He made throws today that he just didn't make in the past. He stepped up in the pocket, slid around back there and just waited. He threw darts into windows between 3 defenders, he escaped pressure and hit his reads, he made snap decisions, and *gasp* took risks!
Smith is improving vastly. And today he looked like a really good QB. A second tier (not elite status that is) QB. He fits perfectly into this system, he's an outstanding leader, and he's determined to get better.
Still mis-throws a few balls, still would like to see him run a touch more although he's getting really good at using his feet only when he has to. But my list of things I want to see from him shortens ever week as he checks all my other doubts off the list.
He may never be considered great, but I think barring more injuries he's showing us that he can have a career being a real good starter in the NFL.
QB's I would take over Smith (for this year alone)
Tom Brady
Ryan Fitzpatrick (Debatable? Nod goes to Fitz)
Drew Brees
Matt Schaub
Eli Manning
Big Ben Philip Rivers
Aaron Rodgers Matt Ryan
Stafford
Romo Vick
Matt Hasslebeck (debatable? nod goes to hasslebeck) Joe Flacco Jay Culter (debatable? nod goes to hasslebeck) Sam Bradford (debatalbe? nod goes to bradfor)
So he's around 15-20 range at this point. Subject to change.
Smith is playing better than all of those players in bold. He's playing like a top 10 QB in the league thus far but I wouldn't put him in the top 10 yet. He needs to continue this play for the rest of the season and put up one more top 10 QB season before he joins the ranks.
From a bust to the starting QB of the 2nd best team in the NFL. Comeback player of the year!
Smith is playing better than all of those players in bold. He's playing like a top 10 QB in the league thus far but I wouldn't put him in the top 10 yet. He needs to continue this play for the rest of the season and put up one more top 10 QB season before he joins the ranks.
From a bust to the starting QB of the 2nd best team in the NFL. Comeback player of the year!
Smith is def playing like a top 10 QB this year. Amazing how Harbaugh and a new coaching staff brought out the talent and confidence in the dude.
Btw, it makes no sense for Smith to win comeback player of the year because he hasn't come back from anything. Remember, he was considered a bust.
Comeback awards are usually given to players who were great at one time in their career, disappeared or faded into obscurity for a long while, and then made a big resurgence later on.
Frontrunner for this award is Steve Smith (Carolina).
Smith IMO is the frontrunner for the Most Improved Player Award
Smith is def playing like a top 10 QB this year. Amazing how Harbaugh and a new coaching staff brought out the talent and confidence in the dude.
Btw, it makes no sense for Smith to win comeback player of the year because he hasn't come back from anything. Remember, he was considered a bust.
Comeback awards are usually given to players who were great at one time in their career, disappeared or faded into obscurity for a long while, and then made a big resurgence later on.
Frontrunner for this award is Steve Smith (Carolina).
Smith IMO is the frontrunner for the Most Improved Player Award
Well the award is a bit vague:
Quote:
The player named Comeback Player of the Year shows perseverance in overcoming adversity, in the form of not being in the NFL the previous year, a severe injury, or simply poor performance.
Smith was benched last year for David Carr and Troy Smith. Before the start of the season he was considered a bust, and many people still consider him to be a bust.
The fact that the Niners are one of the best teams in the NFL and Smith plays QB will help him in media attention. Doug Flutie and John Kitna won the awards in the past.......
Smith was benched last year for David Carr and Troy Smith. Before the start of the season he was considered a bust, and many people still consider him to be a bust.
The fact that the Niners are one of the best teams in the NFL and Smith plays QB will help him in media attention. Doug Flutie and John Kitna won the awards in the past.......
Although I dont agree, according to the criteria, he is eligible so you can disregard what I said before...lol
Anyhow props to Alex and Harbaugh...the success they're having was unforeseen by everyone
He'll take home hardware of some kind this season. And rightfully so. He may not have arrived completely but he's def on his way, I'm very happy to see him have success.
Even though I've become a huge bandwagon Niners fan (as soon as Harbaugh came on board), I've still continued to doubt Alex Smith. He didn't play well in the first 3 quarters, but he showed great toughness and played exceptionally well in the 4th and deciding quarter. I still don't think he's the answer long term but I'd love to be proved wrong.
Even though I've become a huge bandwagon Niners fan (as soon as Harbaugh came on board), I've still continued to doubt Alex Smith. He didn't play well in the first 3 quarters, but he showed great toughness and played exceptionally well in the 4th and deciding quarter. I still don't think he's the answer long term but I'd love to be proved wrong.
He played fine in the first 3 quarters. The offense was stagnant but it's not like he was having a horrible day. A lot of drops, a lot of pressure.
Uh he played ok. There is a different between adequate and good, typically SB teams require more than adequate play to win.
If Alex didn't have an all world defense he wouldn't be the answer. I think he works as a game manager.
Okay again we have this argument.
A winning team only requires what it requires to win. That's what he gave them today and all season. A game manager doesn't throw for 299 3 TD's and another rushing with 0 INTs in the spots he was in.
Re: Alex Smith
