*** Official 2011 San Francisco 49ers Thread *** (1 Viewer)

[massraider]

Love the picks. Swinging at the fence for sure, but I like it.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Love the picks. Swinging at the fence for sure, but I like it.

Thanks gb. Looks like you guys had a pretty good draft as well.

 

[drummer]

So a 2nd round qb busts. I trust Harbaugh to be able to make him a serviceable qb.

The 49ers will still need a QB in 2013. They will probably draft another next year.

 

[BaBastage]

LOVE the Kapernick pick. he was my #2 QB (yah, i know, fwiw ) in this draft. i'm thrilled to get him this late. give him a year (i know it means smith again, sigh) and he will be our first legit qb since #5.getting a cb late was nice, though i prefer kenrick from Hampton. JMO

Does anyone think that Smith re-signs this year? Seems like SF used up a fair amount of draft ammo to get Kaepernick, so Alex is going to see the writing on the wall. As for the pick itself, I don't have much comment other than Harbaugh was brought in to find rough-diamond QB's. So I have to be cautiously optimistic that he sees something there that justified them reaching when they did.Can anyone share some insight to other teams that might have grabbed Kaepernick before the Niner's next pick had they not moved up?

 

[5Rings]

LOVE the Kapernick pick. he was my #2 QB (yah, i know, fwiw ) in this draft. i'm thrilled to get him this late. give him a year (i know it means smith again, sigh) and he will be our first legit qb since #5.

getting a cb late was nice, though i prefer kenrick from Hampton. JMO

Does anyone think that Smith re-signs this year?

Seems like SF used up a fair amount of draft ammo to get Kaepernick, so Alex is going to see the writing on the wall. As for the pick itself, I don't have much comment other than Harbaugh was brought in to find rough-diamond QB's. So I have to be cautiously optimistic that he sees something there that justified them reaching when they did.

Can anyone share some insight to other teams that might have grabbed Kaepernick before the Niner's next pick had they not moved up?

Yes. Harbaugh has been consistent with the same message (he wants Alex back) for months.Oakland, Cardinals, Redskins all teams who might have grabbed Colin.

@Young8--what do you see in Stanzi?

 

[Madscott]

LOVE the Kapernick pick. he was my #2 QB (yah, i know, fwiw ) in this draft. i'm thrilled to get him this late. give him a year (i know it means smith again, sigh) and he will be our first legit qb since #5.

getting a cb late was nice, though i prefer kenrick from Hampton. JMO

Does anyone think that Smith re-signs this year?

Seems like SF used up a fair amount of draft ammo to get Kaepernick, so Alex is going to see the writing on the wall. As for the pick itself, I don't have much comment other than Harbaugh was brought in to find rough-diamond QB's. So I have to be cautiously optimistic that he sees something there that justified them reaching when they did.

Can anyone share some insight to other teams that might have grabbed Kaepernick before the Niner's next pick had they not moved up?

Yes. Harbaugh has been consistent with the same message (he wants Alex back) for months.Oakland, Cardinals, Redskins all teams who might have grabbed Colin.

@Young8--what do you see in Stanzi?

Breadcrumbs per Rotoworld....

Alex Smith - QB - 49ers

GM Trent Baalke hinted Wednesday that an "olive branch has been extended" to free agent Alex Smith because of the difficulty in finding an available veteran well-versed in the West Coast offense.

Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck, Kevin Kolb, Josh Johnson, and even Marc Bulger (under Pat Shurmur in 2009) all have experience in the WCO. The Niners may not deem any in that group worth the cost to acquire their services. We're holding tight to the same opinion we voiced last year: This team is going nowhere with Smith under center.

Source: Sacramento Bee

Apr 21, 1:37 PM

Alex Smith - QB - 49ers

49ers GM Trent Baalke reiterated at a pre-draft press conference Wednesday that the team is very interested in re-signing free agent Alex Smith.

Baalke says an "olive branch" has been extended, and the Niners want to retain the former No. 1 overall pick. We've always believed San Francisco should aim higher for a starter, but Smith could be a passable bridge to a developmental rookie if the Niners don't intend to win more than six or so games.

