Posted By: gorillapino22 (15/08/2008 7:42:38 PM)
Comment: thank you Deargorillapino22, seriously,.. dick is an idiot,... you don't tell fans who love their team to NOT have any opinions! When you love something that is suffering, there is a need in REAL fans to get out there and look for bright spots, but also to discuss how the problems can or should be resolved when the decision making seems to be done by a bunch of politicians who are really only looking out for number 1. (i'm sure that last sentence went completely over Dick's head.... no pun intended,...sorry pressdemocrat but his name dictated the double-entendre context of this parenthetical statement, i assure you it was unintentional) But please don't be confused, I'm not encouraging hatred on the red and gold, i'm just saying for everyone to be honest,... otherwise, you're an idiot. Anytime your mind is made up before the argument even begins, (eg; Dick's "I will love anything the 9ers personnel presents me with" attitude) is just stupid. Please guys,... for your own good, go ahead and love the team, but try your best not to be blinded by your loyalty. Otherwise, all the Nolans, and the Yorks of the world will continue to cram crap down your throats and you'll just keep clapping your hands blindly screaming "MORE MORE MORE!!!!" please,... Real fans can at least keep it real with each other, and really,... i'm just tired of how this quarterback situation seems to be dividing a once united Niner's fan base. Whatever though,.... i'm in my office at this very moment sitting next to raiders fans, watching the game and i have my vintage Jerry Rice jersey on and wearing it proudly. I will always be a fatihful fan. and yes, SKA- They are a much more talented bunch at this time then when Nolan first arrived,... but we're still lagging well behind the very promising development we had with Norv Turner as our OC,... anybody wanna get mad about that? take it up with the Chargers who offered him a fat contract to be a HC,.... nothing the Niners could've done there. (or was there?!?!?) keep it real guys,...this is my second comment all time and DAMN you guys are passionate. (i'm usually on SFGate). Peeeeeeeeeeesup faithful.

Posted By: I BLEAD RED AND GOLD!! (15/08/2008 2:46:40 PM)
Comment: nolan the bum has not done anything for the 49ers. The o line still sucks and whoever the QB is will get hurt guaranteed!! and we might as well cut alex smith why pay him all that money for riding the bench?? nolan is just and idiot and so are the owners they should have fired his ass and hired schottenheimer or cowher!!! and if the niners do cut smith i guarantee within 2 years he will be a good everyday quarterback..

Posted By: Indiana Jim (15/08/2008 1:31:37 PM)
Comment: Shobbrobb - yeah, he's the 2nd coming of Trent Dilfer.

Posted By: 9er faithful in Redding, Ca (15/08/2008 12:32:25 PM)
Comment: Think about it? Has anyone, anywhere, seen a person (aka Vernon Davis) receive so much publicity for doing so little on the playing field? And I'm a 49er faithful.

Posted By: evelbob41 (15/08/2008 12:28:44 PM)
Comment: MM- Thanks for the quick response on the John Clayton's report. I read it in Lynch's SF Gate blog. Thanks for the clarity on the subject.

Posted By: Marco from Stockton (15/08/2008 12:06:43 PM)
Comment: It was McNolan that put togther the worst pass blocking O Line in the NFL over the last three years. That is a fact, not an opinion! For the last three years the 49ers gave up 139 sacks whereas Green Bay had half of that, 70. It is the major reason our QB play has been poor. Unless they improved dramatically we will finished at the bottom again, no matter who is the QB.

Posted By: sd_ninerfan (15/08/2008 11:35:52 AM)
Comment: QB...very good point, by the end of the season people will be annointing Kyle Wright as the 3rd Coming. Now here's something that has me peeved...why on God's green earth is a 5-11 team taking "days off" to rest players? If anything, shouldnt we be working even HARDER to get mentally and physically more resilient for the season? We dont need "breaks" we need WINS

Posted By: Joe from San Jo (15/08/2008 11:34:18 AM)
Comment: SF- You sound like just the man to start the push for olympic stripping. There would be no complaints then.

Posted By: SF (15/08/2008 11:18:35 AM)
Comment: Let me rant about something - The female Olympic beach volleyball players where the skimpy bikinis stuck up their butts. HOWEVER, all of the women are butt-ugly!! Kerri Walsh looks like she had her face rubbed in the asphalt. It's uglier than an Alex Smith pass! What a waste of bikini bottoms!

Posted By: QB (15/08/2008 10:46:26 AM)
Comment: Everyone needs to relax about the QB. JTO will start, the O-line will get him injured, Alex will then start, the O-line will get him injured, Hill will then start and the O-line will get him injured. Then all three will have started. End of story!

Posted By: Dear gorillapino22 (15/08/2008 10:37:50 AM)
Comment: lol - Do you know who Dick is? Think about it! All "The Idiots" who call people haters because they have opinions about the QB, coaching staff, GM and ownership are hilarious. If we were performing like the Patriots it would be hard to question anything they do. However, when you perform at the 49 level for the past 6 years everything needs to be questioned.

Posted By: shobbrobb (15/08/2008 10:16:28 AM)
Comment: Indiana Jim...JTO IS THE SECOND COMING!

Posted By: Indiana Jim (15/08/2008 9:39:07 AM)
Comment: #56 LT's Cocaine - your posts don't even PRETEND to be intellectual. Dear J.T. O'Sullivan: May you throw five interceptions, fumble eight times, and get sacked like a bag of potatoes. Thank you.

Posted By: #56 LT's Cocaine (15/08/2008 9:23:33 AM)
Comment: BodyRocker-Wow, I think you need to stick to your day job, though it seems you don't have one. Maybe get a girlfriend or better yet, how about commiting suicide so we dont have to endure your idiotic pseudo intelectual essays. Oh, and Indiana Jim, What you "hope for" will have no impact on the quarterback competetion so don't sweat it too much you senile fool.

