Player Spotlight: Alex Smith & Shaun Hill (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2009 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 120 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Shaun Hill & Alex Smith, QBs, San Francisco 49ers

Player Page Link: Alex Smith Player Page

Player Page Link: Shaun Hill Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Attempts, Completions, Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[rzrback77]

The 49er QB battle in preseason workouts will probably be one of the more interesting battles across the league. It seems like all news accounts are calling it a toss-up. Alex Smith has the cred from his #1 overall draft pick in 05, but his career stats are atrocious. He has completed 54% of his passes with a 5.8 ypa. He has 19 passing TDs and 31 ints. He has not played in a game since week 10 of 2007, an inactive period that rivals that of Mike Vick. Shaun Hill on the other hand enters 09 as an undrafted 29 yr old who only played significantly last year. He played fairly well though, completing just under 63% ofg his attempts with a 7.1 ypa and 13 TDs and only 8 ints.

The Niners do not lack for weapons, but they are very young at the receiver position, other than Ike Bruce. Crabtree, Morgan, Hill, and Brandon Jones, as well as Vernon Davis all have talent and should improve their team perfgormance over a year ago.

Any projection on this situation has to come from the gut, because it is too close to call, but I favor the production of Shaun Hill from last year over the potential of the first overall pick Smith, even thought he is still very young.

Shaun Hill 320 completions in 500 attempts 64% for 3500 yards 7.0 ypa and 24 TDs with 15 ints