Ron Rivera Thread

[AnonEmouse]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

That's a great post, but i don't get a "retirement" vibe when i think about Alex coming into the game. He didn't retire despite everything he went through, even though that would have been infinitely easier. Like he said in his documentary, he wanted to know if he could make it back on the field again in an actual game. He didn't want to wonder about it the rest of his life, he wanted to know if he could do it again.

He survived one of the most, if not the most terrifying defensive players in the NFL, Aaron Donald who has absolutely been a buzzsaw this year, tearing through 2 and sometimes 3 players to attack his prey. The Rams pass rush was nightmarish, and Alex Smith took a terrible beating in his first game back. BUT - he survived it with no injury. In his mind at least, he has to feel / know that he is capable of surviving an NFL game. And when he basically carried Aaron Donald on his back for a few steps, I think he knew he was up to the task of being back in the NFL.

It is totally understandable that he looked rusty playing in his first game in almost 700 days. I am almost sure that with more reps in practice now, and further working with the 1st team offense, he will get his mojo back. He is 36, not young, but not a dinosaur. He should have several good years left in the NFL if he doesn't suffer anymore injuries.

Maybe but can he compete for a starting gig? Is he happy being a #2? Is he better for missing 2 years wear and tear (aside from his leg!) or is he going to struggle to shrug off the rust? He can still play, but so can Haskins, or Trubisky or Rosen etc. and none of them appear to be franchise material. Hence I think he'll get to the end of the season, his wife will point out to him he has nothing more to prove but has to be there for his kids etc. and he'll retire. Happy to be proven wrong if he can still be a #1 but I just don't see it.

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by AnonEmouse

Maybe but can he compete for a starting gig? Is he happy being a #2? Is he better for missing 2 years wear and tear (aside from his leg!) or is he going to struggle to shrug off the rust? He can still play, but so can Haskins, or Trubisky or Rosen etc. and none of them appear to be franchise material. Hence I think he'll get to the end of the season, his wife will point out to him he has nothing more to prove but has to be there for his kids etc. and he'll retire. Happy to be proven wrong if he can still be a #1 but I just don't see it.

I think we should see him in a few more games to be more sure, but I feel Alex Smith can definitely be a starter in this league, IMO, if nothing else be signed somewhere to compete for a starting job. If we let him go after this season, i guarantee you there would be interest out there for him.

[AnonEmouse]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

I think we should see him in a few more games to be more sure, but I feel Alex Smith can definitely be a starter in this league, IMO, if nothing else be signed somewhere to compete for a starting job. If we let him go after this season, i guarantee you there would be interest out there for him.

I guess. If he's fit and breakthrough enough to compete then someone will kick the tyres (yeah Brit spelling, I insist ).

Is he still under contract for 2021 or an FA? If he can prove he's still got it between now and spring, then maybe worth keeping a vet cover, but won't Allen be cheaper?