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| AP Photo/ Marcio Jose Sanchez |
By Matt Miselis
The San Francisco 49ers are emerging once again as Super Bowl contenders after coming up short in the NFC Title game against the New York Giants last year. In the off-season, the 49ers came to the realization that the team must be orchestrated around quarterback Alex Smith.
Last season, after years of disappointment, Smith finally displayed the skills needed to be an efficient quarterback under coach John Harbaugh. With the additions of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and AJ Jenkins, the 49ers ensured that Smith would have the weapons needed to finally emerge as a quarterback who could carry the team in the postseason.
Through seven games this season, though, people are questioning Smith’s ability and wondering if he is regressing as a quarterback. Although Smith is on track for a career high in yards and touchdowns, he is also making more mental mistakes, similar to what we saw during his rookie season.
He has already committed eight turnovers thus far, which is two less than he had in 2011. The biggest reason for his lack of improvement this season is because, quite frankly, he is not capable of becoming an elite quarterback.
Although he was drafted first overall by the 49ers in 2005, Smith doesn’t possess any outstanding physical qualities that resemble Aaron Rodgers, who was taken after Smith in the 2005 draft.
Defensive coordinators are realizing that the 49ers game plan has changed. While the running game may continue to be a priority for John Harbaugh’s team, it’s evident that Harbaugh is content with putting the game on his quarterback’s shoulders.
The idea doesn’t seem so farfetched. After all, with the abundance of offensive talent at Smith’s disposal, the 49ers should receive more of a boost from their offense instead of always relying on their elite defense.
Ultimately, this new strategy by the 49ers has led to below average performances by Smith when facing quality defense against the Giants, Vikings, and Seahawks.
There is no doubt that the 49ers could very well finish as the best team in the NFC in the regular season and gain home field advantage throughout the playoffs. However, their ultimate goal of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy seems less likely if Alex Smith can’t carry this team to the promised land.
The San Francisco 49ers are emerging once again as Super Bowl contenders after coming up short in the NFC Title game against the New York Giants last year. In the off-season, the 49ers came to the realization that the team must be orchestrated around quarterback Alex Smith.
Last season, after years of disappointment, Smith finally displayed the skills needed to be an efficient quarterback under coach John Harbaugh. With the additions of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and AJ Jenkins, the 49ers ensured that Smith would have the weapons needed to finally emerge as a quarterback who could carry the team in the postseason.
Through seven games this season, though, people are questioning Smith’s ability and wondering if he is regressing as a quarterback. Although Smith is on track for a career high in yards and touchdowns, he is also making more mental mistakes, similar to what we saw during his rookie season.
He has already committed eight turnovers thus far, which is two less than he had in 2011. The biggest reason for his lack of improvement this season is because, quite frankly, he is not capable of becoming an elite quarterback.
Although he was drafted first overall by the 49ers in 2005, Smith doesn’t possess any outstanding physical qualities that resemble Aaron Rodgers, who was taken after Smith in the 2005 draft.
Defensive coordinators are realizing that the 49ers game plan has changed. While the running game may continue to be a priority for John Harbaugh’s team, it’s evident that Harbaugh is content with putting the game on his quarterback’s shoulders.
The idea doesn’t seem so farfetched. After all, with the abundance of offensive talent at Smith’s disposal, the 49ers should receive more of a boost from their offense instead of always relying on their elite defense.
Ultimately, this new strategy by the 49ers has led to below average performances by Smith when facing quality defense against the Giants, Vikings, and Seahawks.
There is no doubt that the 49ers could very well finish as the best team in the NFC in the regular season and gain home field advantage throughout the playoffs. However, their ultimate goal of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy seems less likely if Alex Smith can’t carry this team to the promised land.