Source: Associated Press

Apr 20, 5:12 PM

Alex Smith - QB - 49ers

The San Francisco Chronicle has seconded a recent Sacramento Bee report saying the 49ers truly want free agent Alex Smith as their quarterback in 2011.

The Chronicle has also confirmed the Bee's report that the Niners have a standing one-year offer to Smith, which he could sign whenever the transactions freeze is finally lifted. Smith is committed to testing the waters out on the open market, but he'll likely find his best, if not only, chance to start in 2011 will come with the 49ers.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Apr 17, 12:26 PM

Alex Smith - QB - 49ers

According to the Sacramento Bee, free agent Alex Smith already has a one-year offer on the table to re-sign with the 49ers.

Jim Harbaugh believes Smith has the "armadillo skin" to deal with a restless fanbase. Smith has been working out with several 49ers in the Bay area, and Harbaugh's comments have made it clear that he wants the six-year veteran back to compete for the starting job. Smith will get a chance to test the market before making a final decision.

Source: Sacramento Bee

Apr 13, 11:44 AM

Alex Smith - QB - 49ers

Prior to being locked out, free agent Alex Smith had been working out daily at the 49ers' team facility.

Much evidence has pointed toward Smith ultimately re-signing with the 49ers this offseason, but there have still been no definitive indications that he will be back. If he does end up signing elsewhere, it should be as a backup.

Source: Matt Maiocco on Twitter

Mar 12, 10:32 AM

 

[Mark Davis]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

 

[mcd]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

 

[Mark Davis]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

I do like Hunter at this spot. I'm not big on Culliver. Having seen him at South Carolina I also think he may have trouble sticking at CB, and I think that's what we really need instead of another safety.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

There were reports SF really wanted Dalton and when Cincy snagged him they made a move for their alternate.

 

[chinawildman]

The Hunter pick was money, not sure about Kaepernick though.

 

[BaBastage]

Yes. Harbaugh has been consistent with the same message (he wants Alex back) for months.Oakland, Cardinals, Redskins all teams who might have grabbed Colin.

I don't doubt that Harbaugh wants Alex Smith for another year, maybe two. I'm just not sure that Alex wants a job that has a sunset already in the works.At the same time, maybe he looks at it as his chance to be a starter for another year to help him get another starting gig somewhere else.Thanks for the info on the other teams, that helps justify the move up.

 

[drummer]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

Smith is done in SF. It's their problem that they both don't realize it yet. He just isn't very good.

 

[mcd]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

Smith is done in SF. It's their problem that they both don't realize it yet. He just isn't very good.

I agree he isn't "very good", but under Harbaugh he may be "pretty good". Which would be an improvement over anybody else we would bring in. Nolan's offense was very simple & predictable, it got even worse with Singletary. I'm not a Smith fan, but he wasn't the big problem with the offense as much as the system & play calling. To throw him out now, after an offensive guru was brought in, would just be compounding a bad situation. Harbaugh & Baalke have both already realized this as they try to lure him back, after Baalke had originally cut ties.

 

[drummer]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

Smith is done in SF. It's their problem that they both don't realize it yet. He just isn't very good.

I agree he isn't "very good", but under Harbaugh he may be "pretty good". Which would be an improvement over anybody else we would bring in. Nolan's offense was very simple & predictable, it got even worse with Singletary. I'm not a Smith fan, but he wasn't the big problem with the offense as much as the system & play calling. To throw him out now, after an offensive guru was brought in, would just be compounding a bad situation. Harbaugh & Baalke have both already realized this as they try to lure him back, after Baalke had originally cut ties.

The offense was simple and predictable due to the QB play and abilities. Martz was OC once you know. He had to water down his playbook a bit with Hill just like Turner did with Smith.

 

[5Rings]

Let's not floss over Smith's debergish ability to fumble or throw an int at the worst possible time. His numbers are better than he is. He's not a winner. If Harbaugh can change that he's coach if the year.

