Smith and Gradkowski finished week 7 (1 Viewer)

[Jackal King]

S. Hill - 6/11 - 45 yards passing - 0 TD's / 1 rush for 2 yards

A. Smith - 15/22 - 206 yards passing and 1 int - 3 TD's / 2 rushes for 16 yards

J. Russell - 6/11 - 61 yards passing and 2 int's - 0 TD's / 1 rush for 2 yards

B. Gradkowski - 10/19 - 97 yards - 0 TD's / 2 rushes for 25 yards

Back to the bench next week...or does either Smith or Grad get the start?

 

[jobarules]

Smith yes Bruce no

Just my prediction

 

[Avery]

Smith definitely earned the start and since logic seems to prevail in San Fran, I'd say he's a go.

In the black hole of logic and reason that is the Oakland Raiders...

 

[thriftyrocker]

Russell will still start.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/10/25/russell-wi...aiders-starter/

 

[Wilbur Wood]

Russell will still start.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/10/25/russell-wi...aiders-starter/

As he should. Bruce G does not even have the skills to be an NFL backup.

 

[Avery]

Russell will still start.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/10/25/russell-wi...aiders-starter/

As he should. Bruce G does not even have the skills to be an NFL backup.

How does that make him different that Russell?Edit to add: I'd include work ethic, decision making and ability to throw a semi-accurate swing pass in the necessarily skillset to be an NFL backup.

 

[TheBradyBunch]

Russell will still start.

http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/10/25/russell-wi...aiders-starter/

As he should. Bruce G does not even have the skills to be an NFL backup.

How does that make him different that Russell?

Extremely well-played!

 

[strong]

this makes sense. both were replaced relatively early in the games, which indicates the qbs were on very short leashes.

the 49ers have little invested in hill, and he's never been viewed as a franchise qb. he's had his chance and underperformed. smith came in and did very well--he now deserves a shot.

the raiders, on the other hand, have too much invested in russell. he's considered the (hopeful) franchise qb. he's had some time and underperformed--he's also said the wrong things to the media, seemingly placing blame every else but upon himself. benching him puts him on notice that if he under-performs / under-prepares, he'll see the pine. i don't think he's received this message until now--he seemed to be too c0cksure considering his performances. considering how much they're paying him (and the lack of serviceable talent behind him) the raiders need to do whatever they can to see if russell can at least be adequate. the raiders will learn a lot about russell depending on how he responds to this.

 

[Faust]

The ESPN radio analysts made an observation that the 49ers coaching staff views Hill as the guy who gives the team the best chance to win the game, but Smith is the guy who gives the team the best chance to come back from a deficit.

 

[sparkky]

I'm guessing Smith may well get a shot.

logic does not apply across the bay with senile Al calling the shots.

Ray Charles would have seen enough evidence to bench Russell by now.

 

[Otis]

The ESPN radio analysts made an observation that the 49ers coaching staff views Hill as the guy who gives the team the best chance to win the game, but Smith is the guy who gives the team the best chance to come back from a deficit.

That's kinda dumb. The offense should score points and not turn the ball over. Period.

 

[strong]

The ESPN radio analysts made an observation that the 49ers coaching staff views Hill as the guy who gives the team the best chance to win the game, but Smith is the guy who gives the team the best chance to come back from a deficit.

That's kinda dumb. The offense should score points and not turn the ball over. Period.

maybe kinda dumb but not totally dumb--if a team believes overall that a defensive strategy is best for their personnel, they may start the less spectacular qb--the one that cannot make quite as many throws but has less of a propensity to make mistakes/force plays. but once they get behind, the team may go with the riskier/playmaker qb since you are already behind. if the SF staff truly believes this, they may roll Hill out there again.