Posted By: Darren (27/08/2008 10:15:55 AM)
Comment: So Ed Colston, did you say you wanted Obama to win? Good luck trying to sleep at night for such bad commentary that you enjoy seeing the 49ers lose. I want my team to win, but I rather have a team to look up to . THe 49ers remind me of that awful Dream Team, you know, the obnoxious full of themselves players that got Bronze in the Olympics? Thank God the Redeem team grew up and got people to look up to them. IF the 49ers insist on doing this with JT, consider me not to be a fan until JT and Nolan are OUT. I won't root for the fake Dream Team in the 49ers. I Want my Redeem team back!

Posted By: Race (26/08/2008 6:55:29 PM)
Comment: Here is a random thought. Nolan wants to have as good a chance as possible at winning this year so he can hold onto his job. Nolan may be a bit of a vague talker and speak the company line sometimes , but he probably wanted Smith to win the job so he didn't look like such a dummy for drafting him. Pure and simple JTO played better. Smith has never been the most accurate guy in the world, Martz expects accuracy above all, not a good fit. As we all know, Urban Meyers famous comment about Smith is a telling statement. Smith needs time to adjust to an offense and become comfortable before he can be any good. If you look at his offenseive coordinators. McCarthy and Martz stress quick decisions and accuracy with the ball. Norv's offense, which Alex progressed in", was simppler and relied on a downfield passing game where the QB had more time to throw and analyze the D. Alex is a good QB and he will probably be a good QB somewhere else. But he was a victim of circumstance here. Some was his fault, some wasn't, but some was just that the things that were expected of him he couldn't do. He seems like a nice guy and a good QB, but in many cases, circumstance is sucess. Just look at JTO.

Posted By: Ed COlson (26/08/2008 5:26:56 PM)
Comment: Lowell Cohn and Matt Maiocco sounds more like Alex Smith's Nannies than sports writers. Truly pathetic. A head coach has the right to say who is playing well and who isn't. And in this case , THE STATS BACK HIM UP, Nolan is right about the QB play since 2005!

Posted By: Darren (26/08/2008 4:45:37 PM)
Comment: Joshua, is the word opinion about as dead as dedication in the NFL, or loyalty? Educate me then on what I should not do. If I don't like JT O Sullivan, I got that right to not like JT O Sullivan. There is no rule on any forum or blog that says I have to like this individual. I just feel in MY OPINION that he is not the man for the job. I'm not being the @ss, but people like you don't pay attention so I have to SLAP the STICK on the cue card to make you LOOK at the words I am saying to you (From the Electric Company, the yelling director). I just feel Nolan has badly misrepresented the 49ers. I do not feel this exhibition was even an exhibition if you say one thing but do another. How is that fair? How is that fair that JT knows a system? Fair means JT learns what Martz's system is, not go, 'oh I know this play. I know what to do.' Learn it, then be my QB. Right now, cheaters do not win and I don't support a cheater. Unless you fans can come up with theories on why JT won this undeserving job, don't bother making me do something I will not do. I'm not trooling, I'm giving you facts on JT. I'm not out to ruin any board, I am a person that likes to DEBATE. I would like to be wrong on JT, but win against some BIG TEAMS before I embrace the man! GOd sake, why should I like a man that hasn't beaten the big teams yet? He only beat ExHIBITION TEAMS!

Posted By: Joshua (26/08/2008 3:20:43 PM)
Comment: ****Ban Darren!***** Dude, I wouldn't be saying this, but you are way too condescending with your comments, and you come off like an @ss. It really doesn't help that many of your opinions are very illogical. A great example is your insistence that somehow JTO is a cheater because he already had a year to learn the offense. This is akin to saying that because one quarterback in a QB competition had the opportunity to work under a coach that was great at adjusting and fixing a QB's mechanics, and the other two had not had a good coaching at all, that somehow the QB who had the opportunity is a cheater. It just doesn't make sense. Did he have an advantage? Yes. Did the other players have any advantage over him? Of course they did. Alex Smith had the big contract, many of the fans still like him, he was the #1 overall draft pick, most people think he has the best upside. Sean Hill had a couple of great games for us to close out the last season. We signed him to a new contract in the off-season with the belief that he would at least be the #2 guy. All this tells me one thing, the fact that JTO won the QB competition proves it was a fare competition. He was brought in to be a capable emergency QB, and he won the starting position. Maybe Martz new that JTO had greater potential, but it wasn't a gamble because, worst case scenario he's the #3 guy. Every indication I have seen is that the whole team is comfortable and 100% behind this decision. Darren, here is a little piece of free advice: If you are trying to be an @ss and ruffle peoples feathers, you deserve to be banned. If that is not your intention, than tone it down, and be a little more respectful when you disagree with someone. Nobody likes someone who is condescending, but someone who is both condescending and wrong, that is down right frustrating.

