New contract for Alex Smith?

[ThomasTomasz]

A year ago, the 49ers were without any real sense of guidance and had very little to be positive about regrading the state of the team's quarterback position. After hiring former Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh to be the team's new voice and leader, the mood has greatly changed and the quarterback position has now seemingly been stabilized.

Perceived by many to be a bust after being the first player selected in the 2005 NFL Draft, quarterback Alex Smith has been a steadying presence for the San Francisco offense since signing a one year "prove it" deal prior to the season. Now, the impending free agent appears close to an extension with the team.

League sources have informed Matt Maiocco of CSN Bay Area that Smith is expected to eventually sign a two or three year extension, paying him roughly $8 million-to-$11 million per season.

Smith, under the guidance of Harbaugh, put together his best season as a pro with 3,150 passing yards and a completion percentage of 61.4—both career highs—in addition to passing for 17 touchdowns on a career-low five interceptions.

The belief is that, regardless of whether or not offensive coordinator Greg Roman—a finalist for the Penn State head coaching vacancy—returns to San Francisco, the 27-year-old Smith should continue to improve in the same offense.

Harbaugh reaffirmed Monday that he wants Smith back next year.

Although Smith won't be mistaken for Joe Montana, his improvement this season was significant and many within the organization believe it warrants a new contract.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=nfp-20120103_new_contract_coming_for_alex_smith

 

[Aso]

Foolish I'd say for the '9ers. That's a lot of money to pay for a player that will lead you to 45 field goals a season let alone only doing it one season. It's not like he's proven himself season after season.

 

[Prodigal Son]

Giving him an extension is a bad idea? So release the guy and do what? Sign Donovan McNabb?

 

[Aso]

Giving him an extension is a bad idea? So release the guy and do what? Sign Donovan McNabb?

They drafted an all star named Colin Kaepernick. Instead of paying a guy a ton of money so you're kicker can kick a bunch of field goals and essentially manage the game, they can maybe offer a little less (because who the hell in free agency is gonna pay Alex Smith 8-11Mill) or play Kaepernick.

 

[trojan49er]

Kaepernick is more than a little rough around the edges. This gives the Niners more options. Do I think Smith is the guy that can lead the Niners to a Superbowl win? Probably not, but he's a much better option than any FA out there and he gives whoever that Future QB is (whether its Kaep or someone else) time to learn the system and improve as a pro QB before being handed the reigns.

 

[FirstTimer]

Thinks this is a great move.

 

[Villain]

A short (2-3 year) contract for Alex Smith is fine. He managed to not fuck this team up as its defense, special teams, and running game carried it to 13 wins. San Francisco had the lowest amount of turnovers on the season since just about forever (only 10).

Smith is only 27. He's younger than Cam Wheedon. He'll benefit greatly from a full offseason in Harbaugh camp and Kaepernick gets to take his sweet time growing into his potential. The physical stats on the dude are off the charts, but he definitely needs big time coaching on WR progressions, etc.

Anyways, keeping Smith is better than anything the 49ers could get out of the draft. Unless they want to trade for Peyton Manning, I don't see many better options out there. It's not like they're breaking the bank on him. He'll be making less than Sam Bradford except actually going to the playoffs and being healthy.


@FT - that post is borderline trolling. Not even close to the same situation, dude.

 

[Aso]

A short (2-3 year) contract for Alex Smith is fine. He managed to not fuck this team up as its defense, special teams, and running game carried it to 13 wins. San Francisco had the lowest amount of turnovers on the season since just about forever (only 10).

Smith is only 27. He's younger than Cam Wheedon. He'll benefit greatly from a full offseason in Harbaugh camp and Kaepernick gets to take his sweet time growing into his potential. The physical stats on the dude are off the charts, but he definitely needs big time coaching on WR progressions, etc.

Anyways, keeping Smith is better than anything the 49ers could get out of the draft. Unless they want to trade for Peyton Manning, I don't see many better options out there. It's not like they're breaking the bank on him. He'll be making less than Sam Bradford except actually going to the playoffs and being healthy.


@FT - that post is borderline trolling. Not even close to the same situation, dude.

The situations aren't entirely different. Both QB's enjoyed some success for only 1 season and got rewarded a big contract.

