. . . or does he? Stop me if you’ve heard this before. Every time Alex Smith comes up with a nice satisfying win, the pundits, fans, and anyone with an interest in the team says, there it is. This is what we bargained for when the 49ers made him the #1 pick back in April 2005. Is this the new beginning? Can Alex rise above the myriad obstacles that have been thrown in his direction? Can he finally gain redemption as the starting QB of the 49ers and lead them to the playoffs? Do you feel lucky, punk? Well, do you?
Everyone knows the story. The chicken-egg thing with Smith has been going on since he was thrown into the starting job back in 2005. He had Nolan as HC, Mike McCarthy (yes, THAT Mike McCarthy) as his OC, and little talent minus the rook from the U, Frank Gore. Next year it was Norv Turner as the OC, and a big dose of Gore, and incremental inprovement. 2007 was the Hostler/shoulder/Smith-run-over-by-his-head-coach deal. 2008 was a season on the IR, Nolan tossed midseason, and Martz as the OC. 2009, Martz was out for the peripatetic Jimmy-Hat Raye. He of his head coach’s like-minded 1975 offense. Smith started the season as Shaun Hill’s backup. After replacing Hill in week 6, Smith showed signs of life and nearly pulled off some nice comebacks. 2010 was the heralded continuity theme under Jimmy-Hat. Unfortunately, the team started 0-5, Jimmy-Hat got fired, and Mike Johnson was supposed to come in and start implementing a more aggressive offense. No such luck. Smith got hurt, lost his job to Troy Smith, and the QB merry-go-round was on. The high point being the big win over Seattle last December, and the season-ending win with Tomsula as the head coach.
So, the question is, what can Smith do with an offensive minded head coach? Or even what can he do with any kind of coaching at all? Harbaugh has said on more than one occasion that he has had to deconstruct Smith and get him to work on his footwork and his mechanics. If early indications are to be believed, the prognosis is good.
Smith is now the 8th ranked QB in the league with a 97.7 rating. He’s only got 4 TD passes, but more importantly, he only has one pick. Yes, it’s early, but even from game one this offense is growing. There are more 3-4 WR sets. Runs from these sets as well. The early play-calling concerns I had were dispelled in the 2nd half yesterday. My hope is they continue with this style of offense, as it finally opened up the run game in the finest Bill Walsh tradition. Once they started hitting their passes, the run game magically opened up. Plus, it’s time for Smith to put 2 great games together. This Tampa Bay game (normally the Pigs Of Bay (C) ) becomes the all-important reality-check game. Can they continue with their success on the road in their friendly confines? We will see.
Forty Niners Forever 
Huh. Alex Smith is 2 spots above Tony Romo . . .
This transcript is from KNBR and a chat that Gary Radnich had with Philly reporter Howard Eskin:
Eskin, 60, provided that he doesn’t back out, has a nice little bike ride ahead of him. Call it the Tour de Dream Team. Here’s the transcript of the guarantee:
Eskin: “I will tell you right now, there is no chance the 49ers win. Zero. This is a stone cold mortal lock.”
San Francisco Radio Guys: “What will you do if the Niners beat the Eagles? Would you walk from Philly to San Francisco? We gotta come up with something for you to do, Howard.”
Eskin: “I’ll take a bike. I’ll take a bike from Philadelphia to San Francisco.”
San Francisco Radio Guys: “If the Niners beat the Eagles.”
Eskin: “Yes, if the Niners beat the Eagles.”
San Francisco Radio Guys: “You’re that confident?”
Eskin: “Yes. There’s no way the Eagles go 1-3. None. Absolutely none.”
We haven’t heard anything about Eskin’s plans since the Eagles collapsed, but I don’t think there’s any shame in it if the guy backs out. He’s 60 years old and has a job as a sideline reporter on Eagles broadcasts. He doesn’t need this. Make a donation to charity, send a fruit basket to San Francisco and call it a day. We’ll let it slide.
Updates are forthcoming if Eskin addresses it.”
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Too funny. Up there with someone who still has to eat his hat.
Chuck, as a confirmed Alex basher, I have to say that I couldn’t be happier right now. I would like nothing better than for him to pull a Terry Bradshaw and become a great QB. It’s gonna take a few more games than this for me to turn the corner on him, but I’ll tell you that I thought he played his heart out in the 2nd half. This was obviously a team win and those are the best kind because of unity and attitude, something we have lacked for quite awhile now. Anyway, this win was very good to the team and the long-suffering fan.
Team win? How did that suddenly come to be? All we’ve heard is that it”s *Smith’s* record when they’re losing. Now there’s a great comeback win and it’s not on Smith, the TEAM did it. Alex Smith is 3-1, Winder. Screw this team shit all of a sudden..
Lol, so u think Alex won it on his own? I have never totally blamed Alex for our loses, i usually said he was a major part, and I still belive that.