Posted By: YC Mike (26/08/2008 3:00:12 PM)
Comment: Here is Peter King's response after the interview with Nolan. This is in SI.com A clarification from MMQB regarding Mike Nolan's comments on his quarterbacks, particularly starter J.T. O'Sullivan and backup Alex Smith. "Thus far,'' I quote Nolan as saying, "J.T.'s been better than the other two, and there hasn't really been much of a gray area. His play's been better at the position than what we've had at any point in the last three years.'' Nolan disputed the second part of the quote Monday, saying he meant the play of all three quarterbacks, including Shaun Hill, has been the best since he's been the coach. Nolan and I spoke this morning. When I interviewed him, I was at Cleveland Browns' camp, in a noisy place. Could I have misheard him and written down "his play's been better'' instead of "their play's been better'' in his comments? I doubt it, but amidst the hubbub where I was, it is possible. The bigger point is that, in our conversation, he was complimentary toward Smith. His comments were not about how great O'Sullivan was and how bad Smith was -- not at all. He told me he likes how Smith has played this summer. If I have any regret, especially given the hypersensitivity of the story in the Bay Area -- Smith, after all, was the first pick in the draft three years ago and has had a disappointing start to his career, to put it mildly -- it is that I should have conveyed that this was not a case of Smith losing the job, but rather a case of O'Sullivan winning it, and backing that up with Nolan saying good things about Smith. There's no question the pick of Smith, in hindsight, looks like a terrible one. Especially since the first pick in the draft gets beaten out by sixth-round pick from UC-Davis. But for this year, the bottom line is Nolan thinks Sullivan backed up by Smith and Hill gives him the best quarterback situation he's had since he's been the coach there.

Posted By: Darren (26/08/2008 11:48:17 AM)
Comment: Who cares, drummer? Coughlin and Eli were put on the spot, and Coughlin started Eli. He put his career in Eli's hands. Nolan chose not to put his in Alex's hands because he wanted to go with a bigger idiot in JT O Sullivan. Doesn't matter, you 49er fans are like blind cattle falling of a hill. JT will go 1 and 7 or 2 and 6 and get yanked and MIke Nolan will be fired. At number 9, the 49ers will take____QB.

Posted By: Darren (26/08/2008 11:45:51 AM)
Comment: montana to rice, when Steve Young came to the 49ers, didn't he have to learn the system? He did. JT didn't have to learn nothing because he's Martz's boy, a term for TEACHER"S PET, but of course you don't give a damn about any of that as long as you get your win. That my friend makes you a type of drug addict as a 49er fan whereas a real fan takes a skeptic approach with his team. IF Shaun Hill had good nos. last year in exhibition, he should've been the starting QB and Thomas Clayton should've been the lead or #2 RB. But no, this is what Nolan does, STUPIDITY at its best and I hope the 49ers drop their games. I'll sell my soul just to get rid of JT O Sullivan. That's how I feel right now. I hate JT. I hate Mike Nolan. I hate what they did to Alex Smith. When the 49ers lose and they will, you will be bowing down in homage of me that told it like it was! JT should have been disquallified from trying out as QB. He should have learned the system, but it's too late. Say hello to Los Angeles 49ers unless York takes a stand by game 4 or game 9 and axes NOlan> Local Blackouts anyone?

Posted By: drummer (26/08/2008 11:43:53 AM)
Comment: I'm surprised that fans are taking credence in anything Nolan says about offense, and quarterbacks, 2 things he knows nothing about. You guys are forgetting that he just wasted a lot of money, time, and a #1 overall draft pick because he screwed around with different systems for 4 years. Smith was a project QB from the start, and there was no consistent system in place for him to develop within it. If you install an offense in Year 1, you should be running that offense in Year 4. If an OC leaves for a better job, you bring in another OC that uses the same system. Forget about Turner and Martz basing their offense on the same Coryell "digit" system. These 2 OC's are totally different from each other. Their ideas about turnovers and running the ball should tell you that. Nolan once again throws a coin into the desperation well, and hopes he gets his wish for a contract extension. He also threw Smith into the same well, as well as the Franchise's future as a whole. BTW, has JTO even taken every snap in an NFL season yet?

Posted By: montana to rice (26/08/2008 11:02:50 AM)
Comment: to Darren: You truly are cerebrally challenged. You claim that jt osullivan cheated to get the starting job, as if he should be faulted for knowing the offense ahead of the other guys. You truly are irrational. The point is to do whats best for the team. If Jt Osullivan is better, he's better. That's it. Nolan has a responsibility to the other 53 players, and a responsibility to put the best players on the field. Smith had a shot, during training camp and ota's. he failed to pick it up as quick as martz neeed him too. We're gonna surprise everyone this year and make the playoffs, and Martz will have alot to do with that. Sounds to me like you just need to find a new team! You want to start a chant "fire Nolan", but i think we here on Matts forum need to start a chant "ban darren". Give you a taste of your own medicine.

Posted By: A True 49er Fan (26/08/2008 6:16:12 AM)
Comment: Woodside Gil- "Let's hope for six straight losses" You may have had season tickets going back to Kezar, but make no mistake, you're no fan. I want wins no matter who the HC.

Posted By: watch (25/08/2008 11:37:50 PM)
Comment: watch alex stiff leave tha ninerz an become a pro bowler hey heez only 24 so i wouldnt quit on him just yet but damb b a leader not wit your head hangin down look up and take control and stay out tha media

Posted By: what nolansed (25/08/2008 11:31:01 PM)
Comment: nolan doesnt need 2 say he didnt mean that when thatz exactly what heez sayin and iill give u 51 million reazonz why smith should it out but hey if o sullivan flourishes den more power 2 us!!