He'd still be earning more money than guys like Jay Cutler, Matt Schaub. Nobody in the NFL thinks he's a big time QB so I'd give him a take it or leave it offer of like 6 mil a year at most. Hell no would I give Alex Fucking Smith 10 or 11 mil, the '9ers have got to be out of their skull. I can definitely see Alex Smith's production taking a nose-dive next season. And he wasn't overly impressive this season.

 

[Rudi]

No way someone who is just a "game manager" like Smith deserves that much money.

 

[Warner2BruceTD]

Giving him an extension is a bad idea? So release the guy and do what? Sign Donovan McNabb?

VSD would approve of this.

Either McNabb or Kerry Collins.

 

[Shayn•Da•Pain]

They drafted an all star named Colin Kaepernick. Instead of paying a guy a ton of money so you're kicker can kick a bunch of field goals and essentially manage the game, they can maybe offer a little less (because who the hell in free agency is gonna pay Alex Smith 8-11Mill) or play Kaepernick.

:jonesy:

 

[Archer]

They drafted an all star named Colin Kaepernick. Instead of paying a guy a ton of money so you're kicker can kick a bunch of field goals and essentially manage the game, they can maybe offer a little less (because who the hell in free agency is gonna pay Alex Smith 8-11Mill) or play Kaepernick.

:wtf:

 

[GoChargers]

He certainly deserves an extension.. Seems like quite a bit to pay him though. I would be thinking 2 years $5 million a year

 

[TheImmortalGoud]

Quarterback's get paid more than what they're worth. That's just the nature of the business.

 

[Realist]

Smith made 1 year $4.9 mill this year so there is no way he will make less per year or just take a minimum increase after the year he's had. I can see him making about $8-10 mill. 2-3 years is a good length too. That's enough time for Kaep to mature and take over if Smith doesn't show he's taken the next step.

Also all of those FG's kicked weren't on Smith. No matter what QB the 49ers would have had under JimH, I don't see the 49ers style changing. And you can't get pass all the dropped passes this year too. Also it's isn't like Smith hasn't led us. He's had a few come from behind victories this year so he's getting it done when he's been asked to.

I also think the playoffs will be a good measuring stick too for his next contract. right now I say 8-9 mill, if he plays wll in the playoffs, that could bump to 10-11

 

[Tailback U]

The 49ers have stuck with Smith for this long when he hasn't done anything, there is no way in hell they should let him go after going 13-3 and making the playoffs.

Like others have said, this is his first year under Harbaugh and he didn't even get a full offseason. The 49ers receiving corps, despite what some may think, is one of the worst in the league. Crabtree is solid and Davis is excellent but other than that they don't have anybody.

 

[Aso]

The "he should play better in his second year in the system" has proven to not be true all the time. I can totally see a dip in Alex Smith's play given his inconsistencies in the past.

 

[Realist]

The "he should play better in his second year in the system" has proven to not be true all the time. I can totally see a dip in Alex Smith's play given his inconsistencies in the past.

Yet you want the 49ers to forget Smith and what he's done this year for an unproven QB that you have a man crush on?

 

[Villain]

The situations aren't entirely different. Both QB's enjoyed some success for only 1 season and got rewarded a big contract.

He'd still be earning more money than guys like Jay Cutler, Matt Schaub. Nobody in the NFL thinks he's a big time QB so I'd give him a take it or leave it offer of like 6 mil a year at most. Hell no would I give Alex Fucking Smith 10 or 11 mil, the '9ers have got to be out of their skull. I can definitely see Alex Smith's production taking a nose-dive next season. And he wasn't overly impressive this season.

But Matt Shaub, IIRC, hasn't gotten a raise since his time as a backup to Vick. He's due a raise. I don't have a problem with Smith making more money than Jay Cutler, either. Jay Cutler is a chinless prick.

Again, he can have a dip in performance (but I doubt he will). His performance wasn't and isn't the key to the way the 49ers play football right now. He's in there minimizing mistakes, not carrying the team.

 

[Aso]

Schaub got a new contract right when he was traded for by the Texans.

And Colin Kaepernick has a lot more potential to be that franchise QB, while Smith you already know he'll never be that.