Posted By: G Man (05/09/2008 11:27:22 AM)
Comment: Heard the Steve Young show also.. Steve did also say that he went through the same or similar experience as AS and that there can be debates on how his career could have turned out if he stayed in Tampa Bay. What if he stayed with the Bucs instead of going to the Niners, and not have to be a backup to Joe. Although he acknowledged that the Bucs team in those years were pretty bad.. We all know now that Steve did eventually get his opportunity but towards the end of his career.

Posted By: Jeff Kemp (04/09/2008 4:27:15 PM)
Comment: To those in the "Alex Smith did not get a fair shot " camp, go to WWW.KNBR.COM and listen to yesterdays Steve Young show. Barbieri asked the HOF QB if he thought Smith got a "fair shot" at the job. Youngs response was, "it doesn't matter". He went on to say that in the NFL, at every position, but especially QB you have a window of opportunity. If you don't jump through that window when its open, it closes. He added that all the other excuses about 4 OCs, and bad offensive lines and no WRs didn't matter. If you show that you can play the game when you get your opportunity, you will have a job. If you don't, you will be shoved a side, and someone else will get a chance. Without coming right out and saying it, Young was implying that Alex has not done enough in the past few years to keep the job, and now someone else (JTO), has jumped in and created his own window of opportunity. I think he hit the nail right square on the head. So Alex apologists, listen to the opinion of someone who really knows, a 49er, MVP, Super Bowl Champion, Hall of Famer. Maybe you will see the light. The show is about 30 minutes, and the portion about Smith starts at 21:30 into the show. The show can be heard at this link: http://www.knbr.com/razorMrT/index.html

Posted By: G Man (04/09/2008 1:23:13 PM)
Comment: I don't think Alex Smith can stay with the Niners regardless.. We don't know what kind of practice time he will get as a backup during the year.. If he plays the scout QB, then he is running a different system (other team). One thing AS has going for him is his age. He is only 24 yrs old. AS has a few more years to go through more teams and OCs but will never be labelled a journeyman since he was a 2005 #1 pick by McNolan so he will forever be a bust unless he takes his next team to the playoffs or SB. I don't think it will be the Niners. He has no confidence for the "experience of the last 3 years.. Just look at his body language from the last game.. He did roll his eyes when Nolan was praising him (wired and on camera) for coming back during the 3rd Quarter.. That reaction was more telling than anything else.. Plus the Booing by the fans.. He's done as a Niner..

Posted By: A.E.S. (04/09/2008 11:25:14 AM)
Comment: i am in total agreement with fathead' comments regarding a.smith being called a bust. i don't believe that a player can be considered a bust until he is out of the league i.e. ryan leaf. smith' future with the niners may be over but he may become a competent q.b. on another team. if he is out of the league in a couple of years then the 'bust' label could make more sense. until then the chapter on a.smith should remain open.

Posted By: locomoco (04/09/2008 12:35:13 AM)
Comment: Time to cut the cord on Alex Drunkemiller I mean Smith.......

Posted By: Realfan49 (04/09/2008 12:24:32 AM)
Comment: BOI49er,thanks for a thoughtful and well reasoned post. I think the catch with your argument is that Alex in 3 years hasn't shown too many of us that he has the headwork to match his formidable athletic skills. If indeed he is lacking in the mental aspects, I am not sure it can be coached. And he has been coached by the very best in the business - McCarthy, Turner & Martz.

Posted By: louie (03/09/2008 7:11:53 PM)
Comment: Mike in Marin thinks with his brain, instead of his heart. It's gone on long enough. Alex Smith might, someday, be a better-than-average NFL quarterback---but he's not there and it's time to see what the rest of the team can do with someone else. Someone who can move the chains, keep a good defense fresh, so they can show how good they really are, and someone who can throw the ball a split second sooner, so the receiver has a chance to earn his paycheck. Both JTO and Hill can do that. Smith is a very good athlete, better than the other two. But he thinks too much. I still beleive he'll be a late bloomer, but I'm tired of waiting.

Posted By: Mike in Marin (03/09/2008 6:49:56 PM)
Comment: I think what Scotty said was for the best. Smith has had enough time to put together at least one solid full game and has not. You can blame anyone you want but when you get an opportunity you have got to make it happen at some point and that has past. Hpefully we can draft someone next year and possibly bring in a vet. Alex Smith era is coming to a close and its no reason to quit being a fan. Thats why were the faithful. I do believe that JTO has a confidence about him that is going to really help yhis offense. He reads coverages a lot better than Smith and does not hold onto the ball as long which will translate to fewer sacks. I saw a comment about JTOs mistakes but you failed to speak of the plays that he did make. He has run this offense efficiently and made big plays as well, which has translated into points. You guys are willing to give Smith a fourth year and wont give JTO 1 game! You know nothing about a qb until he gets out there in the real dirt.

