Posted By: Drug Intervention (15/10/2009 7:30:21 AM)
Comment: This is a very interesting article and an even nicer exchange of comments ^_^

Posted By: Andrew (18/07/2008 1:01:33 PM)
Comment: 16280: I was comparing this year's SF offense to last year's NYG offense going into the season, not at the end of it. What I said was that - other then the Oline - I would take our skill people over theirs. I also made the point the it was a make-or-break year for Eli, just as it is for Alex.

Posted By: 16280 (18/07/2008 12:54:44 PM)
Comment: Andrew: Niners' talent better than the Giants? Dude, they are super bowl champs. You can't win the title with a bunch of stiffs on offense, you still have to score. The Niners O under Nolan has been consistently at the bottom of the barrel and although on paper we look better this year with Martz at the helm and a few additions (which I'm optimistic about), Alex has had crap to surround him up to now. All our keys need to step up and prove themselves except Gore...Alex, O-line, VD, and the WR corp. Can Bruce still get it done? Will Bryant turn into a

Posted By: Indiana Jim (18/07/2008 10:06:39 AM)
Comment: LOTTNTOTT - Maybe he could change it to oneoneniner. I usually carry Smith's water, so it's nice to see someone else doing it. "Even with Martz, he will never be better than average." Awfully bold statement with a coach that turned a grocery-stocker into a Super Bowl MVP.

Posted By: Medford (17/07/2008 11:48:55 PM)
Comment: Matt since Alex Smith and Shaun Hill will be starting a preseason game each will they be staying in the game untill atleast halftime? Its not going to be 2 series and there out is it? They r fighting for the starting job

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (17/07/2008 11:28:48 PM)
Comment: I'm hoping that Alex has enough stones to break one off in Nolans Gearshaft. If Nolan managed anything last season he should have at least managed to prove whether Alex can take a challenge to his manhood and do something about it. One comparison I would make between Alex and Eli is their sheepish personalities. After that, it comes to the supporting casts. VD,Isaac,Bryant or anyone else on this offense needs to grab young Alex and say follow me until the light comes on, otherwise, save the cap and send him packing. Martz does it this season or Alex gets the Bust Tag.

Posted By: Tim Couch (17/07/2008 10:21:35 PM)
Comment: You guys are so mean to Alex Smith your starting to make me cry.

Posted By: Mike in Sac (17/07/2008 9:34:09 PM)
Comment: Lottntott- SOOOOOO true.

Posted By: Mike in Sac (17/07/2008 9:32:32 PM)
Comment: Oneniner - what have you been drinking? A. Smith a great QB. Com'on, he alone has the simple odds against him. How many overall number one pick QB's go on to be average, let alone elite QB's? There is not a long list. He has so much baggage at this point, I would not be surprised if he pulled a (Chris) Everet and hit the deck under a heavy pass rush this year without being touched. For what ever reason, but I blame this organization, he was a failed project before he ever took his first snap. Better talent, especially on defense, better coaching and a better organization, surrounds E. Manning.

Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (17/07/2008 8:57:29 PM)
Comment: Matt -- Looking forward to the start of another season? I have wondered whether beat writers are like my kids, griping about the end of summer but happy to be wtih their friends again.

Posted By: LOTTNTOTT (17/07/2008 7:54:39 PM)
Comment: Oneniner should change his name to onedumbniner. Alex Smith was the first player taken in the 2005 draft. Not even the most ignoramus Louisana swamp hillbilly moron would be dumb enough to claim he has played anywhere near expectations. He so stiff sometimes in the pocket he reminds me of Frankenstein; he stares so hard at the receiver he intends to throw to that you can only describe it is "rude";he has a windup that reminds me of Juan Marichal. He can't even run out of bounds or slide properly. Even with Martz, he will never be better than average. To make a comparison with a proven and great quaterback like Brett Favre is absurd. How many fans believe, along with me, that oneniner is Alex's mother.

Posted By: http:// (17/07/2008 4:41:27 PM)
Comment: Clerical issues have become breaking news now!?! Yikes. No offense Matt because I know there isn't anything to report on, but should the NFL take a page out of the NFL, MLB, and NBA's book and have basically a year round sport? I mean, we're getting news on the hot stove (or whatever ESPN calls it) during the Super Bowl halftime show for goodness sake! I drove by an NBA basketball stadium during the finals and saw a marquee advertising an upcoming preseason game (seriously). I know the last thing the writers want is more football to cover, but this is agonizing!

