Official 49ers Thread

[Sizzle]

I like Alex Smith and wish him success.

I have felt the same. But his success isn't coming in San Fran. I think as a backup, he's perfect. But IMO, he doesn't have the killer instinct (at least he hasn't shown it in SF) to be a winner in the NFL.

[Pheidippides]

I'll even wish Max Hall success if he will just shut up about his rant.

The fact that he hasn't - and that it bugs people like you enough to mention it out of thin air - makes him my favorite rivalry player ever.

[LA Ute]

I have felt the same. But his success isn't coming in San Fran. I think as a backup, he's perfect. But IMO, he doesn't have the killer instinct (at least he hasn't shown it in SF) to be a winner in the NFL.

I'm more willing to cut Alex some slack. With the team he's had and the carpricious head coach he had to deal with prior to Singletary I am not sure a killer instinct would have made any difference. Besides, I think he has one. He does need to get out of SF.

[LA Ute]

The fact that he hasn't - and that it bugs people like you enough to mention it out of thin air - makes him my favorite rivalry player ever.

It just makes him hard to like. And you're too smart to endorse what he did.*


*As I've said many times, he just made a stupid, ill-advised and terribly unsportsmanlike. What has always amazed me here is that exactly one Cougar fan (myboynoah) has been willing to say Max shouldn't have said what he did. That's what I have fun with.

[Pheidippides]

It just makes him hard to like. And you're too smart to endorse what he did.*


*As I've said many times, he just made a stupid, ill-advised and terribly unsportsmanlike. What has always amazed me here is that exactly one Cougar fan (myboynoah) has been willing to say Max shouldn't have said what he did. That's what I have fun with.

On the contrary, I endorse it whole-heartedly. I can't even remember what it was, but as a disciple of the Gospel of Frank Zappa (they're just words!) I think the reaction is awesomely hilarious.

[Sizzle]

I'm more willing to cut Alex some slack. With the team he's had and the carpricious head coach he had to deal with prior to Singletary I am not sure a killer instinct would have made any difference. Besides, I think he has one. He does need to get out of SF.

I've been willing to cut him some slack, as I don't know that many QBs could thrive in the situation he has been in, but I just haven't seen that willing to win at all costs. I look at the game last night on the "TD" that was reversed. That is the type of play that a player with killer instinct stretches out for to get the TD instead of curling up in a ball to soften the blow. A few plays before he could have ran for a first down (or gotten close) but he threw the ball high and out of bounds. He has a nice streak of 110 red zone passes or so without an INT, which is great. But you have to be willing to take shots. I could have a similar streak just throwing the ball out of the back of the end zone too, there comes a time when you have to take those risks if you have that killer instinct. Sometimes when you focus too much on not making mistakes, you don't let yourself make the plays you need to. Like Favre, as much as I hate the guy and as many INTs as he has thrown, he's not afraid to go out and sling it around. It is why I loved Max Hall. He threw some costly INTs, but he made more big plays because he was willing to take those chances.

Smith is very sharp, almost to a detriment to his game. It looks like he is thinking and worrying about protecting the ball instead of going out and playing. How many times last night did we see a 3rd and 8+ with a 4 yard throw to a guy who was covered with no shot to get the first? I'm not sure how much of that is the play calling (I'm sure some of it is) and how much of it is Smith making poor reads (probably part of it as well) but it just isn't getting done. Which is why I think both Smith and probably the OC need to go.

[LA Ute]

On the contrary, I endorse it whole-heartedly. I can't even remember what it was, but as a disciple of the Gospel of Frank Zappa (they're just words!) I think the reaction is awesomely hilarious.

Fine, so you're a commie and foe of The American Way too. It all makes sense now.

[Pheidippides]

Fine, so you're a commie and foe of The American Way too. It all makes sense now.

Shall I cast in my line a third time?

[LA Ute]

Shall I cast in my line a third time?

No, don't make it any worse for yourself. You're on enough lists as it is.

[Sizzle]

Sing gets canned. My money is on Harbaugh being the lead dog right now.

I'd guess the coaches with a chance include:

Harbaugh
Gruden
Billick

They either go experience or try and tap the Stanford magic again. I think those guys are in my preferred order as well. I'd love Cowher as well but I don't think he is an option for SF. He should be their first call though for coach/GM. Give him what he needs to succeed.

I also hope they lose next week. Gotta get in position to draft a QB!

[DrumNFeather]

Sing gets canned. My money is on Harbaugh being the lead dog right now.

I'd guess the coaches with a chance include:

Harbaugh
Gruden
Billick

They either go experience or try and tap the Stanford magic again. I think those guys are in my preferred order as well. I'd love Cowher as well but I don't think he is an option for SF. He should be their first call though for coach/GM. Give him what he needs to succeed.

I also hope they lose next week. Gotta get in position to draft a QB!

They, like Utah basketball need to hit a homerun with the next coach.

[BigPiney]

Sing gets canned. My money is on Harbaugh being the lead dog right now.

I'd guess the coaches with a chance include:

Harbaugh
Gruden
Billick

They either go experience or try and tap the Stanford magic again. I think those guys are in my preferred order as well. I'd love Cowher as well but I don't think he is an option for SF. He should be their first call though for coach/GM. Give him what he needs to succeed.

I also hope they lose next week. Gotta get in position to draft a QB!

I like that list. Harbaugh is the they guy they need to go after, no doubt. Please be the second coming of Bill Walsh.

[RC Vikings]

Just one more example of a very good/great player who can't get it done on the sidelines.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

It's a buyer's market for coaches this year, so the Niners did what should have been done.

I look at what KC has done with Matt Kassel and then I look at Kevin Kolb's situation in Philly. His contract only goes through 2011, so I'm wondering if Philly would entertain some trade offers this offseason. Offer a high draft pick along with either Troy Smith or Alex Smith. I think either would be a pretty good backup for Philly.

[Sizzle]

It's a buyer's market for coaches this year, so the Niners did what should have been done.

I look at what KC has done with Matt Kassel and then I look at Kevin Kolb's situation in Philly. His contract only goes through 2011, so I'm wondering if Philly would entertain some trade offers this offseason. Offer a high draft pick along with either Troy Smith or Alex Smith. I think either would be a pretty good backup for Philly.

I'd also add Matt Schaub in Houston as a guy who was a backup and went on to starter success.

Much like coaches, I think there are going to be a few QBs available this offseason that might not be terrible fits depending on the direction that the organization goes:

Potential Franchise QBs:
Kolb

Guys to Hold Down Fort if Franchise QB is drafted in Round 1:
Carson Palmer
Kyle Orton
David Garrard

Wildcard:
Vince Young