Posted By: Rich, DE (15/08/2008 8:06:18 AM)
Comment: My take on the bland/vanilla offense the last couple of years: obviously they wanted a tough, grind-it-out power running game to set the tone. With a running back like Frank Gore, that was possible, as we saw when Turner was here. However, teams quickly learned the Niners were a one trick pony and stuffed the run because of a lack of a passing game. They didn't respect the Niner's passing game. Why? Wide receivers maybe some. O-coordinator, and offensive line pass blocking as well. But, in my opinion, the passing game wasn't any good, in large part, due to the QB. I believe the Niners would have liked to have thrown the ball much more to stop the 8-men in the box defenses they were facing but didn't have faith that their QB could get it done. He wasn't there yet. Flashes of potential...yes. But there yet...no. Hope your defense can stop the other team, get some turnovers, pray for a close game, and win with a field goal. They had to play within their limits. They weren't a good team. They couldn't put the responsibility of winning the game on the QB because he wasn't there yet. Thus, the "don't let the QB lose the game" mentality. The 49ers protected Alex the whole time he was/is here. Well, except the time Nolan kind of threw him under the bus. They didn't want Alex to feel the heat of scrutiny, but wanted to give him time to develop. They also felt that Trent Dilfer could help him out with his maturation process and continue to get better. Unfortunately, he got hurt last year and I can't say that he ever looked really good when he wasn't hurt. Well, they are running out of time now and truly believe they feel JTO is CURRENTLY doing a better job. If he is better at it, then go for it. This Martz offense isn't a grind it out type as we all know. They have to have confidence in the QB to take much more of the responsibility for winning the game. If not, it won't work.

Posted By: http:// (15/08/2008 7:46:07 AM)
Comment: LOL Jake, hey if the glove fits......c'mon VD put your energy in the playbook & EXECUTE. Prove yourself broh!!

Posted By: Matt (15/08/2008 7:45:46 AM)
Comment: Didnt BY once get in a heated "discussion" with David Bass a few years back? So these "disagreements" happen to even the best of players so lets not over react to this whole VD nonsense, its not like he sucker punched Grant like Steve Smith or lil' Billy Romo.

Posted By: j-jerk-n-em (15/08/2008 7:42:49 AM)
Comment: V-Davis needs to lay off the HGH; his constant "roid rage" is becoming too evident!

Posted By: @$ kicker (15/08/2008 7:41:09 AM)
Comment: Paint Sniffer- You must be related to Mike Nolan... Get off is nuts, because you are nuts to think that his tenure has produced good results!

Posted By: Jake (15/08/2008 7:35:51 AM)
Comment: Tony Mandarich, excuse me, I mean VERNON DAVIS SUCKS!

Posted By: Indiana Jim (15/08/2008 6:40:39 AM)
Comment: I feel like a broken record, but it's PRESEASON. The beauty of PRESEASON is we are allowed to root for individual players to win starting jobs. If I want JTO to suck and Smith to be awesome, that's my right. I will simply put that away on September 7th, hope that Smith gets his chance, and cheer for wins. There better be some.

Posted By: RCA (15/08/2008 6:33:37 AM)
Comment: I'm tired of the constant "Vernon Davis practice scuffles"...it's time he start producing on the field and put the "Click-Clack" away.

Posted By: sd_ninerfan (15/08/2008 6:12:22 AM)
Comment: Cheers to Traj. I dont live in SF but I am a fan of the team, regardless of their inadequacies. JTO or Smith is irrelevant to me, so long as the one who is in takes care of the ball and helps us WIN. Sure it would be sexy for our #1 pick to be the QB of the future, but if it turns out that they choose JTO and are correct in that decision, we, as faithful, should support that. I see a lot of people on this board choosing their support of a player over their support of THE TEAM. I am so glad football is back; now I can begin to care about sports again! GO Niners!!!

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (15/08/2008 3:13:06 AM)
Comment: Traj it's not necessarily over, it's on Alex to take the job back. One advantage he does have is getting the playbook down with the 2s where the competition is milder, (for now). I'm more concerned with his lack of competitive fire myself. JTO my not have the physical toolset that Alex has but he's got a headstart in the system. Work your A$ off and take the leadership role. Like Martz suggested, it's not always results so much as it is resilience. It's about taking control.

Posted By: brian (15/08/2008 1:31:11 AM)
Comment: Bravo traj

Posted By: Medford (15/08/2008 12:24:18 AM)
Comment: Wow wat a lousy year this is turning out to be its not bad enough that we dont have a starting QB but now Gore probably wont even get any yards. Because we have Zac Keasey as r FB the predator. The guy wasnt even a FB he was a lousy LB Nolan has lost it.

Posted By: Traj (14/08/2008 11:38:48 PM)
Comment: Hey guys, I am a bit of an apologist for Alex Smith because the Niners picked him and they just really mishandled him. I mean, they handled the possible future of the franchise. Now, we will never know if he will be a capable QB unless he is traded elsewhere at this point. Yet, regardless, I am a Niners fan first and foremost and while all of you may say I am blind, this is my team and therefore, I will cheer for them. I have to support them because I am not going to cheer for the Raiders and I am certainly not going to cheer for any other team. I live and work in San Francisco. It's my f'ing team. Traj.

Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (14/08/2008 11:14:13 PM)
Comment: Regardless of the 4th year/4th OC argument, you'd think the simple tools of leading a receiver, mental clock and throwing check downs would have developed some wouldn't you? A QB is a leader, Alex is not. For all his poor mechanics and squirrel on the freeway drop backs, Garcia was a leader and played to win. Get over the Draft pick status and realize that it's time to put up or shut up. Seems like Alex was the benefactor of a team holding the first pick and limited options, time to move forward and see what JTO can deliver. It's still PS so what's the panic about? On Sept 7 it matters, and so will every game after that. The staff has an obligation to play the guys that give them the best opportunity to win, so let's see what they choose to do. As for VD, his time is about up too. Show something beside a temper when it matters on Sundays or take the Thug show somewhere else, the tough guy goes down the seam makes the catch and hits the Safety in the mouth, not his team mates.

Posted By: evelbob41 (14/08/2008 11:09:44 PM)
Comment: MM- Is there any validity to John Clayton's report that if Alex Smith does not start that he will miss out on incentives and save the Niners 20 million?

Response: I don't believe that's what Clayton reported. Here's the deal: If Smith does not start, the 49ers will be forced to cut Smith (at some point prior to next season) rather than pay his base salaries for the final two years of his contract. Why would they be forced to cut him? Backup QBs don't make $24.675 million over two years (and that's what Smith's deal calls for over the 09' and '10 seasons. --Matt M.

Posted By: BodyRocker (14/08/2008 11:03:19 PM)
Comment: The swing of the pendulum of all the opinions makes for some very interesting reading. I myself am no expert, just a simple fan. But I do have some observation to make. 1) It's year 4 now for Alex, so all the excuses like "Urban Meyer said Alex needs to know the offense" or he's had 4 OC's already, or any others, Excuses just need to be thrown out the window. But that does not mean that Alex is off the hook or that he has not been handed a set of unfortunate circumstances. It means fans should just stop with the excuses. 2) Whether its been Nolan or Scott Mc, the 49er brass have not given Alex the early years of development that is so desperately needed of a young QB. 3) Alex, as a QB does have his deficiencies 4) Unless Alex somehow gets into a regular season game and surprises with WINS, then I believe it will be best for Alex and the 49er organization that Alex is on a different team next year. 5) For all of you who are screaming to trade Alex, you should offer a smart, insightful answer as to who would replace him right now and who offers you more than what you are losing. Don't give me Culpepper either; in Minny all Culpepper had to do was throw it up to Randy. It's well known that he was not smart with the playbook. and don't ask me for a link, i don't have one. 6) Did anyone get a chance to hear Pat Kirwan and T-Rock at Niner camp yesterday? They had some very interesting comments, Like: Martz wants a QB who executes his system his way and that is what JTO showed in camp yesterday and they thought that Smith & Hill struggled in executing Martz's O. They also said that if they were the 49er brass in this QB competition/controversy, their answer would be "what would Bill Parcell's do - answer - don't commit to any of the QB's. Why announce any of them as the starter for good; simply state a starter for game 1 and take it from there; Start the one which gives you the best chance to win game 1 and worry about game 2, 3 or 4 later. No matter what Nolan has said about it being an open competition or whether he has done it fairly, Pat and T-Rock said that its the NFL, it doesn't have to be fair and anyway Smith and Hill were given all of the OTA's, mini camps and the start of training camp to show they had learned the system or to execute it, obviously there is doubt that either has done that, while JTO is showing more than they are, so what's not fair about that. They also made the comment that Alex's contract should not be used as a reason to make Alex the starter. The BIG PICTURE DIFFERENCE is between trying to win now (go with JTO) or how does this affect the franchise as a whole (go with the guy you drafted #1) The answer to that question my drive the direction the franchise goes in?? Look Alex is a human being and many fans thought that he was our answer. I for one supported Alex but if he doesn't have it, we move on, let him go to another team and see if he can resurrect his career and give our team a new direction next year; albeit starting over. But I'm not going to be vindictive about it. Many of you who spew a lot of venom just wish you could be "cut" from an NFL team, but as the good book says "who can throw the first stone?" Obviously a lot of you can! 7) Blame the Yorks or blame Nolan? Many fans blame the owners with the buck stops here mentality; while many blame Nolan and then others blame both. I do give credit to the Yorks for making the attempt to hand over the football operations to football people. The Yorks did step back which is what many wanted (Other than for them to sell) 8) The talent on this team is SO much better than it was when Nolan took over. 9) Listening to Sirius today, Sully and Adam Shein mentioned that they heard some teammates are saying that Vernon is all talk and no show????? Rumors? My last observation is yes, I was Rollin with Nolan and I may be a simple fan but I'm not a stupid fan and I do think that Mike Nolan is not a "straight talker" and many fans feel they are getting B.S'd. I wish that would stop. Bottom line, I want the team to play respectable and competitive, and for now, IF wins come with that, all the better. Sorry, I'm not going over the edge with lets be 10 - 6, gotta be a bit more logical than that. But I love the team, not the coach, not the owners and not the QB but the storied franchise, for better or worst!

Posted By: ska (14/08/2008 10:47:46 PM)
Comment: Paintsniffer - good points. But why would anyone be mad at Turner? Why would you begrudge someone who jumped at a chance to coach a team that just finished a 14-2 season? Turner did a great job here and deserves nothing but our love.