Posted By: shobbrobb (25/08/2008 11:24:37 PM)
Comment: OH YEAH 2009 PRO BOWL FOR JTO!

Posted By: shobbrobb (25/08/2008 11:20:02 PM)
Comment: DEAR DELIRIOUS DARREN....IF JTO IS NOT PRODUCTIVE I WILL BE THE FIRST TO SAY U WERE RIGHT ABOUT JTO,BUT IM SORRY TO TELL U THE JURY CAME IN AND YO BOY ALEX IS GUILTY OF FRAUD!

Posted By: shobbrobb (25/08/2008 11:14:49 PM)
Comment: SO WHAT!ARE U GUYS PISSED THAT HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH OR PISSED THAT HE DENIED IT?

Posted By: ninermaniac (25/08/2008 10:58:08 PM)
Comment: I think HC stands for Head Confusor. The Cohn Zone, thats a good name haha the P-Dem Rules! Putting Baas in the game is risky depending on his rehab because that pos uses alot of pec.

Posted By: Ken Marson (25/08/2008 10:54:20 PM)
Comment: Are you people dense? Look at the stats, the 49ers have the WORSE QB EFFICIENCY in the NFL since 2005. Nolan is 100% correct! JT is better than Smith or he wouldn't be starting. You Smith fanboys need to get over it. Smith has been babied enough by this ridiculously soft media and some of the stupidset fans I have every seen in all my years watching football. The man was asked to fight for his job and he went out and goes 41% vs the Packers and followed by a 35% vs the Bears. Are you kidding me? This kid has no heart, no guts and no game!

Posted By: Fred Douglas (25/08/2008 10:51:07 PM)
Comment: Nolan is a liar. His quote was this: ""J.T.'s been better than the other two (Smith and Shaun Hill), and there hasn't really been much of a gray area. His play's been better at the position than what we've had at any point in the last three years." He did NOT say that the QB play of all three players was better; he said that JTO has played better than Alex and the other QBs since 2005. This liar is not worthy of any respect, as he has no integrity.

Posted By: Mike in Sac (25/08/2008 10:50:46 PM)
Comment: Excuse me I meant...Matt, in all the years you have followed the team how does Nolan compare to the rest?

Posted By: Mike in Sac (25/08/2008 10:49:17 PM)
Comment: Wow, I step away from the computer for a day and Nolan sticks his foot in his mouth. Bottom line, JTO is the correct pick to start the year. Smith has not proven he can run this offense. Smith was given a fair shot to pick things up. And lastly, Nolan is in way over his head as the HC. Comparing the job to parenting? It may be true but how demeaning to his players! This guy needs to go back to the shadows. Matt, in all the years you have coached the team how does Nolan compare to the rest? I can't beleive you hire an introvert to be the team leader. Typically not the "normal" quality of a leader. We are so screwed with our HC.

Posted By: StevenG in Tampa (25/08/2008 10:39:49 PM)
Comment: Matt, to clarify: Nolan is saying that the play he is getting from O'Sullivan, Smith, and Hill now in 2008 is better than say, Smith, Dorsey, Pickett, and Rattay of 2005?

Posted By: Eddi Kent (25/08/2008 10:17:53 PM)
Comment: Is Lowell Cohn Alex Smith's live in Nannie? Is he worried more about Smith's feelings or the football team? Nolan is right about the QBs, stats will verify that it is worst in the NFL in that 3 year span. Nolan is talking about the team and it's the truth. Sometimes truth hurts.

Posted By: ??? (25/08/2008 9:46:14 PM)
Comment: So any word on who's the starting QB????

Posted By: Darren (25/08/2008 9:45:41 PM)
Comment: Shobbrobb, until Alex Smith is gone, I'm giving Alex Smith 120% support and I hope he returns to the 49ers. I have Alex Smith as either 7 and 9 or 9 and 7 had he been our starter, but fear not, Robb. When JT goes 1 and 7 and Mike Nolan is out the door, Alex Smith will return as our QB. a QB that goes either 1 and 7 or 2 and 6 is usually benched, or hurt.

Posted By: Darren (25/08/2008 9:43:56 PM)
Comment: Good evening 49ers. It's time to straighten out some things about myself. I am a 28 year 49er fan. I want what is best for the team. I have never had any problem with any QB or how the team finished. I can understand wins/losses/setbacks/no playoffs/no superbowl. The only thing I question is Nolan's sanity in starting JT. I question JT for having knowledge of Martz's system whereas if I recall in a competition, or test, you should not have anything that will help you CHEAT. A system for a QB is something that is sacred, and you fans don't understand what it's like to rally your team, to give an effort, and to fight hard. JT has it too easy for him and that's just wrong. That sets a bad standard to me for all QBs because a QB has to learn to be better. Once again, the competition was not fair, but you 49er fans are the ones that don't want to listen so why should I listen to anything on JT? When you learn to listen to what I have to say, I'll listen to you. I talk in a reasonable voice, I try not to swear, and I try to treat everybody with respect. I respect this forum, but we fall into arguments because you won't accept that Smith was mismanaged and JT should not be our QB, period. JT won't even be around in 09, he is the Trent Dilfer QB, win or lose, JT is gone by 09.