Posted By: Ima Ninerfan (03/09/2008 6:30:17 PM)
Comment: So much for not letting people post inappropriate comments. Matt, what happend? I thought the comments section would only be open while you were there to respond.

Posted By: BOI49er (03/09/2008 6:29:11 PM)
Comment: The effectiveness of the QB position is more headwork than physical (see Montana). JTO's history with us so far is two terrible games mistake wise, and one good quarter where he went 7 of 8, when they pulled him before he made a mistake to keep everybody on board with their pick. They then put in Smith, whom I surmise spent little or no time in practice with the first team by virtue of the reported two and a half games JTO got working against our one's prior to SD's similar D. Is anybody worried besides me that JTO has gotten to the mental position to not make dumb turnovers, now that the games start to count? The corallary is of course, would Alex, who's not making as many mental mistakes, but is making throwing and timing errors, be missing all of those passes if he'd been given the time and coaching with the ones. I was not happy when we hired a DC for a HC, and then gave him the GM job too, as the HC (win Sunday) and GM (build a SB winner) have different interests. I give Nolan credit for getting rid of average players that would have helped in the short run in favor of mid round future draft picks to help in future years, but then he was secure. I don't know if Alex can be coached up by a very good OC, but even if we lose more games in 2008 with him than JTO (not a given), I'm not sure it's not in the long term interest of the 9'ers to find out if the guy by Nolan's own statement has more physical talent and by our experience is making fewer mental errors can be brought up to speed here, as opposed to elsewhere. I think most of us can agree we can not compete for a SB this year in any case, so I say we should take the long term approach. Oh yea, Nolan has to win now. That's a structural problem. Scott? Jeb? You out there?

Posted By: BodyRocker (03/09/2008 5:27:10 PM)
Comment: To Rosstradamus, you say, and I quote, "Also, it seems that McCloughan thinks that Smith is the better option at QB than JTO." I don't read McCloughan's comments that way at all. I think you are putting a few words in Scotty's mouth. If you go back and read what Matt wrote Scott said, "He believes Smith is physically the better player.." Physical does not always translate into a better quarterback. I'm sorry but Scott Mc is NOT saying that Alex is the better option!

Posted By: Bryan from Mt View (03/09/2008 5:25:32 PM)
Comment: Matt, "They" say it takes 3 years to evaluate a draft class. With Smith on the bench and Baas and Snyder fighting for a guard spot, how would you grade that draft 3 years removed?

Posted By: RealFan49 (03/09/2008 5:14:33 PM)
Comment: I doubt if Martz will be a hot HC candidate after the season is done whatever the 49er record turns out to be. His low tolerance for fools makes him a prickly employee that most would avoid as shown by the almost total lack of interest in him when he got fired by the Rams. Although I seem to remember Al Davies wanted to talk but Martz refused the interview. Smart guys both. On the other hand, if the Niners do have a good season, I think Nolan will be in demand. He'll be a free agent and with a record of taking a team with inexperienced owners, no front office, a terrible coaching staff and an awful roster to become a functional, winning program will be very attractive to many owners. I think Nolan's organizational talents and ability to attract top rate front office talent and top rate coaching to be first class. Walsh was the same way, his non-coaching organization skills were as good as his coaching tho a lot less recognized by the average fan.

Posted By: Fathead (03/09/2008 5:13:47 PM)
Comment: I'm so tired of people posting their opinions as absolutes. I check Matt's blog for news, then curiosity leads me into the comments section, where I read how Smith WILL NEVER be this or that, or how JTO is ONLY a journeyman, etc etc. Football is a team sport, good QB play makes the team look good, good team play makes the QB look good. Bad play by one aspect of the team can have the same effect on the others. To label somebody as a bust because he was the #1 overall pick is a joke. Last time I checked, the #1 overall pick generally gets awarded to the worst overall team in the league from the previous year. Usually that team needs much more than a new QB, usually it needs improvement in just about every area. The 9ers have improved their personnel dramatically over the past four years. Let's just see how things play out this year. NYG fans wanted Eli ran out of town because he was a BUST, remember? They were lucky to get that pick to begin with, since they weren't the worst team in the league at the time. To label anybody as anything right now is a waste.

