 years older than CK so pundits suggesting CK is a much younger player with much longer longevity potential or that more importantly AS has reached his ceiling may not be accurate….could be AS is a late bloomer…
CK is promising no doubt….but won’t be surprised if AS get the start….like the concussion forced JH hand in the bear game…and essentially his hand got forced in the saints game since AS got cleared on friday after couple of days of CK taking 1st string snaps ….
now this week is the first time JH gets to make HIS intentions somewhat known because now both QBs are cleared early in the game prep process….and whomever he picks there will be a caveat no doubt…this is a good situation to be in….being the #2 seed with a win over the #3 seed gives JH a couple of games to play with to set up the season ending run….
some say the giants game put a negative in JH’s head about AS yet giants just punked rodgers…and giants have a jekyll and hyde personality on defense …. so i really can’t say if CK gives an advantage when it comes to the giants
watching the MNF i just heard a funny comment…..the phillies have a more recent win than the eagles….
JG, very well said! Excellent read.
49erGirl,
You might be right, however, I think the players realize that this is a business and they’ll check their emotions (i.e. by putting friendship aside) and making the right call. If JH has one-on-one meetings with the players, I bet they’ll be honest and upfront about who they think gives them the best chance to win.
I think the consensus Harbaugh speaks of is among the coaching staff. I don’t think there’s any chance at all that Harbaugh will survey his players for their preferences. He’s never presided over a democracy.
Guys: WAKE UP!!! Read what Coach had to say about the game of football…what he had to say about the players of BOTH teams. QB is NOT the only position on the team. We are blessed with a Coach who shares insight with us about the game and its players…about our players.
He manages the silliness of the media brilliantly!
And he WINS.
All this arguing about who will start or who should start or what Coach has decided or how wrong he’ll be if he doesn’t do so and so misses the point.
Enjoy! Tune in Sunday and be excited. We don’t have David Carr or Troy Smith or Mike Nolan or Mike Singletary or Chilo Rachel or Adam Snyder or Mike Martz, etc.
We have a COACH.
And we have A TEAM, A TEAM, A TEAM!!
Grant – I love Harbaugh (2nd best coach in NFL) but he’s acting like the 11 year old that Lowell once called him. By not naming Kap starter, he’s playing mind games with the media and creating a circus atmosphere.
He knows Kap is his guy now but he wants to stick it to the media still and not hurt Alex Smith’s feelings.
Remember Harbaugh disrespected Eric Branch at the “end of season”press conference? Harbaugh made fun of Californian’s after Branch asked him, how he spent his evening after NFC Championship game?
I am glad coach dosen’t tell the media a lot. With guys like Lowell and the sweater guy at Comcast that ,do not like him they make a joke about any thing good the niners do. Keep up the good work coach. Best coach since Walsh. Enjoy good football for a change.
Crab,
I think he’s not naming the starter because he wants the Rams to spend time planning for both QB’s. I think he said it a few times in the past – if the opposing team has to spend extra time preparing for both QB’s, then they’ll spend less time covering other “small” details somewhere else in their game plan and that gives the Niners a slight competitive advantage.
The only reason he wants to announce it on Wednesday is because the media is driving the team nuts asking everyone about the QB controversy and he wants to put that to rest so they can focus on the Rams.
9erGirl – Respectfully disagree babe. Even though I think Alex played pretty good this year, there’s nothing to fear with him. Nothing much to prepare for, just simple basic plays.
As for Kap, he’s a triple threat (run, throw short and throw deep).
We are the defending NFC West Champ 49ers not the Cleveland Browns! We tell you what’s coming and let you worry about how to stop us.
Why be afraid of the Rams and keep secrets?
I think that losing KW and Hunter guarantees CK starts this game. Gore just lost his backup. We don’t know Hunters status. At this point in the season we cannot lean heavily on him especially at his age.
We need someone else to lean on to make plays. We all know even after just two games which QB we can lean on to be consistent, ellude sacks and make plays.
@ Prime:
I am not a big fan of you taking repeated shots at kids who have never done anything to you, but the “A League of Their Own” references made me laugh.
… and they’re gone.
That was quick.
Me too Crab
@ Crab15:
You think Harbaugh is creating the circus atmosphere?
C Balls – Yes, I do think Harbaugh created a circus atmosphere.
After Saints game, Harbaugh should’ve just said, “we’re going to stick with Kap against Rams and Alex Smith will be ready if needed.”
Instead, we have a nation-wide media debate everywhere now.
The water cooler discussions would’ve have been diminished 50% if Harbaugh named Kap the starter Sunday after game.
That 1% competive advantage crap is just “red meat” for anyone who has never played organized sports.
Instead of small Circus Vargas, Harbaugh magnified the situation to a Ringling Brothers Circus.
@Crab15:
I disagree. The media created the circus atmosphere. Moreover, I don’t think Harbaugh has any obligation to stop the media from creating the atmosphere.
As for water cooler discussions, why should Harbaugh give a crap about that? It has zero effect on the outcome of the game.
I am sorry that Harbaugh isn’t making the announcement that you want on the schedule that you want. He isn’t doing it capriciously, however. He has a reason for what he is doing and while you are free to dismiss it as crap, I’ll defer to the guy who has a track record of coaching success.
C Balls – Track record? Have you seen the standings for the Alex Smith Tea Party league? I’ve been on top most of the year. LOL
I picked pathetic Philly tonight though. Next year you better join in bro. Go Niners!
i don’t …. media provided all the foam…
JH had no say in it for the bear game and AS didn’t get cleared for the saints game until friday meaning CK got two days worth of 1st reps….
now this week is the first chance for JH to mess with the media and the rams….
today was an off day and game planning by the coaches for the rams game….a game plan both AS and CK can execute with just a couple of differences based on individual attributes….
and wednesday is the first day reps are executed for the next game so JH for the first time will be able to make it clear way ahead of time who will start and he is giving himself and his staff a couple of days to come down from game excitement to make the best decision…
i am really surprised the media is so naive …. and really are showing very little professionalism or even tacit knowledge
I don’t. It’s completly media driven, what happens in the locker room, stays in the locker room. If this was any other position on the field, it wouldn’t be a story. That is one of his mantras, nothing is divulged if ANY sliver of advantage can be taken from said tidibit of information. It’s the Art of War way.
