Troy Smith, Vet QB for Next Season

[TylerDurden]

I've been a fan of Troy Smith since watching him at OSU... Many here have said they would've loved to bring him in as well while he was with the Ravens. He was supposedly the starter going into Joe Flacco's rookie year, but became sick, lost a lot of weight IIRC, and missed a lot of time early on... Opening up the door for Flacco, and the rest is history.

He's now tearing it up for the Niners and when many here realized he was named their starter after Charles Johnson injured Alex Smith, he was again discussed, as to 'why didn't we sign him?'

Well, I looked it up and as I suspected, he is playing on a 1-year deal... I've proposed that we sign McNabb as the transitional vet to play while we develop our QB of the future behind him (whether it be Clausen, Pike, or whoever we draft). But, Troy is still relatively young.

I think signing him as our vet could be IDEAL. Being that he is still young, he could not only serve as the 'steady hand'-ed mentor, but quite possibly could come in and own the starting job from day one and become our QB of the future, not only the present.

I think a signing like Troy Smith could be a much better deal than we got when we signed Jake years back, and could turn things around in a hurry. He'd probably be signed for a similarly cheap deal like Jake got, and he's obviously much more naturally talented.

If we sign him, I believe we could concentrate on another position than QB with the first pick and continue to build at other skill positions, confident we have a legitimate winner at the QB position.

[Ohio]

Call me bias, but Troy can play. He is pretty accurate and very mobile. Usually makes good decisions and is a good leader.

But Carolina hasn't really made a good decision in the past 2 years. Peppers gone, no veteran WR signed, we give up a 2nd rounder for a 3rd rounder, etc...

[Kevin Greene]

Matt Moore looked pretty good for a few games last year as well.

Smith, while impressive has 2 career starts.

I'd hate to miss a possible shot at Mr. Luck thinking we had our starting QB for the next 10 years in Smith.

[mav1234]

I like Troy Smith and I wish him luck. if he plays well in SF, he's probably going to end up staying there.

Plus, he's not exactly a veteran presence. I don't think it would be a good idea to bring him in as a mentor. He's going to be looking for a starting job assuming he keeps playing like he has been. With that in mind, he would have to be a long term answer like you say, and I just don't think this team will go for a long term answer from FA, but through the draft.

[The_Cannon]

Troy Smith is pretty good, but I don't know if he's the veteran QB leader/ mentor we need for the rookies if thats what we're going for.

[mav1234]

also, if he ends up looking like a serious franchise QB, SF will keep him. If he doesn't, why should we pass on a possible franchise QB to build a team for him?

[TylerDurden]

I'm saying that if he continues to have the year he's having, he may opt to test the market before locking in with SF for the future, so I think we would realistically have a chance.

And as far as comparing him to Matt Moore. I don't think it's a fair comparison at all. While MM had more starts last year as a sample of work, we also saw him start a few years before that and most everyone felt he was "okay" but not spectacular or ready to be a starter. After last year, many of us felt he made enough progress to be a starter but there were still questions as to why he never earned the job over Jake before that.

I don't see these questions with Troy Smith. He was supposed to be the starter in B-More, but because of the illness, he never got a shot at it. Additionally, he's always looked relatively good in pre-season games, which MM didn't, AND I've heard reports that the Ravens players loved Smith as a player and leader... So, I think he can step in and be a leader.

[pstall]

no

[SorthNarolina]

It's only one game.

If he plays well enough to look like a potential full time starter the 49ers will keep him.

If he doesn't then it doesn't make any sense to bring him in.

It's a bit of a no for either situation.

I'd rather fully commit to Clausen and bring in a mentor type. Or go all out and sign McNabb and just give Clausen the chance to compete.

[Awesomeness!!]

SF isn't letting him go.

[Niner National]

If we get a relatively young QB that has shown some upside, I'd rather it be Tyler Thigpen.

[rayzor]

i would rather have a vet QB with actual game time experience...not just a few games like moore or troy smith (assuming smith can get the start for a couple games).

i want a vet with years of playing experience in here. i don't necessarily want him as the starter, i'd rather have clausen (if he improves the rest of the season) or some rookie with the old vet on the sidelines giving pointers.

not at all on they troy smith bandwagon. never have been. i'm thinking calling him a vet is a bit of a stretch and i don't really want him to come here and play. i just don't see him making the team any better. it's just wishful thinking on several people's part.

[PantherFan52]

Troy Smith is a midgit in 34 states. One thing's for sure though, that man has a rifle for an arm.

[Miaoww]

Talk about bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted!

Smith is starting in San Francisco and playing pretty well. They're going to keep him, and he's going to stay with a team that gives him Davis,Crabtree, and Gore as weapons.