Posted By: PaintSniffer (14/08/2008 10:34:16 PM)
Comment: One Exhibition game and 95% of you Wussy 49er fans have already have jumped ship. Nolan is a defensive coach. He tried to develop a ball control offense. The type of offense that could grind it out and play field position with his Defense in control. It is a Parcels type of philosophy that is a proven winner. In his tenure, Nolan has developed a defense that is more than capable of playing this style. However, he was not able to develop an offense that was capable of controlling the ball and winning a games time of possession battle. He wanted a team that could win games by the score of 9 to 6. He wanted a team that could go on the road and win in bad weather games (Like Seattle 2 Years ago). Nolan was close to developing this type of team with the help of Norv Turner. But, Turner bolted for the SD gig, and left the 49ers hanging late in the coach signing period. Why is there no hatred for Turner? The failure to develop an offense is why Martz was hired. Martz is the one responsible for Installing his Non Ball control offense, calling the offensive plays, and deciding the personnel who will execute his offense. He is the one who decides who will play QB. Nolan was stripped of this power in the off season. It will be interesting to see how these two differing philosophies will coexist over a season. You all wanted Martz, now you have him. Deal with it. Nolan has to. He has the balls to do it. 95% of you do not.

Posted By: ska (14/08/2008 10:30:30 PM)
Comment: Gorila - I will tell you why I am excited about the 49ers. Because I see a group that is way way more talented than when Nolan got here. And even if he goes, which he very well might, I know they are well on their way to being an extremely competitive team. Their defense will be one of the top 10 units in the game this year PROVIDED that the offensive line plays well enough to make sure they are not on the field too much. Their offense will be better this year with JTO or Smith it doesn't matter because their receivers are better and again - THE REAL KEY - if the offensive line can gel and become a productive unit this team will compete with all but the very elite maybe 4 or 5 teams in the league.

Posted By: The Truth (14/08/2008 9:47:24 PM)
Comment: Well 49er fans its time for drastic measures. We need a good old fashioned vigilante lead prison break. Who's with me? Here's the deal: we get about 100 armed men, a healthy set of explosives and break Michael Vick out of Federal Prison. This is the only soloution left for us desperate fans. No, We dont need Michael Vick to play Quarter Back, we just need him to sick his rabid and tortured dogs on Alex Smith so they can maul him out of town so we no longer will be faced with his horrible quarterback play and his legion of retarted followers that unquestionabbly worship his bad throws like he is some interception throwing messiah. Alright Vick, its time to come out of your cell and play in the Bay Area, and by the way, we may need you to bring your special electro-shock devices.

Posted By: Boi49er Is a Baby (14/08/2008 9:45:33 PM)
Comment: Alex should stay in San Diego while he is there, maybe Norv could give us a 6th rounder - I would take it. Another thing, there is no way Alex Smith turns to Peyton Manning as soon as he is traded. How do I know, well if Alex can't beat JTO by a wide margin in training camp, he is not Peyton and not even, a younger Dilfer. At best, he will be a career backup.

Posted By: Jed (14/08/2008 9:44:21 PM)
Comment: HAHA - Even if you hate Alex, even if he's Tim Couch, you still don't offer up anyone better. Not as good (or bad) - better. You don't have anyone who led comeback road wins in Seattle and Denver. Dump him. Who you got? Ken Dorsey? Cody Pickett? It's three weeks to opening day. Who you got? What WAS the plan? To give Shaun Hill a bonus and an extension to run the scout team? That's why Nolan is nothing but peacock feathers. Erickson is still here and you guys are too "loyal" to know it.

Posted By: goniners (14/08/2008 9:41:40 PM)
Comment: I think the niners should start JTO.He gives us the best chance of winning the first few games.This will give Alex Smith more time to heal his shoulder 110%,learn Mad Mikes' offense, and a few games to get hungry.Then he can redeem himself on national TV (week 4) against the Saints.Or if by some chance JTO opens up 2-1 then Alex will continue to sit the bench learn, and come back with a vengence when JTO starts to stink it up.Either way, I think JTO starting gives us the best chance to win with what we got. BTW... I haven't given up on A.Smith.I think he has talent.You heared what Urban Meyer said.."once he gets it (A.S.) he masters it"I think this can be a good year for Alex Smith.

Posted By: oneniner (14/08/2008 9:38:19 PM)
Comment: "Your getting paid millions of dollars and havent done a damn thing to help this team!" - Alex Smith aka the franchise boy - Well i did take a 2-14 team to 7-9 the next season in my second yr taking all the snaps....and in my third yr i was 2-1 before i got hurt....not sure what else you expected from me, keep in mind i havn't had the same OC two yrs in a row....is there any QB in the league history that has gone thru what i have?

Posted By: gorillapino22 (14/08/2008 9:35:49 PM)
Comment: Dick,.... so uhhh,... you want us to dumb it down for the sake of camaraderie. No thanks, i'd rather hear from fans who call it as they see it then to see a bunch of people shrugging their shoulders saying "well,.. at least Patrick Willis gets a lot of tackles." Get a backbone and don't follow blindly. You can still be a loyal fan even if you are completely frustrated by your team's owners and personnel's blunders. Seriously, how could you love this team and NOT be pissed off about what's going on?

Posted By: mv49ers (14/08/2008 9:30:24 PM)
Comment: If the niners decide smith is not the answer we all will see him succeed with another team. He was never given a fair opportunity to succeed his first two years he virtually had no weapons and oh yeah 4 different offense of coordinators with new systems. Look at all the elite qb's in the nfl CONTINUITY IS THE COMMON FACTOR!! NOLAN IS THE ONE WHO NEEDS TO GO!!