That being said, I say Alex starts this week. Just a hunch, nothing more. I wouldn’t bet a a burrito on it though!
I guess it depends on Smith’s confidence. We saw him collapse into a puddle of goo earlier in the year when CK7 was stealing plays. How will Alex respond now that CK has shown himself to be the superior quarterback?
You might want to consider leaving out the insulting inaccuracies when discussing the merits of our QB options. There’s no need for that. Both are good. Is Kaep better? It looks like that might be the case, but the jury’s still out.
Not a jury in the land is out about Kaep being a better QB than Alex. C’mon now, get your head out your…
“collapse into a puddle of goo earlier” is a little bit humorous. Honestly I will be a little bit disappointed if The Kapinator doesn’t start this weekend, but that is more about CK excitement than a dislike/distrust of Alex. Personally, I don’t think that to like one QB means you have to dislike the other. I will trust whatever JH decides to do. I think that Alex has shown the ability to win and overcome all the mental hazards of playing for one of the (poopiest) teams over this past decade. I’m actually kind of interested now to see how he handles this and whether he comes back playing well.
Whatever happens, they better Flatten the rams this sunday! And that includes defense and special teams manning up.
NFL.com pointed out that Coach makes any QB so much better (Mortensen, Johnson, Smith). Put that together with CK7′s natural abilities, and we definitely expand the QB role (Luck).
“Would Tom Brady be Tom Brady without Bill Belichick? Would Peyton Manning have developed into an all-time great if he’d had to play behind the line David Carr did in Houston? What if Aaron Rodgers had been forced to start right away in Green Bay, or if Drew Brees had signed in Miami?
Fact is, circumstances are vital to any quarterback’s development.
And there’s no question that, right now, Kaepernick’s circumstances are good.”
Great point. People frequently underestimate circumstance and environment as factors in behavior, performance, and success, and instead attribute them to personal characteristics.
Not sure why 49er fans are so upset about this. Of course Kaepernick is the future, he is a talented player, nice guy on top of that. But now is not his time. Alex Smith was given the year to show that he could help this team get to the super bowl. Nothing has changed. He has not shown he is incapable of this. If Alex Smith comes back and shows he is a step behind, then you have the youngster as a great option.
M.M. of comcast sports net says he believes AS’s days as a 49er are over. Duh. Ray RAtto ripped Jim Harbaugh this afternoon. Says his handling of this situation has been bad. If CK is his guy he should just name him his guy. Then the media circus surrounding the controversy would go away after a couple of days and they could focus on football again. Instead by prolonging his decision he leaves the fans and locker room in limbo.
They all agreed that Smith is a good QB, unfortunately he is the 2nd best QB on this team. The round table of reporters all agreed that Smith’s last two games versus the Giants are what sealed his fate. I agree.
The Smithers have been sucker punched and it seems they have the wind knocked out of them. I’ve seen them disappear a couple of times now. First when it broke that we were negotiating with Manning. Smithers gone. Grants posts really took a hit. And this last week, gone. Look at the live game blog. I know a couple of Smithers posted once or twice, but truly having another QB behind center has stolen the joy of watching the game for this group.
And it’s hilarious to listen to them critique the new QB of our 49ers void of compliments. And all the points they used to defend Smith , CK now does not get the benefit of. I don’t know which Smither made me giggle more today. BS and it’s inability to hide it’s dislike for CK or FDM who posted a request for Smith to get one more chance.
Now that we have a beast at QB folks, lets turn our focus now on our defense that seems to be peaking at the right time. I remember questioning Balke for picking Aldon Smith who now looks like the best defensive player taken in that draft…. Good times. All arrows up!
“Good times. All arrows up!”
Using my departing phrases I see. Still can’t write your own material!! LOL
Hof it might not happen but if it does, will the glee club back Harbaugh if he decides to go with Smith Sunday?
Prime,
I never thought CK was in the plans for this year. He will compete next year. If AS continues his outstanding play prior to the concussion, then it’s good all around. The one thing that many forget when stating CK is better than AS, is that AS has won the big games. He has been clutch with everything on the line. Some can say it’s AS’s fault for the losses to the Vikes and Giants this year – even the elite QBs lose (see AR yesterday). I don’t believe JH blames solely AS for the loss against the NYG in the Championship game. There was a lot that didn’t go well in that game.
Two good QBs. Not a bad position to be in.
Hofer,
you seriously don’t get it. Compete next year? LOL. Only way AS is on this team next year is if he’s cut and agrees to a serious pay reduction. And if you could tell from the look on his face this last week, he’s done with SF. No way that kid comes back here.
Bay,
I knew if you saw that line you’d crawl out of your hole to retort! Good times, all arrows up, TBD, and stay tuned!! LOL
I never read one person say the defense helped CK win yesterday. But as Alex went 19-5 over the last two years it was all because of the defense, special teams and Harbaugh. Yesterday showed once again it’s a team effort.
I see us winning with either QB. I am of the belief that no one should lose their job because of injury. Now it’s a huge decision that JH has to make that will be critical in numerous ways. Whatever it is, I will believe in the 49ers. Now will others? They have already made up their minds.
“I never read one person say the defense helped CK win yesterday.”
You must have trouble reading.
You must be past your “prime”.
Bye Hofer, Bye Alex. Bye Prime Slime, Bye Alex. Bye BS, bye Alex. Bye Claude, Bye Alex. Bye Ribico, Bye Alex. Bye Oneniner, Bye Alex. Bye FDM, Bye Alex. Bye Exgolfer, Bye Alex. Bye Rocket, Bye Alex. We are going to the super bowl, without ALEX and the SMITHERS!!!
Good Riddance Alex and the Smithers!
I TOLD YOU SO!! I TOLD YOU SO!!!!!!! Bwawawawawawawawaw, Bwawawawawawawawa!
Guys listen, shhhhh!!!! I hear a hater crying?
