So I watched about a minute of the 49ers/Cardinals game, not gonna lie about that. If it was Steve Young still throwing to Jerry Rice, I would have watched it, but the hardwood courts were calling my name. However, there is one topic I want to talk about: Alex Smith.
Alex Smith was drafted first overall by the 49ers after he had led the Utah Utes to a Fiesta Bowl win over the Pitt Panthers, the first ever "BCS Buster". He played under current Florida Gators coach Urban Meyer, who is famous for using the spread formation, an easy formation for quarterbacks, since they get to sit in shotgun the whole time and just throw the ball at will. The 49ers should not have picked him if they weren't going to run the spread formation! The 49ers RARELY run the spread. In fact, over 90% of their formations start under center. This means that Smith not only has to take the ball from under center, he has to actually move in the pocket! During the one minute that I watched last night, I saw him come from under center, move about 4 steps, stand in the same position, and then get whacked by a Cardinals linebacker. You would expect more from an NFL quarterback. It's been 5 years since the 49ers drafted Alex Smith and signed him to that inflated deal. What has he done in those five years? Well.... nothing.
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2 comments:
One: The 9ers now throw the ball with the third highest percentage in the league. Since Alex Smith has entered in the starting job they've moved to the spread near the end of each game...the problem is that they should start with it, not just end with it.
Two: Alex Smith has had eight (8!!!) different offensive coordinators in the last eight (8!!!) years. It's amazing that he can remember any plays much less run an offense successfully. With time and continuity I have faith that Smith can gel with fellow youngsters Vernon Davis, Michael Crabtree and Frank Gore. Add in a constantly growing young defense (headed by Patrick Willis) only time will tell if they become relevant again.
I sure hope so. So who do we blame then? Do we blame Alex Smith for not making the plays, or do we blame management? Management doesn't make the throws, and Alex doesn't call the plays.... They better figure it out, or they might turn into the Raiders...
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