Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

[Ed]

With Kaepernick being named the starter again for the 9ers game this Sunday, I'm assuming that Alex Smith's days could be numbered in San Fran. He's currently signed for two more years, but the team owes him a big bonus of $7.5 mil if he's still on the team come April 1, 2013. I read some speculation that one of the reasons they may have been able to get a big extension done with their LB Bowman this past week is because they don't expect to pay Alex that bonus or his base salary. I think his base salary for the next two seasons is around $10 mil per year, so I doubt they would be willing to pay him that as a backup.

Assuming they cut him, would you want the Bills to pursue him? Could he be the answer at QB?

And if they don't cut him, would you be willing to trade for him? How much would you give up?

[stuckincincy]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

With Kaepernick being named the starter again for the 9ers game this Sunday, I'm assuming that Alex Smith's days could be numbered in San Fran. He's currently signed for two more years, but the team owes him a big bonus of $7.5 mil if he's still on the team come April 1, 2013. I read some speculation that one of the reasons they may have been able to get a big extension done with their LB Bowman this past week is because they don't expect to pay Alex that bonus or his base salary. I think his base salary for the next two seasons is around $10 mil per year, so I doubt they would be willing to pay him that as a backup.

Assuming they cut him, would you want the Bills to pursue him? Could he be the answer at QB?

And if they don't cut him, would you be willing to trade for him? How much would you give up?

Eh. He's a 9 year vet who paddled around in iffy fashion who now has a couple of good years on a team with a good defense. It's looking like SF is closing the door on him - dunno.

[GingerP]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

The reason Smith is being replaced is because Kaepernick throws the ball downfield. Smith is pretty athletic and very safe with the ball, not making a lot of mistakes, but he misses a lot of plays because he won't take chances. When forced into situations where he has to do more than check down, he struggles. He can't throw into tight windows like good QBs can, so he just checks down to the safe route or takes the sack.

So, no, he isn't the answer to anything. Without having one of the best defenses in football to allow him to play within his limitations, he will go back to sucking like he did before Harbaugh got there. He'd be exposed.

[MidnightVoice]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

Without having one of the best defenses in football to allow him to play within his limitations, he will go back to sucking like he did before Harbaugh got there. He'd be exposed.

Agreed

[IAG]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

I honestly do not know what to do at QB. I really don't. Some teams have a franchise guy. Others have young QB's playing beyond their years. Other teams have a young developing guys.

Buffalo is in no man's land. The FA options are not longterm answers or that much better than Fitz. The college QB's are below what we have seen the last few years.

I have no idea what to do.

[BuffaloWingEater]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

That's easy; no.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

As the short term starter while we groom 1st rounder to be named later: Sure. But he's not the answer.

[DraftBoy]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

He's actually an ideal fit for the Gailey offense, though same issues we have with Fitz exist with Smith, lack of down the field arm strength.

[MidnightVoice]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

He's actually an ideal fit for the Gailey offense, though same issues we have with Fitz exist with Smith, lack of down the field arm strength.

And with him at QB, Gailey might well decide to abandon the run altogether!

[Jeff1220]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

So, like Fitz, he hasn't got much arm strength, but how's his accuracy?

[Ed]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

So, like Fitz, he hasn't got much arm strength, but how's his accuracy?

Well he leads the league in completion % at 70.0 and his yards per attempt is actually pretty high at 7.98. That actually ties him for third highest in the league, so I'm not sure what to make of the notion that he can't throw down field.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

Well he leads the league in completion % at 70.0 and his yards per attempt is actually pretty high at 7.98. That actually ties him for third highest in the league, so I'm not sure what to make of the notion that he can't throw down field.

Let's recalculate his stats without the Buffalo game and see how they look.

[Mr. Pink]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

If Alex was the only choice we had, yes. He's much better than Fitz, not that that is saying really anything.

Hopefully we have a few more choices.

The goal is to always improve your football team, which Alex would do.

[Buffalogic]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

Hell no!

[SquishDaFish]

Re: Would you want Alex Smith at QB next year?

Yep for sure