Access and Ignorance: Everyone Can Be A Coach In The NBA!

24/7 access usually leads to heightened levels of self-genius proclamations.  Everyone sitting in an area seat, on a couch, and in a sports bar knows more than the people on the court.  This is true in all aspects of life!  People think they know how to solve wars because they read some news story but have NO access to day-to-day relevant information.  Similarly, one can rewind live television and prove how foolish Roy Williams is for not adjusting to a new defensive arrangement or rip referees for just about everything under the sun.  Head coaches, may be second to referees but probably not, find themselves consistently in the crosshairs of fans and media members alike usually suggesting why they should be fired.  A losing streak, mismanaged expectations, or simple ungrounded irrationality keep the coaching weather vane in flux between excellent coaching and unable to handle the situation.  Miami Heat head coach Erik Spolstra is a perfect example of this.  One outlet says he should run things up tempo to maximize his player’s athleticism.  Another suggests their advantage comes from working in the half court because the playoffs slow down play and preparation for that environment is crucial.  Spo does both!  Miami is a top offensive and defensive team and excels in fast break scoring.  When they win, people forget he is there.  When they lose two games, people claim he cannot coach the stars and Pat Riley needs to come from on high (or from the depths of hell) to salvage the team.  Never mind that the Heat came amazing close to winning the championship last season, Spo is constantly between top five coach and hot seat (along with Chris Bosh for some reason).  That’s ridiculous but he isn’t the only one in both professional and collegiate ball (re: Bill Self).  Here are some coaches that find themselves successful but under the gun for some legitimate reason and others that elude explanation besides fanaticism and fandom, the essence of the modern American fan.  (It should be noted that I also exhibit these tendencies so don’t waste time commenting that I am no different.  I know that, Sherlock, but it doesn’t mean I cannot be reflective.)

Mike Woodson – New York Knickerbockers

Riding a very impressive record going in to the final stretch of the season.  Melo’s fresh from stabbing Mike D’Antoni in the back and playing hard on both ends of the floor.  Amare and Lin out providing a nice cushion if the Knicks miss the playoffs for a coach everyone seems to like.  He even has the benefit of being affiliated with Isiah Thomas, a definite positive in New York (the same influence that holds them back).  Sadly, Woodson’s biggest fear is Phil Jackson.  The table is set for his return and virtually nothing should stop the Knicks from making him coach if he is interested.  It would also complete his coaching legacy in the major cities of America, something that would make his next book very interesting.

Mike Brown – Los Angeles Lakers

Benched Kobe last Sunday and followed it up by benching certified fool Andrew Bynum on Monday after his egregious three in a close game with 17 seconds left on the shot clock.  It may be one of the most inappropriate things I have ever seen.  He is a jackass.  Bynum exercised his right to be a buffoon in the postgame: “I guess ‘Don’t take threes’ is the message, but I’m going to take another one and I’m going to take some more, so I just hope it’s not the same result. Hopefully, I make it.”  And I would leave him benched the next game too.  I digress from that idiocy.  Brown came under fire for his X’s and O’s during Lakers struggles (timed with Kobe shooting 38% and leading the team in FG attempts but again I digress) and has had tense moments with his stars.  It should be stated that the Lakers are the third best team in the tougher conference, something that gets swept under the rug.  Brown also gets the crap end objectivity as he led the Cavs to tons of wins and probably maximized what that team could do with the best player in the world and decent players everywhere else.  Brown is continuing his good coaching, extending his defensive acumen to this historically lacking defensive team.  Consistently underrated we will see how far he goes in the playoffs but I severely doubt he is holding this team back.

Mr. “Make It To The Playoffs” Vinny Del Negro, “Lob City” Clippers

Certainly Vinny Del Negro has the most flaws of anyone on this list and the case against him is hardest to ward off.  Still, Del Negro came in and successfully did his job: build a team with cohesion and make it to the playoffs.  Given talent level and the loss of Chauncey Billups, I would be quite content with being the fourth best team in the west.  And honestly, where should they be?  Oklahoma City is first, a team many believe will make it to the finals.  San Antonio led the West last regular season and has better players.  And the Lakers, and their drama, are third but only two games ahead.  Being in fourth and close to third given the teams is close to overachieving but certainly is nothing that should be a fire-able offense.  I imagine another coach will be brought in next season and should do a better job managing minutes and timeouts but again, quality coaching comes in practices and we are not privy to those situations.  As much as I am amused by his successful track record, getting an upgrade is a priority.  Still, firing him with two weeks left in the season couldn’t be more insane especially given where the team is and how little time there would be to install anything substantial.  Del Negro should tell all his critics to zip it and point to the record.

Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic

Similar to Mike Brown, people truly don’t appreciate the work of Van Gundy – most notably Dwight Howard who controls the fate of the franchise before he leaves next season (oops, spoiler alert).  Amid turmoil and true talent deficiencies combined with a quirky system, the Magic find themselves third in the east behind arguably the two best teams in ALL of basketball.  His body of work, including a finals appearance means nothing despite molding that “team” into something far beyond what they should be, a potential sleeper.  Many want him gone and that’s all I can really provide for analysis.  What exactly is he doing that is not good enough?  What in general is he doing that is not good enough!?

This doesn’t even touch on people like Bill Self and John Calipari, both successful but always unfairly criticized: Self for early exits and Cal for not closing the deal.  Ultimately, exposure to players and the game create the best coaches at home but somehow they never find their way courtside.  Leave it to the professionals and let’s not forget that just because we know more than we did generations ago does not mean that we know what matters.

Kentucky Rivalry, Blood Hatred

Louisville fan punches Kentucky fan in the face at the local dialysis center.  What on earth is wrong with these people?  Stand your ground people!  You cannot flip someone off when waiting for the dialysis machine and you cannot punch people in the face.  Both over 65!  March Madness!

Soapbox Rant: Who Cares What They Think?

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo-ddYhXAZc%5D

Written unedited in 20 minutes. Got it off my chest.

Dave gets it.

Perhaps because it’s an election year and I guess this Trayvon Martin tragedy has stirred up a little bit of controversy, but I’ve been hearing people clamoring for more athletes to take a stance on social and political issues. I respond with a simple, why?

In the spirit of Rick Pitino, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar ain’t walking through that door, Jim Brown ain’t walking through that door, Bill Russell ain’t walking through that door. That’s not to say that socially conscious famous athletes do not exist, but haven’t we gotten over the idea that these athletes are automatically role models. Didn’t this help do away with that? While I applaud LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and the rest of the Miami Heat wearing hooded sweatshirts as a sign of solidarity with Trayvon Martin, I don’t think they should feel obligated nor required to do so by the public.

The twitter generation has given athletes an unprecedented amount of exposure and interaction with fans. It’s brought us closer and humanized many of these stars. The twitter generation has also been the home for ignorant gaffe after ignorant gaffe from a multitude of athletes. For some reason those who scream for athletes to step up and take stand are often shocked when athletes say things they don’t particularly agree with or they may find a bit offensive.

Re: Larry Johnson

““think bout a clever diss then that wit ur *** pic. Christopher street boy. Is what us east coast cats call u.”

Re: Rashard Mendenhall

“We’ll never know what really happened. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style.”

“What kind of person celebrates death? It’s amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We’ve only heard one side…”

“For those of you who said you want to see Bin Laden burn in hell and … on his ashes, I ask how would God feel about your heart?”

Re: David Tyree – Super Bowl Champion Against Gay Marriage 

 

All of these men were slammed for their “ignorant” views. Who cares they’re athletes right? But apparently, especially in the black community, we’re looking at these men to be leaders. I’ve heard people complain that men such as Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter and even Tiger Woods have a responsibility to the black community to speak out on its behalf. WHY? It never seems to cross people’s minds that athletes don’t live the same lives as your average African-American, that their experiences now are vastly different. They may not pull the lever for the Democrat like they may have in their younger days. They could even tend to be more conservative given that the Horatio Alger “pull yourself up by your boot straps” was their reality.

For now, leave the political pundit circus to MSNBC, CNN and Fox News. Let’s keep it off the World Wide Leader in Sports.

Tebow might be Jesus, but Peyton Manning is God

Enjoy.

[youtube:www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mqwNV0mhwVE]

2012 High School All-American Jam Fest: A Breath of Fresh Air

(left to right) Morgan Tuck, Jordan Jones, Shabazz Muhammad, Tyler Lewis, Rasheed Sulaimon
Courtesy of McDonald's

After far too many failed dunk attempts, the 2012 McDonald’s All American jamboree ended.  The real basketball game will be played Wednesday at the United Center but this night belonged to the glamor of showing out.  Poor three point shooting, a very exciting skills competition, and athletes who could jump out the gym – though not finish their dunks – brought the crowd and other All-Americans to their feet.  For the excitement and corporate sponsorship of the event, the action on the court didn’t blow me away.  This was stardom beginning to be harnessed for greatness but still free from total control.  Looking at some of the earlier All-American contests, these athletes – men and women- look bigger, stronger, and faster than their rivals two decades ago.  The ebbs and flows of the crowd also struck me.  Despite the distant relationship between the University of Chicago and the outside world, the crowd featured as many students as non-students making for a lively and refreshingly diverse audience.  Honestly, the audience made the event rising with the hot shooting of Morgan Tuck or the electricity of Shabazz Muhammad trying and eventually jumping over his peer for a crushing dunk.  It featured the frenzied reaction of people vying for free shirts – a time honored tradition that never stops working.  No matter what the situation, people at sporting events will go absolutely nuts trying to win a shirt.  No fights, no belittling, no animosity.  Everyone came to see the future stars and everyone left with a smile.  Being that this event was sponsored by McDonald’s, that last sentence looks like I was paid by them to write it but I assure I was not – just brainwashed by subliminal messages and the smell of a Big Mac.  Still all of the show took a back seat to the players in a different element – the press conference.