@23jordan:
Bye Hofer, Bye Alex. Bye Prime Slime, Bye Alex. Bye BS, bye Alex. Bye Claude, Bye Alex. Bye Ribico, Bye Alex. Bye Oneniner, Bye Alex. Bye FDM, Bye Alex. Bye Exgolfer, Bye Alex. Bye Rocket, Bye Alex.
Wow, I never thought jordan would actually man up and keep his word, but it looks like he is going to honor his promise to stop posting if Smith was on the roster in 2012. Better late than never, I guess. Bye bye jordan.
What? You’re kidding?
Dirty welcher.
Claude says
Dirty welcher
Stop talking about Primate that way.
first two paragraphs are Ok … but then you digress into insults…
gobble gobble u jive turkey
Niners wont be going to the superbowl regardless who the QB is.
Its the middle of the night and I’m awake… so I’ll bite. What gives? Do you have football-related reasons or are you just trying to avoid disappointment.
and while we’re at it, who on the niners took your slurpy? sounds like bullying to me
Dangle you usually have great and well thought out comments, so I will tell you the reasons. Our special teams is a liability, teams in the playoffs will exploit this, we hav shown that it is a huge weakness, our coverage team has allowed some tremendous gains from return teams, and we have shown we are very suseptible to trick plays from ST’s. Our offense has improved by a large margin whichever QB is under center however our defense hasn’t our defense has taken a small step back compared to where we were last year.
There is a chance at a superbowl run for us, but I honestly think that this year will belong to the AFC I really think the Texans take home the trophy this year, also I think we will lose to the giants in the playoffs again. I think we will get a super bowl on Jim Harbaughs 4th year as the 49ers coach though we will make the playoffs each year and some years we will make it all the way to the divisional round or even the super bowl.
Even with Kaepernick in since our defense isnt as dominant we would have to ride our defense into the superbowl and I just don’t think its in the cards for us, yes Kaepernick is good, but once we get into those huge games his inexperience is going to be just as much a liability as Alex Smiths habit of dink and dunk throws. By the playoffs teams will have an answer for Kaepernick and we wont have time to teach him how to exploit his weaknesses.
Not bad Slurpy.
I don’t think our defense is as bad as you might think (regarding the small step back you mentioned). This year the defense is 2nd in yards per game, 2nd in passing yards per game, and 4th in rushing yards per game. In the most important stat: Points allowed (total and per game), they are Numero Uno.
I believe the perception of the step backwards is the decrease in turnovers and the success a few RBs have had against them. I submit that turnovers are less of a measure of the quality of a defense than you might think (ie best defense does not always have the most turnovers). Chicago is doing well in this (in spite of my brilliant arguments), but the Pats D has forced 24 fumbles, and the Giants have 18 pics, but neither of those two are top 5 defenses. Secondly, for the rush defense, the 49ers rush defense is giving up 3.6 yds per carry, which is good enough for 2nd best… it doesn’t get much better than that. Last year they gave up 3.5 yards per carry and faced on average 3 carries fewer. So the difference is not so great.
Where they have drastically improved is pass defense. Last year they gave up 230 passing yards per game (16th), this year they are giving up 187 (2nd). I’m not guaranteeing a SB, but cheer up.
The coverage units have done well recently, they contained patrick peterson, devin hester, and darren sproules. Thats not bad.
Regarding special teams trick plays, I just don’t think 2/2, in one game, is an epidemic. Unless i’m forgetting anything, I won’t be worried about the trickplays seriously until it happens more. I expect the coaching staff to get a handle on that.
Despite my excitement about The Kapinator, I still think the biggest weakness of the team is the offense. You are right that if he starts the rest of the way, teams will have a book written on how to best exploit his weaknesses and force him into mistakes, but I don’t think that risk is on par with that of many other first year starting QBs (Cam Newton last year for Exhibit A). For one, he is not a rookie. He had all of last year and this year so far to learn the JH offense. Therefore, the coaching staff is not designing a limited offense around his particular comfort level. JH’s offense is built for QBs to succeed, and to make it difficult for defenses to gameplan against the QB. That is the purpose of all the multiple looks and unusual formations and playcalling. And last but certainly not least, The Kapinator approaches the game like the best QBs do; He works out hard, he studies hard, and he plays hard. He has a workman-like attitude that (especially compared to Cam Newton) means he won’t give up, mentally or physically.
Opponent-wise, if the season ended today (pure speculation), we would get a first round bye and then likely face the Giants or the Bears (Bears if they beat the Seahawks, or the winner of GB-NYG-if the Seahawks beat the Bears). Assuming we beat the bears (because making assumptions makes an…. out of u and me), we would face the winner of (my best guess) NYG-ATL. I think the Giants are the tougher matchup of the two, based on history and that ATL’s running game has been stoppable. But regardless of who the QB is, I think this 49er team can play with either of those teams (the fan in me wants CK). If we get back to the NFCCG, you can’t rule the season a bust in my book, and i’d give us reasonable odds to make the SB. These are my opinions.
Hofer,
AS has one of big games,? Ok yes he one playoff game in 7 years, CK will beat that in one year.
I don’t see the team picking up Alex’s option, and I see him wanting to start fresh somewhere else. The only competition next year will be between Tolzien and a QB tbd for the back-up spot.
more pointless gloating
gobble gobble both jive turkeys
we like CK we like AS
Sympathize with Alex’s situation, but looks like the stars are aligned against him…
- The day he gets injured, Cutler gets injured too – which meant less offensive pressure on Kap in the Bears game
- Concussion symptoms seem to go away, but return day before Bears game meaning Harbaugh does not have to hesitate to put Kap in
- In the Saints game, NO leads 14-7 and Kap throws a pick. If Brees drives down for a touchdown, it is 21-7 before the half. But Ahmad Brooks takes it to the house, game is tied and pressure is off…
Best way out seems to be to play out the season, take the million dollar buyout and find the best available situation – this gives Alex the most control of his destiny (as opposed to rather than asking for a trade). On the way, if he gets a chance to play, he can go out with guns blazing having nothing to lose…
Smithers, why are you doubting our coach, coach of the year. It is his decision, take it up with him, askshim if he really cares.
