2011 NFL Thread: The Final Four

[Denny67]

I think proportionally the Giants are more improved than SF is since then, but it is still at SF (even though Giants are good on the road now) and both teams are emboldened by their playoff wins right now. Like before...a 2-1/2 favor for Sf for playign at home sounds like a fair assessment. It really is a toss-up.

IMO it is going to boil down to who has the better game plan and who does a better job of not giving up the ball.

 

[KalMart]

And who gets the ball last....again.

 

[Duke]

I can't help it, but now that Rodgers & the Packers are gone they'll have more time to do those State Farm commercials.

 

[Denny67]

I can't help it, but now that Rodgers & the Packers are gone they'll have more time to do those State Farm commercials.

Discout Double Choke?

 

[KalMart]

I was actually shocked how common a term that was for it during all the highlights etc. for this. This guy was just doing a few commercials...stupid ones...and it just stuck like it was supposed to be named that. Life imitating advertising. t:

 

[Denny67]

Yeah I'm not going to read all your 49ers message board posts. Not because I don't believe you, it's just I don't care that much really.

Look, maybe it's true. Maybe you really are Alex Smith's #1 fan, maybe you're Alex Smith, I don't know. But I'm going to question anyone who at this point in the game comes out after one good game and says "Yeah, I'm not shocked he led us down the field and threw a game winning touchdown". It's the nature of sports and you can blame people jumping on the bandwagon for that. However, even if you think Alex Smith is the best QB ever, there's no way viewing his history and past work with 18 coaches and coordinators you saw him leading them down the field the way he did, against the Saints of all teams. You might have wanted it, you might have believed it was possible, but when the Saints went ahead with a TD there wasn't one person that was like "Oh yeah Alex Smith is the guy to lead us down the field here" as if he has Brady like abilities. I'm sorry, again it might be true but there's a lot of that "Yeah I knew it all along" sentiment going around when 99.9% of it is ********.

First off you did not "question" anything you assumed (incorrectly I might add) based on nothing more than arrogance. Secondly the point about Alex leading the team back at the end of the Saints game is moot. Although he has done it before for the 49ers, there is rarely a time when any fan of an team, during the course of watching a game just assumes a player is just going to execute a winning drive. Not Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jeff Garcia… none of them were a “given” in the moment.

I think you are having a hard time distinguishing the difference between belief and appreciation of a player and clairvoyance.


As far as bandwagon? I've 49er fan since I can remember (30 YEARS+) as are most of my family (All Bay Area born ) and we've seen the best and worst from my team, including a decade of no playoff appearances and 2-14 seasons. You can take that bandwagon **** and with all due respect, shove it.

 

[KalMart]

It's still kinda' crazy to think how quiet the Niners have been since the Young era. I was just reading about Parcells revisiting '90 NFC title game (some people are still surprised when I tell them who two of his coaches were), and it really doesn't feel like long ago. I hated (but respected) the niners so much back then for being so damn good. These days, I'd like to see them get back to being contenders again each year because, to be honest, that's what they're supposed to be and I kinda' miss that. I always hated Harbaugh...but heck, he's workin' great for them and should easily get coach of the year.

 

[Darthphere]

First off you did not "question" anything you assumed (incorrectly I might add) based on nothing more than arrogance. Secondly the point about Alex leading the team back at the end of the Saints game is moot. Although he has done it before for the 49ers, there is rarely a time when any fan of an team, during the course of watching a game just assumes a player is just going to execute a winning drive. Not Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jeff Garcia… none of them were a “given” in the moment.

I think you are having a hard time distinguishing the difference between belief and appreciation of a player and clairvoyance.


As far as bandwagon? I've 49er fan since I can remember (30 YEARS+) as are most of my family (All Bay Area born ) and we've seen the best and worst from my team, including a decade of no playoff appearances and 2-14 seasons. You can take that bandwagon **** and with all due respect, shove it.

It seems you have an issue with reading comprehension. I never said you were jumping on the bandwagon. Complete opposite actually. I said you have all those bandwagon jumpers to blame for people questioning your stance on Alex Smith.