Posted By: shobbrobb (25/08/2008 8:57:34 PM)
Comment: Also,Lets give JTO some support,because hes all we got now.I have a feeling that he could be one of the big stories in the league,Think about it Mike Martz saw something in this guy that he bought him with him to S.F. and he wasnt given the job like A.Smith was from day one.He stepped above the play of A.Smith and S.Hill.Also JTO has looked better EVERY game and i think that he will get better,this is a man who isnt that experienced and still has a lot to learn his progress from the raider game to the chicago game should not be ignored!And if JTO can get some good lineplay i think with the lack of good QB's in NFC he could end up in the Pro Bowl,call me crazy,but remember I said it!

Posted By: shobbrobb (25/08/2008 8:46:18 PM)
Comment: Good evening Fellow Niner fans,Ive got the solution to the DARREN problem just ignore the guy,its just time to TOTALLY IGNORE DARREN,Its like trying to teach rocket science to a RETARD,He will never get it and eventually you feel stupid about trying to teach it to him!

Posted By: 49er4life (25/08/2008 8:44:40 PM)
Comment: OK...enough already! It doesn't matter what Nolan says or what he meant to say or if Alex is a classy guy or if you think JTO is playing better. What matters if we win some games this year. All this talk about what you all think is a waste of time and the only real thing here is how the 9'ers do on the field in a REAL game. Can't wait for Arizona! We will see very soon if JTO is the man.

Posted By: Joshua (25/08/2008 7:16:13 PM)
Comment: StonerLab- again he said "played better" that does not mean is better. Facts are Facts, JTO has played better. In fact, I would have questioned the decision to name him starter if he had not played better then Alex has at any point in time. You compare Nolan to a bull in a china shop; well right here, right now we find out if Alex is made out of china or titanium. I for believe Alex is made of tougher stuff then you guys give him credit for, but we will see. As for the team, nothing I've read tells me that they do not like Nolan, and my guess is that they are as excited about the upcoming season with JTO at the helm as some of the more optimistic fans(myself included).

Posted By: StonerLab (25/08/2008 6:33:50 PM)
Comment: Chris, Either you don't know how to read or you totally misinterpeted my post altogether. My post was not a complitment to Nolan. Joshua read the article on SI/Peter King website Nolan clearly says "JTO has played the best here in the last 3 years" That's not throwing not only Alex but Shaun Hill under the bus? I'm basing my point on FACTS. Randy I'm very happy for JTO, as I said before he's earned the starting job. My point is why say ANYTHING that would be termed negative about Alex? What's the point in that? other than Nolan continuing to be a complete bafoon when ever there's a microphone in front of him. Nolan is a bull in a china shop, he simply can't avoid his self when making stupid comments like this then back tracking after the fact.

Posted By: buzz (25/08/2008 6:08:46 PM)
Comment: After reading the sources given in your links Matt there seems to be some ambiguity (and not all generated by Coach Nolan)-the primary source -the S.I. column blurb seems to be paraphrased quote of a conversation for which there is no direct transcript-and the Cohn Q&A -which is again abstract when addressing the topic since again we don't have the full text! This is not an apologetic for any shortcomings in Coach Nolans communication skills-which are noted by Coach Nolan in the Cohn article ! He like a lot of guys are best at candor and straight shooting and not tact and sensitivity and require a good wife or woman to complete that picture ( a charming side to Cohn's article is Ms Nolan's presence at the press meetings!) According to some I may be lost about Coach Nolan but I just don't see him as that devious -flawed at times yes -but who isn't!

Posted By: Ed Volpe (25/08/2008 5:58:14 PM)
Comment: How is Nolan crap when he is 100% right? Stop babying Smith for god sakes. I swear, if I didn't know any better, I would Lowell Cohn and Matt Maiocco are Alex live in Nannies. They both seem to be worried more about Alex and his fragile feelings than the team!? Coach was 100% right about SMith , people need to get over it. Smith has WORSE career numbers than both Tim COuch and David CArr!

Posted By: Ryan in SoCal (25/08/2008 5:47:33 PM)
Comment: Nolan is full of crap. And I mean that as a compliment.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (25/08/2008 5:45:31 PM)
Comment: Thank you Steve Young, nice to have ya around again =)

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (25/08/2008 5:43:42 PM)
Comment: Stonerlab- You say Nolan is calling out Alex... How? How does Nolan become a detriment to the team, when Alex has already lost the locker room a long time ago? The team looks pretty confident on offense with JTO at the helm. This team plays hard for him... The players are happy... Alex Smith who?

Posted By: Joshua (25/08/2008 5:34:01 PM)
Comment: StonerLab- Throw him under the bus? Come on man, he did not even mention AS. He said that JTO is playing better then any other 49ers quarterback in the last 3 years. He did not say "is better". He did not say compared to AS, JTO is Joe Montana. He was complimenting his quarterback, and by extension the offense. Your talking down to people who are defending Nolan like we don't understand football or coaching, but you have no idea who were are or what we know. I like Nolan. Hell, I like Smith, and I think if he had more stability at OC he would be a much more solid QB. That is not Nolan's fault. Hoss, was gonna be the guy who provided that stability because he was an unknown and there would not be getting HC attention for some time. He couldn't cut it plain and simple.

