Nate Davis might just be the wild card in the QB
shuffle this off-season.
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
Even though this off-season's quarterback battle will mainly feature Alex Smith and Shaun Hill, would you believe that the quarterback that will benefit most from this could be Nate Davis?
The rookie quarterback out of Ball State was drafted in the fifth round and could be projected to be the team's third string quarterback. He even could end up as the fourth stringer behind veteran Damon Huard.
But how can he benefit from a battle that doesn't even involve him?
Now, the 49ers would be fools to not name Shaun Hill their starter for the 2009 season. Everything that has gone right for Hill has gone accordingly and he should be rewarded with the starting role. With an impressive 7-2 record as a starter, Hill does give the 49ers the best shot to win.
But let's say that Hill does get the #1 spot on the depth chart. Who would be #2? You would think Alex Smith will take that spot, but Davis could be a solid challenge to Smith.
Smith is the pet project of the Mike Nolan era. With that #1 overall pick status looming over Smith, the "bust" word starts to creep closer and closer around 49ers camp. The 49ers surprised some by restructuring Smith's contract to keep him around. But if he does not perform well, he should not be rewarded the #2 spot. If Davis does play better, Smith's career in San Francisco might as well be over.
Smith says that he has fully recovered from off-season shoulder surgery and would be ready to handle the upcoming battle for the starting job. But with a lot of uncertainty behind Smith, Davis would probably benefit from the battle for the #2 spot on the depth chart.
Davis has been criticized for having an unorthodox way of gripping the football. But that shouldn't take away his ability to throw the ball deep and accurately. In fact, those are the skills that I have yet to see from Smith at the pro level.
Davis looks to have more upside (and more potential) at this point than Smith does. If Davis outperforms Smith this off-season, the 49ers should not hold onto Smith as the future of the franchise. They need to let it go and move on.
Dyslexia, the learning disability that Davis has, should not be a problem for Davis as he learns the playbook. He has said that he is a great visual learner and as long as he is able to visualize the play and picture it, he will be just fine on the field.
And as Davis continues to battle for a position on the roster, he might just be good enough to make it to #2. He probably won't win the top spot, but could very well set himself for a bright future if he can show his goods in training camp. And over recent years, backup quarterbacks have excelled when the team's starter is unable to perform. In recent memory, we can find a Tony Romo or a Matt Cassel quietly taking notes as a backup. When their time came, they never looked back.
Comments
Shaun Hill should be our starter. He has the attitude to lead this team which has shown it responds to him. HIs stats for his first ten games are nearly identical to Joe Montana's first ten game stats except that Hill has a winning record.
I would be surprised if Damon Huard makes the roster. I expect Nate Davis to settle in as the third string quaterback and learn the offense and how to play the pro game. I agree he has the ability to be a starter eventually but I would hate to see us repeat the Smith debacle in putting him in before he is ready. Let him learn for a year or two and then compete for the starting position.
The ideal situation is for the team to have Hill, Smith and Davis in that order in the depth chart. Davis could end up being a major player in the future. Huard only fits in if the team feels they need that veteran presence on the team.
I wonder how much Smith counts as a veteran player?
I have heard that Raye's offense is nearly identical to Norv Turner's and under turner Smith had his best season ever. maybe his experience in running that offense might pay dividends this season.
I wouldn't count him as a vet just yet. Raye did learn a lot from Turner while working in Oakland. But remember that during that time, Turner did most of the playcalling. There will be similarities in styles of offense, but not to the point where Raye is the exact replicate of Turner.
There will be play actions and other things like that that Smith found success with. But at this point, I think everyone is starting from scratch in the offense. Smith might have some knowledge, but I don't see it as a huge advantage over anyone else.
I think Alex is in a battle with Damon Huard for a roster spot.
Shaun is the obvious starter. Singletary wants a QB that, when he steps into the huddle, "magic happens." He also says the team will choose the starter, by the way they respond to him. Shaun Hill, and Shaun Hill.
Alex makes way too much money, even under the renegotiated contract, to shine the pine. If Huard shows that he is a competent backup, I think Alex is traded or cut.
Love the Nate Davis pick, but it's a long way from Ball State to the NFL. I think he's two or three years away, and that makes him #3 in my book.
BTW, Nate says that his problem is not dyslexia.
I thought Davis reported to Singletary that his learning disability was dyslexia. Did I miss something?
And I do hope that the team does keep Huard as the veteran presence that the team surely needs at the position.
Are you kidding when you state that Singletary would be a fool not naming Hill as the starter. That is pathetic, let the best qb who performs and understands the system the best win this job. As for Davis, well the pros is not a learn the image in your mind level of the game. There are huge play books that one needs to understand and looking at pictures just wont cut it. As for Smith, he has the best shot, he has the arm if given the shot, I'm not certain where your facts come from, but like most reporter they choose their facts that best support your position. Hill is not a starter on any other team, he replaced a terrible JT and did some good behind a good D. Let this competition play out and play out fair and I guarantee Smith will start.
Last year, the 49ers let the QB with the best knowledge of the playbook start and that turned out terribly.
In any case, the QB that has shown the best poise and ability to play should be named the starting quarterback. Smith may be a great candidate, but Hill has proven much recently that he is also qualified.
It would make sense for the 49ers to start a quarterback that brought them the majority of their wins last season over a guy that has yet to take a snap since 2007.
If Smith does somehow WOW the competition, then the job should be his. But at this point, Hill looks to be the best choice for the team.
Let Hill start he looks the best so far he is 7-3 as are starter with decent numbers and can mangage the game...if he doesnt get it done then start Smith aka bust maybe he wont feel the pressure as much if he has to replace Hill instead of starting infront fo Hill...other wise d looks good would love to get Peppers... they can go somewhere this year !!
My thing is this. The first person to actually get a chance was when Shaun Hill stepped in at the end of the 07 season. When Alex Smith was getting PT our the Niners were still not coming together. I'll take Shaun or Alex. We seen what Shaun Hill is capable of, so if Alex can't do the same then we can give up but mark my word Alex will hold it down!!!
All of them will and should ready to sit on the sidelines when the 49ers sign Mike Vick. With shaun as his back up, Yea I said it. Vick is the missing piece, watch.
Nate had been a winner in high school, college and will be in the pros. Every level he has gone to I've heard the same thing. He's not smart enough. Phoeeeeey. Nate has natural instincts and you people out on the west coast will come to see it too. He's a horse I would ride. Oh by the way, his brother was an outstanding QB also.WVU wanted him before Bulger, but he went to Akron to play football and basketball. Look where Bulger ended up. Nate was better than his brother in both sports.
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