 

[mcd]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

Smith is done in SF. It's their problem that they both don't realize it yet. He just isn't very good.

I agree he isn't "very good", but under Harbaugh he may be "pretty good". Which would be an improvement over anybody else we would bring in. Nolan's offense was very simple & predictable, it got even worse with Singletary. I'm not a Smith fan, but he wasn't the big problem with the offense as much as the system & play calling. To throw him out now, after an offensive guru was brought in, would just be compounding a bad situation. Harbaugh & Baalke have both already realized this as they try to lure him back, after Baalke had originally cut ties.

The offense was simple and predictable due to the QB play and abilities. Martz was OC once you know. He had to water down his playbook a bit with Hill just like Turner did with Smith.

Let's agree to disagree. If you truly believe the play calling was watered down because of the QBs as opposed to being hand cuffed by the overly conservative Nolan/Singletary junior high school game plan, then there's no room for discussion. The predictability of that offense was comical, & by the time Singletary took over as Coach in 2008 Martz had been stripped of whatever game planning responsibilities he had. Anybody that watched that sequence that ended the 2008 Monday Night Arizona game knew that Martz was no longer in charge of that offense.

 

[drummer]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

Smith is done in SF. It's their problem that they both don't realize it yet. He just isn't very good.

I agree he isn't "very good", but under Harbaugh he may be "pretty good". Which would be an improvement over anybody else we would bring in. Nolan's offense was very simple & predictable, it got even worse with Singletary. I'm not a Smith fan, but he wasn't the big problem with the offense as much as the system & play calling. To throw him out now, after an offensive guru was brought in, would just be compounding a bad situation. Harbaugh & Baalke have both already realized this as they try to lure him back, after Baalke had originally cut ties.

The offense was simple and predictable due to the QB play and abilities. Martz was OC once you know. He had to water down his playbook a bit with Hill just like Turner did with Smith.

Let's agree to disagree. If you truly believe the play calling was watered down because of the QBs as opposed to being hand cuffed by the overly conservative Nolan/Singletary junior high school game plan, then there's no room for discussion. The predictability of that offense was comical, & by the time Singletary took over as Coach in 2008 Martz had been stripped of whatever game planning responsibilities he had. Anybody that watched that sequence that ended the 2008 Monday Night Arizona game knew that Martz was no longer in charge of that offense.

Martz dialed down the passing game due to Shaun Hill, but it was still the Martz offense he was running. Guess what? Even Steve Young and Ted Tollner thought the revised passing game was working, and both were disappointed that Singletary canned him for Raye. Even under Raye, Smith put up some of his best passing numbers but still was mediocre. Yeah, you have a point at ending this discussion. It's useless with you.

 

[Ghost of Bill Walsh]

I've warmed up to the picks a little more now but I'm still a little disappointed in the Culliver pick. I think we coulda done better with that one.

 

[thecatch]

There were reports SF really wanted Dalton and when Cincy snagged him they made a move for their alternate.

that would be inconsistent with the predraft buzz from the team that I read

 

[mcd]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

Smith is done in SF. It's their problem that they both don't realize it yet. He just isn't very good.

I agree he isn't "very good", but under Harbaugh he may be "pretty good". Which would be an improvement over anybody else we would bring in. Nolan's offense was very simple & predictable, it got even worse with Singletary. I'm not a Smith fan, but he wasn't the big problem with the offense as much as the system & play calling. To throw him out now, after an offensive guru was brought in, would just be compounding a bad situation. Harbaugh & Baalke have both already realized this as they try to lure him back, after Baalke had originally cut ties.

The offense was simple and predictable due to the QB play and abilities. Martz was OC once you know. He had to water down his playbook a bit with Hill just like Turner did with Smith.

Let's agree to disagree. If you truly believe the play calling was watered down because of the QBs as opposed to being hand cuffed by the overly conservative Nolan/Singletary junior high school game plan, then there's no room for discussion. The predictability of that offense was comical, & by the time Singletary took over as Coach in 2008 Martz had been stripped of whatever game planning responsibilities he had. Anybody that watched that sequence that ended the 2008 Monday Night Arizona game knew that Martz was no longer in charge of that offense.