Posted By: HA HA (14/08/2008 9:24:46 PM)
Comment: It is so great to hear all of the Alex Smith faithfull cry like babies and consistantly make excuses for him. Alex Smith may not have brought alot of wins to San Francisco, but he sure made 49er fans creative in blaming poor QB play on a myraid of external forces. The bottom line is when you are throwing three interceptions against the second team defense in practice you don't deserve to start and if you can't beat out a journeyman QB its time to give up that First-overall-pick money and get out of town. Goodbye Alex, get the fu** out of here and don't let the door hit you on your inaccurate throwing arm on the way out. May all of your faithfull supporters follow you out of town and cry about you being second string somewhere else. Great Comment Alexia-Let's listen to the Alex Smith Supporters tell us that the Georgian Army was actually supperior but their generals were secretly against them and though they are perfect shots, they're guns kept jamming for reason of their own, and their shoulders were sore and couldnt fight as well and the Russians cheated and......When Alex Smith leaves the Bay the Alex Smith Cult better leave town too.

Posted By: buzz (S.F.) (14/08/2008 9:07:55 PM)
Comment: Fair enough BO149er-but glad to hear you back-Go Niners!

Posted By: Alexia Smith (14/08/2008 9:02:39 PM)
Comment: Doesn't look good for Alex. I mean, he's fallen past Hill/JTO/Kyle Wright and the retarded boy who sweeps the practice facilities. I mean, his career went as well as a Georgian Army encounter with Russian forces! LOL!!!

Posted By: 49 Lover (14/08/2008 8:55:57 PM)
Comment: Alex Smith to Dallas and we pay some money. If this is what our team wnats to do i support it!

Posted By: SF_Matt (14/08/2008 8:33:37 PM)
Comment: Alex Smith to Dallas??? Just heard some conversation on a radio show that suggested it could happen. Niners would pick up part of the salary. Cowboys need a backup.

Posted By: Dick (14/08/2008 8:32:56 PM)
Comment: I am getting so tired of these haters talking trash about our coach, QB's GM, Yorks . . . . True 49er fans would embrace and support the coaching staff, players and management. True 49er fans love the team and just want to watch them play. We don't care about wins or loses we care about supporting our team! Stop talking trash and support Nolan and JTO.

Posted By: BOI49er (14/08/2008 8:30:28 PM)
Comment: Buzz --"BO149er reconsider!". OK, I will. I just don't like people that make mistakes and not only don't have the spine to own up to them, but make some scapegoat pay the price, and I don't like to be associated with them. I strongly think this is what happened, and I won't argue the case, as everyone is entitled to their opinion. Everyone in a position of authority, whether the corporate CEO, a low level supervisor with three people under him, or a military sgt. or petty officer, has a responsibility to be fair, not just for the people involved, but because that's the only way to get team performance. OK, mayby that doesn't apply when these guys are making a couple of million a year more than they could on the outside, but you see it still does with the good teams at crunch time. As for Martz, I can hire a guy that agrees with me too, and I won't even care if his reasons are different. I still think the mere prospects of Smith are more valuable to the niners than Nolan. Go niners.

Posted By: Hater (14/08/2008 8:18:19 PM)
Comment: The longer these two are around the more they look like Erickson and Donohue. Time will tell and all of us haters will be proven wrong. Nolan and JTO - Super Bowl in 09!

Posted By: Parker (14/08/2008 8:18:17 PM)
Comment: If VD thought Grant was a little too rough, wait till he runs into AJ Hawk this weekend. But I'm willing to cut the kid some slack - he's had a ninkompoop of a quebee that could never put the ball between his numbers. Let's hope JTO has better luck. And please Martz - give Coach Sullivan a swift kick in the arse to put VD out there as a third wideout.

Posted By: Jed (14/08/2008 8:11:49 PM)
Comment: Shane - Nice posts. My rant re QBs lies in the games, as you say. Shaun Hill got stabbed by these coaches. Period. He played well in games. People can water his wins down all they want: he played well in games when given a chance, made Nolan look like the fool he is. Now? Barely gets garbage time in preseason and no reps at practice. Similary, Alex Smith's resume and film (warts and wrinkles) far exceeds anything JTO has ever done in North America. Give Alex and Hill a real chance, Mikie. Don't gimme BS about "command of the huddle," because it just confirms the fool you are.

Posted By: Windex666 (14/08/2008 8:09:29 PM)
Comment: I hope JTO can lead the niners to the World Bowl!!! Morgan reminds me a little of Anquan Boldin, he's strong and has good hands...I hope Brett Favre stinks it up in NY because I am sick of ESPN calling him "the best QB to play the game"

Posted By: John (14/08/2008 8:08:43 PM)
Comment: Matt, I know you're not taking questions, especially about a certain position behind center, but please humor me and explain something that seems clear to a lot of fans, but not to Nolan/Martz. We all knew going in that JTO would have better knowledge of the offense, but how much better is he really going to get? It seems worth it to give Smith as much of a chance as possible to digest the playbook, and see what he can do. If it doesn't work after the first couple games, then put JTO in, he's used to being a backup and can handle that. Benching Smith just means he gets even less reps and even less of a chance to reach his potential (however high or low that may be). Please just explain some of the logic behind this...

Posted By: Jed (14/08/2008 7:59:50 PM)
Comment: Dear Homers: What have you been watching for six years? You probably want Erickson and Donohue back. "Yeah, we're good fans."

Posted By: SF_Dan (14/08/2008 7:56:34 PM)
Comment: Anon - Good post. I was sure all the idiots had stopped posting but you proved that wrong. Wishing someone to get destroyed is classy.

Posted By: Anon (14/08/2008 7:47:41 PM)
Comment: I hope JTO gets destroyed this weekend. That's what it will take to have the rightful QB out on the field.

