NFL - Sports Rumors

Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:31 am EDT

Smith's play forces 49ers to delay starting QB decision

By Joe Zedalis

Alex Smith's strong play has forced San Francisco 49ers coaching staff to hold off on a decision on a starting quarterback until the staff can see both quarterbacks in exhibitions, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The 49ers open their exhibition season with the Broncos at Candlestick on Friday night Aug. 14 at 7 p.m. and then play the Raiders at home eight days later again at 5.15. One would think the 49ers would what to cruise into their third preseason contest with the starter declared, according to the Chronicle.

"I think we're going to go into preseason. I've said it all along," Singletary said. "The sooner the better. We'll just continue to look at it, and when we feel that a decision needs to be made, then we'll make it."

Source: San Francisco ChronicleNew Window

digg delicious
more

88 Comments

Post a Comment
  1. Jason R
    1. Posted by Jason R Fri Jun 12, 2009 8:55 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Smith wins the starting job, the defense is surprisingly among the league leaders in fewest touchdowns allowed, and Singletary leads this team to a 10-6 division win. Granted, the Niners will likely get squashed in the first round of the playoffs but it's progress
  2. vick is
    2. Posted by vick is Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:06 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    A. Smith is a bust..same mold as Ryan Leaf. He's had 3 - 4 years, injuries withstanding to prove he can be a decent QB forget aboout Pro bowl caliber, I'll take where Aaron Rogers is in this point of his career they we're in the same draft and if I remember correctly it was basicly a coin flip to decied whom the 49ers we're to take. Hill is a career back up who's great for spot starts but he's not a "game changer" whom I want with 2 minutes left in the 4th Q down by 6.
    I wish the 49ers would trade for V. Young, both team and QB could use a fresh start. His off the field drama aside he won games. He's a dynamic playmaker.
  3. Pure Evil
    3. Posted by Pure Evil Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:33 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Good job Alex. Keep battling, I don't care who the QB is as long as the play is improving. Competition is good; I just have to wonder what does Shaun Hill have to do to get the "starter" pedigree... His record as a starter is pretty good at 7-4. The 49ers haven’t had a QB with a winning record since Steve Young. Even Garcia was 1 game under 500 as a 49er QB.
  4. Evil Empire
    4. Posted by Evil Empire Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:36 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    i hope the guy can redeem himself. One Ryan Leaf is enough
  5. ocdoerfler
    5. Posted by ocdoerfler Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:42 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Given that V Young isn't a starter on his own team (he's a wuss) not sure why the 9ers would trade for him! Forget "game changing" QBs - what we need is someone who doesn't lose the game and can just hand the ball off to Gore. We need to beef up the OL and control the clock. Hill or Smith will do
  6. garcia R
    6. Posted by garcia R Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:54 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    As for Smith, this will be his last chance as a Niner! Everyone could agree with that! As for Hill, he brings the Niners hope behind a re-build M. Singletary team. Go Niners!!!!!
  7. smackfives@...
    7. Posted by smackfives@... Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:04 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    niners are slowly but surely getting better,i believe a.smith can get us over the hump with an decent oline in front of him. he reads the field well and makes good decisions,but with little passing time the wr. cant get open,and gore is an animal but can't shoulder the whole load.the defense is surprising and with singletary preaching defense we could be a playoff surprise.
  8. day day
    8. Posted by day day Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:17 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    anoother great white hope, haha whatever he's a bum to, I love the way you guys pick talent, you can't. Well we still have to leave a positon open for slow players haaaaaaaa
  9. Steve S
    9. Posted by Steve S Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:19 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I think Smith has enough talent to be a starter in the NFL. With time any QB looks good he's smart and now has some weapons. Hill wins games but he's is a back up. If Alex doesn't make mistakes he can lead the Niners back to the playoffs. The V young idea is pathetic, he can't get the ball to WR and he is not that smart. Rember Smith hasn't played in the same offense yet. I have no problem with Hill starting the season as the starter but I think Smith eventually will get the job.
  10. Ritchie
    10. Posted by Ritchie Fri Jun 12, 2009 10:21 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hey vick is...you need to get your facts straight..he's had 3-4 years? He's played 1....1 full season, 2006. He doesn't even have 2 full seasons worth of starts. Hardly enough time to prove he's a winner or otherwise. And there's NO possible way you can compare him to Rodgers. The Packers did it right with Rodgers and the Niners/Nolan did it all wrong with Smith. Rodgers sat behind a legend for 3 seasons with consistancy in his coaching. Smith was thrown into the wolves in '05 on what was basically an expansion team and has had ZERO consistancy in his coaching since. Smith needs healthy playing time with some talent around him like in '06 to prove he's a winner or not. Period.
  11. terry j
    11. Posted by terry j Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:01 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I want my boy alex to get the job...lets go niners
  12. Kody M
    12. Posted by Kody M Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:06 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I agree NinerRich. Once Alex Smith gets a consistency from the coaching staff, they will get some better play out of him. You can't keep changing offensive coordinators every year and expect him to excel. I think they should have kept Martz, I think Smith would have done well.
  13. Doc
    13. Posted by Doc Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:27 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Hey vick is...re: the V. Young to 49ers...IMO single stupidest thing I've read in a long time. Smith will still be in the league when Young is stocking shelves at Walmart.
  14. William H
    14. Posted by William H Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:38 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Everyone dumps on Smith. This man has had no offensive live since he came into the league. Each year he has had to learn a new offence and has been beaten up by the press. This is his chance to show why he was drafted first. I only hope this is not another dream.
  15. JM Silk
    15. Posted by JM Silk Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:39 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I totally DIS Agree with Kody M, Different coaching staff will affect it a little, only play terms, Shaun Hill also had the same Coordinators as Alex Smith, so why did Hill play better? Bottom line is, Smith is a below average QB even when healthy. You take away the #1 pick and his guaranteed contract, Smith would have been cut by the 49ers. Hill is just a better QB than Smith.
  16. vick is
    16. Posted by vick is Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:40 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I agree that you can't keep changing OFF cord and expect the QB to be decent. Off the field stuff aside; the same can be said in defence of M. Vick he had what 4 - 5 OFF Cord/ QB coaches.
    I agree the Packers did it right by sitting Rogers behind Farve for 3years; as most succeesful rookie QB's are done.
    Alex Smith is the biggest #1 bust ever.
    Gore can't carry the entire load, the 49ers have needed a legit WR for 5 years now; since T.O. threw a fit and didn't want to go to the Ravens.
    V. Davis needs to step up as he's had too many years of " if he could just turn that corner.."
  17. richard c
    17. Posted by richard c Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:41 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    I have been a life time niners fan, but I have to say Alex Smith does not deserve to start Shaun hill is 7-3 as a starter give the dude his props!!
  18. bengonawile
    18. Posted by bengonawile Fri Jun 12, 2009 11:49 am EDT

