More than any fan base in the NFL, 49er fans know a thing or two about great quarterback play. Old timers will bring up Y.A. Tittle. Gen Xers will talk for hours on end about the heroics of Joe Montana and Steve Young. For the 17 years from 1981 to 1998, the 49er dynasty was led by a Hall of Fame QB…a boast that no team can match.
The aforementioned only underscores the irony of the last 14 years. The 49ers went from perennial competitor to NFL laughingstock in just a few seasons…and stayed there for longer than any of the 49er faithful anticipated. Mired in mediocrity from top to bottom, the 49ers were nothing more than a shadow of the organization that sat atop the NFL for the better part of two decades.
Beginning with the hire of Jim Harbaugh, all of that began to change.
It wasn't evident at first. Not even close. The 49ers started winning…but they did so in a very precise, very conservative manner. The man under center, Alex Smith, was winning games, but he wasn't doing it "the 49er way". Alex Smith was succeeding, but he wasn't the reason the team was winning…and for fans that remembered the 49ers' glory years, that wasn't nearly enough. When the 49ers kept winning, detractors downplayed Smith's perpetually high QB ratings (90.7 for the season), often citing the fact that Smith was being asked to "manage" the game. The mantle of "game manager" became a backhanded (and oft-issued) insult in 49erland.
So called "experts" said that Alex was "not an elite arm talent", that he was "not being asked to do much", or that he was being "hidden by his coaches". As the season wore on, the 49ers continued to win. Smith continued to improve. Little things about his game that were evident to a few at the beginning of the season (improved footwork, quicker release) gave way to bigger things that were almost impossible to ignore (improvisational ability, command of the offense and an uncanny ability to take care of the football). Still, the doubters chirped, "he's not an elite NFL quarterback". Through all of it, Smith did not utter one word of discontent (not publicly, anyway). All he did was win football games, only to deflect credit to his teammates and coaches.
No matter what he did, the list of doubters (Greg Cosell, Merill Hodge, Jamie Dukes, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Phil Simms, Pat Kirwan, Peter King, Bucky Brooks, Jason Cole in addition to a host of local dimwits) refused to acknowledge that Smith was improving. As it turns out...maybe the "experts" don't know everything after all.
On Saturday afternoon, with 97 seconds left to play and 1 time out remaining, the 49ers needed Smith to drive them 85 yards for the win. The game had become precisely what the 49ers were hoping to avoid: a shootout with the league's top ranked offense.
Alex Smith was asked to do something he had never done: put the team on his back and win the most important game of the season. On 3rd and 3 from the 14 yard line with 14 seconds left to play, Smith dropped back and fired the pass of his life. Vernon Davis was there to haul it in...and just like that, the 49ers were back. Big time.
As the 49ers marched toward their Division Title this season, Alex Smith finally shed the "bust" label only to become Alex "The Game Manager". In the final seconds of Saturday's game, he became Alex "The Great"…and for the first time in 15 years, the 49ers are in the NFC Championship Game.
Thanks, Alex.
-
oldman9er
That's right, A.J. Alex made many look foolish this season and there's zero reason to expect him to stagnate or regress. His work ethic and dedication is so high that he will only get better with a full offseason and an upgrade at WR RG. Go Niners!!! Beat those Giants today!
Jan 22, 2012 at 6:16 AM
-
stonefly
many a leser man would have shunned Jim's offer after all the crap he's put up with since Norv left. Can you imagine? I am so grateful Alex stood tall. Wow that was a "throw for the ages" !! It's great to say GO NINER'S again in January (and February too!)
Jan 19, 2012 at 6:22 PM
-
dean
"Redemption Reception", i like it... i like it a lot! great article. i have been rooting for Alex over the years not because of his accomplishments, because let's face it, there have not been a lot of those before this season, but because of the person that is Alex Smith. one can't help but be impressed with his character and mental toughness. he is the kind of role model i want my son to look up to, that i look up to as one of my heroes.
Jan 18, 2012 at 2:43 PM
-
RonT
Come back player...nah...that's Stafford, Alex will have to settle for NFC Champion...hopefully Superbowl winning quarterback. I'm sure he'll be fine with that.
I wasn't an Alex supporter. I never thought the flashes were enough. Turns out I was wrong. He was just too young, on a bad team, poorly coached...and...needed to develop confidence, not naturally gifted due to his age. In retrospect, the guy is now Montana's age when he made his first SB trip. I think we'll be fortunate that circumstances kept him around to blossum...for the next 8 or 9 years. I think he keeps getting better and can be, if not elite, then very good and an excellent fit for our team.
Jan 17, 2012 at 1:38 PM
-
fireandice51
who else could possibly be more deserving of "comeback player of the year"?? nice article, awesome season, incredible game
Jan 16, 2012 at 10:33 PM
-
JIm
There was The Catch, The Catch II, and now there is The Redemption Reception! Alex Smith and Vernon Davis have exorcised all those doubting demons.
Jan 16, 2012 at 9:39 PM
-
Kasey
I am a long time 49er fan, And I can't tell ya how Happy I was to see Alex make the plays with his feet and arm that put our 49ers into the NFC championship game Woo hoo!!
Jan 16, 2012 at 9:29 PM
-
bob
Totally agree with BraQ..finally getting recognition. Because the way he has played this year, he deserves it !
Jan 16, 2012 at 8:42 PM
-
Brew
Thank you Alex indeed! THank you Vernon!
Jan 16, 2012 at 8:42 PM
-
BraQ
Alex can't catch a break with the media. Glad someone is acknowledging his amazing season.
Jan 16, 2012 at 7:35 PM
-
Brad Fiene
A.J., another great article. I always knew Alex had the talent when I watched him play under Norv Turner.....finally he got a second chance to play for a coach that understands how to coach a young QB. I believe 49er fans will see Alex become another great QB before all is said and done. Go Niners!
Jan 16, 2012 at 7:26 PM
-
JT
Well said....well said. Couldn't agree more....
Jan 16, 2012 at 7:10 PM
-
T-Sizzle
I concur...he has been through a lot during his 7 year career. A less mentally tough man would have moved on from all the ridicule he has endured. He showed the world what determination and fortitude he had in making play after play. Hats off.
Jan 16, 2012 at 7:07 PM
-
Diego
nice piece AJ, classy
Jan 16, 2012 at 6:19 PM
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that running back Christian McCaffrey is expected to be activated off injured reserve on Saturday, making him available for his 2024 season debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.
"We'll take him off IR...