Posted By: Steve Young (25/08/2008 5:30:41 PM)
Comment: Mike Nolan was 100% right, lets look at the following stats These are the active QBs with the lowest career passer rating: (minimum 400 attempts) Kyle Orton 62.2 Alex Smith 63.5 Anthony Wright 66.3 Vince Young 69.0 Joey Harrington 69.4 A.J. Feeley 69.6 Rex Grossman 70.9 This is a breakdown of Alex Smith's career games in which he throws at least 10 passes: Rating 95 or Higher 5 games Rating 72-95 5 games Rating 72 or Lower 20 games And, finally, here are the teams that had the lowest passer ratings in 2007 (counting all QBs, not just starters) 49ers 64.3 Rams 67.0 Dolphins 69.6 Raiders 70.9 Panthers 71.9 Bears 72.2 These figures are from the wizards at Stats LLC, I love how all of these media type jumps on Nolan to Smith defense as if Smith is some defenseless little orchid that drinks a lot of Vitamin water. THIS IS FOOTBALL for god sakes! Not Mary Poppins!

Posted By: oldman9er (25/08/2008 5:28:39 PM)
Comment: I would hope Matt understands that the removal of Darren is a must... in order to keep his comments open. I don't understand how this works or if it's possible. If this can happen, then things will settle down nicely. Darren/Guest9er/DR House... etc... gets banned from forums a ll of the time, and will continue to make things miserable here until something is done.

Posted By: chris (25/08/2008 5:18:52 PM)
Comment: Stoner-Lab; stop apologizing for Nolan. Many of us have played football at collegiate levels and know poor coaching and exceptionally poor communications skills when they are so readily apparent. Mike Nolan simply talks too much, okay? He should the hell up, win some games, not talk to Lowell Cohn or Peter King. Simple enough. Win some games then maybe, talk without fanning the flames of controversy. It is inexcusable and embarrasing as a fan to listen to his irrational thoughts. At least the media is no longer giving him a free pass.

Posted By: Joshua (25/08/2008 5:16:31 PM)
Comment: Matt- The apples and coconuts analogy can be applied beyond the pre-season vs. regular season comparison, and thus, IMO makes it a moot point. You could argue that playing well in the season opener is not as impressive as playing well against the same team at mid-season. You could argue that playing well against one team is not the same as playing well against another. JTO played every single snap against the Bears first string defense (or other regular season defensive packages) when they played Thursday, and he played lights out. Nolan has seen all three quarterbacks perform throughout training camp, so he is in a better position then you or I to make this assessment. Your comments may provide relevant context but they do not make what Nolan said inaccurate or inappropriate.

Posted By: Bill Bird (25/08/2008 5:15:38 PM)
Comment: Please people, CALM DOWN. This is football, not brain surgery. You're going to force the powers that be to cut off the comments section again, which is never a good thing. Please, add insights about the team. Add insights about the coach. Want to talk about Obama or gas station robberies? Somewhere else, please.

Posted By: Greg (25/08/2008 5:10:13 PM)
Comment: Can you ask Nolan why he doesnot have the courage to start Dashon Goldson over Roman? Or why he cannot see that Franklin is not the answer at NT.

Posted By: StonerLab (25/08/2008 4:46:28 PM)
Comment: For those of you who think that it's no big deal and that "Nolan is just being honest & upfront" it's obvious that you have NO clue in what it means to be a "real good & competent coach" When you make comments like Nolan did in throwing Alex under the bus then you're very close in losing your whole team. Players are going to think; "well if he can throw a QB under the bus then he can call any of us out as well" Then you lose the trust of your players & to me that's like cancer where it could spread fast. You people who are clueless need to understand that Football is the ultimate team sport & that you need everyone on board & going in the same direction because at some point during a full season you're going to need every player at their best to contribute. By Nolan calling out Alex he becomes an instant detriment to his own players, coaches & organization. Coaches, good coaches that is need to be able to instill confidence in ALL their players. Get it now people?

Posted By: A.E.S. (25/08/2008 4:22:16 PM)
Comment: i too have been a a. smith supporter over the past few years and i as posted a month ago, i felt that a. smith should receive a free pass due to offensive coordinator changes. but after watching him throw in the last 3 pre-games it is adundantly clear that his timming and pocket presence is lacking. i still feel that he could correct these critical flaws but for the time being i have to say that this is o'sully's team. bottom line - GO NINERS!

Posted By: danvilledan (25/08/2008 4:12:05 PM)
Comment: What in the world is he talking to Peter King for? I know the the word elitest is in vogue now but you look up the word in the dictionary and Peter King's picture shows up. The only time Peter King writes about any team west of the Mississippi is when he can knock them. Strickly a east coast guy. Nolan has his head in a warm fussy place and I don't mean his armpit.

Posted By: Matt (25/08/2008 4:08:23 PM)
Comment: Joshua--The problem with Nolans comments are that he's trying to compare Apples and Coconuts. This is preseason play when it doesnt matter and he's saying that JT is better than Smith, who's won games and had some very good games, multi-tds, close to 300 yds passing, etc. JTO has had basically one really good quarter during this preseason and now thats better than anything Smith or Hill, lets not forget about him either, have done over the past 3 years. Either nolan has horrible memory or he's a complete A who loves drama and wants to go down with Joe Thomas as the biggest fools in Niner history.