Posted By: ShaneO (14/08/2008 7:38:29 PM)
Comment: SF_Dan: let me start by staying im not one of these douchebags that comes on here and starts calling ppl out cuz they responded to my post, im just a 49er faithful who likes talkin football. however i will say if u read any of my posts that i leave often i am not rooting for anyone.. except the 49ers!! i think my post on the last article said myabe JTO is the next kurt warner in the waiting ill wait to see what happens. i was bringing up the smith point for all those saying its not fair. do i personally think its fair, no i dont think Smith EVER had a fair shot in the NFL and i wrote a long post saying why, but its only my opinion. my point is i think the QBs have SOME control of the situation cuz they are playin the games.

Posted By: Wilson (14/08/2008 7:30:41 PM)
Comment: So we are supposed to be having a QB competition. But so far it's only a practice competition. If it's really an open competition, an intelligent coach would rotate his QB's among the first team to see who does well under game conditons. Practice is practice and games are different. Who was the wide receiver last season who was great in practice, was about #3 on the receivers' depth chart, then couldn't make a play under game conditions? Shaun Hill was a terrible practice player but looked great when he played real games. What would be wrong with giving each guy a chance with the first team? It just looks like another missed opportunity by Nolan. First preseason game, JTO definitely looked great as a passer, but three brain locks in a quarter and a half are enough to make me real nervous about his decision-making. So .. unless JTO screws up again big time, he will be our starting QB when the regular season starts. What happens when the 49ers don't look too good out of the chute? What a mess.

Posted By: SF_Dan (14/08/2008 7:30:03 PM)
Comment: Shane - doesnt make a damn bit of difference what 80% of the fans think. 99% of the fans arent at practice and have no clue what is going on. You guys need to get over Smith for now. If he comes back and rips it up and JTO cant get it done, I am 100% behind him. Right now JTO has earned this each and every day by ouplaying the other QB's. (Mike Martz's interview on KNBR was very enlightening this morning).

Posted By: SF_Dan (14/08/2008 7:27:04 PM)
Comment: NinerinDallas - GREAT POST. Fans need to stop whining - stop the conspriracy theories (my favorite is that they arent playing Smith to save money) - stop being fairweather. The coaches A$ES are on the line. They arent messing around. They aren't trying to sit a guy b/c it can save the team money. They aren't being unfair. STOP - for the love of god, stop!!! It's time to get behind the guys who are winning jobs, outplaying others - and root them on unless they cant get the job done.

Posted By: ShaneO (14/08/2008 7:26:18 PM)
Comment: I got thinking about it, and i think smith still has a shot at this.. just cuz Nolan and Co. have said all along they will pick the best QB. so if JTO sucks as bad as 80% of all these fans think he will and smith steps up to the plate, he has a shot to start game three, the most important pre-season game. and if he plays well again, the coaches have to play him or they will look like assholes. so lets just see what happens in the game and take it from there!

Posted By: samr (14/08/2008 7:23:23 PM)
Comment: "After the altercation, 49ers coach Mike Nolan and Davis spent some one-on-one time speaking together away from the rest of the team." Two of the biggest phony BSers in the world had a nice little private chat. BFD!

Posted By: ninerindallas (14/08/2008 7:15:08 PM)
Comment: you know after reading the past few post i started to realize that this blog has pretty much become exclusively a place where people come to b1tch. i for one would like fly the bird to those people with a enthusiastic f-u.........as far as my niner post i would like to give my thanks as fan to guys like josh morgan, tony wragge, patrick willis and yes even JTO, thanks for working your butts off this offseason. to the rest of the team you guys are pros and its time to pick up the pace, the system's and responsabilty of your job........as for the rest of you that wanna get rid of head coach, the owners, the general manager, that #1 pick at qb, the fastest tight end in the league, a beast at olb/de and our overpaid shut-down corner, well you guys can continue to whine like the fairweather, no loyality, and commitment having arse's, go watch some other team as you will not be missed.

Posted By: Sam (14/08/2008 7:06:03 PM)
Comment: Hey Matt, who does Morgan remind you of. Also, would you consider Morgan as more of a deep threat or an intermediate and short route type receiver?

Posted By: buzz (S.F.) (14/08/2008 7:05:25 PM)
Comment: Not one comment about Vernon Davis and alot of bandstanding against coach Nolan-clearly we fans are a passionate lot(i have to remind myself continually that opinion and emotion don't constitute knowledge or wisdom!).I think it is safe to say that the dictates of pro sports will determine who stays in a particular position-whether it be player or coach.The rapidity or fairness(or lack thereof] of that process pleases some and not others.In the meantime -steady as she goes fellow fans and "Hurray to the Faithful''-BO149er reconsider!

Posted By: Jim Gardnerville, NV (14/08/2008 6:57:18 PM)
Comment: Matt, A little of the topic. But here goes: if Smith rides the bench, Snyder continues to struggle and is replaced by Wragge, Davis does not elevate his game, etc. I think we all have to reassess the Nolan/McClouhan drafts that once seemed at least above average.

Posted By: papa (14/08/2008 6:41:13 PM)
Comment: I forgot something, we need to fire Martz NOW before the season starts and he can really cause problems???? Don't you think we need to relax, take a breath and see what happens.

Posted By: Mike in Glendale (14/08/2008 6:31:33 PM)
Comment: I've given up caring about the QB competition. I like Smith, I like O'Sullivan - I just want the Niners to be more competitive this year, and for the circus to be over. If we're winning games this year, it'll be on the backs of the Nolan/Manusky defense - regardless of who takes the reins at this point.

Posted By: BrodietoParks (14/08/2008 6:29:07 PM)
Comment: I have and will support Nolan till he is no longer the headcoach I also supported Smith and still do and if JTO is the starter I will question the move but I will defiantly support JTO. BOI49er I too have watched the Niners since the sixties you must of forgotton how bad the team was in the late 70s pre Walsh. I will tell you the what has changed more then the 49ers is the quality of the fan base. Hmmmmmmm

Posted By: mike in MD (14/08/2008 6:28:48 PM)
Comment: Thanks Frank, great post. Let's just hope the #1 WR's get healthy quickly so they can get their reps in, reinforce & continue to learn the playbook so they can BE in that spot that JTO throws the ball to.

