|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 293
2nd String
|
2nd String
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 293 |
I would prefer Alex Smith over any option that is out there this year, including any of the draft picks.
He's younger than Weeden, more experienced, smarter with the football and has a chip on his shoulder.
Would love to bring him in.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 802
All Pro
|
|
All Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 802 |
I think the Niners might do that, only because they might otherwise end up cutting him and getting nothing. They would save about $7 million and have a backup who has started an entire season.
I like Smith, but he just doesn't have the big arm Chud and the winds of Lake Erie require. Not the right fit.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 293
2nd String
|
|
2nd String
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 293 |
Quote:
I think the Niners might do that, only because they might otherwise end up cutting him and getting nothing. They would save about $7 million and have a backup who has started an entire season.
I like Smith, but he just doesn't have the big arm Chud and the winds of Lake Erie require. Not the right fit.
http://www.youtube.com/v/PbxMz5h11CU
0% confidence anyone on our roster could do that. I'm talking about all the passes and especially the face that he came back and led them to a winning drive with not even two minutes left on the clock.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,404
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,404 |
Oh criminies!
We know what Alex Smith's ceiling is. We don't know what Brandon Weeden's is, especially under a coach who may actually know how to use him right.
We also know what Alex Smith's floor is and what happens when hes required to be more than a game manager.
Just say NO to Alex Smith.
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,199
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,199 |
Quote:
Oh criminies!
We know what Alex Smith's ceiling is. We don't know what Brandon Weeden's is, especially under a coach who may actually know how to use him right.
We also know what Alex Smith's floor is and what happens when hes required to be more than a game manager.
Just say NO to Alex Smith.
the day Brandon Weeden completes a season with a passer rating above 95.00 I will eat crow. I don't ever seen that happening. His book is closed
Hunter + Dart = This is the way.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 293
2nd String
|
|
2nd String
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 293 |
Quote:
Oh criminies!
We know what Alex Smith's ceiling is. We don't know what Brandon Weeden's is, especially under a coach who may actually know how to use him right.
We also know what Alex Smith's floor is and what happens when hes required to be more than a game manager.
Just say NO to Alex Smith.
Yeah his 70% completion this year was so hard for 49'ers fans to watch, it also sucked when he lead them to an NFC championship game he would have won and put them in the super bowl if not for 2 muffed punts
I love the argument we know what Alex Smith's ceiling is, you mean, like extremely accurate passer and someone who doesn't turn the ball over much, compared to a rookie that was older than him with less experience and worse accuracy.
Sounds like a terrible tradeoff.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,404
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,404 |
Archive this thread! 
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 74,770
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 74,770 |
Quote:
jc
Hear is a question I want to ask you guys and see what people are thinking. I do NOT think that this trade is a realistic posibilityso don't criticize that part. What I want to know is who out there would or would not make this trade.
Weeden for Alex Smith straight up. Do you make the trade?
I too think this is even more than unrealistic, I think it's impossible!
But since this is the scenario you pose, YES! In a second or less!
I like Weeden but he's a huge unknown with the clock ticking on his age right now.
With Smith, we have a proven winner, throwing for over 70%. A guy who had a TD to INT rate of almost 3 to 1.
Does he fit the supposed new system excactly? No, not exactly. But given the unknown risk factor in Weeden, and never knowing how he will develop?
It gives us a QB we can win more games with and would buy this group the time to prepare their QB for the future much the same way San Fran did.
Obviously this year most of their efforts will most likely concentrate on the D. I see this move as the best single move they could make to improve our O from day 1 and give them time to settle the QB situation for good by drafting a devlopmental guy to play behind Smith for a while.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,805
Dawg Talker
|
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,805 |
Quote:
Obviously this year most of their efforts will most likely concentrate on the D. I see this move as the best single move they could make to improve our O from day 1 and give them time to settle the QB situation for good by drafting a devlopmental guy to play behind Smith for a while.
Yet we could do the same thing by keeping Weeden and not spending any draft picks on Smith. And we don't have a 2nd rounder this year. Or big money if Frisco outright releases him and he becomes a free target on the open market which means new contract. And don't think for a minute that contract won't be huge.