Posted By: Joshua (25/08/2008 3:58:38 PM)
Comment: Darren- Your logic about JTO being a cheater is flawed. This situation is more compareable to a student who took the same class last year and did not do well enough to pass so this year he's taking it again with the same teacher, at a different school. That's not cheating, it is just circumstance. For everyone who is making a big deal out of Nolan's comments: I just dont get it. If Nolan had said the entire team is playing better then at any point in the last 3 years, would we be crucifying him for slighting last years team? Would it be a inforgivable slight to say that Manny Lawson is playing better than Tully Banta Cain did last season? You Alex Smith supporters are probably making him feel like a little wimp that needs to be protected. He can handle this, and if he parts ways with 49ers he either will or will not end up being a starter somewhere else. Just remeber, the same unfortunate circumstances that led to a lapse in Alex's development, have also prevented the 49ers from winning. The Niners did not want to have a new OC every year. McCarthy was promoted, Turner was promoted; late in the year, Hostler was on the team and presented the easiest transition, he just couldn't cut it as "The Man". The Nolan/Smith saga could have been avoided but that is one piece of a much bigger puzzle. I was excited when the Niners got DJack and Lelie. They underperformed. That's football.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (25/08/2008 3:52:42 PM)
Comment: Otis4949- If I was I'd be spending the $ up in Vegas, instead of sitting here at work talking Niners =)

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (25/08/2008 3:50:24 PM)
Comment: Otis4949- Some people are dropped on their head at birth. No sense in arguing with Darren, I'm sure it wasn't his fault ;-) On that note, I think I'll take my own advise. Sorry Matt, for feeding the troll. I'm out.

Posted By: Otis4949 (25/08/2008 3:50:17 PM)
Comment: Randy - is that you robbing the gas stations in Santa Rosa? Who's robbing Santa Rosa gas stations?

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (25/08/2008 3:46:34 PM)
Comment: Darren & all your aliases- Am I helping out Obama's campaign!? What in the hell are you talking about?? This is Matt's Niner blog in case you forgot. Do us all a favor and quit spewing so much irrelevant rhetoric.

Posted By: Otis4949 (25/08/2008 3:44:17 PM)
Comment: Wow - just wow... no clue my friend - you have no clue... Sad

Posted By: Darren (25/08/2008 3:36:22 PM)
Comment: Otis, I hope you don't have a family for that's the worse thing you can say is JT O Sullivan won the job cleanly when I saw Smith with 2nd string and Hill with 3rd string. If OTAs and 2nd strings determine who starts/then maybe every team that has had a 2nd string QB/RB/etc should start those players and bench the 1st string or cut them altogether. OH what's that? Salary Cap prevents such a thing? There's be anarchy?" Oh gee, silly me. Let's just start JT and hope God looks the other way when we cheat to win the Superbowl with JT. Hear that Otis4949? You think I set the bar too high for JT? Well, when your coach's job is on the line, then SF staying in the Bay Area is on the line, then whatever left of Yorks' dignity is on the line, anything SHORT of a Superbowl, this team is OUT OF HERE and off to Los Angeles.

Posted By: TT (25/08/2008 3:31:27 PM)
Comment: It is possible that Nolan was misquoted as we all know that people do get misquoted. However, people also claim they are misquoted all the time. I do believe that Nolan is right this time partly because he has been so careful and has said The Position many times. That said, if JTO plays well this will be a non-issue. Go niners! Let's see some offense finally.

Posted By: Otis4949 (25/08/2008 3:31:27 PM)
Comment: Thank you Darren - you just answered my question - you do NOT know anything about football... Time to ignore Darren and his incoherent babble... JTO cheated? Just proves how ignorant about football you truly are... Now I've been sucked in - sorry Matt but I had to say something - kinda funny...

Posted By: Darren (25/08/2008 3:28:39 PM)
Comment: Quote from: Posted By: Zed Rational (25/08/2008 4:22:44 PM) Comment: According to Peter King, this is what Nolan said: "J.T.'s been better than the other two, and there hasn't really been much of a gray area. His play's been better at the position than what we've had at any point in the last three years." Either King misquoted Nolan, Nolan didn't say what he really meant, of Nolan is backtracking as fast as he can. If that isn't flip flopping, I don't know what is.

Posted By: Darren (25/08/2008 3:25:42 PM)
Comment: Hey Randy, are you home or are you still helping out in Obama's campaign?

Posted By: Darren (25/08/2008 3:24:21 PM)
Comment: Let's see now, from the last time that I was on to NOW, I was doing something called LIFE and my computer was not accessed. Nobody has access to my account on any forum, and I do not use an alias, UNLIKE THOSE OF YOU that go to Cohn's column and use my name. That is called FRAUD. Just because you don't want to agree to what I say, don't you dare make me the bad guy. I point out very clearly what the 49ers are doing WRONG and Mike Nolan has to go! It's no wonder we're the laughing stock, it's not Nolan, York, JT, it's YOU The fans that DO NOT WANT TO LISTEN. All you seem to care is playoffs, SUperbowl, JT, Dump Smith, Nolan is God, Love Mike Martz. Damnit people, that's why sanity is questioned if you can't stop and think. Question: Was this competition fair? Answer: NO. Why? Because JT knew the system flat out. That to me says he's a cheater, pure and simple! You tell your kid no, don't cheat on a test, but it's OK for JT to cheat in the competition and steal the QB's job. Least Kurt Warner, Kyle Orton worked a lot harder then JT. I'll be glad to see Warner up him and stick it to Martz. I hope JT is hurt, and that's the end of it. DOn't use my name without permission! I don't play that with you! I'm the nice fan. Start Alex Smith. Fire NOlan!