Posted By: Joe (14/08/2008 6:26:44 PM)
Comment: Matt - Great blog. Who are the top QB prospects in next years draft the 9ers may consider? Or, will the 9ers look to bring in a veteran to win the starting job? With all indications pointing to JTO as the starter this year, Alex is out, and the 9ers are still in need of a long term answer at QB.

Posted By: D.A. (14/08/2008 6:18:39 PM)
Comment: Not that my opinion matters much in the QB race, but if O'Sullivan finds a way to play well in the 2 quarters he's in (good drives, no turnovers, points scored), I think he starts next week, and probably against the Cards. If he plays poorly with a bunch of mistakes, Nolan has to play Smith. He and Martz can only play O'Sullivan if they feel he'll get wins Smith can't. But if they think both guys are even, then please play Smith next week and into the regular season so we all can know once and for all if he's our guy.

Posted By: shobbrobb (14/08/2008 6:18:07 PM)
Comment: You guys are right about VD,he has been all talk since hes been here and hes fastly turn ing out to be an athlete more than a football player,hes just so mechanical and needs to practice catching the ball...in other words just STFU and produce!!!

Posted By: VD “The Disease” (14/08/2008 6:03:47 PM)
Comment: VD "The Disease" is back and swinging. This disease needs to show something other than his poor attitude. He runs around wanting to fight everyone but has shown nothing. As bad as TO was with his attitude at least he could play. This clown needs to show something under Martz or it is time to cure the disease by cutting it out!

Posted By: Tha Grinch (14/08/2008 6:02:59 PM)
Comment: Maybee Davis should put as much energy into his playbook as he does into trash talking!This guy is starting to get on my nerves as well and is starting to remind me of Bosworth pt 2.Well theres always the movie seen Vernon...Maybee predator pt 3

Posted By: Frank (14/08/2008 6:01:17 PM)
Comment: I listened to the Martz interview on KNBR. I thought Martz was very impressive, insightful and HONEST (unlike what Nolan has been). I think if Martz had been facing the press all this time there would still be questions, controversey, and confusion - but not nearly as much as we have had from George W Nolan. I also thought Martz was quite genuine in the interview and stated why JTO is, to date, winning the competition. He is showing some unusaul qualities, including the ability to VERY quickly get rid of the ball, deliver it to a very well selected, specific spot, and to throw it well. Martz makes the point that JTO had very littel practice with the Martz system while in Detroit (he joined the team at the end of training camp). I think he still had the advantage of listening to Martz, digesting the play book and understanding what Martz wants. But, according to Martz, JTO got virtually no time in OTAs or the early part of TC. Yet, when he got his first opportunity, he was right there, he took advantage of the opportunity. He has more learning and developing to do, and I, a big Smith supproter, wish him the best. I don't think it says anything definitive about Smith yet. We know from his college coach that Smith is a very poor performer until he completely knows the system adn understands it. He, more than most QBs, has been greatly disadvantaged by the 4 yrs, 4 systems, 4 OCs Nolan has provided for him. I really do think Nolan is in way over his head. I hope we can find a graceful, non destructive (to the team and structure) way of cutting ties with him at the end of the year. I also think there is still every reason to believe that Alex can be a far above average QB in this league. But, for now, go, JTO, go.

Posted By: http:// (14/08/2008 6:00:00 PM)
Comment: Hey look I feel bad about Alex's friend but God have you ever heard of a guy with more excuses than Alex?Every year its something else!Im sick of this guy!Your getting paid millions of dollars and havent done a damn thing to help this team!Step up and get your job back!How many more years will you guys wait for this guy to play like a Decent QB?God I wish this A Smith experiment would just be over!

Posted By: papa (14/08/2008 5:56:17 PM)
Comment: Let's keep Goldson on the bench, cut Keith Lewis and start Alex Smith?

Posted By: mbniner (14/08/2008 5:51:53 PM)
Comment: Matt, I'm intrigued with wr Ziegler. He looks like a talented athlete with excellent hands and a knack of getting open. For a couple of years he's been a training camp and practice squad star and he looked very good in the pre-season game.Has he a chance? It would mean a "name' player (Lelie?) and a "potential" player (Hill?) would be cut. It seems as if performance should trump the other factors.

Posted By: papa (14/08/2008 5:35:25 PM)
Comment: Question: Will all you "rollin with Nolan" people that are now jumping ship get back to "rollin" if JTO has good success?

Posted By: stampede (14/08/2008 5:30:54 PM)
Comment: ditto Randy in SR

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (14/08/2008 5:27:51 PM)
Comment: Boo hoo. We haven't even played a regular season game and some of you fickle fans are already declaring the season over. Quit whining already... You give the real Faithful a bad name. Oh and BOI49er- If you were a REAL fan, you would NEVER root for the Cheeseheads, our old rival! What kind of fan would root against their own team?! No fan I know... Good riddance.

Posted By: ninertom (14/08/2008 5:16:18 PM)
Comment: MARTZ INTERVIEW --- full of interesting details about niner qbs!! http://media.knbr.com/knbr/0814mikemartz.mp3 lets keep our minds open and let things play out before completely freaking out!

Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (14/08/2008 5:15:43 PM)
Comment: BOI49er...your post is the sports equivalent of threatening your wife that until she learns how to cook you're moving in with the divorcee next door.