Neal hush son. About 5 different people have told you today how useless you and your comments are. Notice how no one except king loser 23 hater is the only one who replies to you?
Get it? Beat it!
I find it somewhat funny that you just replied to Neal after commenting that only “loser 23 hater is the only one” who replies to him
jsand3030
Primate isn’t the brightest bulb in the room
Please get Alex an earpiece so he won’t have to stand there with his helmet on and that football in his armpit looking like a damned fool the whole game. He looked like a pathetic little crybaby over there. He thinks he should be the starter!!!???? NOT! Alex, get your ball cap and some popcorn and enjoy the show!
Prime
Nothing good comes from whomever he wants to name himself.
Captain Alex discount doublecheckdown Smith is done. You are officially a BACKUP AGAIN!!! You shouldn’t be uncomfortable with that Alex. You’ve been getting your job taken your whole career. This one is for good as a 49er. Sorry Smith, I’ve always known you were never good enough. Now your teammates know it too. Say goodbye Smithers! It’s over. Your boy is DONE!!!!
Check that, soother please and hurry!
“hey diddle didddle, check down to ray rice up the middle!” -actual quote from ray rice after the SD-BAL game.
Did you not see a checkdown to ray rice pick up the first down on 4th and 29? Stop hating on checkdowns
Grant – more smart commentary from your buddy Prime
Prime Time says:
November 26, 2012 at 9:28 pm
Neal hush son. About 5 different people have told you today how useless you and your comments are. Notice how no one except king loser 23 hater is the only one who replies to you?
Get it? Beat it!
Prime Time says:
November 26, 2012 at 9:45 pm
Somebody pass me a diaper so I change 23haters arse. The kid soiled himself over DS, or was it Alex?
uh oh! better call the Waah-mbulance!
Wam! Pow! Shlock!
I hope not I really like his comments whereas 23Jordan good god constant supid comments.
Not at all Camelo
Alex Smith did not lose his job to injury. He lost his job to Colin Kaepernick. He lost his job to a better Qb. He lost his job to a QB that’s about to take the 2012-2013 San Francisco 49ers to another level. He should’nt be complaining. Even Alex knows that CK is better. Even Alex is amazed with some of the throws that CK has made. Even Alex knows that he cant make those throws. Even Alex knows he’s DONE.
Stop sucking your thumb! Your a big boy now, no more whinning.
Colin Kaepernick is the real deal …
Just watched both games again. Just unreal how physically imposing this kid is. He makes Cam Newton look slow, make him look noodle-armed and indecisive. He makes RGIII look tiny. Makes Alex Smith and Tom Brady look scrawny and Peyton Manning look like a statue.
I am incredibly thankful that Harbaugh took this kid and not, for instance, Luck, Newton, Gabbert, Ponder, or Dalton. There has never been a talent like this guy. And if you believe Donte Whitner, he’s first in and last out every day, spends all day in the gym, and seeks the HOF.
Just look at his arms. He looks like a cyborg.
Tim Kawakami just said that Smith did not lose his job, instead Kaepernick won it.
Assuming The Kapinator gets the start going forward, I think that is exactly what happened.
You bet that’s what happened. Smith’s played well, and I do feel for him. He doesn’t deserve to lose his job with that level of play, but you can’t deny that Kaep, in his limited time, has shown the added elements he brings that Smith doesn’t have.
Smith will land on his feet, starting next year, by bet is in KC.
Bay,
I think that goes without saying. That is why instead of fighting and continuing the flame war we should be absolutely giddy with excitement knowing that we have a QB in the Coaches eyes who may be better than a guy who’s won 80% of his games the past two years. No matter how this goes down, the Niners are going to benefit and that should be all that matters.
Bay just wants to be stroked and told he was right. Like he knew this was going to happen all along. Here is Bayarea at his best.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD13qIlpDq8
Anyone who thinks CK should not be the #1 qb never played the game. CK provides a dimension AS does not. Thoes naked role outs have to be taken serious by the defense. CKs arm is far superior which gives those DBs and LBs fits. CK is also quite a bit taller which gives him an advantage to see recievers.
When CK is in the backfield I feel confident good things will happen and I never had that with AS.
CK will absolutly be the starter next week……
They can’t stop it even when they know its coming. The ball is coming too fast.
Totally. There were some throws that he made, i’m thinking from the hash marks towards the far sideline, that CK just put some zip on. And even though there was a defender in pursuit, the ball got there quick enough and on-point, so that the receiver could catch it, turn, and run. Occasionally, he does put too much zip on passes that require a little more tough, but those are adjustments that both he and the WRs need to make. There will be some learning bumps along the way, but based on his potential, and his work ethic, I’m excited to see his development.
can’t disagree … and the more he sees defenses the better we all hope he gets
49ers Drive Summaries, led by CK, against the Saints, for my own enjoyment:
#1: 2 short runs, on 3rd & 4 CK throws for 3 yds to MM; PUNT.
#2: 2nd & 8 CK throws 4 yds to MM + 36 YAC, CK 13 yds to MM; CK runs 7 yd TD.
#3: CK runs 3yds, 2nd & 7 (9 yd throw to VD called back- Goodwin), 2nd & 17 throw 5 yds to BM + 21 YAC, 1 yd run CK, inc-gore, delay of game, 3rd & 14 inc-Crabs; PUNT.
#4: FG 4 yds, CK inc-VD, CK 15 yd run, CK to DW 11 yds, (CK to MC short pass + 30 YAC called back – A. Davis), hunter 1 yd, CK inc deep, 3rd & 19 CK to FG 0yds +12 YAC; PUNT.
#5: CK 7 yd pass to MM, CK run 1 yd, FG run 4 yds, 1st &10 (0:43 remaining) CK INT.
Halftime:
#6: FG 4yds, FG 4 yds, CK to DK 23 yds + 22YAC, CK inc, Hunter 21 yds, CK to FG 6 yd TD. -for the lead.
#7: CK to MC 6 yds, penalty, CK inc to hunter, delay of game, FG 11 yds; PUNT.