Martz dialed down the passing game due to Shaun Hill, but it was still the Martz offense he was running. Guess what? Even Steve Young and Ted Tollner thought the revised passing game was working, and both were disappointed that Singletary canned him for Raye. Even under Raye, Smith put up some of his best passing numbers but still was mediocre. Yeah, you have a point at ending this discussion. It's useless with you.

Don't take it personally Drummer, we're both 49er fans(i think). I'm not a Smith fan, but your dislike for him is clouding your opinion. Why throw him out if there are not any better options?But... if we're going to use Tollner as an expert opinion:<<And despite Smith’s career trajectory, Tollner, an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach with San Francisco in 2007-08, maintains the best is yet to come. “I think he’s real close to becoming a quarterback that can lead the Niners to a championship,” Tollner said this week. “And that’s just my opinion because I know he has athleticism. I know he can throw the ball with enough velocity. I know he works like mad on his preparation so that he can make good decisions.”>>As far as Young goes, I loved him as a player, but I just can't listen to him as a broadcaster. The guy just likes to hear himself talk way too much.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

There were reports SF really wanted Dalton and when Cincy snagged him they made a move for their alternate.

that would be inconsistent with the predraft buzz from the team that I read

It surprised me as well but twas reported on foxsports. Can we get the thread subtitle updated to something catchier? TIA.

 

[drummer]

Kendall Hunter, interesting they would choose to go RB

49ers have said all along that they would go after a player to take Westbrooks spot. I like Hunter as the 3rd head of the RB attack. Also going to put faith in Harbaugh that he got the QB he wanted in Kapernick. Harbaugh develops QBs & Kapernick has all the tools to be a good one, that's what Harbaugh was brought in for. Not real big on Chris Culliver in the 3rd, he appears to be another CB that will end up playing Safety for the team, something the 49ers seem to draft on a yearly basis.I'm also pulling for Alex Smith to be resigned. He really does have many of the characteristics that Harbaugh looks for in a QB. The Nolan/Singletary years had some of the poorest offensive coaching/play calling I have ever seen, I don't put that all on Smith. If Harbaugh is what we have been lead to believe he is, he will be able to win with Smith.

Smith is done in SF. It's their problem that they both don't realize it yet. He just isn't very good.

I agree he isn't "very good", but under Harbaugh he may be "pretty good". Which would be an improvement over anybody else we would bring in. Nolan's offense was very simple & predictable, it got even worse with Singletary. I'm not a Smith fan, but he wasn't the big problem with the offense as much as the system & play calling. To throw him out now, after an offensive guru was brought in, would just be compounding a bad situation. Harbaugh & Baalke have both already realized this as they try to lure him back, after Baalke had originally cut ties.

The offense was simple and predictable due to the QB play and abilities. Martz was OC once you know. He had to water down his playbook a bit with Hill just like Turner did with Smith.

Let's agree to disagree. If you truly believe the play calling was watered down because of the QBs as opposed to being hand cuffed by the overly conservative Nolan/Singletary junior high school game plan, then there's no room for discussion. The predictability of that offense was comical, & by the time Singletary took over as Coach in 2008 Martz had been stripped of whatever game planning responsibilities he had. Anybody that watched that sequence that ended the 2008 Monday Night Arizona game knew that Martz was no longer in charge of that offense.

Martz dialed down the passing game due to Shaun Hill, but it was still the Martz offense he was running. Guess what? Even Steve Young and Ted Tollner thought the revised passing game was working, and both were disappointed that Singletary canned him for Raye. Even under Raye, Smith put up some of his best passing numbers but still was mediocre. Yeah, you have a point at ending this discussion. It's useless with you.

