Quote:
Originally Posted by milkman
Next, to Coogs primarily, I believe the thing that separates Joe Montana from Alex Smith is confidence.
The confidence in one's self and the confidence the players around them had/have in them.
Montana believed in his reads, in his ability to put the ball exactly where he had to, and his teamates believed.
I din't believe that Smith was ever going to earn that confidence from his team in San Francisco.
Just too many years of mediocrity or complete suckage there.
He needed a change of venue.
He's got that.
Now it's up to Andy Reid and staff to instill that self confidence.
I keep reading that Smith is a smart QB whose pre snap reads and adjustments are on Peyton Manning's level.
So what happens after the snap.
I'll tell you.
He doesn"t believe in his ability to put the ball where it needs to be in tight windows.
If Andy Reid can get Smith to trust himself, he will back up his claim that he can turn Smith into a HoF QB.
The problem is that I don't believe that's going to happen at this stage of Smith's career.
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I'll buy most of that.
Even though the Saints defense was not the best in the NFL, Smith made huge plays when he needed to, both throwing and running.
He opened 6-2 following the loss in the NFC Championship game. I'm not sure if I saw any of those 8 games, so I really can't comment on his performances early last season. Stats seem to indicate he was performing pretty well.
Since he seemed to be getting it... at about the same stage Brees did and where Sanchez is... I'm counting on the change of scenery... and all that goes with that... to put him over the top.
JMO