The San Francisco 49ers were arguably one wide receiver away
from advancing to the Super Bowl in 2012, so the organization added Randy Moss,
Mario Manningham and rookie A.J. Jenkins.
However,
giving quarterback Alex Smith more weapons is not going to turn him in to
something he simply is not -- especially if his head coach is still Jim
Harbaugh.
Harbaugh
was not helpful in confirming Smith’s presumed new role as a quarterback that
will throw at will now that he has more weapons with greater ability.
Harbaugh
called Smith an “expert in this offense” last month, after a season in which
the overall consensus suggested that Smith was simply managing the 49ers’
offense to a 13-3 record.
As long as Harbaugh
is head coach of the 49ers, Smith will never have free rein to throw the ball
at will or control the game anywhere near the status of a Drew Brees, Tom
Brady, Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers.
Harbaugh is
controlling, but he is controlling this 49ers team into a position where they
can be competitive for years.
Until that
situation changes, Smith will continue to be limited.
Even 49ers
legend Jerry Rice voiced his opinion on the depth of Smith’s quarterback status
to USA Today.
“I
seriously think they got to take the diaper off this guy and let him
play," said Rice. "Let him be a grown man."
The
reality of it is that is not the way Harbaugh’s coaching style works, and it
will never change.
He
needs his input on everything, limiting Smith at times and letting him go when
the situation permits.
We
saw it in the final minutes of the 49ers/Saints playoff game last season.
But
those thinking that now with the additions of Moss, Manningham, Jenkins and
LaMichael James that Smith will now be able to have the freedom he never had
the opportunity to use are sorely mistaken.
As
much as the roster has changed for the better, Smith’s role on this team has
not.
Managing
the game is simply what Harbaugh wants and needs -- anything more would not be
Harbaugh’s way.
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