I believe Smith will end up in KC, Jax or Zona. Possibly Buffalo.
It will be interesting to see what Turner sees on Weeden when breaking down film. He made mistakes and missed seeing open receivers quite a bit. Bad reads and so forth. One full year of experience and the tuteledge of Turner showing him what he was missing on could prove to be huge for Weeden.
Also. And this is a big one. He seemed to lose alot of the accuracy he showed in college. Some due to being a Rook. They almost all lose that accuracy in the first year. This may just be from a simple hitch in his delivery that Turner can fix.
Under Turner's eye, if Weeden can get that accuracy at or above 65%, his YPA will most certainly approach 7.5 in this style of offense. And if you look at all the greats that are still in the game, and you know who they are, when they hit those marks that is when their collective offenses began to take off.
I'll say it right now. If Turner can get Weeden's accuracy and YPA into that range, and we get 3 or 4 FA's and either that OLB or CB depending on what we land in FA, this team will be challenging for a playoff spot THIS YEAR.
And we can still get the future QB to groom either this year or next. Saving picks and a huge contract. Smith won't come cheap either way.
Just say NO.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 802
All Pro
|
|
All Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 802 |
Here's a question: Why do people hate Ryan Fitzpatrick so much? I know he isn't great, but he has averaged 24 TDs the last three years. He threw 16 picks last year. Not good, but not a terrible ratio, either. Buffalo can't wait to get rid of him.
Does anyone know what the issue is? Is he a dink and dunk guy with a weak arm or something? Because on paper, I'd take him as our starter.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,806
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,806 |
Big G, I don't know if this will answer your question (just an overall feeling on my part) but go back and look at Fitzpatrick's numbers for the past 2 years with an 8 game split - ie compare his TD/Int ration for the 1st 8 games of the year vs the last 8 games of the year for those 2 seasons.
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,806
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,806 |
Quote:
I too think this is even more than unrealistic, I think it's impossible!
But since this is the scenario you pose, YES! In a second or less!
Unrealistic proposition - yes. I ask because this is how my thought process works. 1st question is: Would I trade Weeden for Smith straight up? If the answer is no then I don't trade any draft picks for Smith and don't sign him as a FA.
Now if the answer is yes then the next question becomes: How much more do I want Smith than Weeden. Do I wait to try to sign him as a FA or do I want him enough that I trade for him because I don't want to take the chance that he signs somewhere else.
Then, if I decide to trade for him, I ask how much am I willing to give up to get him.
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,656
Dawg Talker
|
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,656 |
Quote:
Brandon Weeden. . . His book is closed
Wow! After 1 season the book is closed. Well hopefully Chud and Norv read this so they know to move on. I'm not saying Weeden will or won't get better (I THINK he will, but that's just my opinion), but to close the book after 1 year? In the words of the immortal Fonzie: that's just nutso!
There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.
-Derek Jeter
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
Rookie
|
|
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9 |
I'd prefer to keep Weeden and give him another year to progress. With Chud and Norv at the helm, we should see improvement. This being his 2nd year...Weeden SHOULD settle in. The O-line has given him above average protection.
The biggest areas Weeden needs to improve on is making his reads and ACCURACY.
Weeden showed that he has the arm, but often over-looks the open reciever. IF he can grasp the "mental" aspect of this position this season, then I believe we will be set at the QB position.
Still doesn't change the fact that we WILL have to address the QB position in the next couple year when factoring in Weedens age.
ORANGE & BROWN FOREVER!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,404
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,404 |
Welcome to the board!
I agree with you. I was also somewhat confused last year watching Weeden. I feel like his accuracy actually went down the more the year played out (minus the Eagles game). I need to go back and explore the patterns of why that happened more in depth.
I do think, however, the type of offense Turner and Chud run will take better advantage of the things that he does do well, unlike the last guy calling plays who asked our statue to roll out....
