Quote:
Originally Posted by NinerDoug
Well, Jim Harbaugh succeeded with Alex by playing to his strengths, and not asking him to do anything he didn't think he could do, or do well.
Of course, that doesn't necessarily mean he can't be more aggressive. Just that Harbs didn't need to take those chances with the team he's got. Bit of a different situation with the Chiefs.
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I agree. I also think that this is the first year since perhaps his second year in the league with Norv Turner, that Alex Smith truly has a Coach, that is 100% dedicated to him. No 49er fan truly understood how Harbaugh felt about Kaepernick heading into that season, and truth be told, after seeing Kaep perform in the preseason in 2011, no one thought that Alex Smith would of had anything to worry about for a couple years. I was on record of saying that the best thing for Kaep would be that he would sit ala aaron rodgers for a few years, develop, and then take over. Obviously, with the kids work ethic, and an unfortunate concussion by Alex Smith, sadly when he was playing the best football of his career, opened that door, and accelerated that process. But, this year, with Andy Reid, the compensation given up, and the early impressions from the coaching staff, players, and gm, clearly this is Alex Smiths team, and clearly, he is not looking over his shoulder no matter how much people want to think that Chase Daniel, or Tyler Bray can be, or are better. Alex Smith is going to have his chance to cement his legacy one way or the other. Was he a product of being a care taker under Jim Harbaugh, or was he a late bloomer needing the guidance of Doug Pederson, Andy Reid, and Brad Childress to unlock the potential that landed him as the number one over all pick 8 years ago.
Lots of questions, lots of opinions, the answers, will be known in 6 months.