Wow

[Jack the Cat]

Just a couple of years ago, this forum would have been crowded full of people. Funny what can happen to the fans of such a great franchise when a terrible owner comes through and blows up the team. With that said, I think they can be a surprise team if they can combine their sucess against the Rams and Cardinals from the last 2 seasons, upset the Seahawks once and play well out of the division which they have had trouble doing.

[Snake]

I dont think they can even count on wins against the Cards. Adding Edge to the team was probably one of the biggest and best moves made to improve any team over the off season. Denny Green is going to have the Defense going this year and now they added a true running threat to take the heat off of the passing game. It may take another year for them to get where they want to, but I see them making big strides this year.

[football junkie]

Alex Smith went 16 for 21 against Chicago, and their best defense in the league, last night. Mike Nolan brought in Norv Turner -- the guy who developed Troy Aikman from being a tackling dummy to the most accurate passer in league history -- over the winter specifically to work with Smith. Last night's 28-14 victory might be showing some early dividends.

I know it's only pre-season and is hence meaningless in terms of standings but it still has to encourage the faithful that their young quarterback can complete 76% of his passes against the league's best defense.

One or two winning seasons and all the groupies will jump back on the 49er bandwagon. That's for sure.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I started being a 49ers fan back in 1993 and I'm still a fan, even though I have bemoaned their stinkiness the past few seasons. :p Still, Alex Smith's performance against Arizona was very encouraging. We'll see if they can beat St. Louis.

[KHenry14]

For the first time the public saw the Alex Smith that the team was hoping for. Problem is that he lost his backside protection, Norv better put in a few rollouts to the right for him!;)

[football junkie]

Well we're a quarter of the way through the 2006 regular seaon and the Niners are 1-3 while Alex Smith has shown significant progress.

He now sports a 78.1 QB Rating and is throwing for 6.81 YPA -- yards per attempt. He's thrown more touchdown than interceptions and should get a chance to pad his stats this week against Oakland.

You're probably looking at a 4-12 or 5-11 season but at least Alex Smith is getting a lot better.

[KHenry14]

Alex was 15-19 yesterday, and while that was against the Raiders, he showed a lot of poise and confidence. IMO, he's the real deal.:D

[Snake]

Heck, I am thinking I could go 15-19 against the Raiders, and I haven't lined up under center since 1988, lol. :p

Seriously though, Alex Smith is looking fine, within a couple of years he will be one of the good ones. Norv just needs to get a couple more linemen to protect him better.