Don't take it personally Drummer, we're both 49er fans(i think). I'm not a Smith fan, but your dislike for him is clouding your opinion. Why throw him out if there are not any better options?But... if we're going to use Tollner as an expert opinion:<<And despite Smith’s career trajectory, Tollner, an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach with San Francisco in 2007-08, maintains the best is yet to come. “I think he’s real close to becoming a quarterback that can lead the Niners to a championship,” Tollner said this week. “And that’s just my opinion because I know he has athleticism. I know he can throw the ball with enough velocity. I know he works like mad on his preparation so that he can make good decisions.”>>As far as Young goes, I loved him as a player, but I just can't listen to him as a broadcaster. The guy just likes to hear himself talk way too much.

The Tollner quote is from 2007-2008. Now I'm not taking this personally at all, but since then, 49er fans on other sites that I post on have broken down Smith to death. I've seen him game in and out, broke down almost every game, went through every basic and advanced stats and game logs, splits, etc. Smith is probably the most over analysed 49er QB who in the final analysis is just not very good. I don't buy all of the coaching change crap. Despite Nolan being a bad choice to head the rebuild (John York did something stupid in not having a real GM over him), he at least brought in 3 great offensive minds in McCarthy, Turner, and Martz. The switch from Hill to Smith under Raye meant more down field throws and opened the offense up more, and the statistics show that. So it's bogus that Smith was under a conservative offense. The ***us to run the ball more with Smith at QB and a stud like Gore at RB makes sense, because without Gore, defenses will key in on Smith. The irony of that Tollner quote is that Smith still hasn't proven worthy of it since. I know more about the QB situation than you think I do, and really, you're not adding jack squat to this so called "discussion", other than circling around the word "Hater". Typical.

 

[LOD]

really didnt like the 49ers draft at all, reached at 7 with the DE, and they blew the pick on CRAPPERNICK. Horrible pick. He is just a younger Alex Smith. Saw him play a lot here in Boise, and he is horrible over the middle has a rocket of an arm but not accurate at all. The Pistol Offense is a Gimmick College offense and works against horrible teams. This is Alex Smith all over. Newton will struggle and so will he no spread or Pistol QB is every successful. Great news is we can have both Smith and him play and we can hope for the #1 pick next year Bring on LUCK... Lets hope Harbaugh knows what he is doing or we are going to get a Vet QB or as bad as the NFC is we did not improve at all in the draft. Huge Fan, gotta love your team but gotta question the move recently. AND PLEASE do not bring back Alex Smith, Hell Bring Back Jeff Garcia do better then him... Heres to Luck as a 49er in 2012, sorry panthers you will suck even more this year and lets hope this lockout garbage is over...

 

[TheWheel]

The best thing about Alex Smith (who is going to come back) is that he can greatly assist in Kaepernicks transition under center.

Aldon Smith sounds like just what the 49ers need. A versatile tough guy that can move around and play multiple positions.

You guys might be negative nancies, but I honestly believe this team is not that far away from success. Offensively they are pretty set. This OLine should absolutely dominate.

And are you guys forgetting that Harbaugh is a supposed QB guru? Alex Smith has been a complete bust as of now, but the guy really can't be that terrible. It's been five years and the guy is still getting opportunities. With Harbaugh he could be someone special again.

Expect a big splash in free agency.

 

[Donnybrook]

Does Harbaugh actually want to re-develop Smith or does he want a cheaper starter who can play one year while he gets Kaepernick ready to play? Smith = Tim Rattay. If they sign him to a 2 year contract or less than it will be obvious.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

You guys might be negative nancies, but I honestly believe this team is not that far away from success. Offensively they are pretty set. This OLine should absolutely dominate.

There are always some pessimistic folk. The Niner's track record warrants skepticism. There are lots of people who think this team is close to being division champs.

And are you guys forgetting that Harbaugh is a supposed QB guru? Alex Smith has been a complete bust as of now, but the guy really can't be that terrible. It's been five years and the guy is still getting opportunities. With Harbaugh he could be someone special again.Expect a big splash in free agency.

Alex Smith really can be that terrible. The coaching has mostly been awful and it's rare for a top draft pick to lose his chances after one or two years. Combine that with injuries and ineptitude from the ownership/coaching staff/front office and you have a perfect storm of suck.