Blue ostriches on crack float on milkshakes between the sidewalk titans of gurglefitz. --YTown
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,849
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,849 |
I'd rather keep Weeden over Smith.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
Rookie
|
|
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9 |
Quote:
I'd rather keep Weeden over Smith.
TRUE...I just can't see spending that kind of $$$ on Smith. He's been in the league, what, 4-5 years.
Give Weeden this year to "figure it out". If he doesn't improve...start looking for his replacement. Wouldn't mind picking up a QB later in the draft to sit and learn for a couple years.
ORANGE & BROWN FOREVER!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,210
Dawg Talker
|
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,210 |
Quote:
the day Brandon Weeden completes a season with a passer rating above 95.00 I will eat crow. I don't ever seen that happening. His book is closed
Here's the only times a Browns starter has finished the year with a passer rating above 95:
1987 Bernie
1960 Mitt Plum
1953 Otto
It took Peyton Manning 6 years to complete a year with a passer rating of 95 or better. Tom Brady finally did it in his 8th year (7th starting). Took Drew Brees 4 years and Matt Ryan 5 years. Aaron Rodgers did it in his second year of starting (5th in the league), Rivers in his 3rd of starting (5th in the league). Eli Manning and Joe Flacco still haven't done it.
LIbertatem Defendimus!!
2010 Dawgtalkers NCAA Bracket Challenge Champ!!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,936
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,936 |
Quote:
the day Brandon Weeden completes a season with a passer rating above 95.00 I will eat crow. I don't ever seen that happening. His book is closed
 You know this after ONE season... His ROOKIE season... With mostly ROOKIES or SECOND YEAR players around him...
Man... You're GOOD. Why aren't you working for some NFL team again? 
[color:"white"]"Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
-- Mark Twain [/color]
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,806
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,806 |
Interesting results to this Cleveland.com poll. Almost 8% of the people who have voted so far would give up this year's #6 overall pick or next year's 1st round pick for Smith. Another 9.5% would be willing to give up next year's 2nd. Cleveland Browns: What should they be willing to trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith? (poll) By Mike Peticca, The Plain Dealer on January 30, 2013 at 8:35 PM, updated January 31, 2013 at 3:17 AM Print San Francisco quarterbacks Alex Smith (11) and Colin Kaepernick (background) on Wednesday as the 49ers prepared for Sunday's Super Bowl against the Baltimore Ravens. Associated Press CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Many Cleveland Browns fans are wondering if the team should pursue San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, should he become available via trade. The circumstances seem to indicate the Browns would have at least some interest in Smith, now the backup to Colin Kaepernick for the 49ers, who play the Baltimore Ravens in the Super Bowl on Sunday. The Browns went 5-11 last season with rookie Brandon Weeden at quarterback. Weeden, who played five seasons of minor league baseball before switching to football at Oklahoma State, turned 29 last Oct. 14 and has seven fewer seasons of NFL experience than Smith, who turns 29 next May 7. Just as relevant to Weeden's status with the Browns is that the team has new ownership, front office executives and, essentially, a new coaching staff that includes head coach Rob Chudzinski and offensive coordinator Norv Turner. The decision-makers who used a first-round pick, the 22nd overall selection, to draft Weeden last year are gone. (Plain Dealer reporter Mary Kay Cabot writes about Smith's interview at the Super Bowl, where he said he "loved" playing for Turner when the two were together with the 49ers in 2006) Meanwhile, it looks as if Smith's days with San Francisco are over, through no fault of his own. He helped the 49ers go 6-2-1 in his starts this season before suffering a concussion and opening the door for Kaepernick, who has excelled. Smith had turned the corner on his career in 2011, leading San Francisco to a 13-3 record and a dramatic 36-32 playoff win over the New Orleans Saints before the 49ers' 20-17 overtime loss to the New York Giants in the NFC Championship game. Smith impressed in the playoffs. Though his completion rate was somewhat down, at 53 percent, he passed for five touchdowns, no interceptions and 13.8 yards per completion. He ran seven times for 70 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown sprint during the