Posted By: RealFan49 (03/09/2008 5:04:26 PM)
Comment: Both Nolan and McLoughlin are firmly on record as saying they both wanted Smith as the #1 pick so both will equally share any stigma if that decision turns out to be bad. And McLoughlins recent comments about Smith would be certainly echoed by Martz & Nolan. Smith does look to be a better QB than JTO but unfortunately for Smith, QBing is not a beauty contest. One look at Garcia should prove that to anyone except maybe his playbunny wife.

Posted By: RealFan49 (03/09/2008 5:00:14 PM)
Comment: Nolan has not commented upon Smith's future beyond this season because it is not Nolan's call because he no longer as GM responsibilities.

Posted By: RealFan49 (03/09/2008 4:57:56 PM)
Comment: There was a report in the LA Times that the 49ers were interested in Martz while Martz was still under contract to the Lions. When asked about it, McLoughlin denied the story saying the 49ers had no interest. Tim Kawakami, who was not present at the time, heard this story and spun it that Mcloughlin was against the hiring of Martz. Every other journalist that says McLoughlin did not want Martz traces that right back to Kawakami. In other words, there is no reason whatsoever to say McLoughlin did or did not like Martz. What McLoughlin has consistently said is that Nolan has total freedom (like every other HC) to hire his own staff and that he (McLoughlin) is cool with whomever Nolan chose. On the other hand, Kawakami still falsifies stories that should get him fired and one day most certainly will.

Posted By: Danny in NJ (03/09/2008 4:39:08 PM)
Comment: Matt do you think the Yorks would contemplate firing McCloughan if Alex doesnt return next year? Would they see it as a wasted pick and a bad talent evaluator? I know its only one bad pick but it set us back awhile I hope it doesn't hurt McGloughan

Posted By: Darth (03/09/2008 4:28:04 PM)
Comment: Alex is gone for sure. Anyone watching the game on Friday even in the nosebleed section could see Alex Smith roll his eyes at Nolan when he was telling him good job after the lucky touchdown (Sorry but that should of been smiths 3rd pick). It seems like Smith throws the ball to the guy with the most defenders on him because if that many people are covering him he must be the best guy to throw to.

Posted By: ninertom (03/09/2008 4:22:24 PM)
Comment: i am continually astounded by how little faith people have in jto if smith had done what jto has done so far these guys would be predicting superbowl and probowls from here to kingdom come for smith what people have to realize is that they have no ability what so ever to identify qb talent NONE instead they let preconceived notions of who is a good qb creep into the arguement they dont let their eyes guide them. now they are more worried about where jto is going IF he has a good year, which is preposterous! lets worry about them actually being successful, rather than search for the only negative outcome if they are successful. That smacks of people looking for something negative to bitch about! GO NINERS!!

Posted By: Rich, San Ramon (03/09/2008 4:17:24 PM)
Comment: Matt, the story here is not the statement, you already figured it out months ago and put in on this blog. The story is why the GM would make this statement at this time. Why the heck did he?

Posted By: Jason (03/09/2008 4:07:30 PM)
Comment: Should say "...it is pretty safe to say that if Nolan is back next year, Smith will NOT be."

Posted By: Jason (03/09/2008 4:05:44 PM)
Comment: Matt, I think you have answered this question before, but any chance, if Nolan and Martz are out that Smith renegotiates his deal so the Niners are not paying him as much next year? Based on the body language I have seen, it is pretty safe to say that if Nolan is back next year, Smith will be. As for the comments that we need to get off the 4 OC's in 4 years, from it sounds like, other then Norv, none of the OC's that Alex has had have actually taught him anything. Alex needs to go find himself a Guru ala the Manning's and Brady.

Posted By: DMC (03/09/2008 4:04:02 PM)
Comment: Thanks Matt. Hopefully Alex can digest this offense a little better in the next few weeks and when he gets his shot weeks 3 - 8 he performs well. That's the best scenario we can hope for.