    Report Abuse

    Everyone seems to be over looking the benefits of a strong quarterback competition. More than 50% of starting quarterbacks in the NFL lose playing time to injury. Having a strong back-up at quarterback is just as important as having a second runner or receiver. Whoever the back-up is going to be they will certainly benefit from the competition, and the experience of playing with the first unit.
  19. Niners4Life
    19. Posted by Niners4Life Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:02 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    does no one remember Smith Sucks!!!! He's a loser. When Shaun Hill plays we win. Just start the guy, give him the chance he deserves and we will win our way back to respectability. Stop hoping for smith to not be the bust he is, our journeyman will get the job done. True Hill may be no Montana, but he knows how to win!!!!!
  20. Jack
    20. Posted by Jack Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:14 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Smith is a bust....he always had good preseason workouts....that's never been his problem. When he's in a real game is where his decision making falls apart..... They should have made Shawn Hill the starting quarterback. The team knows they can win with Shawn Hill when it counts. I have no clue what Singletary is thinking. This isn't Joe Montana vs. Steve Young.
  21. FairlyHonestBob
    21. Posted by FairlyHonestBob Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:20 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I agree with Chavez. If he gets the starting job, we will see the same old pocket panic. Hill is a better QB on game day. I wouldn't doubt this is Smith's last season with the Niner's.
  22. LoboBlanco
    22. Posted by LoboBlanco Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:21 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Vince Young for Smith??? Ya gotta be kidding me. Young is struggling even more than Smith was. I believe that Smith is not a Leaf. He has had his good moments. He has been injured. Smith's faults are not scanning the field and being tunnel focused on the primary receiver. Hopefully he can be coached out of that habit.
    I think with Nolan and Martz gone, Alex is going to get his chance to make it or break it. I vote to give the kid a chance.
    No matter who is at quarterback, it should be a lot better with Singletary at the helm.
  23. Jordan Vasquez
    23. Posted by Jordan Vasquez Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:21 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I was excited to see smith battling it out i mean he may have just gotten used to the big leagues he could lead us to the playoffs
  24. Jordan Vasquez
    24. Posted by Jordan Vasquez Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:23 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    I agree with loboblanco
  25. Guy
    25. Posted by Guy Fri Jun 12, 2009 12:24 pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    In all my years I’ve never seen more arm chair quarterbacks/coaches.
    Look in all my years of playing high school and college football, I’ve never seen a quarter, I don’t care how good, win without a offensive line and no wide outs, than add into the mix one ego jack ass as a coach, five offensive coordinators, it don’t take a rocket scientists to see way Alex has not reach his potential.
    Coach Singletary is the first good thing to happen to this team in years. He’s been around the block a few times and his one smart read on how to get the best out of a player and the team. Don’t think for one second that Alex is not going to be the quarterback sometime this year and once he takes over he won’t be looking back. Last time I check Singletary was the 49ers coach, so please stop the V. Young, Michel Vic crap, get off the Hill crap, and clean your eye out, a three year old could see what’s going on here? Singletary is coaching that’s what he’s paid to do, and the man is doing a great job. He can’t just come out and say who will start, nor would it be smart. He has two quarterbacks push each to be better. Talent in the end will rise to the top and it looks like it’s already rising to me.

Sports Rumors

Add to My Yahoo! RSS

Teams

Customize to follow news and rumors on your favorite teams. [ Sign in ]