Posted By: Erik (17/07/2008 4:34:49 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt - Did you ever get the $ details on Marques Douglas's contract with the Bucs? I always wondered exactly how much the 49ers had to pay for the presumptive upgrade to Justin Smith.

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 4:27:37 PM)
Comment: I guess we have to dump it down for Andrew ...Playmaker - A player that makes plays. Touchdown - A score in football by a player who made a play. ...NY Giants player with most Touchdowns last season - Plaxico Burress. ....Its ok andrew, just read it slowly...dude

Posted By: ancientniner (17/07/2008 3:48:26 PM)
Comment: I enjoy your observations & have wondered why the Chron hasn't kept up. Today I read on Slate: "Charles Layton of the American Journalism Review recently predicted that the San Francisco Chronicle would be the first big-city, monopoly daily to shut down. It's supposedly losing $60 million a year." Ouch! Matt, is your paper OK? I don't mind standing in line at the bank, but I would sure miss your articles.

Posted By: Moses (17/07/2008 3:13:47 PM)
Comment: HEY MATT!!!!! THE PRESS DEOMCRAT is using ADD YIELD MANAGER at your Blog. It's SPYWARE, DUDE!!! Please inform your management, I'd hate to have your blog futher blacklisted by my Anti-Spyware software. Thanks!!!!

Posted By: fryet7 (17/07/2008 2:57:57 PM)
Comment: I thought Bryant Johnson was released and did not count against the compensatory picks as a result? I remember discussions on it when he was signed by the 49ers.

Posted By: Cal (17/07/2008 2:50:20 PM)
Comment: The Giants won because they had a very good pass rush and were able to get to Brady before Moss & Co. could get enough separation. Their offensive line also outperformed ours last year. Plaxico is a playmaker, but he's always injured. Their stable of running backs was deep enough to where they got rid of the Packers' best running back (Ryan Grant) in the preseason. Jacobs and Ward are no Frank Gore, but they're a pretty solid duo.

Posted By: Big M (17/07/2008 2:00:26 PM)
Comment: Andrew, I hardly post on here, but I must say something... you CAN'T judge players based solely on their statistics. I can tell you from just watching Burress that he is much more talented than any receiver on our roster. He also had that lingering leg injury that almost kept him out of the Super Bowl that was pretty much there the whole season. Shockey, to this point has been a much better TE than Vernon Davis. Toomer has been a staple in NY and although aging, still is a reliable pass catcher. Sure, the defense was the key to beating the Patriots, but both teams did a great job of sustaining drives and eating clock, which resulted in a low scoring game. I'm as excited for this season as most SF fans, but I don't see how you can give our talent on offense so much praise yet give none to Smith. I believe our offense will do well because of Martz's system and the Big Three: Smith, Gore, and Davis, not because of our WR's, although I have faith that they will all come in, do their jobs, play the system and run their routes exactly as coached.

Posted By: Andrew (17/07/2008 1:26:04 PM)
Comment: oneniner: Oh, and by the way, against SF, Miami, Dallas (2nd game), Detroit and Buffalo, Burress was 16-134 (8.37 ypc) with 0 TDs. How does that make him the playmaker?

Posted By: Andrew (17/07/2008 1:17:34 PM)
Comment: oneniner: Burress got 1/3 of his yards and almost 1/2 his TDs in 3 games! Week 1 against Dallas (8-144 and 3 TDs), week 5 against the Jets (5-124 and 1 TD), and week 14 against Philly (7-136 and 1 TD). In the postseason, other then one game, he sucked! Wild Card against TB (4-38 and 0 TDs), Division against Dallas (1-5 and 0 TDs), Conference against GB (11-151 and 0 TDs and 1 fumble), and the Super Bowl (2-27 and 1 TD). I still stand by what I said.

Posted By: Daniel (17/07/2008 12:55:04 PM)
Comment: I agree with Mike. Eli has decent talent around him but it's not all that great. I'd take our skill position guys over theirs any day of the week. What killed us last year was the O-line and Jeff Hostler. Remember, New York didn't win the big game because of offense. It was their defense knocking Brady around, the offense was just sufficient.

Posted By: ninermaniac (17/07/2008 12:12:01 PM)
Comment: I cant wait for the combine next year! I already know the 49ers are going to win the Super Bowl. So with 9 draft picks we can definitely try to trade up for some more top quality players.

