Posted By: Indiana Jim (05/08/2008 11:48:45 AM)
Comment: Jon in SoCal, Martz loves to run no-huddle a lot of times, same way the Colts like to do that. I like to think we'll see Smith's athleticism push him forward as he learns this offense more and more.

Posted By: Kelseyville9er (05/08/2008 10:57:33 AM)
Comment: Yep, thanks Dino. Glad to see I'm not the only one thinking this. I'm sure the coaches also see this, but it's interesting. But I'm also glad to hear that Smith IS airing it out. He really needs to get a feel for his new WR additions...

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (05/08/2008 10:56:26 AM)
Comment: True dat. Were they running against the Raider 1's? Totally agree with you about time running out. I think Smith is too smart. When he is just running around being athletic, his mind shuts off the higher functions and he just reacts. I wonder if Martz will take this into consideration and incorporate more hurryup/no-huddle? That might be smart.

Posted By: Indiana Jim (05/08/2008 10:28:20 AM)
Comment: John in SoCal - Considering Smith did the two minute drill with Colvin, Zeigler and Hill, I imagine it might have turned out better with Bruce, Johnson and Battle.

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (05/08/2008 9:31:06 AM)
Comment: Oldman9ers: I would not put JSmith @ LDE. He is a natural RDE and a "big money" guy. Let him earn his paycheck. If Balmer is doing well, our front 4 would look like: Balmer, Soap, Franklin and J. Smith. Hill has been doing more check downs, but that doesn't necessasarily mean whole lots. Smith has shown a little lack of touch on his short passes and decent touch on his nid-range passes. I don't think either is really airing it out too much yet. I just want to see Alex trust a bit more and throw his receivers open. His WR's have to help him out though

Posted By: shootme (05/08/2008 9:26:25 AM)
Comment: If the Niner-Raider game is blacked out, it will be shown on NFL Network on Saturday at 10PM PT (1AM ET). Just an FYI.

Posted By: 49erRick (05/08/2008 9:23:50 AM)
Comment: Smith will probably continue to grow with the rest of the offense as long as Nolan stays with the defense! Jonas needs to concentrate on staying healthy and not get his feelings hurt by a position change, what a reporter writes or a fans opinion.

Posted By: MidWest9erFan (05/08/2008 9:01:10 AM)
Comment: Seems I'm not the only one who's nuts --> http://bleacherreport.com/articles/44160-san-francisco-49ers-will-make-the-playoffs-this-year-and-heres-how

Posted By: Black Sheep (05/08/2008 8:58:57 AM)
Comment: oneniner, as one of the worst posters on this blog can you afford to be condescending?

Posted By: shootme (05/08/2008 8:46:11 AM)
Comment: Jeff B - Hall is EXTREMELY overrated... has been since coming out of college. I really haven't been able to figure out why people think he's that great. He made the pro-bowl, sure... but you have to remember that fan voting plays a huge role there... and for some reason the fans (and media) seem to love him. Further proof? He went to the raiders. If he was worth a contract like that, he'd have gone to a better team. Lord knows there are plenty out there who could use a pro-bowl caliber corner. With Nnamdi Asomugha opposite him this year, you're going to see exactly how overrated he really is. That money should have been paid to Nnamdi...

Posted By: Dino (05/08/2008 8:42:19 AM)
Comment: -Kelseyville9er- I got the same impression after seeing Hill's numbers and reading what Matt says about his passes. IMO TC is really time to air it out and get comfortable. To me, Hill is taking the safe approach. Maybe he thinks he can win the starting job with high percentage passes, who knows. I think he needs air it downfield more so the coaches can see his versatility. Matt, how are Hill's passes downfield? Do you think he's taking the "safe" approach by throwing the higher percentage passes? Thanks and keep up the great work.

Posted By: oneniner (05/08/2008 8:24:07 AM)
Comment: Simran - He was so excited he yelled "YES WE CAN"....then ran over to his teammates and celebrated by doing the macarena....

Posted By: Simran (05/08/2008 8:13:52 AM)
Comment: Hi Matt, what was Alex Smith's body language like after he threw the touchdowns? Was he really excited and celebrating with the team?

Posted By: Kelseyville9er (05/08/2008 7:37:21 AM)
Comment: Speaking of #'s...are Hill's completions % higher because he's throwing more safe, short, check-down passes? It seems like he's always 8-10, 6-9, etc....is Smith's % lower because he's airing it out more? Seems like (you mentioned) the WR's are to blame for some of this...

Posted By: oneniner (05/08/2008 7:35:33 AM)
Comment: i can't believe football is about to begin....I am so ready....

