Uh... The 2005 49ers, hence Alex Smith's first full season as a starter and a rookie, they went 4-12. I don't see how they are any better than Minnesota in 2011. What is three wins compared to four wins anyway? Plus, they didn't have Adrian Peterson or Percy Harvin. Sure they had Frank Gore, who was still young, but outside of him? Nada.Purple bruise wrote: Way to twist things around
I was trying to compare the two QBs stats their first years in the league. HOW could have things been any worse for Ponder than being thrown in without a training camp and a group of crappy receivers (not Harvin) You think the 49ers were a worse team than 3-13 when Ponder came inHere is a quote from the from sporting news "2008: With former number one draft pick Alex Smith being labeled a bust, J.T. O'Sullivan started the season as the 49ers Quarterback. After losing the season opener to the Arizona Cardinals, the 49ers showed some resilience as O'Sullivan overcame seven sacks as the 49ers stunned the Seattle Seahawks on the road in overtime 33-30. A week later the 49ers would look strong again beating up the Detroit Lions 31-13. However, the 49ers would drop their next four games, costing Coach Mike Nolan his job. After a 14-9 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the 49ers would close the season on a strong note, winning their last two games to post a 7-9 record."
I guess if the 49ers would have given up on him like you cynics want to with Ponder, he would not have had a much of a chance to succeed. It takes some QBs more than 2 full seasons to develop.
When I said 2008, I meant 2009. That was a mistyping by me, it happens. In 2009, Alex took over for Shaun Hill and had some good games. He wasn't an all pro by any stretch. However, his play dramatically increased and it helped set a basis for his play to increase. 2010 wasn't the best for Alex. He got injured and the team collapsed on itself in the end, firing the offensive coordinator early in the year and ultimately firing Mike Singletery. 2011 and on we have seen what stability, confidence, and letting a quarterback play his style can do for a guy like Alex Smith - he is a good quarterback.
Call me a cynic all you want, but I am giving up on Ponder because he doesn't have it. He doesn't go through progressions at all. Ponder is too scared to even audible. Alex Smith audibled more times in last night's game than Ponder has in his career. Also, last night, there was a play where Alex Smith went through three progressions and delivered an on target pass for a first down witihin 3 seconds. Ponder couldn't do that if he had 6 seconds.
Feel free to continue to support Christian Ponder - it is quite admirable actually. Hell, I used to support Tarvaris Jackson game in and game out back in the day on this board. I got #### constantly for it. Ponder is a great person, who is very smart and amiable. However, he is not an NFL quarterback.