 

[chinawildman]

Does Harbaugh actually want to re-develop Smith or does he want a cheaper starter who can play one year while he gets Kaepernick ready to play? Smith = Tim Rattay. If they sign him to a 2 year contract or less than it will be obvious.

If it's one thing I'll give Smith, it's that he is not a quitter. I'm sure he is eager to show niner fans that he can succeed as a QB in the NFL and I think he realizes his best chance to do so is under Harbaugh's tutelage, and at least try to increase his FA value for next year. It's a win-win situation for both parties. However there is no way Smith is in SF's long term plans considering they traded up to get Kaepernick.

 

[RUSF18]

really didnt like the 49ers draft at all, reached at 7 with the DE, and they blew the pick on CRAPPERNICK. Horrible pick. He is just a younger Alex Smith. Saw him play a lot here in Boise, and he is horrible over the middle has a rocket of an arm but not accurate at all. The Pistol Offense is a Gimmick College offense and works against horrible teams. This is Alex Smith all over. Newton will struggle and so will he no spread or Pistol QB is every successful. Great news is we can have both Smith and him play and we can hope for the #1 pick next year Bring on LUCK... Lets hope Harbaugh knows what he is doing or we are going to get a Vet QB or as bad as the NFC is we did not improve at all in the draft. Huge Fan, gotta love your team but gotta question the move recently. AND PLEASE do not bring back Alex Smith, Hell Bring Back Jeff Garcia do better then him... Heres to Luck as a 49er in 2012, sorry panthers you will suck even more this year and lets hope this lockout garbage is over...

If you supported hiring Harbaugh, you have to support this move. If you didn't, feel free to be critical of it.

 

[thecatch]

Does Harbaugh actually want to re-develop Smith or does he want a cheaper starter who can play one year while he gets Kaepernick ready to play? Smith = Tim Rattay. If they sign him to a 2 year contract or less than it will be obvious.

If it's one thing I'll give Smith, it's that he is not a quitter. I'm sure he is eager to show niner fans that he can succeed as a QB in the NFL and I think he realizes his best chance to do so is under Harbaugh's tutelage, and at least try to increase his FA value for next year. It's a win-win situation for both parties. However there is no way Smith is in SF's long term plans considering they traded up to get Kaepernick.

I don't think this is a "win" for Smith. Sure, he gets another shot at significant playing time, but he's also in a situation where he will have to learn (yet another) new system in a lockout-shortened offseason, with a hostile home crowd who will be chanting for the rookie QB as soon as Smith has a poor series. If I were him, I'd go offer my services to be a backup someplace where he can sit for a year or two for a good organization, maybe come into games late and put up good numbers in garbage time, sort of like how Leftwich managed to convince another team to hand him a starter's spot after he spent a couple years in Pittsburgh.On the flip side, for the 49ers I'd prefer they find a veteran starter who they can afford to give a little bit longer leash than they'll be able to give Smith. The worst thing that could happen is for the team to be forced into playing Kaepernick by mid-season. Definitely want to give him a year on the bench.

 

[5Rings]

Does Harbaugh actually want to re-develop Smith or does he want a cheaper starter who can play one year while he gets Kaepernick ready to play? Smith = Tim Rattay. If they sign him to a 2 year contract or less than it will be obvious.

If it's one thing I'll give Smith, it's that he is not a quitter. I'm sure he is eager to show niner fans that he can succeed as a QB in the NFL and I think he realizes his best chance to do so is under Harbaugh's tutelage, and at least try to increase his FA value for next year. It's a win-win situation for both parties. However there is no way Smith is in SF's long term plans considering they traded up to get Kaepernick.

I don't think this is a "win" for Smith. Sure, he gets another shot at significant playing time, but he's also in a situation where he will have to learn (yet another) new system in a lockout-shortened offseason, with a hostile home crowd who will be chanting for the rookie QB as soon as Smith has a poor series. If I were him, I'd go offer my services to be a backup someplace where he can sit for a year or two for a good organization, maybe come into games late and put up good numbers in garbage time, sort of like how Leftwich managed to convince another team to hand him a starter's spot after he spent a couple years in Pittsburgh.On the flip side, for the 49ers I'd prefer they find a veteran starter who they can afford to give a little bit longer leash than they'll be able to give Smith. The worst thing that could happen is for the team to be forced into playing Kaepernick by mid-season. Definitely want to give him a year on the bench.

