Alex Smith Cut (update: retired)

The difference, and the reason 11-4 means something tied to AS is because in 2 separate seasons, our team had 5 + wins with him starting qb, and in those SAME SEASONS we were 3-14 with out him. The reason the W/L record is significant is because the team and coaching around AS didn't significantly improve mid season to make his play insignificant, instead his play significantly impacted the play of the rest of the team to make the outcomes better.

AS is above average. He is better than the scrubs we had. That doesn't mean he's the guy to lead you to a SB victory. He isn't. It is possible for him to improve W-L total when the rest of our QBs SUCK, and to be talented, but still be a world away from a SB winning QB. His playoff record is 2-5. Smith puts up lots of decent stats against average and losing teams and then hooches it when it counts, in significant measure because he is conservative to a fault and a checkdown QB. Trading for him was an AWFUL decision.

I'd say looking at the stats alone is misleading. Were we likely to be consistent playoff contenders with Smith? Possibly and maybe likely. Would be be SB contenders and even winners? Unlikely.

What he brought were intangibles like leadership and improving the guys around him. What he didn't do was sling the ball around and light up the scoreboard. As a rule he wasn't going to make catastrophic mistakes and dig us into holes, but likewise he wasn't likely to dig us out of holes others put us in. He was a good bridge QB, and our problem is we didn't give him a Mahomes to learn from him and be the other side o the bridge.

Listening to Heinicke, you get the distinct impression he made the other QB's better (or at least feel better about themselves), the exception being DH. And DH could probably come out of a meeting with Joe Montana or Tom Brady and gain nothing from it.

We need to find a franchise level QB with those intangibles, but with the tools and capability to go to the next level. Better football minds can decide who that is.

Exactly. The question is did we hire those football minds? Our two GMs both got QB wrong consistently throughout their career. Hope they get it right though and draft a franchise QB.

Exactly. The question is did we hire those football minds? Our two GMs both got QB wrong consistently throughout their career. Hope they get it right though and draft a franchise QB.Our current staff brought Stafford, Newton, and PManning to their respective teams. How is that consistently getting it wrong.

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Our current staff brought Stafford, Newton, and PManning to their respective teams. How is that consistently getting it wrong.

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What draft pick did they have?

What draft pick did they have?

What difference does that make? People have gotten it wrong with the first pick too since that’s what you’re implying. Ever heard of JaMarcus Russell? People have gotten all sorts of picks wrong....Ryan Leaf...Akili Smith....Johnny Manziel....Brady Quinn.....

What draft pick did they have?Yes i get that, but the statement I quoted claimed that Hurney and Mayhew got the qb position "consistently wrong". DS has gotten the qb position "consistently wrong " regardless of the draft pick used. My point was, when given the chance our 2 GMs and new vp of pro personnel clearly did NOT get the qb position wrong. Does that guarantee that, given FA options and our draft position, they will get it right- no, but it does mean they all know what qualities make up an nfl qb.

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Official

Washington releases Alex Smith (https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/03/05/washington-releases-alex-smith/)

So long, Alex...and thanks for all the fish.

What difference does that make? People have gotten it wrong with the first pick too since that’s what you’re implying. Ever heard of JaMarcus Russell? People have gotten all sorts of picks wrong....Ryan Leaf...Akili Smith....Johnny Manziel....Brady Quinn.....

It makes all the difference when you're drafting with the top two pick vs. the top 19th pick.

It literally makes all the difference in the world. Not saying Rivera can't scout, just saying the staff's job is easier because out of all draft eligible players, you can eliminate the clear-cut #1 pick and trust your instincts. When you're at 19 and you have no idea how the 18 in front of you are gonna go it can be a game of chance. You have no idea if the guy you want is going to be on the board when you pick.

https://twitter.com/AlGaldi/status/1367899313515487233

I just came in here to share this, I thought it was an apt analogy lol.

Thanks for everything Alex.