#8: FG 2 yds, CK to MC 15 yds, Hunter 2 yds (injured), CK to MM 6 yds, 3rd & 2 CK to MC for 5 yds, FG -1 yds, CK 0yds, 3rd & 11 CK to DW 25 yds, CK -4 yd pass to BM +6 YAC, Dixon 5 yds, 3rd & 3 CK to BM for -1 yds + 10YAC, FG 14 yds, (penalty), 1st & 15 FG 10 yds, CK inc to Moss, 3rd & 5 FG -4 yds; FIELD GOAL.
#9: 5 minutes remaining, 49ers takeover after NO failed 4th & 11 attempt: run, run, inc; MISSED FIELD GOAL.
#10: 4 minutes left after NO failed 4th & 4 attempt: FG 11 yds, FG 5 yds, FG 5 yds +facemask penatly, FG 2 yds, (FG 10 yd TD called back-Iupati), run, run; BLOCKED FIELD GOAL.
overall: 1 int, penalties (the 2 delay of game, 1 false start-not unexpected given dome game), missed/blocked field goals, 1 TD called back, 1 rushing TD, 1 Passing TD, 4 punts. Redzone efficiency 50% (2/4). Total yardage outgained the saints 375-290 due to more than doubling their rushing yardage (144-59) and on fewer total plays (56-67). Average gain per passing play CK 9.2, DB 5.0.
My Comments: Not a lot of the traditional 49ers running game early on. That aspect usually seems to get better as games go on and the other team’s defense gets worn down. The balance in this game was 25 passing attempts to 31 rushing attempts, but obviously more running late in the game.
CK made some deep throws, but also some (dreaded) checkdowns that led to significant YAC, some didn’t, checkdowns are part of the game and every successful QB makes them. Shorter, quicker passes are essential for beating teams like NO that blitz a lot. However, CK did a good job varying his pass depths, which makes him harder to defend. I’m told that 12 possessions is about normal for an NFL game so 10 possessions less of a sample than we might normally get. This was due to 2 offenses putting drives together and using up clock, 2 defensive TDs, and the Ginn fumble.
And additional thoughts, if thats possible; Crabtree demonstrated the mystical hand strength several times, maybe JH isn’t such a liar after all. And, Mario Manningham is a straight up playmaker. We need that guy to be healthy.
https://www.facebook.com/SNEAKiCKzTV
I have nothing to do with this, but it is a fantastic resource for 49er fans during the vacuum of time known as ‘in between gameday.’ Check it out and watch the videos for a midweek pick-me-up. Guaranteed to entertain you for about 18 minutes per week.
All of this is moot if the Niners D can’t stop Steven Jackson again or get burned by 2 fake punts. I assume Rogers will be on Amendola again, so that needs to be addressed also.
Sean: Good point, although after the 2 TD’s the Niner D got straight and played 4 quarters allowing around 3 yards per carry.
I’m not a line play analyst, but it appears that there is a problem with Sopoaga. Anybody out there with knowledge on this?
I’ve heard that suggested as a reason the Run D isn’t quite as stout. I’m not sure. One of the TV commentators suggested that teams were running at Soap, basically because thats preferable to running at the Smith Bros. The other possibility is that he comes out of the game in the Nickel package (i think) and maybe that takes him out of the flow. Who knows, but Justin Smith and the other Dlineman seem to get better as the game goes on, and maybe Isaco isn’t getting that opportunity.
Amendola has a foot injury that is really hampering his production. I don’t think he will have the quickness he displayed in SF. Rogers said he is the quickest guy he’s played, more so then Cruz or Welker.
In the JH era, the Niners bounce back pretty well, I expect a very good performance on Sunday.
I dont know about u guys but i just read between the lines. Alex smith is abouy o b the starter again. Mainly because he was not only playin well (within harbaughs system) but coach doesnt wanna hurt his feeling anymore. Ive never seen a man in sports who needed his manhood massaged as much as this man. i think its a bad move but if coach wants 18 for 19 n 17 of thosr passes were for 6 yds or less with YAC carrying the play, then so be it. Go Defense because we will need them to survive a Super bowl run…. AGAIN.
Smith isn’t starting. Harbaugh is just publicly paying lip service to Smith so the transition to Kaep goes over well in the locker room.
Harbaugh may seem non committed in his words, but he is not washy washy in his actions. He’s done everything to play Kaep this year, even when Smith was the full time starter. This was done in order to prepare Kaep to take over permanently. That transition occurred 2 games ago. Smith will see playing time only if Kaep gets injured or a farewell performance during the 2nd half against the Cards at home last game of the season.
so u call 1 good year in 8 makes ppl haters when they hsve the eye test on their side. Like Colin Cowherd says, when you are so bad forr so long i call it like i see it when you cyr for an unproven qb thats had 8 bad years andd a coach comed along n has a good system for him to manage, that doesnt make him an elite qb. That makes him a managed qb. Me saying that doesnt make me a hater it makes u a homer
Except that is wrong. It’s closeminded, ignorant, nonsense to say he’s had one good year in 8 seasons. It just shows laziness and lack of understanding of the game to make statements like this. The guy had two serious shoulder injuries that derailed his career along with numerous Coaching changes. If you want to believe he somehow should have been great during that time feel free but it is nothing but unrealistic fan expectations. Look at Sam Bradford right now and how much he’s struggling. You can’t keep him starting over with a new offense and personnel every year and expect the QB to succeed. It doesn’t happen.
Rocket who were you replying to?
old coach,
I responded to steelematic’s post and somehow it went nowhere near where I intended it to go.
Rocket,
Technically the statement is true, despite what the circumstances were;)
Alex didn’t have any stability but I think what people are saying is that they’ve seen no consistent signs of brilliance throughout his career to reassure us. At times he looks like he’s turning the page and then puts up a stinker. There have been plenty of rookies that come into the league despite the talent level on the team, that have given people a reason to put faith into that player.
jsand3030,
Every QB in this league puts up a stinker now and then. You have to judge by the overall consistency and while Smith is never going to challenge the top rated guys for elite play, he has gotten his game to the point where he gives the niners a chance to win the majority of the time.
Jsand: “There have been plenty of rookies that come into the league despite the talent level on the team, that have given people a reason to put faith into that player.”
Who are you thinking of?