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 12:07:32 PM)
Comment: God..its such a slow day I have to inform Andrew on facts....Burress 70 catches, 1025 yrds,...not only did he lead in those stats, he also had the longest reception for 60yrds....the next player Toomer had 59 catches 760 yrds......tell me Sir Andrew who made the biggest plays for NY?

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 12:01:45 PM)
Comment: Andrew -"I believe that Alex has as much talent around him as Eli had going into last year"... You need to stay off the drugs dude. Who on our team last year was better than Amani Toomer talkless of burress?...."It wasn't Burress who made the biggest plays for NY" - Dude did you even watch the games ....Burress had 12 tds, the next receiver after him had 3 tds, actually nobody else had more than 3 receiving tds.......really stay off the dope

Posted By: Sammy Moore Jr (17/07/2008 11:54:08 AM)
Comment: It's nice to see a few 'not so negative' comments re: A.Smith, his abilities, and caliber of talent the Niners consist of. I thought it very interesting, as someone else herein noted that Alex compared very favorably to Favre, a QB that I think is the most frightening to have to face - Brady and Peyton notwithstanding. Let us, just for a moment, send out some positive 'Ohmmms" to the kid (whatever those are) because after all, he IS and will be our QB for some time to come. Lets give him the benefit of the doubt - this season anyway.

Posted By: Andrew (17/07/2008 11:44:39 AM)
Comment: oneniner: You don't think that personality has anything to do with play on the field? The Giants never won (or sniffed) a Super Bowl with Shockey on the field. They used 3 RB's last year. It wasn't Burress who made the biggest plays for NY. Let us not forget TO when it comes to what a personality can do to a team, both on the field and off it.

Posted By: Andrew (17/07/2008 11:39:29 AM)
Comment: Mike in SF #2: Whether the intent was to compare the talent level the "last three seasons" or the talent level going into the make-or-break year, I believe that Alex has as much talent around him as Eli had going into last year - with the one exception being the OLine. I would still take our skill position players on offense this year over what the Giants had the start of last year. Eli was about to be written off by his critics before he pulled off an SB win. I don't expect Alex to do the same this year, but I do believe that Alex will have every tool he needs to prove that he is an NFL caliber starting QB. I still stand by my player-by-player assessment comparing our guys to theirs (NY last year, SF this year).

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 11:32:29 AM)
Comment: When is a bust officially a bust? Define Bust- A term used in professional sports to refer to usually either a top draft pick or a top free agent signing, who didn't live up to expectations.----Alex Smith has lived up to the expectations of a QB in a re-building organization. What did you expect him to do that he hasnt done?.....He has shown: he his smart, he his humble, he can play, He can be coached, he can win close games if the opportunity is there, He his a good teammate, he can stay out trouble, he his cool, calm and collected......the only thing left is the courage to tell Coach Nolan to shut up and let him play.

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 11:24:59 AM)
Comment: thks for clearing that up Mike in SF #2 ....also notice Andrew is focusing on their personalities not their play on the field.......To Silly Boy-"So he's better than the two absolute worst first round QB's in the NFL"...I believe that is a good argument to make to those who think Alex Smith is a bust, maybe specifically not to the argument why "he shouldnt get cut". Bottomline Alex is not a bust, which makes me conclude there is no reason to cut him......

Posted By: Mike in SF #2 (17/07/2008 11:00:31 AM)
Comment: Andrew - First off, I believe the intent was to compare what Eli has had around him the last three seasons to what Alex has had around him. Having that been said, I'm not sure you could find a fan or any of the so called "experts" that would agree with you that even this year, the Niners have the more talented offense on paper or on the field then the Giants. That's just not the case. They are and have been a much more talented offense over the past 4 seasons on paper and on the flied. I'm as big as a hommer as anyone on this blog, but you have overreached on this one.

Posted By: Serious question (17/07/2008 10:55:47 AM)
Comment: When is a bust officially a bust?

Posted By: Silly Boy Oneniner (17/07/2008 10:52:12 AM)
Comment: Oneniner - this is the quote of the year from you: "the guy has played well enough when he has starting, compared to harrington and Carr". Oneniner - Here is some advise for you - When making an argument as to how good Alex Smith is or will be, please don't compare him to two biggest first round busts of the 21st century. That is the stupidest argument I have EVER heard in arguing Smith's worth. So he's better than the two absolute worst first round QB's in the NFL. Compelling very compelling argument. You now have me convinced. Alex - get your ticket ready for Canton.

