For most of the past seven years, Alex Smith has been considered a huge bust. He has never been able to live up to the incredibly high standards that come with being the first-overall selection in the NFL draft. In 2004, the San Fransico 49ers used the draft’s top pick to select Alex Smith out of Utah. The expectations were high — seemingly impossible.
He had passed for 32 touchdowns to only 4 interceptions in 2004 at Utah for 2,952 yards. His first season with the 49ers was rough, to say the least. He only played in nine games and his stats were just awful. He threw for 875 yards with a 50.9% completion rating Smith tossed one touchdown and eleven interceptions.
He ended the season with a quarterback rating of 40.8
In the offseason, his head coach and offensive coordinator were both fired. But even with having to create new relationships and learn a brand new system, Smith showed tremendous progress in 2006. He dramactically increased his touchdown passes from 1 to 16. He matched that number in interceptions with 16. His completion went up to a respectable 58.1, while his total passing yards skyrocketed up to 2,890.
Again that off season his offensive coordinator was let go and a new one was hired.
In his third season, Smith got off to a strong start. In his 1st 7 games, Smith threw for 914 yards at 48.7 completion rating. He tossed 2 touchdowns to his 4 interceptions. His quarterback rating took a step back to 57.2. The fans at Candlestick Park were wondering how this standout from Utah who everyone thought would be the savior of this floundering franchise. Smith was supposed to be the next Steve Young or Joe Namath, but after 3 seasons he had only won a total of 11 games.
Smith’s next two seasons were both major improvements over his 2007 campaign. He topped 2,000 yards passing in both seasons and tossed 18 and 14 touchdown passes respectively with 12 and 10 interceptions. The trend of Smith having to learn a new offense each season contiued. Smith has had seven different head coaches and offensive coordinators.
All of the coach firings and hirings led the 49ers to current coach Jim Harbaugh. This season, Smith led the 49ers to a 14-4 season. Altough Smith never put up huge numbers like was the fashion this season, he was a fantastic game manager. Smith threw for a career high 3,144 yards 17 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions with a 90.7 quarterback rating. Although one good season does not make up for six bad seasons, you must contribute the lack of his success to the fact that he had to learn a new system and having to make new relationships.
This up coming season will be a big determining factor in what Smith’s legacy with the 49ers will be. With no new head coach or offensive coordinator, Smith is posed to make a big improvment in 2012. What he will be considered in 15 years after his career is over is still to be determined.
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