fourth quarter of the win over New Orleans. From Smith's player profile on CBSSports.com: Smith's 2013 salary of $7.5 million will be fully guaranteed if he is on the roster on April 1. If Smith is cut before the third day of the 2013 league year, the 49ers owe him a $1 million roster bonus. But if Smith is traded by that third day of the league year -- March 14 -- then the 49ers owe him nothing and another team will take on his contract. Also from Smith's profile: Expect a trade, not a release, by the Niners soon after the new league year starts. Potential suitors include the Jaguars, Bills, Chiefs and Jets with the Browns (reunion with Norv Turner) and Cardinals (will the Niners trade him to a division rival?) dark horse candidates. Over the last two seasons (26 games) Smith has completed 426 of 673 passes (63.3 pct.) for 4,881 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. For him, the numbers are terrific. It's clear that the work in the Niners' varied West Coast offense agrees with Smith and so long as he ends up in a system like it he should be decent. What do you think the Browns -- if Smith becomes available and they try to trade for him -- should be willing to give up? Thank you for voting! Don't trade for him and don't sign him as a free agent. 21.28% (963 votes) He probably won't be cut, but wait to see if he is, then try to sign him. 19.34% (875 votes) Their third-round pick. 14.23% (644 votes) Their fourth-round pick. 10.63% (481 votes) A conditional second-round pick next year. 9.55% (432 votes) A low-round pick and another low-round pick next year. 7.51% (340 votes) Their fifth-round and seventh-round picks. 7.01% (317 votes) A conditional first-round pick next year. 4.22% (191 votes) Their first-round pick, the sixth selection overall. 3.65% (165 votes) Two low-round picks next year. 3% (117 votes) Total Votes: 4,525 http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2013/01/cleveland_browns_what_should_t.html
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,864
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,864 |
Quote:
My bet is that he ends up playing the same place as he did last year.
Also, Savage no longer works for a front office. He is the executive director of the Senior Bowl.
So, being the skeptic that I am sometimes, I decided to go to the eagles site to see if he's still listed.. you are correct he's not listed.
But here is the really funny part, I decided to go to the coaching list,, 4 people listed,,
Chip Kelly Head Coach
Duce Staley Special Teams Quality Control
Ted Williams Running Backs Coach
Keith Gray Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
That's the whole staff they've assembled so far. No OC, no DC, no DBacks, No LB's coach, no line coaches,, either line. No TE's coach, No WR's coach
Maybe they are thinking they'll take a bunch of guys from one of the two teams still left in it for the SB on Sunday? dunno.
What's that mean? not sure it means anything other then Kellys off to a slow start getting his coaches hired or named or the webmaster is slow getting them listed on their site.
If I were to guess, I'd think Kelly is having trouble getting the top people.
By comparison, Chud has 13 of his coaches hired already... Without a doubt, he's got his three top guys in place,, OC, DC and ST. I'm sure there's a few more to come. More important than that, Chud probably landed two of the best out there in Turner and Horton.
Man,, I'm thinking we dodged a bullet not getting Kelly.
EDIT: I meant to point out, if you look at the main page of the eagles site, they don't talk at all about new coaches being hired or any kinda patter about new coaches. Either close to the vest, or they have no clue. Not sure what.
Last edited by Damanshot; 01/31/13 10:21 AM.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,656
Dawg Talker
|
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,656 |
Quote:
Chip Kelly Head Coach
Duce Staley Special Teams Quality Control
Ted Williams Running Backs Coach
Keith Gray Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
That's the whole staff they've assembled so far. No OC
Didn't they hire Pat Shurmur as OC?
There may be people who have more talent than you, but there's no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.
-Derek Jeter
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 74,770
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 74,770 |
Quote:
Now if the answer is yes then the next question becomes: How much more do I want Smith than Weeden. Do I wait to try to sign him as a FA or do I want him enough that I trade for him because I don't want to take the chance that he signs somewhere else.
Then, if I decide to trade for him, I ask how much am I willing to give up to get him.
That wasn't your initial question.
And I wouldn't even venture a guess on that one.