Now to the meat of your post. Um, ridiculous? Yeah people would expect Joe Montana and Steve Young to lead the team down the field and win the game. Because unlike Alex Smith, they had that history and were elite quarterbacks from the get go in their careers. Not 7 years after they were drafted they decide to have a slightly above average season. So please, stop being ridiculous.

You actually pretty much admitted I was right in saying you or no one believed Alex Smith was going to lead that game winning drive. There are certain players you just assume are going to lead the team back. Brady, Montana, Young hell if Drew Brees was given 45 seconds I would be like "Well here he comes, too much time on the clock."

I find it amusing you're here defending the **** out of Alex Smith but pretty much admit you didn't have faith in him to execute that game winning drive. And I find it shocking that you as a 49ers fan wouldn't think that Montana and Young could do it either.

 

[kane9321]

Yup and even the national media is eating crow for bashing Alex Smith all of these years. The guy is good. All he has ever needed was a coach with a clue and some team/playbook stability. We beat the Giants before and we can do it again.

To answer Collin’s question… No I was not nor should any 49er fan who has really watch Alex over the years and has any knowledge of the game.

i've been an alex supporter since we first drafted him. It doesnt surprise me one bit that he's playing good ball. We had a crap team, then add to the mix the revolving door at offensive cordinator,two stupid head coaches.He was in a terrible situation since he took his first snap. Finally with harbaugh and our version of the "west coast offense" alex is finally comfortable.

 

[Matt]

i've been an alex supporter since we first drafted him. It doesnt surprise me one bit that he's playing good ball. We had a crap team, then add to the mix the revolving door at offensive cordinator,two stupid head coaches.He was in a terrible situation since he took his first snap. Finally with harbaugh and our version of the "west coast offense" alex is finally comfortable.

Ah, finally, a rational 49ers fan! You're a welcome sight Kane, because with all of the "49ers fans," popping up in recent days, very few have been rational!

Again though, I must question....is this a question of Alex Smith playing good football or is it simply a case of Harbaugh planning around him like Fox and Ryan do with Tebow and Sanchez? If it is the latter, do you really feel comfortable with him as a long term option? Especially when you see how badly it came back to bite the Broncos and Jets in their collective asses?

 

[Duke]

Discout Double Choke?

 

[Matt]

I mean, at the very least, wouldn't you say that these are fair questions that both the sports media and the Niners front office should be asking in the off-season?

 

[SpideyFan866]

I mean, at the very least, wouldn't you say that these are fair questions that both the sports media and the Niners front office should be asking in the off-season?

Agreed.

 

[kane9321]

Thanks matt..What's been happening in here..lol? To answer your question...Its both, alex playing great and harbaugh planning and scheming. I feel very comfortable with him as my qb for the long haul. Also remember, this is his first year "in this offense" so there is room to improve. Same with tebow, He's raw but he can make those so called (pocket throws) he just has to be consistant. So this offseason if i'm john elway I'm personally gonna tutor him myself. Now with mark sanchez..god knows.I've had tons of respect for the jets,then that stopped when windbag took over. First that pompous ass coach needs to **** about the super bowl everyear. 2) I think they lost their identity somewhere along this season, are they a running team or a passing team? Remember what pete caroll said about sanchez...he's not ready!

 

[Matt]

Thanks matt..What's been happening in here..lol? To answer your question...Its both, alex playing great and harbaugh planning and scheming. I feel very comfortable with him as my qb for the long haul. Also remember, this is his first year "in this offense" so there is room to improve

Basically every person imaginable is popping out of the wood work saying that they are life long Niners fans and have always thought that Smith is the next Joe Montana.

Here's the thing, has he been "great?" That is really generous. 3,000 yards, 18 TDs. That is average at best. Granted, he hasn't thrown picks, but Harbaugh hasn't really put him in a position where he could. I still think he has a lot to prove and if his coach has to plan around him....that says something. Sure, it's his first year in the system but it is also his 7th year in the NFL. Like I said, for every one Kurt Warner, there are probably twenty Chad Penningtons who have one good season and then slip right back into their mediocre ways. Whatever the reason for it, he has still been mediocre for seven years. You're telling me if a better option is on the table, you wouldn't take it?

