Yeah, progression wise I have no idea. It looks as if Fasano is running a flag route and Charles is running some kind of underneath route. I wouldn't be shocked if Fasano weren't the 1st read there.


However, just speaking to the dexter part of it, he's "NFL" open there with a well timed throw. He gets hit, but as we all know, things get really tight down on that part of the field so your going to have to just take the hit most likely if that's where you are gonna throw it

Could you imagine if it were possible for a week thrown pass to be intercepted there?

There is ZERO chance for #50 to intercept the ball if Alex leads Mccluster. Zero. As for the db I'm the top right of the gif, he is never within 5 yards of McCluster. He won't get there.

Nah I didn't want you to praise Kaepernick, I just don't want there to be double standards because you like a player better than another. So I'm saying don't reference any games where AS played well if the opposing team defense was in the bottom 12 in the league in pass defense since you believe that's significant. Don't change your stance to make Alex look good. Stick to your guns but do it on both sides.

I see you have a new subpar QB to champion. Awesome.

Ultimately I think I agree - if McClusters his first read there, the ball has to come out right at the break. Sorry Dex - dem's the breaks, kid; it's the NFL. That said, if you're going to throw a ball into that maelstrom that close to end-zone, you have to realize that if he gets hit hard enough or the defender is a half a heartbeat faster than you expected, that becomes a jump ball with a bunch of defenders nearby.

In the end, I think throw or hold, either argument is defensible even if McCluster is the first read. 50 clearly keyed on him and a smart QB doesn't go full Cassel there and get his WR murdered unless we're talking game on the line time. Even in a regular season game, is it really a good idea to unload that ball on first down in the first quarter? Man - I don't think it's that clear cut. The ball would've had to come in hot because of the small window and McCluster's not exactly known for taking hits well or holding onto the ball.

After he clears 50's outside shoulder and he's in pursuit, I think you have a legit beef; Smith probably needs to have the stones to try that flip (and no, it wouldn't be across his body - he'd have to lead McCluster). But right at the break? There's a hell of a lot of harm that could come from that and it's just as likely as the good, IMO. I don't think you can criticize him too harshly for not taking that shot there.

I've told the story a few times about the guy I talked to that knew Donald Washington and listened to him tell stories about Bowe. Bowe was done giving himself up for Matt Cassel. He was getting hung out to dry and it was effecting his effort. Winning games often goes beyond an individual play and if Smith gets Dexter detonated a few times, that's the kind of thing that can linger well beyond a single drive. Like I said, if it's the game on the line you throw it anyway, but a good QB and good team leader also knows when discretion is the better part of valor.

says the jagoff troll

Probably so. If we're talking 4 quarter in December with the broncos in town and were trailing, yeah, you make that throw. In this situation, I don't mind it. I think the rollout is actually a pretty basic throw that a qb of smiths caliber should make 9 times out of 10.

There also could be a beef with Dexter there in that he could have sat his route down harder instead of squaring in towards 50 in that situation but that could lead to a bevy of other problems

This is why they moved on from Alex.

They knew he could never provide those kinds of performances.

Agreed. Alex hates any throw with risk.

well, that play is designed to hit dex if he's in single cover, but he wasn't and so the next design read in this play is to hit Baldwin and get some upfield blocking help.

but what happened here is the NT just came right through before the play could develop. he not only came up for the pressure, he completely shut down the lane for this entire play -- no way to even step into the throw.

and then when smiff rolled out, Dex didn't go full sail to beat smiffy to the sideline -- no way to throw over a defender chasing behind on a rollout.

You make a lot of solid points in that post. Rep.

Alex is risk averse, pure and simple. The Saints game is the exception that proves the rule.

Ok red stripe.