I believe the determing factor is what this FO and coaching staff see as his future with the Browns. Would they be considering him as their answer to the franchise QB position for the next 5-7 years?
If so I think they'd be willing to pay a kings ransom.
If they see him as a 2-3 year band-aid until they can draft and develop "their guy", then what they would be willing to pay would be signifigantly less.
To me it's very unclear of what path this FO will take moving forward. It's also unclear what the 49er's want more in this equasion. I mean if they don't make a trade before he hits the FA market, they get nothing.
I do believe someone will offer up a lot for Smith. How much is anybody's guess. What we are or are not willing to pony up for Smith will go a very long way in telling us what, if anything, our FO plans for Smith may be.
Intoducing for The Cleveland Browns, Quarterback Deshawn "The Predator" Watson. He will also be the one to choose your next head coach.
#gmstrong
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,806
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,806 |
I am still on my initial question. One day I feel intrigued by Weeden's potential, want to give him next year and see what he can do and if he fails trade the farm to move up to draft Teddy Bridgewater.
The next day I want Alex Smith because I think with Smith at Qb we are a potential playoff team.
The next day I wonder if we could win a super bowl with Smith and waffle back to giving Weeden another year.
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,101
Dawg Talker
|
|
Dawg Talker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,101 |
I say no,. If Weeden is not the guy then we need to find the right QB in the draft. If we need a stop gap until next year when there may be a better crop of QBS then we might as well keep Weeden. I think we could find a QB in this years draft with a skill set comparable to Smith, if that is what we felt fit our offense, and do so at a cheaper price.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,190
Legend
|
OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 16,190 |
Amen brother. Preaching to the choir.
========================================
Can not for the life of me figure out what people see in Weeden?
The idea that the Browns should go into next year with what is on the roster at quarterback is just absurd.
How could Alex Smith not be considered an upgrade over Weeden? The only reason I can think of is unless the Browns were in some competition to see who can throw the ball the farthest.
For the Weeden fans if he could truly beat Smith out for the position then ok let him play. However, I really doubt that would be the case.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9
Rookie
|
|
Rookie
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 9 |
There is really no way to make an accurate evaluation on Weeden after 1 season(Rookie) with so many 1st & 2nd year players surrounding him.
This Offense had below average COACHING and PLAY-CALLING last season, which did nothing to help in this evaluation.
Granted....Weeden didn't help his case in MANY aspects of his play. With a new system, coaches and another year of valuable experience we SHOULD see major improvement on the offensive side of this team.
IF....Weeden doesn't show the necessary development and improvement this season, THEN we make our move. I just don't see another Quality QB in the draft or FA.....Smith???? To Much $$$....rather stay with Weeden.
ORANGE & BROWN FOREVER!!!!!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,849
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 11,849 |
Quote:
Quote:
I'd rather keep Weeden over Smith.
TRUE...I just can't see spending that kind of $$$ on Smith. He's been in the league, what, 4-5 years.
Give Weeden this year to "figure it out". If he doesn't improve...start looking for his replacement. Wouldn't mind picking up a QB later in the draft to sit and learn for a couple years.
Another reason I feel this way is I truly think if Weeden doesn't work out, we are destined to get the guy we want in next years draft... The choices at QB next year will be at an all time high. This year's class is too suspect for me.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,864
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,864 |
Quote:
Quote:
Chip Kelly Head Coach
Duce Staley Special Teams Quality Control
Ted Williams Running Backs Coach
Keith Gray Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
That's the whole staff they've assembled so far. No OC
Didn't they hire Pat Shurmur as OC?
That's what I thought, yet, no mention of it. Did the deal go through? is there a snag?
Dunno but I did put in that post that it could just be that the Webmaster hasn't been attentive to that list. for all I know, they are completely staffed up.
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,864
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,864 |
This thread is not 7 or more pages long so I don't know if this has been posted.. if so, I'm sorry. Just didn't want to look through that many pages.. Quote:
San Francisco QB Alex Smith says he loved playing for Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner
Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer By Mary Kay Cabot, The Plain Dealer
on January 30, 2013 at 5:01 PM, updated January 30, 2013 at 9:43 PM
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith, who figures to get plenty of attention from QB-hungry teams this spring, acknowledged Wednesday at the Super Bowl that he loved playing for Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner when they were together in San Francisco in 2006.
