[TonyInOhio]

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

How about, "They pay me seven figures whether I can play or not. How sweet is that?"

Whiner.

[Mashood]

Alex Smith: You suck.

[NormsRevenge]

I love a god pouter.. he got a concussion and loss his job.. what’s he pulling in this year?

I would think a coach would like the fastest horse running to be in the race.. besides funny things happen on the field.. be ready. ask Lefwich.

[TonyInOhio]

I would add that Jim Harbaugh is one of the biggest jerks ever to graduate from That University Up North, and that’s saying a lot.

[JennysCool]

Smith is a good, though pedestrian, NFL quarterback assisted immeasurably by a great 49er defense. SF fans have long been begging for a QB that matches their D. Kaepernick doesn’t just have a “hot hand,” he can improvise and capably run when necessary, two qualities Smith lacks. Having watched him closely since his Nevada days, it’s obvious Kaepernick is the real deal.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

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

Funny, that's pretty much how I've felt about Alex Smith's ability to QB since the 2005 season. Harbaugh and Greg Roman have let Smith dog-paddle in an offense which has hidden his many weaknesses for a year and a half while a great defense, running game and special teams have won games for the 49ers. This has actually deluded some into thinking he's a decent QB. He should be grateful and find out if some NFL GM out there is willing to give him a shot next year - though no GMs were fooled after least season, when he was a free agent.

[SparkyBass]

We’ll take him!

Signed “still missing Kurt Warner in Arizona”

:)

[thefactor]

I have no problem with a guy losing his spot due to injury. This is a meritocracy. The better man plays. The issue is that if guys think they'll lose their spot if they 'only' have a concussion, they will be less likely to report the symptoms.

Bottom line: Smith will not be in SF next season. He'll be starting for another team. And he'll be fine. Unless his O-line sucks.

[ScottinVA]

The headline is rather misleading. The reporter asked him how he felt about not starting, and his reply was, “it sucks,” and that he’d rather play. Smith also went on to say he’s in favor of whatever helps the team win.

Smith isn’t being a prick about this... he’s handing this situation rather well. While it is a difficult situation, it just so happened that the Niners have a guy out there.. Kaepernick.. who brings a more aggressive game plan.

Smith has rolled up what — for him — have been great statistics. But the key is what happens when you’re placed against a team that brings heat. It wasn’t Kaepernick who QB’d the Niners to a 26-3 loss to the Giants or to that earler loss to the Vikes. Smith is a decent quarterback with moderate-to-good pro-level abilities and middling arm strength and scrambling ability. Harbaugh has done an incredible job rehabilitating him and bringing him up to the level he is. But the unfortunate circumstance of Smith’s concussion opened up an opportunity to see what else is out there. And Harbaugh sees Kaepernick as the guy with the ability to take it further.

This situation would’ve been so much easier had Smith’s stats been in the doldrums like past years, but... it’s the pros... and sometimes circumstances do indeed suck.

[circlecity]

I don’t see any bad guys in this scenario at all, it’s just the way things turned out. What’s Smith supposed to say, “Oh, it’s cool getting benched cuz I get paid anyway”. He didn’t rag on Harbaguh (whining) he just said it sucks, which I would expect any competitor to say. Harbaugh is doing what he thinks is best for the team. When Harbaugh was playing here in Indianapolis he was always a class act. Football is a business and life isn’t always fair. I wouldn’t be suprised to see Smith starting at Qb for a different team next year, so just like Brees, he’ll probably get a second chance to win the big one with another team.

[Resolute Conservative]

Jerry Jones pick up the white phone. Pedestrian describes Romo and Sanchez.

(caveat I am not a Cowboy fan)

[ScottinVA]

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.

[Doc Savage]

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!

[Colonel_Flagg]

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.

[GSWarrior]

Not starting your best players would be unfair to everyone in the organization. That would suck worse.