Very good points. Only question is--is there a vet QB out there? If available, not so sure Hasselback/VY will come for 1 year...Bulger is terrible (please sign in AZ)...

 

[thecatch]

Only question is--is there a vet QB out there? If available, not so sure Hasselback/VY will come for 1 year...Bulger is terrible (please sign in AZ)...

I think Hasselbeck would be a great add. Better than Smith and, worst case, they would at least be weakening a divisional rival (assuming Seattle doesn't make a move for Kolb).

 

[Dr. Awesome]

By far the most frustrating thing about Smith is he actually flashes moments of incredible talent. Not just being a mediocre player, but being a stud qb who can carry a team. Those moments rarely last more than one or two drives but they do exist. I swear it seems to happen when he gets pissed off and determined to prove everything wrong.

 

[thehornet]

By far the most frustrating thing about Smith is he actually flashes moments of incredible talent. Not just being a mediocre player, but being a stud qb who can carry a team. Those moments rarely last more than one or two drives but they do exist. I swear it seems to happen when he gets pissed off and determined to prove everything wrong.

Don;t take this the wrong way, Doc, but every single QB in the NFL has shown flashes of incredible talent. That's why they are in the NFL. Smith sucks and he always will.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

By far the most frustrating thing about Smith is he actually flashes moments of incredible talent. Not just being a mediocre player, but being a stud qb who can carry a team. Those moments rarely last more than one or two drives but they do exist. I swear it seems to happen when he gets pissed off and determined to prove everything wrong.

Don;t take this the wrong way, Doc, but every single QB in the NFL has shown flashes of incredible talent. That's why they are in the NFL. Smith sucks and he always will.

No worries. I'm firmly in the Smith sucks camp but do not believe every qb has flashed an elite ability.

 

[chinawildman]

By far the most frustrating thing about Smith is he actually flashes moments of incredible talent.

Not sure I agree with this.. I don't Smith has ever had a play where it made me go "WOW". I think Nate Davis wow'd me more than Smith did in a much shorter time span.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

A few games last year he helped bring the game to a closer defeat. IIRC he did it against the Saints and a few others.

 

[Wingnut]

There were reports SF really wanted Dalton and when Cincy snagged him they made a move for their alternate.

that would be inconsistent with the predraft buzz from the team that I read

It surprised me as well but twas reported on foxsports. Can we get the thread subtitle updated to something catchier? TIA.

Sure thing.First post also updated to include draft picks, schedule, etc

 

[destro]

What's the SF homers take on the Niner's backfield?

Gore is still the bellcow, of course, but any insight into how much Dixon/Hunter eat into his carries this year?

Who's the probable #2 this year? Who do you believe is Gore's likely successor?

Thanks in advance.

 

[chinawildman]

What's the SF homers take on the Niner's backfield?Gore is still the bellcow, of course, but any insight into how much Dixon/Hunter eat into his carries this year?Who's the probable #2 this year? Who do you believe is Gore's likely successor?Thanks in advance.

Word has it that Dixon's been asked to gain weight and perhaps play fullback... an interesting turn, though if he becomes a capable lead blocker I can see him playing the role of a William FLoyd or Rathman in Harbaugh's WCO. Dixon has quick feet and is surprisingly natural at catching the ball during his days at MSU.Gore IMO looked a bit sluggish last year, but I'm not sure how much of that was attributed to the shabby offensive gameplanning. He did have his moments in several games and was well on his way to a 200yd day against the cards before his hip gave out. They've already said that they want Gore to be the main tailback, though I'd venture to guess he'll never break 300 carries again in one season. That said, Gore is only 27 yrs old and has surprisingly little wear.I've posted in other threads about this, but I am a huge fan of Kendall Hunter. He is basically a smaller compact version of Gore. Similar running styles, patient, good short area acceleration through the hole, but not great long speed. He showed at the senior bowl that he's a capable blocker and I believe the coaches have mentioned during conference calls that they envision him contributing on returns. Dave Razzano called him a "better" version of McCluster so it's possible the niners staff see the same. I would not be surprised to see him in a McCluster/Stephens-Howling type role this season.

