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Ready or not Smith better have it going on Monday night
By David Zizmor September 2, 2007 |
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Alex Smith is the one person that all of San Francisco and for that matter the nation will have eyes on next Monday night at Candlestick Park, as the 49ers get ready to attempt to blitz in the opening game of the 2007 season. Smith, who struggled through his last two-pre season games can smile and say well that was because we used our second line...not that he had all the horses and matter of fact he had plenty of time in the pocket. He couldn't convert first downs in the first half of the Chicago game and then last Thursday night Smith couldn't find anyone and was pulled after playing in the first quarter. Head Coach Mike Nolan said that Smith will be ready come game time but he said it in his cautious voice that Smith will be that starting quarterback that everyone is expecting. Smith's first two years since coming out of Utah State in his rookie year in 2005 Smith was drained and was trying to learn the system. Then there was his 2006 season where he was looking to put it all together but he showed flashes and towards the end of the season then he got the 49ers within two games of getting in post season. Smith attributed that success because he had back up quarterback Trent Dilfer to teach him the honing skills of quarterbacking in the NFL. There is no doubt that Smith has all the time to make his throws, as he has protection from his line in Chicago and San Diego. Now Smith has to go out there and make it happen and he certainly was not going to get any help from former offensive coordinator and San Diego head coach Norv Turner in last Thursday's game whom Smith went to for advice all last season. Is Smith going through any new adjustments this year?: Maybe with the new offensive coordinator but Smith has said he has the skills to make it happen this year and he's veteran ready so he says. We'll just have to wait and see what Smith can do against the first stringers of the Arizona Cardinals which really isn't a bad team to start the season off of since the 49ers have had some past success off them. Veteran Bryan Gilmore who played seven years for the 49ers was cut on Saturday night by the 49ers. Gilmore averaged 18.8 yards on eight receptions and rushed seven times for 94 yards last season. However, coach Nolan who had some tough choices including 15 roster moves, including nine other veterans and four rookies who were waved. Nolan said after practice drills in letting Gilmore go that it was the toughest release that he had to make since being head coach in San Francisco, "that was probably as difficult a decision as I've had in the two years here. He's everything you look for in terms of work ethic and commitment. Its does become a numbers game sometimes with the numbers of players you keep at any position." The 49ers picking up Darrell Jackson and Ashley Leslie in the free agent signings did Gilmore in. Jerry Sullivan the receivers coach was emotional about cutting Gilmore and Nolan said the assistant coaches got to like Gilmore and his work ethic, but football is a business too. "It was a tough day also for the assistant coaches; many of them have become attached to their players. It was tough on Jerry, he spent a lot of time with Bryan,” said Nolan. David Zizmor covers 49ers football and co-hosts Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. quote source: sfgate.com |
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