Quote:
Originally Posted by 5superbowls3wins
And just because we’re 5-2 doesn’t mean we don’t have a problem at QB. Eventually we’re going to need to air it out to win a shoot out, and Smith will wilt as seen in the Colts game, the Saints game, and almost happened in other games. This weekend will be a test not only of our defense, but Smith if we get into a shootout with Matt Ryan, and you can BET Smith won’t be able to keep up.
Sometimes you need to strike quickly to take the momentum from the other team, sometimes the ground game is down and you need to shoulder the load, sometimes you need to send the ball more than 5 yards. SMITH CANT DO IT. He puts people to sleep and scares no one. If we didn’t have AP we’d be FUCKED
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... and if we didn't have two all-pro linemen, we'd be fucked ... or if we didn't have a run stopping defense we be fucked ... or if we had a QB who turned the ball over at inopportune times, we be fucked. HOWEVER we do have AP, a solid line, a run stopping defense, and a QB who is careful with the ball. So to date, we are not fucked; we are 5-2.
You point to the Colts and Saints game. Sure, Smith did not perform well; he didn't put the team on his shoulders and light it up. In both games, however, the team - and I mean the whole team - came out flat. Expecting a QB with 2 and 4 games under his belt in the system to make up for a team-wide collapse is pretty unrealistic. Even in the best of circumstances, if the lineman aren't blocking and the defense is getting run up and down the field, very, very few QB's can pull that sh** from the fire. At some point this season, Smith may be able to give them a fighting chance, but right now? I agree he is not there yet.
As Kope said, Smith can throw it deep and did so last year. Clearly, the passing game needs to improve but I fail to see evidence that it cannot do so as the season progresses. In fact, it seems to me that, each game, Smith is pressing his comfort level a little further with a couple more deep shots to Richardson and contested passes to Doctson than the last game - while at the same time not turning the ball over.
If we are still having this conversation at the end of the year, if Smith shows no advancement despite playing a full season in the system with the same receivers, than, yes, I will be more receptive to the argument. However, RIGHT NOW, Smith is protecting the ball and helping the offense do just enough to win games. Five games out of seven in fact.
Smith has been a successful, winning QB for many years. He will never be flashy or put up gaudy statistics.
So far, all he does is win.
6-2