If AS isn’t starting, he’s done in SF. And he will have little trade value since it is known that the Niners want to get rid of him.
If I were AS, I would call up AZ and ask them what they plan on doing about improving their OL which just sucks. Because they are an OL and a QB away from challenging us, GB, Houston, you name them from a Super Bowl appearance. In AS they would have the QB. And AS would get LF to throw the ball too. The second best WR in the history of the NFL. Solve that OL, and AZ is a legit contender.
@DS arizona cant talk to AS unless the 49ers give them permisson. I too believe Ariz. would be a good match for AS. I’m curious wether or not there might be more than one team with interest in AS if you are going to run a ball controll style offense with his accuracy underneath he would be a good fit. If there is more than one team interested in him i could see us getting a 4th or 5th rd pick for him.
The 9ers will give his agent permisson to try and find a deal as soon as the season ends if nothing can be worked out they will cut him to save against the salary cap. I predict that the 9ers will cut\trade Smith and choose not to resign Ted Ginn, Sopoaga, leonard Davis and brandon Jacobs. Our cap situation will be good then.
old coach
Remember Marcus Allen? The Raiders dumped him and he went to the Cheifs and for the rest of his career destroyed the Raiders every time he played them thereafter.
The worse thing that can happen to a team is for it’s top players to leave for a divisional opponent. That player always has an edge that can’t be matched those 2 games they play each other. And 2 games is a big deal. It is 1/8 of the season.
I don’t think AS goes there though if the OL stays as they are. No QB will go there. They just flat out suck.
DS i believe there O line problems are from injuries not lack of talent.
I think the Cards will either draft a QB like Matt Barkely in the first round or grab an OT in the 1st and then draft a QB like Tyler Wilson in the 2nd, a player I wouldn’t mind the 49ers drafting if they do let AS go.
The bigger question in Arizona this offseason will be who they hire as their next head coach.
Greg Roman?
That is not something that we would want.
hmmm quite interesting …..
roman and AS on the cardinals
AS was mediocre without JH and will revert to being mediocre after he leaves SF. I would love for the Niners to play Alex Smith twice per year. He’s an easy QB to prepare for, easy to rattle, cannot attack the entire field, etc.
Haters gonna hate, and ignorant haters gonna do it ignorantly.
Sorry, that was for Nick. I take it that Grant deleted some posts this morning.
DS,
I thought you liked AS. Why would he go to Arizona who has a terrible offensive line and would have to face our pass rush twice a year?
He will get killed.
AS needs a team where everything is perfect. Protection, running game, offensive weapons and a defense. He never has and never will be able to put a team on his back and create on his own. That is why he eventually lost his job.
@Bay I believe that if smith goes to a team with the right system IE ball control\short passing game he can win in the NFL. I do’nt think he will ever experience the level of success he has had under Harbaugh but i think he can win. i believe he is producing at a higher level than approx two thirds of the QB’s this year and will continue to be in the top half. Like i’ve always said he is’nt near as bad as those who hate his skill set think he is and not nearly as good as those who love his skill set purport him to be.
agree
OldCoach,
I suspect that the’ll release him as an act of respect, so he can negotiate his own terms as to who he’ll play for next year. It’s the least they could do (and players and agents league wide notice and remember that sort of stuff).
AC possibly but Trent Baalke loves collecting draft picks….
this would be an interesting turn of events…..especially now that JH is on record saying AS will essentially pass JH in being an expert in this offesne….and with groman gone on to be a head coach somewhere else it could prove to be problematic….but this is all just a big guess……could be a major reason the niners don’t let AS go next year and eat the contract
you mean get beany wells the ball?
Steel,
Harbaugh can’t massage Smiths ego and lose face in the locker room. Alex is just gonna have to man up and accept this demotion and he will. He’s a good soldier.
Not such a big surprise folks. Lets look at the time line here. Smith continued to struggle in third down conversions and last year AS was dead last in yardage and scoring for a full time starting QB. Management sees that and upgrades the receiving core. They also attempt to upgrade the QB position. When they didn’t get Manning, Harbaugh settled on his plan B which was to continue to develop his hand picked QB CK.
Smith was to benefit from 2nd year in the system, better weapons and a much improved offensive line. While Smith did show improvement the holes in his game were still apparent. Especially his deficiency in scoring and utilizing his new offensive weapons.
Coach begins to realize his offense will be limited with Smith under center. 49ers begin sprinkling in Kaepernick in wild cat formations in attempts to improve their poor redzone numbers.
Smith sustains concussion. Kap comes in and brings team back from 10 run deficit. Puts them in position to win. Unfortunately special teams and defense falter. Kaepernick starts next two games. First start he has nearly 200 yards by halftime and wins big. Second game young Kaepernick takes his team into hostile road territory. A stadium in which Smith has never won. He responds with over 60% passing and two TD’s for his second victory. An uncharacteristic undisciplined 49er team had 10 penalties which called back several explosive passing plays. Coach knows those plays would have catapulted Kaepernick over the 300 yard mark.
What baffles me is that this offense is not supposed to put up this type of explosiveness. Oh wait…… that was under Smith.
Claude anything you want to cut and paste here? Prime cue the insults? DS begin the mumbo jumbo you usually post lol.
7 pt deficit
defensive victory as well 17 points by offense
we see what CK does
Bay,
The offense has been the same style with Kap as it has with Smith. It’s indisputable. The run/pass ration is the same; the only difference is Kap has averaged more 20+ yard plays which is great but doesn’t signal a change in philosophy in what the Niners like to do offensively.
I’m ok with whatever decision Harbaugh makes but it’s not going to change the teams offensive philosophy.
@ rocket:
Yes, and the difference in long pass plays isn’t quite as big as some would have you believe.
Kaepernick had 96 YAR, but he gets dinged big-time for playing the crappy Saints defense. He’s supposed to bring the home-run ball back to San Francisco, but he only threw five passes more than 16 yards beyond the line of scrimmage, completing two of them for 70 yards, with one interception. On short passes within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage, though, he went 11-of-16 for 122 yards with five first downs, including a touchdown.