But will the Browns try to trade for Smith or sign him as a free agent? Would he like to be re-united with Turner in Cleveland?
"Loved my time with Norv," said Smith, who lost his starting job to Colin Kaepernick in November after a concussion. "[It was] a very, very friendly QB system. For [Cleveland], it's going to be a terminology change going from a West Coast system to the digits, but very, very QB friendly, big-play potential for the offense with a lot of chunk plays.
"He's a great play caller. I just remember he had a great feel for the game on gameday and a great feel for what the defense was doing."
A league source said playing again for Turner would pique Smith's interest. But Smith, who stressed he wants to be a starter, declined to go that far.
"No, I'm not thinking about that at all," he said.
Smith, 28, credits Turner with helping him get his career on track in 2006 after a poor rookie season. The No. 1 pick in 2005 out of Utah, Smith threw one touchdown pass and 11 interceptions as a rookie. With Turner as his coordinator in 2006, Smith made one of the biggest rating leaps in NFL history, climbing from 40.8 to 74.8. That season, he threw 16 TDs and 16 INTs as the 49ers improved from 2-5 to 7-9.
"Obviously, I'd gotten a whole year of football under my belt," he said. "I got back to playing football. It was structured but it wasn't. He gave you freedom as a quarterback to go out there and if you saw something to take risks, take shots and things like that. He wasn't necessarily so rigid that you couldn't do that, but it was fun. It was fun to play in that system because if the system worked for you, you felt like there were plays out there. It was fun. I loved it."
Smith, who plays in a West Coast system under Jim Harbaugh, is confident he can run Turner's vertical, downfield passing game, a modern version of the "Air Coryell" Chargers offenses of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
"I spent a lot of years in it, a lot of years in the digit world and a lot of versions of it," said Smith. "I feel like I can."
Likewise, Smith is certain Turner, who spent one season as the 49ers coordinator between head coaching stints in Oakland and San Diego, will adapt his scheme to his quarterback's strengths. Currently, the Browns have big-armed Brandon Weeden, the more mobile Colt McCoy and Thad Lewis. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski said last week it's "premature to say" Weeden will be the starter in 2013, and Turner was also noncommittal, saying the Browns want "the best quarterback they can get."
Asked about how Turner adapts to his personnel, Smith said "Even when he came to us, he took on a lot of our terminology, didn't bring his own over. I feel like even watching him since he's been down at San Diego, he's changed down there with the personnel he's had.
"Over the years I've seen him change as he had LaDainian [Tomlinson], [Darren] Sproles, playing with [Antonio] Gates down there, things like that. Sure, it's much different than what we were doing when he was with us."
He said he's kept in touch with Turner. "We do talk in the off-season a little bit and when we see each other."
If the Browns choose to pursue Smith, they'll have plenty of competition. The Bills, Cardinals, Chiefs and Eagles also might have him on their radar. In Philadelphia, Smith would undoubtedly run more of the spread-type offense he ran at Utah under current Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer.
"I'm certainly not opposed to it," said Smith. "We've done it here. Coach [Greg] Roman has done a great job implementing that stuff and even more now with Colin in. It's really dynamic stuff, really hard to defend. It creates a lot of problems for NFL defenses and especially defenses that haven't seen it. If it's very new to them, you can see their struggles on film."
In Cleveland, Smith would be playing for Chudzinski, who adapted his downfield scheme in Carolina to Cam Newton's running ability.
"I think the biggest thing often times is not being cookie cutter," said Smith. "The offensive coordinator can see what the strengths of his team are, see the strengths of the quarterback and all the guys around him and really tailor it to them. I think that's the best thing."
The 49ers would prefer to trade Smith rather than release him, according to Fox Sports' Nancy Gay, but the new team would inherit his $7.5 million a year salary for the next two seasons. Smith denied that he's asked the 49ers to release him after the Super Bowl, but admitted he'll sit down with them soon after.
