Covitz:Alex Smith will play entire first half of Sunday’s preseason game

[dls6501]

My biggest problem with Alex Smith is he does not maximize the potential of every play. There have been countless times every single game of his career that he has a WR open for what could be a big play, but Alex chooses to go to a safer play.

When a wide receiver is a step or two past his defender, Alex does not see this as the WR being open enough, and will go to a more open WR.....even if the latter WR will result in a minimal gain. Alex sees a WR that is one or two steps past his defender as a risky throw....where in actuality, said WR is wide open by NFL standards.

The Alex fans will say that "he plays within the circumstances of the game," but I would argue that aside from having a big lead late int the 4th Quarter, there is no circumstance of a game that would call for a QB to NOT throw to an open WR who is streaking down the field. While Alex is praised for finding an open dump off that will net 3 yards, I criticize him for missing the open WR who would net 25+ yards on the same play.

It has nothing to do with simply hoping he will bomb it every play. That is NOT what I or others are trying to say. You Alex fans say that one of his best traits is accuracy right? Well then if a WR is two steps past his defender, an accurate QB should have ZERO problem hitting him and shouldnt deem it as a "risky attempt."

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by dls6501

My biggest problem with Alex Smith is he does not maximize the potential of every play.

Short and sweet that's the basis for all the hate.

He CAN make all the throws. He CAN scramble. He CAN step up in the pocket.

It's frustrating.

Reid is pretty much Vince Vaughn making him break out the bear claws...

NSFW

[Kaepernick]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Short and sweet that's the basis for all the hate.

He CAN make all the throws. He CAN scramble. He CAN step up in the pocket.

It's frustrating.

Reid is pretty much Vince Vaughn making him break out the bear claws...

NSFW

BINGO. He just doesn't, because he is risk averse. The 49ers messed up his head. If he had gone to Green Bay under McCarthy and sat behind Brett Favre for three years learning, I certainly won't say he would be as good as Aaron Rodgers is, but he would be willing to make those throws he is currently unwilling to make after the 49ers experience screwed with his head, making him risk averse.

The shoulder injury didn't help anything either.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by dls6501

My biggest problem with Alex Smith is he does not maximize the potential of every play.

Touchdowns every play!

[dls6501]

Originally Posted by Coogs

Touchdowns every play!

Come on man. You cant be serious with this. You know that's not at all what I was saying. SMH.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by dls6501

Come on man. You cant be serious with this. You know that's not at all what I was saying. SMH.

Not serious at all!

With some of the haters around here though, you just never know.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by dls6501

My biggest problem with Alex Smith is he does not maximize the potential of every play. There have been countless times every single game of his career that he has a WR open for what could be a big play, but Alex chooses to go to a safer play.

When a wide receiver is a step or two past his defender, Alex does not see this as the WR being open enough, and will go to a more open WR.....even if the latter WR will result in a minimal gain. Alex sees a WR that is one or two steps past his defender as a risky throw....where in actuality, said WR is wide open by NFL standards.

The Alex fans will say that "he plays within the circumstances of the game," but I would argue that aside from having a big lead late int the 4th Quarter, there is no circumstance of a game that would call for a QB to NOT throw to an open WR who is streaking down the field. While Alex is praised for finding an open dump off that will net 3 yards, I criticize him for missing the open WR who would net 25+ yards on the same play.

It has nothing to do with simply hoping he will bomb it every play. That is NOT what I or others are trying to say. You Alex fans say that one of his best traits is accuracy right? Well then if a WR is two steps past his defender, an accurate QB should have ZERO problem hitting him and shouldnt deem it as a "risky attempt."

You have to remember the progression though. You may look at tape and say, "see, Avery gets a step right here and is open and Smith chooses the dump off instead". The question is not did Avery get open, the question is did Avery get open before Smith looked his way in the progression. If not, it doesn't matter if he opens up late, Smith will find the first open guy in the rotation and unload. It's easy to watch film and point out open receivers - not so easy to know where that receiver falls in the progression.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by temper11

You have to remember the progression though. You may look at tape and say, "see, Avery gets a step right here and is open and Smith chooses the dump off instead". The question is not did Avery get open, the question is did Avery get open before Smith looked his way in the progression. If not, it doesn't matter if he opens up late, Smith will find the first open guy in the rotation and unload. It's easy to watch film and point out open receivers - not so easy to know where that receiver falls in the progression.

A fine point.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by dls6501

My biggest problem with Alex Smith is he does not maximize the potential of every play. There have been countless times every single game of his career that he has a WR open for what could be a big play, but Alex chooses to go to a safer play.

When a wide receiver is a step or two past his defender, Alex does not see this as the WR being open enough, and will go to a more open WR.....even if the latter WR will result in a minimal gain. Alex sees a WR that is one or two steps past his defender as a risky throw....where in actuality, said WR is wide open by NFL standards.

The Alex fans will say that "he plays within the circumstances of the game," but I would argue that aside from having a big lead late int the 4th Quarter, there is no circumstance of a game that would call for a QB to NOT throw to an open WR who is streaking down the field. While Alex is praised for finding an open dump off that will net 3 yards, I criticize him for missing the open WR who would net 25+ yards on the same play.

It has nothing to do with simply hoping he will bomb it every play. That is NOT what I or others are trying to say. You Alex fans say that one of his best traits is accuracy right? Well then if a WR is two steps past his defender, an accurate QB should have ZERO problem hitting him and shouldnt deem it as a "risky attempt."

The way I read this, it would seem at times that you assume that Alex sees every target option simultaneously (much like one can if they are playing a video game like Madden). You can appreciate that a QB's field of vision is not as such, right? When we the fans review a play and see a target or two pretty open as we pause the action... that can cloud the mind as to assume the QB does too.. but we must know he doesn't. He has to go through his progressions.. and often times when QBs do, they are not looking at a specific target as that "window opens".

There probably are times when Alex could take more chances than he does. I really can get the desire from fans for that. We'll see how it goes this season.. but for a 1st yr scheme like last year? with lots of doubts from all players involved? I think maybe we should ease back on predicting yr 2.. and understand that safe and conservative was wise in yr 1.

[Kaepernick]

Originally Posted by dls6501

My biggest problem with Alex Smith is he does not maximize the potential of every play. There have been countless times every single game of his career that he has a WR open for what could be a big play, but Alex chooses to go to a safer play.

When a wide receiver is a step or two past his defender, Alex does not see this as the WR being open enough, and will go to a more open WR.....even if the latter WR will result in a minimal gain. Alex sees a WR that is one or two steps past his defender as a risky throw....where in actuality, said WR is wide open by NFL standards.

The Alex fans will say that "he plays within the circumstances of the game," but I would argue that aside from having a big lead late int the 4th Quarter, there is no circumstance of a game that would call for a QB to NOT throw to an open WR who is streaking down the field. While Alex is praised for finding an open dump off that will net 3 yards, I criticize him for missing the open WR who would net 25+ yards on the same play.

It has nothing to do with simply hoping he will bomb it every play. That is NOT what I or others are trying to say. You Alex fans say that one of his best traits is accuracy right? Well then if a WR is two steps past his defender, an accurate QB should have ZERO problem hitting him and shouldnt deem it as a "risky attempt."

You understand exactly.