Alex Smith
22 January 2012
In the third, a simple dump-off to Frank Gore in the near flat went for 24 yards, giving Alex Smith an open shot on the next play for Vernon Davis in the deep left corner, beating poor coverage yet again. I’m stunned that the Giants secondary didn’t know their responsibilities when it came to defending Davis. Besides those terrible mistakes, the Giant defense was exemplary, getting pressure on
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
osiveness last week against a poor Saints secondary, who never found a way to contain Vernon Davis. Alex Smith figured out the Saints blitzes and took advantage of key turnovers, but he won’t see the same defense today. The Giants won’t ever need to blitz thanks to a scary front four. How are there enough blockers if Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora and Jason Pierre-Paul are on the same line? You can’t double all three of them or the extra guy (Chris Canty or Linval Joseph) are going to come free up the middle. The Giants are going to want to keep linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka near the line of scrimmage, so Michael Boley or Chase Blackburn could get Davis duty if the Giants don’t try to get a safety on him. I would bet on bracket coverage, getting a ‘backer underneath and a safety (probably Kenny Philips) over the top. The Niners aren’t much of a threat on the outside due to Michael Crabtree’s struggles this year, but Frank Gore can still pound the rock behind a feisty offensive line. That’s where I see the Niners having their greatest offensive success. If they can avoid putting Smith in situations where the Giants can pressure him, then they can avoid costly turnovers. Grind it out on the ground and keep Manning on the sideline.The Odds:
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
16 January 2012
o run the ball for the first three quarters, an offensive plan that befuddled me, to say the least. Alex Smith was getting all sorts of pressure from the Saints, who were simply sending more rushers than the Niners had blockers. (Just math, really.)
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
9 September 2011
This team is going to be all sorts of awful. And I credit most of that suckage to Alex Smith, who is going into his seventh year and still looks like an inconsistent rookie. Smith has a mean offensive line in front of him, with Joe Staley and Mike Iupati, but that will help out Frank Gore more than it will Smith. Vernon Davis is a freak of a tight end who would be good for 60+ catches… if Smith found him more. (See the trend here?) Defensively, the Niners have the best linebacker in the game in Patrick Willis, but they haven’t surrounded him with enough. Signing Donte Whitner helps the secondary, but swapping Carlos Rogers for the departing Nate Clements is a definite downgrade. We’ll see rookie QB Colin Kaepernick this season, guaranteed.
Continue reading "Joe's 2011 NFL Season Preview: The NFC West"
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
26 September 2010
The Niners aren't very good right now. Their offense is predictable and Alex Smith is wildly inconsistent. Frank Gore and the running game haven't gotten started yet which means Mike Singletary has to rely on Smith more than he should. KC's Matt Cassel still didn't complete a high percentage of his passes, but his three touchdown throws and the production of Dexter McCluster and running backs Jamaal Charles (97 yards) and Thomas Jones (95 yards) gave the Chiefs a complete offensive performance. That's exactly what they needed. (That gadget play was pretty fun too.)
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
13 September 2010
p>For a team thought to run rampant over the NFC West, the Niners could not have had a worse start. Alex Smith looked like his sucky self, tossing two picks amidst the two sacks and 11 QB hits he took. Frank Gore was shut down by a young Seahawk defense that wasn't perceived to be overly physical. With his group of young receivers and solid offensive line, Matt Hasselbeck just needs to find the open target. That he can do. It was a great first win for Pete Carroll's team.
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
15 August 2010
That allowed former number one overall pick Alex Smith to reclaim the starter's job. Running back Frank Gore's production has been hampered by injuries in recent years, which was going to lead to an increased role for back-up Glen Coffee before he abruptly retired earlier this week. Early Monday, former Eagle Brian Westbrook signed on with the Niners to back-up Gore, adding a different pass-catching element to their backfield. Drafting Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis should immediately upgrade their offensive line. With Vernon Davis at tight end and Michael Crabtree in his first full year at wide receiver the 'Frisco offense won't be at the bottom of the league. (Unless Smith sucks, which is highly possible.)
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
28 November 2009
The difference will be at the quarterback position. Between Alex Smith and David Garrard, the quarterback that makes the least mistakes will walk away with the win. To me, that means a Jaguars victory as
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
12 November 2009
They gave up only 216 yards of offense, sacked Alex Smith twice and intercepted one pass. Tommie Harris had a solid game after being ejected early against the Cardinals. When did the Bears begin to master the screen pass? I remember this offense never could get this play right. They must be like, practicing or something. What a novel idea. While Forte didn’t rush well, he did catch 8 passes for 120 yards, mostly off of screen passes. Greg Olsen and Devin Hester added another 7 receptions each.
Continue reading "Penalties and Cutler's five interceptions ..."
Posted by Joe Anello | 1 comment
11 November 2009
They’re even being gouged by the run. Still, Niners QB Alex Smith can hurl interceptions with the worst of them, so I doubt another total domination is in the books.
Chicago’s offense has struggled to move the football as of late, and is has nothing to do with Jay Cutler. The offensive line has committed penalties, given up sacks, and failed to open any running lanes. If the Bears win this game, it’s because Olin Kreutz and the gang decided not to screw up for a day. Primetime hasn’t been kind to the Bears this season, so they need to start fast in order to leave the Bay area with a win. Getting out in front of the Niners will force them to decrease running back Frank Gore’s touches. Since Gore is their best player, I’d say getting the ball out of his hands is a solid idea.
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
26 October 2009
They benched Shaun Hill at halftime and brought in former number one pick Alex Smith, who tossed three TD’s to Vernon Davis (who is a beast) to close the gap. Smith will start next week. Also a storyline was Michael Crabtree’s insertion into the starting line-up, catching five passes for 56 yards. It may not sound like a lot, but for someone that has only been with the team a few weeks, it’s impressive.
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
13 January 2009
Look at Alex Smith; I think he's doing just fine with his $50 mil. contract. Would he really want to take the risk of going up against the '05 defenses of Auburn or USC? I think not. At least, I wouldn't. I'd take the money and run!
Posted by Burl Bridger | 3 comments
1 August 2008
However, Alex Smith, the #1 draft pick in 2005, still holds the QB1 spot despite talent and without any indication that he actually knows what he’s doing. The 49ers are a franchise that had the legendary Joe Montana and the equally impressive Steve Young, but now it must deal with a young prima dona in
Posted by Manny "Shock" Saez | No comments yet
