Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice this week suggested that the San Francisco 49ers should join the lineup of suitors for Peyton Manning, and it's an interesting idea.
But it's not a good one.
Hiring Manning would mean tearing up your offense, and, frankly, I don't know that Jim Harbaugh is up for that. But let's go a step farther: Hiring Manning would mean junking quarterback Alex Smith, and I went down this road before with Baltimore in 2001 when the Ravens jettisoned Super Bowl quarterback Trent Dilfer for Elvis Grbac.
Now before we go farther let's get something straight: I'm not trying to equate Grbac to Manning. But at this point of his career I don't know what Manning has left. At least Grbac wasn't hurt, was a Pro Bowl quarterback and was in the prime of his career.
The Ravens' move to Grbac made sense because Baltimore upgraded the quarterback position with a more accurate quarterback. Except they sacrificed chemistry when they lost Dilfer. And they were never the same.
That could happen in San Francisco, too. I know, Smith isn't Peyton Manning --- or what Peyton Manning was in 2010 -- but he was good enough last season to lead the 49ers to a division championship and finish second to Matt Stafford in the league's Comeback Player of the Year award.
Smith was perfect for the 49ers, a guy who, like Dilfer, didn't make mistakes, was capable of making big plays and knew how to win.
But there's something else. Alex Smith took the 49ers to the conference championship game, and he did it with last-minute heroics in the divisional playoff s. New Orleans. So the 49ers didn't beat the New York Giants. That wasn't Alex Smith's fault. Last time I checked San Francisco would've made it to Super Bowl XLVI were it not for a couple of Kyle Williams' gaffes on punt returns.
Granted, Smith wasn't terrific in that game. But that could happen against the Giants. Look how Matt Ryan played against them. Or Aaron Rodgers. The two combined for 20 points, for crying out loud.
Alex Smith fits a niche that is perfect for San Francisco. So don't screw it up.
Blog Entry
49ers should pass on Manning
Posted on: March 7, 2012 10:30 am
Edited on: March 7, 2012 10:51 am
Category: NFL
Comments
|
Since: Nov 12, 2006 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 7:25 pm
49ers should pass on ManningNo sense in arguing. They're not going to sign Manning. |
|
Since: Jun 6, 2011 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 1:55 pm
This guy is an f'n moronWhat the fuck is wrong with this idiot?
- Alex Smith is better than Peyton Manning - The 49ers shouldn't upset Alex Smith by getting another quarterback - even though they drafted Colin Kaepernick last year - Trent Dilfer was the key to the Ravens - even though he backed up Tony Banks half the year - The Ravens should have kept Trent Dilfer - even though no other team in the NFL was willing to let him start (he backed up Matt Hasselback in 2001) - Alex Smith knows how to win - even though he's had ONE winning record in SIX seasons |
|
Since: Jan 3, 2010 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 12:07 pm
49ers should pass on ManningShouldn't a team try to improve if it has an opportunity? If Manning is healthy, he's clearly better than Alex Smith. This should be a no-brainer. Replace Smith with Manning, and the 49ers are better than last year.
|
|
Since: Dec 18, 2006 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 12:06 pm
49ers should pass on Manning49ers fans what ever you do dont trust this man.
this would energize a team already to take control Peyton would rein over the west for the next four years |
|
Since: Nov 18, 2007 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 12:01 pm
49ers should pass on Manninghow about manning to the vikings
|
|
Since: Aug 23, 2007 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 12:01 pm
49ers should pass on ManningIt's amazing how guys who know nothing about sports, gets jobs covering sports teams. If you haven't played on a team then you don't know the inner workings of the locker room or the mind of an athlete. And you don't know the dynamic of the sport either. |
|
Since: Aug 24, 2006 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 11:55 am
49ers should pass on Manning2001? Did they even have a CBS Sportsline then? They should have passed on Judge and taken someone else. WHo? ANYBODY else! If any head coach could co-exist with Manning, it would be Jim Harbaugh. Alex Smith is a FA as well, yet that somehow slipped passed you Judge. With that defense, Manning would be able to improve the offense 10 fold over Smith and I'm pretty sure they would have scored more points vs the Giants instead of blaming the loss on the two punt fumbles, kind of like you did...
|
|
Since: Nov 12, 2006 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 11:43 am
49ers should pass on ManningAs a Seahawks fan with huge respect for Manning, I'd actually LIKE to see him go to the 49ers. The 49ers are on a nice path right now to have a very good team for several years. I don't think they can simply plug Manning into that equation as an upgrade to Smith. They'd have to change their offense, which risks what they're currently building. Every year spent in adjustment is a year those young defensive studs get closer to free agency and the bubble pops. Harbaugh installed a perfect offense for Smith which highlights his strengths and limits his weaknesses. I believe the 49ers can win with Smith (not because of him, but with him). It would help them if Vernon Davis wasn't the only offensive threat you have to really gameplan for though.
|
|
Since: Aug 18, 2010 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 11:24 am
49ers should pass on ManningAlex Smith is average at best, and that is probably being too nice to him. He had one great game last year, end of story. I think the 49ers should definitely be first in line for Manning as they are the closest to getting to the big game and are really a solid QB away. I just do not think Smith is it. He has been in the league more than long enough to have established himself as a guy with more than just one good big game. That being said, I doubt they do it. I hope Manning goes to Seattle and knocks SF out of the postseason. I am not a huge Manning fan, but he is definitely better than Smith, and it is not even close.
|
|
Since: Jan 22, 2007 |
Posted on: March 7, 2012 10:42 am
49ers should pass on ManningI'm not sold on Alex Smith being the long-term answer...but I more or less agree. I think bringing in Peyton Manning means tearing up the offense that was gradually installed over the entire course of last year and putting in what he wants to run, and when he's gone in 2-3 years you're right back at square one. The Super Bowl is certainly no guarantee if they get him: the track record of teams in win-it-all mode with a retread quarterback isn't the best. I'd rather build something that's going to breed long-term success, not go all in on a short-term gamble.
|