 

[Darthphere]

To be fair, Chad Pennington had 2 good seasons.

 

[kane9321]

Basically every person imaginable is popping out of the wood work saying that they are life long Niners fans and have always thought that Smith is the next Joe Montana.

Here's the thing, has he been "great?" That is really generous. 3,000 yards, 18 TDs. That is average at best. Granted, he hasn't thrown picks, but Harbaugh hasn't really put him in a position where he could. I still think he has a lot to prove and if his coach has to plan around him....that says something. Sure, it's his first year in the system but it is also his 7th year in the NFL. Like I said, for every one Kurt Warner, there are probably twenty Chad Penningtons who have one good season and then slip right back into their mediocre ways. Whatever the reason for it, he has still been mediocre for seven years. You're telling me if a better option is on the table, you wouldn't take it?

Oh those kind of fans!

Not every QB will be peyton,drew or tom..you know all good coaches put their qb's in good positons to win. Yep his 7th year...I think he's gonna be like rich gannon( it took him a long time) as well, then he came to the (evil raiders) and everything just clicked. No about the better option. It took 7 years to build this kid's confidence back to where it was when we drafted him out of utah,before nolan and singletary destroyed it. Replacing him now would destroy him again

 

[kane9321]

Basically every person imaginable is popping out of the wood work saying that they are life long Niners fans and have always thought that Smith is the next Joe Montana.

Here's the thing, has he been "great?" That is really generous. 3,000 yards, 18 TDs. That is average at best. Granted, he hasn't thrown picks, but Harbaugh hasn't really put him in a position where he could. I still think he has a lot to prove and if his coach has to plan around him....that says something. Sure, it's his first year in the system but it is also his 7th year in the NFL. Like I said, for every one Kurt Warner, there are probably twenty Chad Penningtons who have one good season and then slip right back into their mediocre ways. Whatever the reason for it, he has still been mediocre for seven years. You're telling me if a better option is on the table, you wouldn't take it?

Hey hey, I like chad..he was a baller, tough kid. Just those nagging injuries

 

[Matt]

Should preserving his confidence go before the rest of the team's welfare? Should they at least get a solid backup? Like someone who can take the reigns should Smith bust? Or do you feel he's earned a full season regardless of what happens next year?

 

[Darthphere]

I think in that division, they could take a "gamble" on Smith for next season.

 

[Denny67]

Ah, finally, a rational 49ers fan! You're a welcome sight Kane, because with all of the "49ers fans," popping up in recent days, very few have been rational!

Again though, I must question....is this a question of Alex Smith playing good football or is it simply a case of Harbaugh planning around him like Fox and Ryan do with Tebow and Sanchez? If it is the latter, do you really feel comfortable with him as a long term option? Especially when you see how badly it came back to bite the Broncos and Jets in their collective asses?

How is that any diffrent from my linked Dec post? I have yet to see anyone claim he is the next Montana.

 

[Duke]

I've been a 49ers fan a long time & if there was a chance to get an upgrade or even Luck to play for them, I'd do it in a heartbeat. In my opinion, Smith still has more to prove to me.

 

[Denny67]

Oh those kind of fans!

Not every QB will be peyton,drew or tom..you know all good coaches put their qb's in good positons to win. Yep his 7th year...I think he's gonna be like rich gannon( it took him a long time) as well, then he came to the (evil raiders) and everything just clicked. No about the better option. It took 7 years to build this kid's confidence back to where it was when we drafted him out of utah,before nolan and singletary destroyed it. Replacing him now would destroy him again

I totally agree with both of your post although the second is a reply to a manufactured extrem position that nobody ever stated.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Discount Double Choke?

LOL epic.

 

[kane9321]

Should preserving his confidence go before the rest of the team's welfare? Should they at least get a solid backup? Like someone who can take the reigns should Smith bust? Or do you feel he's earned a full season regardless of what happens next year?

No, you are right we do need a solid back up..in case something were to happen to alex. He's totally earned a new deal, new season. Nobody thought this would happen...alex leading the 49ers to "nfc confrence championship". I'm the biggest 49er fan around and i thought at we'd be 7-9 at best.