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Alex Smith: 'It sucks' to lose San Francisco 49ers' starting quarterback job
mercurynews.com ^ | 11/29/2012 | Cam Inman

Posted on 11/30/2012 10:32:42 AM PST by AmericanSamurai

SANTA CLARA -- Alex Smith got right to the point Thursday.

"It sucks," he said. "I don't know what else to say."

Speaking for the first time since 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed Colin Kaepernick's "hot hand" would start at quarterback Sunday at St. Louis, the demoted Smith appeared agitated over once again losing a job that's repeatedly been swiped from his grasp since he was drafted first overall in 2005.

"I feel the only thing I did to lose my job was get a concussion," said Smith, who sustained that brain trauma Nov. 11 during the second quarter of a 24-24 tie with the Rams.

Smith did not, however, blast Harbaugh's communication methods.

"We sat down and talked. It wasn't a one-sentence thing," Smith said. "He explained where he was coming from, felt it was a difficult situation but wanted to go in this direction."

Did Smith try to talk Harbaugh out of starting Kaepernick for a third straight game?

"No, I mean at this point, what's talk going to do?" Smith responded. "I felt he made up his mind. He's not a guy who didn't put thought into it already."

In his last full outing, Smith completed 18 of 19 passes in a 24-3 win at Arizona, earning him a first-career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award. Dating back to halftime of an Oct. 18 win over Seattle, Smith is 35 of 38 for 385 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

"It's tough. You state your case with your play, and I feel I've done that," said Smith, who leads the NFL with a 70.0 completion percentage and ranks fifth with a 104.1 passer rating.

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: 49ers; athletes; chat; nfl; sports
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To: TonyInOhio

Perhaps you misunderstood my meaning.

Smith getting up there and saying what you suggested IS acting like an a-hole.

Of course, I don’t buy into your notion that he’s whining because he said it sucks. Sounds like an honest appraisal to me for a guy who led the team to a 19-5-1 record during his tenure as starter.

And the only QB in history who doesn’t get credit for leading his team to the playoffs (and eventual SB victory) is Trent Dilfer.


41 posted on 11/30/2012 11:35:55 AM PST by dmz
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To: AmericanSamurai
Unfortunately, that is exactly Smith’s problem, he just isn’t very exciting. He’s the Wally Cleaver of NFL QB’s.

I thought that would be Trent Dilfer, who couldn't even keep a starting job AFTER winning a Super Bowl.
42 posted on 11/30/2012 11:37:21 AM PST by Dr. Sivana (There is no salvation in politics.)
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To: AmericanSamurai

Had Harbaugh gone right back to Smith and benched Kaepernick, only to see Smith throw a handful of picks to the Saints, the same complainers would be second-guessing that move, too.


43 posted on 11/30/2012 11:37:57 AM PST by ScottinVA (I've never been more disgusted with American voters.)
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To: Hugin

Stats only tell a part of the story. Smith was playing good this season, but he has limited awareness in the pocket, and checks down to safe receivers too often. When a play breaks down, Smith gets tackled or throws the ball away. Kap scrambles and makes a play.

It’s a ballsy move by Harbaugh. He’s going to look stupid if the league gets Kap figured out. In some ways it’s similar to when Montana replace Steve Deberg as the 9ers starting QB. The difference is that Walsh made the move with a losing team. This years 9ers are well on their way to the playoffs.

I do feel bad for Smith. He’s a good kid and a pretty good QB. Then again Wally Pip was probably a good guy, too. Hopefully, Smith can go to a team that needs a starter.


44 posted on 11/30/2012 11:38:30 AM PST by stop_fascism (Love your country, but never trust its government - R.A. Heinlein)
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To: AnotherUnixGeek
"In all honesty, the Cardinals already have at least one QB better than Smith (Kolb)."

Ok, it is possible, though I have yet to see it. The AZ line has been practicing the "Matador" style... wave your cape and let the defender run by!... and is slowly remembering the need to block...

Kolb might yet step up.. so far just not seeing it. Then again, it's hard to see through tears :)

45 posted on 11/30/2012 11:40:26 AM PST by SparkyBass
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To: JennysCool
Smith is a good, though pedestrian, NFL quarterback assisted immeasurably by a great 49er defense.

Exactly... and nobody gave Smith a better shot at self-actualizing than Harbaugh. Because of the work the Niners' coaching staff put into that reclamation effort, Smith will be able to land a starting job and a nice salary with a team who needs him. Absolutely, he will be starting next year.

46 posted on 11/30/2012 11:41:59 AM PST by ScottinVA (I've never been more disgusted with American voters.)
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To: stop_fascism

I think that you had better check something other than Wiki.

I remember when Kaepernick was a freshman at Stanford and beat USC by the score of 14-13. It was considered to be a huge upset.

After the game, the sports journalist on the field asked to speak to Harbaugh. He pointed at Kaepernick and said, “Speak to him. He did it. Not me,” or words to that effect.