Posted By: Mike Martz (14/08/2008 5:13:53 PM)
Comment: I still don't understand where you fans come from. Martz is picking the QB and Martz has chosen his boy JTO. Why blame Nolan? Just because he has to answer the media questions? Go to KNBR and listen to Mike Martz's interview this morning. Its clear he is backing JTO and he is picking him as his starter. Going after Nolan is pointless given that this is all the other Mike's (Martz) decision. You all loved the hire so now live with his starting QB decision. Oh and BOI49er - this is proffesional football in the NFL. I don't want "fair" I want "wins" and Martz believes the best guy to deliever that is named JTO.

Posted By: Paper Bag Niner Fan (14/08/2008 5:13:07 PM)
Comment: Time to break em out, cut the holes. This is embarassing. I feel for our players, you've got to wonder what they're going through, mentally, if, we as fans, are going through what we have to deal with.

Posted By: Go JTO (14/08/2008 5:10:25 PM)
Comment: What's with all the "loyal" Niner fans who jump ship after one exhibition game? Bandwagon fans is more like it. If you really went through the mid to late 1970s, you know it was a LOT worse than it is now. If JTO lights it up in the next couple preseason games, will you be back on board? And then if he ends up doing okay but loses to the top NFL teams in the early season will you bail out again? Pathetic.

Posted By: http:// (14/08/2008 5:08:17 PM)
Comment: You don't sound like a loyal Niner fan at all, just an Alex Smith fan who will come back if he starts. While Alex is going through a tough time, his attitude is inexcusable for a starting NFL QB. Montana, Young, Garcia - all those guys would not be acting or saying the things he's saying. They'd all be saying "I'm good enough to start and I'm going to prove it in practice," not some half-hearted BS like "I'm going to make the most of what I got." If Smith doesn't show any fire, he's done.

Posted By: BOI49er (14/08/2008 5:02:55 PM)
Comment: I'm done. I've been a loyal 49er fan since I first went to games at Kesar Stadium as a young boy in 1961 with my father, and I've never in all that time rooted against the 49ers. We all know I've seen many ups and downs, and many losing and just plain bad coaches, but always the team conducted itself with class. Never more so than with Bill Walsh, of course, when he insisted his players acted with class win or lose, and they did. Mike's father Dick was also a classy man. This "competition" is about as fair as an election in a communist country. I could list all the reason's, and probably should to support the argument, but I'll stop at Nolan's treatment of Smith last year when Nolan made the mistake of playing an injured player and then criticized him for his play (and Alex had the temerity to complain), Matt's listing of the number of the practices with the one's all the while Nolan proclaiming a "fair" competition, and finally not letting Alex, who finished five of six in last week's game, not getting zero, but two shots into the endzone from inside the 5, because that potential success (with it's effect on his stated goal to score, and the resulting much higher QB rating) would not look good with his and Martz's plan to play JTO instead this week and beyond. My complaint is not on behalf of Alex Smith, as I really don't know his potential (and I don't believe they do either), but I am still hopeful. A fan needs to be proud his team has class, win or lose, unlike some of the antisocial actions of Al Davis and Jerry Jones of the past. I'll be back, but not until Mike Nolan is gone. To that end, I'm rooting for Green Bay this Saturday, who's quarterback has had the same system for four year, and coaching, and offensive players, and unlimited support from the head coach, even over a legend. See a contrast here? Sure Aaron Rodgers will play better. Doesn't make him the better pick. If TJO continues to turn the ball over, or is injured in Martz's scheme (and no, I don't want that, as it's not his fault any more than it's Norv Turner's fault he got another head coach opportunity), and Alex play's, I'll be back on board. Until then, I think it's in the best interest of the 49ers to see Nolan gone before Alex is lost before he's had a "fair" chance.

Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (14/08/2008 4:47:52 PM)
Comment: Matt, concerning your post of July 25 that at the time seemed wildly inflammatory...but not anymore. Do you stick by your analysis if JTO is the starter over Smith instead of Hill?

Posted By: kem99 (14/08/2008 4:44:59 PM)
Comment: Hard to tell because of the context and because of the events off the field but Alex Smith sounds deflated and resigned to being the back-up.

Posted By: Earl in Sac (14/08/2008 4:44:33 PM)
Comment: I would luv to have Mike Holmgren.But if you hire Holmgren we more than likely will have a new OC because holmgren usually calls his own plays.

Posted By: Ian M. (14/08/2008 4:35:12 PM)
Comment: Matt - When is the first cut down date? Do you think that Lelie could be on that list? Keep up the great work.

Posted By: Dummy Police (14/08/2008 4:32:51 PM)
Comment: OK now that weve fired Nolan weve got to pick between MTKE MARTZ AND MIKE HOLMGREN who do u choose?

Posted By: darth kai (14/08/2008 4:27:30 PM)
Comment: Dummy Police is right. Fire Nolan!!

Posted By: Dummy Police (14/08/2008 4:25:12 PM)
Comment: Its funny how all of the people who wanted to keep Nolan as HC cant be found,you people have no vision,his act is one that could be seen and we didnt have to put up with another year of his just like we drafted a QB in the early rounds

Posted By: James in GB (14/08/2008 4:21:09 PM)
Comment: "I think maybe he was looking to . . . I don't know." Is Alex Smith's broken sentence as significant as I think it is? Is he trying to hint that Nolan has protected him from the spotlight this week? Is there still hope that this utter farce which sees him on the bench has a potential resolution? Could Smitty get the start next week after all? Say it might be so, Maiocco

Posted By: Dummy Police (14/08/2008 4:20:25 PM)
Comment: FIRE NOLAN!