 

[mcd]

Some interesting quotes on the 49er draft from the Matt Williamson chat on ESPN today:

<<c (oakland) Thoughts on 49ers picks of Smith, CK and Hunter? Think the rest were all reaches/projects?

Matt Williamson (12:08 PM)

The CK pick might have been my favorite of the entire draft. Cincy will regret passing on him for Dalton. Kaepernick is going to be a star-and going to a great situation. Love it. Smith is fine, but would have preferred Quinn...but I bet Quinn's medical was the reason for that. Smith is going to get big though. Saw him more of a 4-3 DE fit. But he will get after the QB in the meantime. Hunter pick was excellent too. Great complement/backup to Gore.>>

A follow up question asked who would be the top QB from this draft in 3 years & Williamson answered Gabbert or Kaepernick.

Personally, I always feel like coaching has just as much to do with a QBs success or failure as talent does. Just as much as I feel like Smith was hurt by his coaches philosophy, I really like what Harbaugh should be able to do with Kaepernick.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

What's the SF homers take on the Niner's backfield?Gore is still the bellcow, of course, but any insight into how much Dixon/Hunter eat into his carries this year?Who's the probable #2 this year? Who do you believe is Gore's likely successor?Thanks in advance.

Nobody imo will eat into Gore's carries any more than the backup does for any other team. Gore's replacement is not on this team.

 

[BaBastage]

I'm pretty sure anyone following this thread has already done their research on Kaepernick, but for the few fairweather fans, here's a nice writeup on him after the combine and before the draft.

Why Nevada's Colin Kaepernick Is the Best of the Bunch

I wasn't second guessing Harbaugh's pick - but this is still nice to read as a Niners' fan.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

That was a fantastic article. I didn't realize Kaepernick was THAT much of a scrambler.

 

[Wingnut]

That was a fantastic article. I didn't realize Kaepernick was THAT much of a scrambler.

Some impressive numbers for sure. He seems to have more than enough talent for Harbaugh to work with, I cant wait to see him play.And I didnt realize his name was pronounced CAPPER-nik, I thought it was kuh-PER-nik

 

[BaBastage]

One thing though, and not to degrade his numbers, is that he started 4 years.

While that is amazing, and perhaps one indicator of his experience and potential, it does change the straight numerical comparison to his counterparts that started 1, 2, or 3 years in college.

Still Impressive though, and I'm going to allow myself a bit of optimism...if training ever starts.

 

[BaBastage]

Allright.. at risk of sounding like I'm developing a man-crush:

Here's when the legend began

Basically, the freshman comes in the second quarter of game 5, replacing the injured QB, and proceeds to go 23-of-36 for 384 yards, 4 td's. And added 60 yards and a td on the ground in a losing effort. If only he'd had that first quarter...

I sure would like to have been at that game.

 

[chinawildman]

Allright.. at risk of sounding like I'm developing a man-crush:

Here's when the legend began

Basically, the freshman comes in the second quarter of game 5, replacing the injured QB, and proceeds to go 23-of-36 for 384 yards, 4 td's. And added 60 yards and a td on the ground in a losing effort. If only he'd had that first quarter...

I sure would like to have been at that game.

Here are highlights from his first ever start (the week after the aforementioned game) against what was then an up and coming Boise St. team.

 

[Dr. Awesome]

He seems a tad shy in many of his interviews. But I'm happy he's a Niner. Only a matter of time before he's leading this team to a Super Bowl!

 

[BaBastage]

Here are highlights from his first ever start (the week after the aforementioned game) against what was then an up and coming Boise St. team.

Thanks for those clips! For a freshman, he did put some zip on that ball