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (25/08/2008 3:16:32 PM)
Comment: Amen to that, Giovanni.

Posted By: Otis4949 (25/08/2008 3:15:28 PM)
Comment: COME ON! What is you love affair with Alex Smith - noi the kid didn't get a fair shake with the Niners because, Mike McCarthy and Norv Turner chose to take jobs elswhere - not because Mike Nolan is a bad coach. AS didn't get a fair shake because Hostler was too inexperienced for the job... Now Alex Smith had the same opportunity to as JTO and Hill to win the job this year and well he didn't - and why didn't he win the job? because he didn't complete passes or manage the offense like JTO did... enough! We will all find out if Alex Smith can indeed be a good QB it just won't be with this team because this team needs to win now and JTO gives us a better shot then JTO. Alex Smith is not a very accurate QB - he isn't - never has been and never will be... I live in a Mountain West Conference state - I watched Utah under Urban Meyer and watched Alex Smith with a keen eye - knowing the Niner's had a shot to be the #1 pick and needing a QB... Alex was a master of that offense - but you can have happy feet and not be very accurate and succeed in that offense - NOT in Martz's offense. The kid WILL NOT be the Niner QB this year or next - so get over it!!!!!!!

Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (25/08/2008 3:06:24 PM)
Comment: Darren should be banned, he's single-handedly ruining the comments section.

Posted By: Pirry (25/08/2008 3:05:46 PM)
Comment: "J.T.'s been better" and "His play's" is not a reference to all three 3 QBs. Eihter Peter King is a liar or NOLAN is trying to purge Alex Smith ASAP.

Posted By: montana to rice (25/08/2008 3:00:35 PM)
Comment: to Darren:SHUT UP!

Posted By: montana to rice (25/08/2008 2:57:17 PM)
Comment: i stand corrected. it seems the quote was taken out of context. i do remember nolan saying that the "position" is better than he's seen it. i do wish alex the best, and i hope he continues to learn this system and gets better. i don't think he met it as a knock on alex.

Posted By: Brodie (25/08/2008 2:56:40 PM)
Comment: Am I the only one who remembers that Smith played several if not many very good games for us. Both Seattle games and the Denver game in 2006 were good games for him. its not like he has never done anything for the 49ers. He has made plays, he has won games... He just turned 24 during camp.... How is a 24 year old a bust? Short of Ryan Leaf implosions its hard to be a bust when your that young and obviously have not fulfilled your potential. J.T. came into the league when he was 24 and then sat on the bench for six years soaking everything in without any significant amount of pressure being put on him, and suddenly he is the second coming of christ. I am for J.T., but all these Nolan/Smith must go people are so unrealistic about the situation.

Posted By: NolanHater (25/08/2008 2:55:57 PM)
Comment: proactol: I'm not sure if people are upset about WHAT Nolan said as I personally don't mind the honesty. What should bother people is the fact that he says one thing, and when he gets called out about it, he changes his stance immediately to cover his behind. If he's going to say something, then don't be afraid to back down from those comments when you're questioned about it. He has done that his entire time here in 49er land. Alex did the same thing by backing down from his comments about Nolan last year.

Posted By: Jon in SoCal (25/08/2008 2:53:56 PM)
Comment: Bill: I laughed so hard about the body language expert! I've stopped caring and listening to Nolan. Martz and Manusky are the keys to this team. No more 4th downs to make decisions tough. It takes a great, unified team to overcome coaching, I hope the guys have it in them.

Posted By: John (25/08/2008 2:53:18 PM)
Comment: To Otis4949, Fire Nolan. In all seriousness JTO has earned the spot and is better right now. I blame Nolan and the organization for ruining Smith though and I do hope that when all is said and done on this that Nolan is fired.

Posted By: Randy in Santa Rosa (25/08/2008 2:44:23 PM)
Comment: This guy, Darren, is posting under a bunch of different names, bashing Nolan. Another reason to require a login here, Matt. Thank Darren when the comment section gets taken down again...

Posted By: Otis4949 (25/08/2008 2:25:49 PM)
Comment: TO ALL: Enough about firing Nolan and the mistakes you think he's made with the starting QB or other spots on our team. We get it - I used to enjoy reading the comments left at MM's blog but now it's simply turned into a wine and cheese section regarding Nolan. We get it - you don't like Nolan or his choices - time to move on find something else to whine about... JTO is simply the better choice at this moment - future ability aside the Niners need to win now and JTO gives us that opportunity over AS or SH. Not sure if you've watched every game but there is no mistaking Alex's poor accuracy... very poor accuracy for that matter... Aside from JTO freaking out in game one (his first start ever and any real significant time behind center) he has done his job well. In fact he has done a great job. Until he begins to get a feel for the speed of the game and gets put in tough situations on the field there will be mistakes - but you can't fault his inexperience for the true reason why he's in there - he knows the offense better then any other QB on the team and knows it better then anyone else on the team sans Isaac Bruce... Time to move on and quit trying to start a chant of "fire Nolan" from the peanut gallery!