Posted By: bigjay (03/09/2008 3:58:55 PM)
Comment: Matt, l have heard this 4OC's in 4 years over a million times.Whatever the system is,isn't accuracy paramount?Do you know how many OC's Jason Campbell has had in the last few years? He has had 7 OC's in the last 8 years and he is not even crying! Sure, Alex has not been in the best of situations but the truth is, he is what he is. Just tell me, how many pro bowlers the chargers had when Ryan Leaf was at the helm of controls. When we took Alex in 2005, it was a big gamble that has not panned out, period. We are not the first NFL team and we wont be the last to screw up with a No 1 pick.Remember the Ryan Leafs, Joey Harringtons,Akili Smiths and David Carrs? They might have had brilliant college careers but they could not get the job done in the NFL! Alex Smith is in the same class. Where is the potential when you can not beat out a journeyman? Alex Smith is not what we thought he was! Is there a NFL team today he will start? Enough with this useless experiment, it's about time to say the truth and move on!

Posted By: PDX Mike (03/09/2008 3:49:17 PM)
Comment: It is way too early to try and predict what will happen with Nolan or Martz. Even if the offense does well, the coaching pool and clubs in need will dictate whether Martz will be considered. Will Cowher be back in the running? Will Holmgren decide that he is open to new opportunities? Does Marty want back in the game. Heck, Pete Carrol might decide that he wants another shot at the big time. We then look at the teams that might be looking for a coach. The Rams have Saunders and Haslett to pick from and I doubt they would bring Martz back; I can't see Davis bringing in a coach with an ego like Martz to the Raiders. There are just way too many variable to try and predict...and that is without considering how the Niner's perform or if Nolan can keep his job. As for McCloughan; he has done a very strong job of improving the talent and the financial stability of the club and Smith was not his call--his job should be safe regardless of how things pan out.

Posted By: Matt (03/09/2008 3:42:34 PM)
Comment: #1, and he cant do that on the bench. Also Scotty was very complimentary of smith where as nolan took shots at Smith, and not only Smith but also Hill, Dilfer, Dorsey, Pickett and Rattay when they started and played.

Posted By: Fathead (03/09/2008 3:42:13 PM)
Comment: Rosstradamus, to answer your question, I'm still not convinced the McNolans were in agreement on the hiring of Martz. I remember McLoughan saying it wouldn't happen about two weeks before Martz accepted the job. That's the most recent disagreement that comes to mind.

Posted By: Matt (03/09/2008 3:39:50 PM)
Comment: AES--I think Scotts comments are very differnet than Nolans. McCloughan is stating a fact that if Smith doesnt produce this year that the niners cant afford to keep him. They need to know if he's a true

Posted By: Mad9erfan (03/09/2008 3:36:46 PM)
Comment: Y is he suprised? Didn't Nolan say that they all agreed that JT should start? Looks real dumb on his part bc he drafted the guy....firs overall!!! Did he expect Alex to know the offense better than JT? Did he expect him to be more accurate in this offense than JT? I just dont see how you can do that to a person....I dont care how good your are. You could be Montana or Marino....no one can have success with that kind of turnaround in the coaching staff. Just let Alex go, so he can flourish and kick our @ss in the future!

Posted By: Matt in SR (03/09/2008 3:36:10 PM)
Comment: Hi Matt, when McCloughan and others make comments like this, do you get the sense that it motivates Alex or breaks his confidence? Also, what happened to the whole "one voice" thing? Everyone in management/coaching is speaking their mind now. Prediction: Holmgren is President of the Niners in 09.

Posted By: A.E.S (03/09/2008 3:26:51 PM)
Comment: I happen to agree with mccloughan' statement regarding a.smith' financial liability as a backup in 2009. i only hope that he was able to bring it to smith' attention in private before making it public. if the niners want to gain respectability around the league they must first start in their own locker room. if mccloughan did not speak to smith, he runs the risk of mimicking nolan's remarks to p. king 2 weeks ago.

Posted By: Matt (03/09/2008 3:26:47 PM)
Comment: Seems to me that Scotty isnt in complete agreement with Nolan/Martz on who should play qb. Will be interesting to see how this plays out if the niners start off very slow and a change is made, be it at qb or at hc. We know that Scott will be here next year and he needs to think about that more than Nolan who's only concern is now.

Posted By: NinerTed (03/09/2008 3:26:38 PM)
Comment: Hello Matt, NinerTed again, I go into this season a little confused due to if we have a successful season and let's say make the playoffs on a 9-7 record or 8-8 does Martz get a HC job somewhere? Is Nolan safe at that point? If that happens does Martz take JTO with him? We both agree the Niners should have traded that 05' pick so we know Smith is not the answer for us. I wish him success but he just doesn't do it for the Niners! But what does that do for our future. We could be in the same boat next year new OC and QB at this time. Let's hope the FA market is better for QB's this year and we actually use a pick that makes sense on a QB in the early rounds. Thoughts?

