49ers QB Alex Smith's Job In Jeopardy?

[duane1969]

On NFL Network today the 49ers head coach, Mike Nolan, said that "When healthy, Alex Smith has been good for our team" then he followed that up with "When Shaun Hill was in the game, opposing defenses couldn't play 8 in the box to stop the run because they were concerned that Shaun would light them up with a deep pass"

At another point in the interview, when asked about the status of the QB position he said "Competition brings out the best in people"

All of this has lead me to believe that Shaun Hill has a better than 50% chance of being the starter. Nolan had nothing but good things to say about Hill and seemed to be planting the seeds of thought that Smith may be standing on the sideline next season.

[OnePimpTiger]

I highly doubt it...this is called lighting a fire under Alex Smith's butt. Nothing like thinking you could lose your job to make you work harder. Smith hasn't been that bad and has actually shown promise at times. He may be in trouble if he starts the season with several bad games, but I don't think he has anything to worry about right now.

[duane1969]

I thought it could be a motivational thing too but Nolan seemed genuinely excited at having a QB competition in camp this season.

I wouldn't say Smith has had a good career so far either. 1 TD & 11 INTs as a rookie, 16 TD's 16 INT's in his second year and 2 TD's & 4 INT's last season. Thats 19 TD's and 31 INTs in 3 seasons. Also his career completion percentage is 54%, also not very good.

In stark contrast, Hill completed 68% of his passes and threw 5 TD's and 1 INT.

[OnePimpTiger]

I would be happier about having competition at QB too, rather than have Alex Smith as your only option...at least if he fails, you have confidence in the next in line.

[duane1969]

True.

I was mostly suprised that after his third season his job is already in jeopardy. Considering he spent a lot of time injured in '07 I didn't think the 49ers would have been so ready to give him the boot. Just goes to show that the NFL is a "win now' league.

[Vilagooch]

Drew Olson's going to come over the top and take the #1 job... I'm hoping.

[PBamber16]

Smith didn't perform well at all last season like the Stats mentioned above show!! But then again the team as a whole didn't really perform offensively!! Very dissapointing year for Frank Gore as well. You never know that with a new offensive co-ordinator now, they may be able to make an improvement!!

[Stang81]

Whoever plays QB for the 9ers will likely be the most sacked QB in the NFL since Martz is the OFC.

Thanks
Mike

[Grave]

Whoever plays QB for the 9ers will likely be the most sacked QB in the NFL since Martz is the OFC.

Thanks
Mike

i have 100cc that says Big Ben gets sacked more

[snick103]

I think Alex Smith is overrated imo