"I don't know what the options are," he said. "I obviously need to explore those after Sunday."
Harbaugh, who made the move to Kaepernick in week 10, indicated that Smith deserves a chance to go somewhere where he can start and has praised how he's handled his demotion, including helping to coach Kaepernick. The 49ers seem committed to granting Smith's wish to move on.
"I want to play football," said Smith. "I'm not hiding that fact. I love this team. I love being a part of it and of what's going on, but I want to play football."
At the time Smith was benched, he had 13 touchdown passes, five interceptions, a league-best 70.2 completion percentage and a career-high 104.1 rating as the 49ers built a 6-2-1 record. Last season, he went 13-3 as the Niners reached the NFC Championship game.
"I really feel like I was playing my best football," said Smith. "I felt the most comfortable I've been on a football field in a long time, maybe ever. [The benching's been] tough at times for sure. Tough to accept, tough to watch. But we're in the Super Bowl, and this has been an amazing experience."
With eight years' NFL experience, Smith is still younger than Weeden, who will turn 30 in October. Smith turns 29 in May.
"I still feel I have my best football ahead of me, for sure," he said. "I feel like there's a lot more out there for me. I'm excited for my next opportunity, wherever that comes."
On Twitter: @marykaycabot
© cleveland.com. All rights reserved.
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ss...t_most-comments
might this guy be our next QB?
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 42,413
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 42,413 |
Quote:
This thread is not 7 or more pages long so I don't know if this has been posted.. if so, I'm sorry. Just didn't want to look through that many pages..
No one has touched on this subject yet.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 42,413
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 42,413 |
Quote:
Dunno but I did put in that post that it could just be that the Webmaster hasn't been attentive to that list. for all I know, they are completely staffed up.
A lot of the team websites are slow to put up new guys.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,864
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 42,864 |
Quote:
Quote:
Dunno but I did put in that post that it could just be that the Webmaster hasn't been attentive to that list. for all I know, they are completely staffed up.
A lot of the team websites are slow to put up new guys.
Well then, for once, we are ahead of the curve...
#GMSTRONG
“Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts.”
Daniel Patrick Moynahan
"Alternative facts hurt us all. Think before you blindly believe."
Damanshot
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,199
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,199 |
Quote:
Quote:
the day Brandon Weeden completes a season with a passer rating above 95.00 I will eat crow. I don't ever seen that happening. His book is closed
You know this after ONE season... His ROOKIE season... With mostly ROOKIES or SECOND YEAR players around him...
Man... You're GOOD. Why aren't you working for some NFL team again?
blah blah blah...
His flaws in college were sort of hidden and now they are exposed in the NFL. what's the big deal? He is not a starting qb in the NFL.
Hunter + Dart = This is the way.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 989
All Pro
|
|
All Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 989 |
Quote:
Oh criminies!
We know what Alex Smith's ceiling is. We don't know what Brandon Weeden's is, especially under a coach who may actually know how to use him right.
We also know what Alex Smith's floor is and what happens when hes required to be more than a game manager.
Just say NO to Alex Smith.
Alex Smith Floor is better than Weeden's ceiling right now.
IDK what all the Weeden fan's here keep talking about potential. How much potential is there in a 30yold 2nd year guy that had a very poor rookie season, who repeatedly missed open receivers, accuracy problems, footwork problems, and looked like a deer in headlights half the time? As opposed to someone younger, more accurate, proven playoff winner. No comparison take that latter i.e. Alex Smith if available. Weeden has a strong arm and thats it!!!! Another Jeff George but not as good.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 40,399
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 40,399 |
Alex Smith was horrible his rookie year, then he floundered somewhere around mediocrity for about 4 years, then in his last 2 seasons he really took off in a new system..... I'm not sure how you define what his floor is.. Even when he was floundering his QB rating was mid 80s I believe...
Weeden's rookie year was much better than Smith's rookie year.. with that said, Weeden, because of his age, won't get a few years to flounder around mediocrity.. he will have to show much more much quicker..
yebat' Putin
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,024
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 17,024 |
JC ...