From http://www.footballoutsiders.com/quick-reads/2012/week-12-quick-reads
very interesting Cballs, I had noticed that Kap had a lot of short throws that went for big YAC. Shows up as a big pass play by Kap but really it was a 2 yd pass that went for 10, or a 4 yard pass that went for 35. hmmm. Does Kap do something different that allows that to happen, or was it all on the saints, or both? Where does this stand with Alex’s YAC? in terms of numbers, not opinions?
There you go blowing up perceptions again Claude. You are diabolical in your gobble gobble turkey. Harbaugh sure has a way with language doesn’t he?
Gee Claude,
that’s the only difference? Because from my standpoint, the difference is in the way the defense is being read. We finally have a quarterback that reads a defense from high to low. We finally have a quarterback that escapes a rush, leaves his eyes downfield and extends plays.
The last time Smith played the Saints he played them at home. A friendly environment. He was sacked 4 times and lost 35 yards. Those are drive killers. He only completed 27% of his 3rd downs.
CK played in the dome. A loud road environment. He played without getting sacked and completed 46% of his 3rd downs.
Smith has turned into a “nice” QB. The strengths of the beast behind him can no longer be ignored.
I have total trust in Harbaugh. The man has probably forgotten more about QB play than Grant, Lowell, Ostler, Kawakami, Killon, and every one of the self proclaimed football experts in the blogosphere would ever know. I am good with whatever decision he makes. All I want is wins.
Having said that, I have to believe that Kap is the man this week. If Harbaugh wanted Smith to start against the Ewe Lambs, he would have said it right away after the game and that would be that.
I absolutely agree with Harbaugh’ assessment that AS hasn’t done anything that warrants him losing his job.
That’s nothing to gloat about if posters stand on either the AS or CK side of the isle.
CK will eventually take over the reins but it will be on a much smoother transition than abruptly usurping a job from an injured player.
AS will likely get his starting position back come Sunday. This does not make him the best QB by any means, it only validates Harbaugh’ loyalty to AS and also sends a message to the team that jobs are not lost due to injuries.
AES,
I’m sorry my friend, Alex Smith has lost that job to a better QB. As well it should be bro. You know you’re my bud, but it’s a changing of the guard now. ROBOKAP is the dude!
I’m LMAO at all the posters who love\hate AS its as if Harbaugh had you guys in mind when he made his comments yesterday. Its as if he made them just to mess with your minds and increase Grants hits. I really have no idea which way he will go, the eye test says Kap but trying to predict Harbaughs behavior is impossible. I love Kaps play so far and i like Smiths play the last 2 seasons but mostly i respect Harbaughs decision making ability so to a certain extent i will be happy either way at least untill we lose a game. Those of you who have your panties in a bunch on either side relax harbaugh will make the right decision for the long run.
+1
@ Camelo:
Do Archer and South Park count?
+1 for lana. amen
I see the NFL.com poll still has Houston as the #1. I dont generally care about polls but the fact that people continue to over look just how horrid their pass defense is surprises me. How many bad teams are they going to barely beat before someone realizes that their record is a product of their schedule more then their talent.
Anyone read to the Humanitarian Rights request that a Cowboys fan made to the President?:http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000101646/article/cowboys-fans-petition-obama-to-oust-jerry-jones
“We, the Citizens of the Great State of Texas, and Dallas Cowboys fans worldwide, have been oppressed by an over controlling, delusional, oppressive dictator for way too long. Request the Executive Branch’s immediate assistance in removal of owner and GM, Jerry Jones. His incompetence and ego have not only been an extreme disappointment for way too long, but moreover, it has caused extreme mental and emotional duress.”
@ Cfc:
Someone needs to submit a counter petition letting the President know that the rest of us are just fine with things the way they are in Dallas.
HA! I wonder if those are the same people that signed the ‘secede from the union’ pledge recently!
didn’t obama put the kiss of death on the bear defense
@@Jonky… i dont have 8 years of stats, wont pretend that i do. But u show me 8 years of good stats. Since u cant that makes you a hater and a homer. Itslike Brad Johnson in 02, latch on to a great defense and thrive. Only thing is Brad won the title.. Not the nfc championship but the RING. Smith is playing well this season wich mKes me think he will start, but still u cant be a hater for tellin u wat one sees. Only if u speculate by tsaying things like smith eill suck elsewhere or kap will never be as good as smith or watever. But a man can never be a hater for telling the truth. I told u my truth i dont have stats. Do u. 8 years of no. mediocre play. Didnt think so. wich makes u a hater n a homer
your “truth” = your “opinion”
and yes, your opinion can make you get called a hater.
I’m not calling you a hater, just disputing your logic. I agree with the Brad Johnson/Trent Dilfer comparisons, but if the comparisons are accurate, it shows that it is possible to win a superbowl with Smith.
Also, before I put any merit in the ‘show me 8 years of good stats’ argument, Give me one, just one example of a QB playing great with a crappy team and terrible coaches and coordinators that get replaced ever year and a half. Don’t even bother with the stats, just name one QB who has thrived in a terrible environment like that. Because I don’t think its possible.
Dangle
Look at Dilfers career and find me 19-5 with that great Defense. Johnson didn’t have such a streak either.
Sorry. All those QB’s who others bring up that AS is like, he just isn’t. The W-L record tells it all.
And the Bucs D and the Ravens D were all top notch. So, it isn’t like our D is so much better than theirs ever were.
You assigning me homework now? sheesh. Ok… Dilfer just got lucky and kept his down.
ok: from wikipedia: “Quarterback Brad Johnson made the Pro Bowl, completing 281 out of 451 passes for 3,049 yards, 22 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions.” Thats 62% completions, 6.7 YPA, Gruden’s first year as Bucs head coach, bucs went 12-4, taking the franchise to its first superbowl, 25th ranked offense in total yards, great defense… why am i doing this, i forget?
But both have superbowl rings, which is more important than a 19-5 streak. I’m not saying they are better or worse than smith, just that a similarity exists vis-a-vis the dominant defenses that overshadow the offense, but still achieved success.
Dangle
I had already done the same homework previously. Also note, both HC’s got fired because they couldn’t get the QB’s which followed to win another Super Bowl.