Posted By: proactol (25/08/2008 2:25:31 PM)
Comment: I don't understand why people are so mad at what Nolan said... I'd rather have a coach that speaks the truth than try to lie about it... It's not like Alex Smith has been playing like Peyton Manning... Honestly, it wouldn't be that hard for JT to be playing better than Alex ever did since Alex has never been very good. So what's the problem? He's a straight shooter and tells it like it is...

Posted By: 49ermark (25/08/2008 2:24:08 PM)
Comment: Oh, terrific! Nolan was complimenting ALL 3 QB's. The Spin doctor at his finest. Make up your freakin' mind Mike!

Posted By: Nevyn (25/08/2008 2:18:43 PM)
Comment: It constantly amazes me how a combination of press and rabid fans can truly make something out of nothing. That Alex's first 3 years were bad is a matter of record, not of opinion. So why is it such a big deal to say that currently the level of play is higher than that? Thats just a head coach just trying to spin a little hope into his team's chances, but one blog entry, and 80 ranting posts later its some kind of personal attack.

Posted By: Wake up Darren (25/08/2008 1:59:10 PM)
Comment: I can listen to "Mike Nolan is so lucky I live in Northern California for if I had the time, I'd go down there in Santa Clara and give him the what for"; ummm, Santa Clara is in Northern CA. Or how about "You should take up speaking Germany and say Heil Nolan and Achtung" that would be German, Germany is the country. But when you say "Does anybody think there will be extra security at Candlestick? Nolan is only encouraging some fan to pop out of the stands if he doesn't shut up" you have crossed the line by encouraging violence. As you say "We have a right to question your sanity...".

Posted By: xl (25/08/2008 1:44:39 PM)
Comment: nolan is an idiot...he puts his foot in his mouth more than i can hang...how many times have we heard this over the past 3 years with 4th and 1-2 yrds and he kicks FG, "well it was actually more like 4th and 4" yea mike sure and the sad thing is that Smith knows more about offense than Nolan does

Posted By: B. Sanders (25/08/2008 1:40:55 PM)
Comment: Nolan is a duplicitous train wreck of a coach. The Niners will start 2-6 or 3-5 and he will be fired at the bye week, at which time Martz will be given the job of interim head coach and will be instructed to play Smith so team can make a decision whether to keep him in '09. You read it here first.

Posted By: MC (25/08/2008 1:23:18 PM)
Comment: How can this statement: "His play's been better at the position than what we've had at any point in the last three years.'' possibly be construed to be about a group of people (as Nolan would have you believe)? He didn't say "they" or "their" he said "his," a singular term. He really must think everyone else is stupid.

Posted By: Zed Rational (25/08/2008 1:22:44 PM)
Comment: According to Peter King, this is what Nolan said: "J.T.'s been better than the other two, and there hasn't really been much of a gray area. His play's been better at the position than what we've had at any point in the last three years." Either King misquoted Nolan, Nolan didn't say what he really meant, of Nolan is backtracking as fast as he can.

Posted By: Woodside Gil (25/08/2008 1:19:31 PM)
Comment: Nice try Nolan but it didn't fool Lowell and it certainly won't fool the rest of us. I have been a fan and season ticket holder going back to Kezar so it's difficult for me to say this but..Let's hope for six straight losses at the beginning of the season and hopefully the Yorks will then perform euthanasia on their head coach to help us ease our suffering.

Posted By: jimpooba (25/08/2008 1:17:17 PM)
Comment: Nolan is just a clueless jerk. It doesn't matter if your QB sucks - you don't call him out publicly like this. It's like York giving an interview and saying the coaching isn't at the same level it was when Mooch was here. Nolan is just an a-hole and an awful coach.

Posted By: Darren (25/08/2008 1:10:23 PM)
Comment: OOh, COhn stuck it to Nolan!~ Oh man, I love this!

Posted By: Darren (25/08/2008 1:09:36 PM)
Comment: Uh oh, Flip Flop alert! Flip Flop alert! Fire Nolan!

Posted By: superdave (25/08/2008 1:05:13 PM)
Comment: I pray that Nolan doesn't lose the team before the opening kickoff of the regular season. A two-faced back-stabbing coach is going to lose the lockerroom in a hurry.

Posted By: jsl (25/08/2008 1:04:45 PM)
Comment: It never ceases with Nolan, does it? Now his spinning his spin. What a worthless. . . . Glad to hear Baas is back. We need Wragge over on the left, especially now that Heitmann seems to be rounding into pre-injury form. Two queries: Any chance the guy playing LG in Chicago could play RT? And was Baas really on the PUP? (I thot the PUP was a season-long out, like IR -- but I guess I'm wrong.) Thanks Matt, for the quick Cohn update on Nolan's little gratuitous gabfest with Peter King.

Posted By: Bill O'Reiley (25/08/2008 12:57:16 PM)
Comment: Hey Lowell, would you like to borrow my body language expert during your next interview with Nolan?