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Smith trying to hit targets for prime time show
By David Zizmor November 6, 2007 |
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Alex Smith has one thing in mind before taking his warm up tosses on the sidelines, and before Hank Williams sings the introduction of the Monday Night Football theme, next week at Qwest Field and that is to hit his intended receivers. Smith who went without a touchdown pass last Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in a tough 20-16 loss and wants to throw enough of them to win a ball game on the nationally televised ball game against the Seattle Seahawks(4-4). It might be a tall order as the 49ers (2-6) are looking to snap they're dry spell at six straight losses and the Monday Night stage would be the perfect setting to end the drought. Smith who went 17 for 38 last week for 149 yards, knows he could have planted the ball and gets the seven points that everyone all knows he can get in a ball game. "There's a time clock going off in your mind when you're out there. Then you watch the film and there's not a guy two yards from you,” said Smith. “That's when you realize you could have taken more time. That's the most frustrating thing”. The 49ers receivers were dropping balls too which help contribute to the tough outing for Smith and again Smith will have to count on Arnaz Battle, Bryan Gilmore, Delanie Walker, and Darrell Jackson. Who will be Smith's go to guy whoever who can hang onto the pigskin as it seemed no one was holding onto the football last Sunday and thats something that you can't lay on the missing Frank Gore who carries footballs. "Those are missed opportunities, game changers, the ones you'd like to have back. I'd like to have six throws back ( which included three interceptions). I look back and think what could have been," said Smith. Smith could look back on this coming's Monday Night game with fondness if he can get receivers to beat defenders and thread the ball to them. As far as the sore shoulder is concerned Smith said his shoulder felt great and that he was rushed and knocked off balance which caused him to throw ball off it's targets. While in practice you can feel great but in the game it's a whole other ball game and with the Seahawks trying to get a playoff berth. The Niners on the road need to squeeze this one off, as coach Mike Nolan is getting the troops ready for this one, "The season is a long way from over, we're never going to count ourselves out," said Nolan. The 49ers need to avoid the penalties, turnovers, and missed catches simply put Smith needs protection and to find his receivers. If the Niners want to win this divisional game they need to air it out but completions are necessary. If the Niners win this game which is long shot given the streak and what’s happened so far with injuries with offensive tackle Jonas Jennings and guard Justin Smiley who are listed as out for this Monday Night coach Nolan will need to devise a plan to get balls to the receivers. Look for a high scoring game if the Niners can get it on track. They'll need to attack early if they want to win this one. With Seattle at home, it's the only way to beat them and the 49ers need to take full control of the game or you can chalk off another L in the loss column. David Zizmor co-hosts Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento and covers 49ers football. quote source: KNTV NBC 3 future flagship for Giants baseball |
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