WIN, WIN, LOSS…WIN, WIN, LOSS…WIN, WIN, TIE…WIN, WIN, ?
@ Jack:
I was wondering when someone was going to bring up the every-third-game-the-team-comes-out-flat trend that we have seen in 2012. Let’s hope that the QB circus somehow changes that.
Jack
Do any announcing for games? You’re like the announcers curse by bringing it up.
DON’T DO IT!
this weekend is our chance! no whammy!
No whammies, No whammies…STOP!!!
Loved that game show as a kid! Thanks for the flasback dangle.
do you want to stop or do you want to Press Your Luck!!
that was my second favorite as a kid right behind Tic-Tac-Doh with Wink Martindale.
oops meant ‘dough’ /bonk
Man I wish we still had Nathan Palmer!!
http://www.csnbayarea.com/football-san-francisco-niners/niners-talk/Source-49ers-to-sign-Chad-Hall-to-practi?blockID=806623&feedID=2800
I have been trying to figure out who CK reminds me of. I have read all the comments regarding that. Francis Asbury ‘The Scrambler’ Tarkenton probably the first QB that started to extend plays for a living is who CK reminds me of. Most in here probably have not seen Tarkenton play, but that is who I feel CK reminds me of. Can CK play up to a Tarkenton standard, that remains to be seen. Should CK start against the Rams hell I dont know there are legitimate arguments on both sides. Take the critics out of the picture and the Smithers out of the picture and it still remains muddled. Coach Harbaugh tough decision to make, and whatever decision you make most of (not the critics if its AS) us are behind your decision.
i was a viking fan living in N.D. and clearly remember that vikings team…..grant’s team was the preminition to the the 80′s niners teams…half back dump offs and a pretty damn good defense….but they ended up being kind of snake bit when it came to SB….
taught me it is all about team wins and team collapses
Undercenter,
I concur on the Tarkenton comparison. In college, I thought Kaep was more a combination of Cunningham and Tarkenton (he looks much more like Cunningham when you watch him in person than he does on TV), but in the last couple of games, the Tarkenton similarities seem more pronounced, especially in that Kaep now keeps his eyes downfield when he scrambles (as opposed to a designed QB run) and looks to throw if possible (he did this in college, but he was more apt to run sooner). Tarkenton, for all his mobility, was a pass first QB, and it looks like the 49ers coaching staff has been working on that with Kaep.
Of course, the knock on Tarkenton was that he could not win the Super Bowl — he took the Vikings to three and lost them all.
The news on Hunter’s ankle doesn’t sound good.
@ Jack:
Could you expand on that comment?
Claude,
The 49ers are trying to decide whether or not to put him on IR.
@ Jack:
That is not good. Guess it’s time to see what LaMichael James can do.
If the 49ers put Hunter on IR, does that open up a roster spot for Jewel Hampton?
Claude,
Yes. He is due to come off the NFI list too.
They also signed Chad Hall to the practice squad. The next roster move will be interesting.
@ Jack:
Chad Hall strikes me as the guy who will play Amendola and Welker on the scout team.
KNBR just announced that Hunter is also done for the year. That is a big loss.
5 games plus playoffs and gore is back to be the one and only…..don’t like this but again still can take snaps away from gore since 9rs essentially have a two game lead over the #3 seed…..
maybe this forces JH to go with CK to keep that added dimension of running….but do i want the QB taking punishment
I think Brandon Jacobs is going to take on a greater role and LMJ may finally be active on gameday. Really big loss in Hunter. Excellent backup to Gore and was starting to come into his own. Two players lost on one play thanks to Vilma.
old coach
I don’t know about that. Last year their line sucked. That is why Kolb was always injured. This year their OL sucks.
If it is an injury issue, it has persisted for 2 years. A change in the medical/conditioning coach would seem in order to me.
Yeah, their Oline does lack talent. It did even when Warner was there. he jsut got the ball out quick to mask their problems
Hey Claude
Can you refute this?
AS was mediocre without JH
I don’t think so, because it’s true. So what makes you think he’ll be a stud without JH?
Ask the NY Giants how hard it is to beat AS … LOL
@ Nick:
AS was mediocre with a consistently changing series of offensive schemes and sub-mediocre coaching. I’ll wait while you provide me with the long list of QBs who succeeded in similar situations.
I don’t recall predicting that Smith would be a “stud” without Harbaugh. By the way, what is with you haters and all of the homoerotic, sexually-suggestive language? Are you trying to tell us something?
Ask the NY Giants how hard it is to beat Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady. And Matt Ryan.
See how you proved my point for me?
zing
Nick,
If you are going to make a proclamation like that then you have to put it in the right context. Do you honestly believe any player was going to persevere through an endless stream of Coaches and offensive systems, along with two shoulder surgeries in two years?
I don’t have a crystal ball, but I do know there is nobody in this league who has overcome more obstacles than Alex Smith so mentally he can deal with anything. As to future success, if he’s put in the right system and not yo yo’d like he was here for years, then I think he’ll be just fine.
Claude
By the way, what is with you haters and all of the homoerotic, sexually-suggestive language? Are you trying to tell us something?
Wow, got issues Claude? It’s OK, we’ll understand – even if you’ve scratches on your knees.
History is against AS. Should he leave SF, he’ll have a hard time replicating the success he’s had here.
@ Nick:
Wow, got issues Claude?
I’m not the one who keeps making references to jock sniffing, boyfriends and stuff like:
It’s OK, we’ll understand – even if you’ve scratches on your knees.
That’s two comments in a row in which you have proved my point for me. Thanks Nick.
I don’t see the team picking up Alex’s option, and I see him wanting to start fresh somewhere else.
I think that’s probably the best for him. He’s by all accounts a good dude, loyal, team player. He’s given everything he has to SF and has been simultaneously embraced and rejected. The Alex Smith career in SF has been one long freaking endless debate and I gotta think he’s never really felt the love. If he started fresh somewhere else, he’d probably be better served.
That last comment was in response to steelematic. Not sure why it wound up down here.
Dangle, YAC is always increased when the QB zips the ball to the receivers in stride something AS has a problem with doing effectively.