I'm trying to get my head around the Smith love on here.
I think it's kind of funny that most of this board will recognize that the eye test is more important than numbers. And then some really decent posters want to recite numbers as to why Smith will be an upgrade here.
Never mind the fact that the entire SF team was crap before Harbaugh got there. Crap. Worse than the Browns. That kind of crap. Including Smith. Now they are in the Super Bowl after appearing in the NFC championship game last year. And they've done it with a 'never was' in Smith and 2nd year project in Kaepernick. Not to mention a number of SF players are retreads, 'never was' type players on their second or third teams.
Geez, I wonder if the coaching staff has anything to do with it.
Geez ... I wonder if the coaching staff had anything to do with Smith's success the last couple of years after an awful, AWFUL, career to that point.
Come on people, use your heads. Cite the stats all you want. It doesn't freakin' matter. Smith has been nothing without Harbaugh and his staff and last I checked, they aren't packing the uhaul up after the Super Bowl and heading to Cleveland.
And I haven't touched on the benching yet ...
Say no to Alex Smith. He will bomb here and doesn't fit the image of what the coaches want the offense to be.
He's not very good. Unless you put him on the right team, with the right coaches, with the right system, with the right players (he really needs a V.Davis who we really don't have) ... whoever lands Smith will be sorry.
Never mind, I'm wrong ... he completed 70% of his passes this year. What was I thinking? Bring him aboard!
LOL - The Rish will be upset with this news as well. KS just doesn't prioritize winning...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,728
Hall of Famer
|
|
Hall of Famer
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 3,728 |
I do know one thing.
And that's once you have a concussion you never ever ever have to worry about getting another one....and another one....and another one.
Weeden's ceiling is higher than Alex Smith's ceiling.
I don't fault them but most people here proselytising Alex Smith are just starved for competent QB play let alone proficient play.
Stick with Weeden this year. If he s's the bed then draft one next year and kick him to the curb.
I for one want to see what he does with a staff that's implementing an offense that's to his strengths.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,199
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,199 |
Quote:
Alex Smith was horrible his rookie year, then he floundered somewhere around mediocrity for about 4 years, then in his last 2 seasons he really took off in a new system..... I'm not sure how you define what his floor is.. Even when he was floundering his QB rating was mid 80s I believe...
Weeden's rookie year was much better than Smith's rookie year.. with that said, Weeden, because of his age, won't get a few years to flounder around mediocrity.. he will have to show much more much quicker..
I don't understand how anyone could try and compare Smith to Weeden.. Smith is now a top 12-15 QB and Weeden sucks. It's not like anyone can realistically think he will be as Andrew Luck or the top 12-15 QB's in the NFL.
Hunter + Dart = This is the way.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,423
Legend
|
|
Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 50,423 |
Alex Smith is a fine QB if you never have to put him under pressure, can have a top 5 run game, and a top 5 defense. Don't expect him to make a lot of plays for you though. Despite having a very simple offense last year, and having all of the experience, he threw only 17 TD in 2011. Weeden threw 14 last year. Smith never took chances at the QB spot. The team didn't want him to. He was Mr Careful QB, because the coaches didn't trust him to take shots down the field. They wanted him to carefully manage the game, and that was it. Once they could replace him, they did.
Just as an aside ..... in 2006 ..... when Smith played under Norm ...... he completed 58% of his passes, with 16 TD and 16 INT, and 6.5 yards/pass. That year he threw the 2nd highest number of passes in his career.
People get so excited about Smith, and I cannot imagine why. He does not have Super Bowl upside unless he is very, very carefully managed. He is an established veteran, who is what he is. He is best when he is able to be a minor piece of the puzzle. We need more than that.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
|
|
|
DawgTalkers.net
Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Who will be the QB
|
|
![[Linked Image from i.ibb.co]](https://i.ibb.co/6WV79RV/Browns-Coach-Sig.png)
![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/Heldawg/rgiii2.jpg)
