Watching a 49ers metamorphosis
It’s amazing what a beefed up offensive line, a new tight end
and a new offensive coordinator can do for a quarterback.
A year ago, 49er quarterback Alex Smith looked like the biggest
draft day bust since Jim Druckenmiller, and I agreed with it.
Watching a 49ers metamorphosis
It’s amazing what a beefed up offensive line, a new tight end and a new offensive coordinator can do for a quarterback.
A year ago, 49er quarterback Alex Smith looked like the biggest draft day bust since Jim Druckenmiller, and I agreed with it.
This year Smith looks like someone who was supposed to be the No. 1 draft pick in the NFL. In fact, in all the years I’ve been watching this game I don’t think I’ve seen a single quarterback make such a dramatic improvement from his rookie year to his sophomore season ever – Troy Aikman included.
And that’s welcome news to 49er fans everywhere, because if he keeps improving at the pace he is we could be witnessing the makings of another Hall of Fame quarterback coming out of the storied Niner organization.
A year ago, I never thought I’d be saying this. A year ago, Alex Smith was the worst QB in the NFL, bar none. Heck, he couldn’t even hang onto the football when he dropped back to make a pass, let alone throw one for a strike. Last season Smith fumbled the ball 11 times.
Most all of Smith’s passes last season were thrown too hard or way off the mark. He had no poise in the pocket and wouldn’t see the whole field. In a nutshell, he played like a deer in the headlights.
But now Smith looks like a completely different quarterback out there – like he finally understands the system and he knows he’s supposed to be where he is.
It looks as though the torch of greatness that passed from Montana to Young could now be being handed off to Alex Smith.
I know this sounds a little far-fetched after just a 1-1 start but it’s rapidly becoming obvious that this kid has the tools that can be forged into greatness.
He’s got the size, he can run and scramble, and he’s smart and has a cannon for an arm. All he needs now is confidence, which will come more and more with each passing week, especially if the Niners keep on winning.
Last year No. 11 played like Helen Keller – in total blindness as to what he needed to do. But that all seemed to change as quickly as a light switch goes from the “off” to the “on” position as soon as a guy named Norv Turner crossed over from the other side of the Bay to become the Niners’ offensive coordinator. It was like, presto-chango; Smith goes from a draft day nightmare to a talented NFL starter.
Smith still has a long, long way to go. He’s still a far cry from the Peyton Manning’s of the NFL and the Tom Brady’s but he’s taking huge steps each week.
Last season the 6-foot-4 QB had one touchdown toss, and had 11 interceptions to go with it. He threw for just 875 yards and had the lowest rating (40.8) of any starting quarterback in the NFL – ever.
Had the Niner front office not invested $50 million into the top pick in last year’s draft it’s safe to say that Smith might have been demoted to the practice squad or being playing in NFL Europe.
But like all first rounders, Smith was expected to be the starter. So coach Nolan and company sucked it up and gutted it out with the young QB last year through all of the sickening defeats week in and week out.
But now that patience is paying off in a big way. And suddenly Nolan, his staff and the Yorks don’t look like a bunch of idiots.
This year Smith already has 521 yards passing, two touchdown tosses and not a single interception. The result, a whopping 93.5 quarterback rating.
Granted, with the drafting of tight end Vernon Davis and the signing of Antonio Bryant the 49er front office has greatly increased the young quarterback’s arsenal of options and outlets but he still has to make the throw.
A year ago he flat out couldn’t get the job done, period, and wouldn’t have even if the Niners had T.O. and Randy Moss in the lineup.
As they say, good things come to those who wait. Cheer up Niner fans – the wait may soon be over.