Posted By: http:// (03/09/2008 3:20:06 PM)
Comment: McCloughan did not pick Smith, NOLAN DID.

Posted By: Rosstradamus (03/09/2008 3:16:19 PM)
Comment: It seems as though McCloughan has been biting his tongue through much of the QB controversy. Also, it seems that McCloughan thinks that Smith is the better option at QB than JTO. If that is the case, its the first time that I can remember McNolan being divided on an issue. Is there any other circumstance that anyone can think of? Could it be that McCloughan has little faith in JTO and wants to distance himself from Nolan in case JTO stinks and the niners have another sub par record? Or is McCloughan trying to cover his butt so that if/when Smith leaves and becomes successful somewhere else, people don't point the finger at him?

Posted By: Ray (03/09/2008 3:15:23 PM)
Comment: When the receiver is wide open and the ball is behind him or two feet over his head, what does the number of OC's have to do with anything??

Posted By: Holland (03/09/2008 3:12:37 PM)
Comment: Well McCloughan basically just stated the obvious and it seems like we'll be looking for a new QB next year. You have to consider that even if JTO does well it will just prove him to be a system QB so if Martz up and leaves and we change OC's that means JTO will likely end up being worthless. Hopefully either Smith will step up to be the guy or JTO will be functional enough to buy time to draft a guy and develop him.

Posted By: Giovanni Carmazzi (03/09/2008 3:12:36 PM)
Comment: I think the niners can compete with decent QB play. JTO doesn't need to carry the niners, he just needs to do a little bit to help and I think we'll surprise a lot of people. Everyone seems to have us ranked really low so far, that may just prove to be a mistake.

Posted By: xl (03/09/2008 3:10:27 PM)
Comment: nolan confidence in offensive player = tragedy...martz has confidence in offensive player = green, warner, bulger. Lets hope the latter

Posted By: Adman (03/09/2008 3:09:06 PM)
Comment: Has the offense continued to look good in practice with JTO in control?!

Posted By: Ltrain (03/09/2008 3:03:03 PM)
Comment: From what I've read, I get the feeling that Nolan is feeling really confident with JTO being the starter. Is this an act, or does Nolan REALLY feel confident with JTO?

Posted By: tgflynn (03/09/2008 3:02:15 PM)
Comment: It certainly looks like the Niners worst nightmare has a better and better chance of coming about this year, the only question is it a tragedy or a farce. The scenario is as follows, O'sullivan's grit overcomes his lack of talent and he overachieves to a highly mediocre record. The kindly Doctor gives Nolan one more chance and Smith without any real opportunity during the season is released. It's almost irrelevant if Smith succeeds somewhere else, McCloughan is dead right after all the money and time we have put into Smith letting him go without knowing whether he can do the job is just plain sad.

Posted By: Darth (03/09/2008 3:01:57 PM)
Comment: Hey the Ravens are hurting for a QB any Trade Rumors with Nolans favorite trade partner. If not I am starting the rumor just kidding. Hate to lose him this year he is still better backup than some guy of the street and he is only one play away from being "The Guy".

Posted By: bert (03/09/2008 2:43:10 PM)
Comment: People say that JTO has had 7 offensive coordinators in 7 years. Sure, but the one he has now is the one he just had in Detroit. He has 2 years under Martz, and he's started games (granted they were pre-season) in Martz's offense and therefore has a huge advantage over the other two QB's. So don't tell me that JTO's 7 are worse than Smith's 4. What matters is which ones they had last. That said, JTO just beat Smith out. Alex couldn't use his physical skills/talent to overcome his mental block. It just seems like his timing is way off; throwing the ball seconds too late.

Response: Plus, it's apples and oranges. I believe O'Sullivan is better able to move from one system to the next because of his approach to the game. It's more difficult for Smith to make that transition. --Matt M.

Posted By: higher_niner (03/09/2008 2:32:41 PM)
Comment: i wish smith luck but his time in frisco is over evan if jto is juss a stopgap we could never bring smith back as a starte

Posted By: Robert (03/09/2008 2:29:41 PM)
Comment: Can you give us some insight on the 49ers' practice? What can/can't you tell us about the practice?

Response: I can't tell you much. Anything that deals with strategy or personnel and that might be of some assistance to the opposition is off-limits. --Matt M.

Posted By: http:// (03/09/2008 2:26:30 PM)
Comment: what about O'sullivans 8 cordinators in 7 or whatever years, people are leaning to much on that, being taught by 4 different people is better then just one who can teach you one certain way