No, I’ve never believed that the W-L record is only on the QB, it’s the Alex detractors who say he’s 22-32 or whatever.What I’m saying is if the 32 losses are *his* record, damn straight yesterday was his win…
Harbaugh had better watch the film of Of the 3rd and 4th quarter and call those plays early and often. Especially the passing plays
Actually, there has rarely been any positive reaction when Alex has had a good ballgame- in fact, the commmon reaction is that he really didn’t play well- the receivers saved him, it was a weak team, he was lucky, the QB rating was misleading… I have NEVER seen this groundswell of expectation for Smith. Never happened. There’s a ittle bit of it now, as only resolute haters could possibly not acknowledge this great win. But the prevailing sentiment is the same as it’s been since at least 2007- he’s blamed for global warming, the San Bruno disaster, and the next earthquake…
most interesting is that virtually everyone acknowledges the terrible coaching in recent years- it’s been a hindrance to the whole team.. except Smith,who was the coach killer… when the reverse was true- or at least attempted. He’ll go to his grave with the tire tracks on his back.
Wow, You forgot commuter gridlock, he’s responsible for that too isn’t he? Ya know, there’s only a few that really want him crucified, most just want him to leave.
Well, tough shit, then. Maybe he’s your punishment for stepping on ant. Live with it.
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OOOOH ! i think i might be having a real positive reaction right now because alex smith had a good ballgame !
ummm or is it just me ???!!!
I think it’s a positive reaction to VD and Crabs.
You know I had that once…
Hey, like everyone says, if he reinvents himself, there’s very few people who will bemoan the fact. fans are a fickle lot. I’ve been all over the pace regarding Smith. As much as his career has been a roller coaster.
I’ve never accused Smith of being a coach killer. The past 3 coaches have had more than enough ability to do that on their own.
It was pretty telling though that NoFear suddenly disappeared when Smith came on in the 2nd half . . .
I will say, I’ve ALWAYS been a proponent of giving Smith an offense more suited to what he’s good at. It has barely happened. Even now. It’s really only one half, but the hope is they go forward with what they saw in the 2nd half. The Cincy game saw some roll outs. Got him in space to slow down the rushes and to find WRs. A few 3-4 WR sets. I saw some in the 2nd half, but I’m not sure about the 1st half.
I suddenly disappeared from what? Your blog?
I said Smith had a good half of a game. I don’t manufacture criticism just to bash some players I’ve pronounced good or bad like some talking donkey.
You’ve managed to change your position enough to suit Twinfan and now you’re coming after me you sycophantic piece of shit?
Who the fuck do you self-important assholes think you are to tell everybody what to think and how to be a ‘proper’ fan? Try to learn how to observe, learn about what the fuck it is your commenting about, and try to form your own opinion without regard to who’s going to approve.
The TEAM managed a good comeback on-the-road win against a team nobody gave them a chance to beat. That’s great and should be celebrated. It’s no time for nit-picking analysis.
Smith played his usual coach-killer self in the first half. Even Kevin Lynch, Smith’s biggest fan this side of Twinfan, truthfully stated.
Having a blogful of mealy mouthed invective launched at anybody falling short of blind unqualified worship for the guy is just your style.
Is this the new and improved blog with respect for others’ opinions and no more of twinfan’s personal attacks? I meant spitblood’s. Because it looks a lot like the old one still.
Could be it was the guy at the top all along, shithead.
Well, you did disappear once Smith started playing better. And look how fast you responded to this. Just an observation. I didn’t know you had me on speed dial.
Hyuk!
You guys make this shit SO much fun.
I’d rather get my teeth pulled w/o anesthetic.
Arnold the Pig was the shit. He out-acted that hack Eva Gabor. She was “Love Boat” quality at best.
Nailed it Chuck, Del’s okay!
So is that stoopid mook from Philly gonna ride his bike to SF or what? I’ve make some dumb bets in my life, but none that would force me to exercise.
Smith isn’t a coach killer. At worse it was assisted suicide
Doctor Kevorkian, is it, then?
lol. u guys are too funny.
Post of the day, Ted! Funny . . .
I should start that back up.
It’s a great day to be a 49er fan, player, coach! Great Fucking Day!
Thanks for lightening this shit up, guys.
It IS a great day. 2 game lead, a home game coming up, there’s actual buzz surrounding the team, and shit is looking up. Brief flash, or the start of something greater, yesterday’s game was the best in a long time.
Just as I would never assign a loss to a single player I’d also never *give a win* to a single player. Alex was instrumental in yesterday’s victory and they couldn’t have won it without his great play. But the fact is, if Justin Smith doesn’t knock that ball out, Philly likely would have driven for a game winning td. And Gore’s stud running in that last sequence was critical to them not getting the ball back.
There’s too much that goes on over the course of a football game to assign blame or give credit for the win to a single player.
Hell, that dumb kicker for Philly should get a game ball for his 2 stupid ass misses that allowed us to stay in the game……..
He’d need to split it with Mister Lateral at the Two Yard Line.
Let’s face it, it was not the Eagles’ finest moment.
Akers missed two. Wash.
Yeah, I was pretty clear that I thought that the two Smiths and Gore were the keys to the victory. Actually, all three Smiths had good games, We need more Smiths, I’d say..is the other Alex still in the league? That would be totally cool.