Posted By: Indiana Jim (05/08/2008 7:34:54 AM)
Comment: Smith ran the two-minute drill and apparently did fairly well by all accounts, and did so without Johnson, Bruce, Battle and Lelie. All things being equal, if Smith is throwing the ball where it belongs, then he's doing his job. They could have picked anyone to run that two-minute drill, and they chose Smith. He has always done better with time running out, a quicker pace, and the game on the line (The game has been on the line precious few times). I strongly believe that Martz believes given time, Smith can be extremely successful in this offense. I also believe that Martz knows if Alex is relaxed, he will perform much better. No one can be relaxed in this setting with a three-man competition! It's crazy! If it's true that Martz will insist on naming a starter now, I could see him going either way. If he thinks by investing in Smith now (with bulk of reps and solid teaching) that he'll be as good as or better than O'Sullivan by September 7th, then he'll go with Smith. Either way, they have a game to prepare for.

Posted By: oldman9er (05/08/2008 7:24:08 AM)
Comment: Big hopes for OLB Jay Moore, can you give updates on his progress, Matt?... thanks I really hope Dickey is right on this, oneniner, and I easily prefer Alex to be the QB named. For fun... anyone like this 4-3 setup? LDE- J.Smith LDT- Sopoaga RDT- Balmer/Fields RDE- Jay Moore SAM- Lawson Mike- Willis WILL- B. Moore/D.Thomas

Posted By: Indiana Jim (05/08/2008 6:40:31 AM)
Comment: Matt, with Smith running the two-minute drill, this suggests a need for good knowledge of the playbook and an ability to process it quickly. Did he look sure of himself?

Posted By: Rich, DE (05/08/2008 6:30:53 AM)
Comment: Hoping for a speedy recovery for Goldson's foot

Posted By: oneniner (05/08/2008 6:04:22 AM)
Comment: "The decision on the 49ers starting quarterback could be made as early as today, offensive coordinator Mike Martz told me after the morning practice at Santa Clara on Saturday." - Dickey...............nobody noticed Colt Brennan it is freaking preseason and he would not play one game this year.

Posted By: 16280 (05/08/2008 5:21:28 AM)
Comment: Off topic here but did anyone notice Colt Brennan's first game? 9-10 for 123 & 2td's. That kid is going to be good. Sure wish we had taken him with a late pick. He'd be a good fit with Martz and has the gunslinger mindset to read and let er rip. We still need a QB of the future if A Smith doesn't have a breakout year.

Posted By: Robert (04/08/2008 11:57:23 PM)
Comment: Why do writers complain about having to do their job so much? You get to watch and write about football for a living! I once drove 6 hours to see a 49ers game, and then turned around and drove 6 hours back to make it to work the next day (and was stoked beyond belief for the experience of watching Gore trample the Rams in 2006). I'd love to have a 1-2 hour commute to see the 49ers play (and get paid while doing it would sweeten the deal that much more). Get over it bro, you have a dream job.

Response: Did someone complain? Let me know which writer complained and I'll have a talk with that person. --Matt M.

Posted By: Black Sheep (04/08/2008 10:19:14 PM)
Comment: Matt, what is with passing the buck on the Vikes tampering charge? Does Goodell have spies on the blog? Even as a layperson (me not you) can't one make some judgement of impropriety? It seems to me that the 49ers are getting worked over on this one.

Posted By: PD (04/08/2008 10:11:25 PM)
Comment: Matt, I HOPE the Raiders v Niner exhibition game is televised. Word is there may be a black out, though they might show the game later at 10pm or so! Do you have any info about this?

Posted By: DMC (04/08/2008 9:28:00 PM)
Comment: Matt the stats show that alex had almost twice as many throws. Is that because he was the only QB to do the 2 minute and if so is that a good sign for the alex supporters?

Response: Don't read much into anything at this point. Yes, Smith had all 13 throws during that two-minute period. That skewed the numbers. --Matt M.

Posted By: SF_Dan (04/08/2008 9:27:26 PM)
Comment: I meant Smith, not Nolan. Although I would take Nolan over Smith at this point.

Posted By: SF_Dan (04/08/2008 9:25:52 PM)
Comment: Will be very interesting to see how Nolan determines who takes the snaps and how many on Friday night. Everywhere I read says O'Sullivan has been winning the battle each days he takes snaps with st team. Today was the first day it seemed even, although the video on KPIX says O'Sullivan was on point with all deep throws this morning. Nolan should give JTO the start friday and see what he does. If the others progress or outplay him, switch it up for game 2. I hope he doesnt start Nolan based on what I keep reading. Enough of this guy until he proves he can consistently get it done.

Posted By: http:// (04/08/2008 9:22:03 PM)
Comment: Ah, some J-Hill updates at last; I was wondering what happened to him. Martz had switched him to the "X" spot some time back, but it appears it was the rookies Morgan & Colvin who rotated in there instead after BJ got hurt. Or is J-Hill working more at "Z" now?

Posted By: MarcCab (04/08/2008 9:21:12 PM)
Comment: First...First...First

Posted By: john (04/08/2008 9:18:00 PM)
Comment: billion

Posted By: Jeff B (04/08/2008 9:17:47 PM)
Comment: Is DeAngelo Hall really that great? I keep hearing all this stuff about him being extremely overrated...yet he DID make a pro bowl...