Posted By: Andrew (17/07/2008 10:46:58 AM)
Comment: oneniner: The talent level around Eli is better? Perhaps the OL - which, granted, is extremely important. But I would rather have Vernon Davis then Shockey (he's a punk). I would rather have Bruce, Johnson or Battle then Plaxico Burress (a prima donna). I would rather have Frank Gore over whoever the Giants put in the backfield. Eli won in spite of the ego talent around him. Alex has a lot more talent around him then people are giving us credit for. Health and continuity are the career issues here.

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 10:25:23 AM)
Comment: very funny Trex.....Alex has what it takes....i know this ..MEEN

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 10:20:45 AM)
Comment: Andrew - Let the kid play!".....i agree.....but still...the talent around Eli is way better than what is around Smithy-the annointed one

Posted By: TRex (17/07/2008 10:20:36 AM)
Comment: Using my vast research skills I found a couple quotes from other NFL blogs that might give us some historical perspective. "We will never cut Tim Couch." Signed onebrowner, 2001. And this one: "You're all going to see what David Carr is made of. He will never be cut." Signed onetexaner, 2003. No need to thank me for my research.

Posted By: Andrew (17/07/2008 10:14:20 AM)
Comment: If Alex hadn't had 2 injury filled years (2005 and 2007), his progress would most likely have mirrored Eli Manning's. Don't hear anyone complaining about Eli now. However, just like Eli, Alex now has his own make-or-break year and the critics are coming out of the woodwork. Let the kid play!

Posted By: Matt (17/07/2008 10:01:15 AM)
Comment: JJ--No, J Smith was a free agent just like Smiley and K-wame. I think Smiley basically cancels out the Smith signing, or vice versa, in terms of comp picks.

Posted By: jjham15 (17/07/2008 9:57:37 AM)
Comment: Didn't the Bengals waive Justin Smith before the Niners signed him?

Response: No. Smith was scheduled to be a UFA in '07, but the Bengals slapped him with the franchise tag. This year, they didn't franchise him, so he was a free agent. --Matt M.

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 9:56:36 AM)
Comment: I just dont see why FEW of you have a negative assesment of Smithy.....the guy has played well enough when he has starting, compared to harrington and Carr....its really sad you guys forget he played above expectations in his second yr.....His stats were better than FAVRE who is a vet and had a better supporting cast.......I am still waiting for someone to tell me one game Smith cost us because of a bone head play.....i blame almost all our losses the last 3 yrs on the inexperienced Coach Nolan, no-talent or inexperienced-talented roster and bad luck.

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 9:50:27 AM)
Comment: Its a no-brainer....A.Smith has the tools to be a franchise QB......its very easy to see how things havnt worked out for him. .....bottomline its the organizations fault he hasnt looked good.....and to be honest I dont see any QB in the league doing a better job with the talent around him......

Posted By: Indiana Jim (17/07/2008 9:48:29 AM)
Comment: They wouldn't cut Smith because that would kill the cap, I think. However, with Martz at the helm he'll earn that money.

Posted By: Matt (17/07/2008 9:42:57 AM)
Comment: Oneniner--why would the niners "NEVER" cut Smith? Not that I think they will have to but thats a pretty bold statement to make.

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 9:19:26 AM)
Comment: niners will NEVER cut Alex Smith...."Dashon Goldson, who is rapidly emerging at the free safety spot, continues to impress the coaching staff at practice" ----I really want to see this guy start but I dont want to lose Roman...

Posted By: ZURDO (17/07/2008 9:12:37 AM)
Comment: Honestly, I really hope he has a great season. Matt, if the Niners were to cut Alex next year, how much of the $24.965 million would count against the cap?

Posted By: Matt (17/07/2008 9:07:48 AM)
Comment: Doubt Smith will ever see that money, I figure that SF will do everything they can to restructure those numbers, thats Manning/LT type money. Matt, if Jeff the guy we see on the sidelines working with guys like Ulbrich on their Karate skills?

Posted By: oneniner (17/07/2008 8:48:39 AM)
Comment: "Smith's base salary jumps from $2.3 million this season to $9.625 million in 2009 and $15 million in 2010." ----....Smithy is about to get paid.

Posted By: andrew (17/07/2008 8:35:14 AM)
Comment: first dawg