47 posted on 11/30/2012 11:44:50 AM PST by spel_grammer_an_punct_polise (Learn three chords and you, too, can be a Rock Star!)
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To: AmericanSamurai

I would gladly take Smith on my team. Finding a league-tested quarterback can be very difficult. Just ask many of the current losing teams. If I was the Eagles GM I’d be on that phone in a heartbeat. And the Jets, Holy Crap! Don’t criticize him for making money. They ALL make money. And you guys pay for it. Man, you guys are so hyper-critical it’s bizarre. It’s sports. Sports is entertainment. Jeeze, mellow out and try to enjoy it. You guys are way too serious!


48 posted on 11/30/2012 11:46:31 AM PST by Doc Savage ("I've shot people I like a lot more,...for a lot less!" Raylan Givins)
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To: AnotherUnixGeek

That’s a very reasoned position. I appreciate the insight... although I still hate the 49ers because of their first game this season.


49 posted on 11/30/2012 11:48:16 AM PST by Obadiah (How do you know that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't a muzzle flash?)
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To: thefactor
I have no problem with a guy losing his spot due to injury.

I can think of one Don Majkowski, who lost his starting QB job for good after injuring his ankle early in the 1992 season. The sub who replaced him: Brett Favre.

**it happens.

50 posted on 11/30/2012 11:48:52 AM PST by ScottinVA (I've never been more disgusted with American voters.)
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To: Doc Savage
If I was the Eagles GM I’d be on that phone in a heartbeat

Heh... Smith may not be starting, but he's good trade bait. Your next five 1st rounders, plus your first-born, please. ;-)

51 posted on 11/30/2012 11:51:18 AM PST by ScottinVA (I've never been more disgusted with American voters.)
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To: AnotherUnixGeek
I think the 49ers should trade Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs for their 2013 First Round draft pick.

Then the Niners will have both the first and last pick (32) of the First Round of the 2013 draft.

Do you see what I just did there......?

52 posted on 11/30/2012 11:57:22 AM PST by Flycatcher (God speaks to us, through the supernal lightness of birds, in a special type of poetry.)
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To: ScottinVA

Drew Bledsoe, Tommie Maddox. Lots of guys lose their jobs due to injury, all it takes is a backup that’s better than you. And it stinks, I feel bad for Smith who seems to be a pretty bright grounded guy that managed to survive a bad situation in SF. But that’s life, Kaepernick so far appears to be the better QB.


53 posted on 11/30/2012 11:57:49 AM PST by discostu (Not a part of anyone's well oiled machine.)
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To: AmericanSamurai

I want a backup quarterback who wants to play. I have no problem with Smith saying something like this and a coach who is a competitor shouldn’t either.

Losing a job due to injury sucks. Harbaugh made the decision that he thinks will most help his team, and Smith was careful to say he wasn’t going to buck his coach. But, yeah. Give me a guy who wants to play instead of standing on the sidelines in a baseball cap holding a clipboard.


54 posted on 11/30/2012 11:58:46 AM PST by Colonel_Flagg ("Don't be afraid to see what you see." -- Ronald Reagan)
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To: spel_grammer_an_punct_polise

Kaepernick was a redshirt at Reno in 2006. In 2007, he became the starting QB at Reno midway through the season. 2007 was Harbaugh’s first year as Stanford’s HC. That year Stanford beat SC 24-23. Stanford’s QB that day was Tavita Pritchard.


55 posted on 11/30/2012 11:59:39 AM PST by stop_fascism (Love your country, but never trust its government - R.A. Heinlein)
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To: circlecity

I’m surprised by Matt Shaub. I had never heard of him, and he’s leading the Texans to a spectacular season. Where the hell was this guy for the last 8 years?


56 posted on 11/30/2012 12:00:16 PM PST by boop ("I need another Cutty Sark"-LBJ)
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To: Flycatcher

Don’t go buying a bigger trophy case just yet. There’s a lot of competition left to go. I’m hoping for a Harbaugh bowl though. I was hoping for that last season too. I just think it would be cool. I like both their coaching styles, I like how they’ve both turned their teams around, and the media week talk would at least be kind of interesting for a day or 2.


57 posted on 11/30/2012 12:00:29 PM PST by discostu (Not a part of anyone's well oiled machine.)
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To: discostu
I’m hoping for a Harbaugh bowl though.

I'd be happy with that.

I just don't want to see a Manning Brothers Bowl. (Though it could happen.)

58 posted on 11/30/2012 12:03:57 PM PST by Flycatcher (God speaks to us, through the supernal lightness of birds, in a special type of poetry.)
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To: thefactor

<< Bottom line: Smith will not be in SF next season. >>

I’ll trade you Mark Sanchez for Smith, straight up, right now.

Signed,

Jets Fan


59 posted on 11/30/2012 12:04:27 PM PST by ObamaMustGo2012 (Obama Must Go In 2012)
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To: Flycatcher

It would be kind of funny if Eli (the “lesser” of the two) went up 3-1 on his brother with a head-to-head. But the press slurping of Peyton and his “miraculous” come back would probably cost me a TV.


60 posted on 11/30/2012 12:07:59 PM PST by discostu (Not a part of anyone's well oiled machine.)
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