I’ve been to a handful of press conferences but they all involved professional athletes conscious of their brand.  When watching professional stars speak during in-game interviews or in press conferences, they usually don’t seem genuine.  I perceive cliché’s delivered like clichés.  I see someone saying the right thing because it is the thing to be said.  Never pushing the envelope but seemingly never living in the now.  Interactions with the media appear as a chore to most professionals because it grows to be one.  The winners of the Powerade Jam Fest did not reek of artificial sweetener for the media.  It was the real deal.  Just like the free reign on their physical gifts slowing being molded by their high school coaches, accelerated by college masterminds, and finally packaged for the pros, player enthusiasm and excitement could not be contained.  When Jordan Jones spoke about being blessed with the opportunity to work hard and succeed it felt real because it was real.  Three point champion Rasheed Sulaimon (Strake Jesuit) reveled in the spotlight of playing the game he loved and being around others like him.  The game he loved.

Loving the game for what it is and what it can do came out the press conference.  No clichés.  No worrying about the brand.  No name dropping.  Just talking about working hard, laughing, and at times heartache.  Skill competition winner Tyler Lewis (Oak Hill Academy) remembered the risky decision to transfer so Oak Hill but also remember finding himself in the new system.  Coaching matters at this level.  Players are stars but they do not forget the role of the coach, a frequent omission of the modern day professional.  Who can blame pros who make 4 to 9 times more than coaches for believing they are worth more to the franchise?  In high school there is no franchise.  It’s the school and game.  This isn’t to say that these stars aren’t concerned about their growth and development.  Girls skills competition winner Jordan Jones (DeSoto) began to answer a question about the girl’s dominance in the skills competition and three point shootout but stopped abruptly. “I can’t tell yall that story” she stated between laughter.  Consciousness to surroundings isn’t because an agent is telling her what to say or how to say it.  It’s knowing what is for private, what is for public, and being true to self.  It’s authentic.  While the media remained cold and, to be honest, quite phony in their appearance these winners restored life to an incredibly bland canvass.  The media audience featured agents, potential agents, controlling media figures, and every entity we expect to mold happiness into business.  Despite their attempts, for now, the kids got their way.  They answered questions to who they wanted and enjoyed the one-on-one time as much as the on stage time.  I asked Morgan Tuck what she thought about the beginning of the media circus.  Her response confirmed the evident: it comes with the territory but she just loves playing with her teammates and meeting new friends going forward.

Seeing the emotions of college basketball players losing in the tournament reminds us that young people are innocent and tempers the fostered cynicism of corporate sports.  Smiles and openness of high school basketball highlights the same only the corrupting forces have not set in.  Everyone feels the professionalization on the horizon but for now it’s about having fun.  No business, just life – a much needed breath of fresh air to be enjoyed for as long as possible.

Jordan Jones, winner Skills Competition
(Courtesy of McDonalds)

Pick Up Podcast: March 25, 2012

Ladies and Gents:

Check out this week’s podcast on Tebow, Peyton Manning as a Bronco, Saints penalties, and NCAA tourny excitement…or the lack thereof. 

This Week In Failed Attempts To Avoid Fan Hatred: Golden State Warriors

Better late than never: no phase describes our fearless Editor-In-Chief better.  I could not finish my Chris Mullin jersey retirement analysis because the video quality on the internet was sour.  Finally I got a quality clip for one of the best moments of sports fan interaction in recent memory.  Before the breakdown, some points need to be highlighted before going forward.  The media response to fans being “disrespectful” to ownership is preposterous.  You own the franchise and I spent money to watch this team muddle around so yes I will be unhappy.  It didn’t help that Monta Ellis’ departure for the oft injured Andrew Bogut symbolized another rebuilding year – something Golden State is all too familiar with.  Booing new ownership should not be disparaged because fans rarely get to interact with the bankroll – especially one that is a little cheaper than the talk of Los Angeles.  Second, Rick Berry needs to do better.  Finally, Golden State does NOT have the best fans in the world.  Yes, they represent loyalty and passion but coming to basketball games does not make good fans.  It makes suckers.  If you continue to poor your money out to see a fledging failure, giving them no incentive to get better they will not get better.  It’s the ol’ Cubs system taken from Rounders: “If you can’t spot the sucker in the first half hour, you are the sucker.  Platitudes aside Golden State Fans are not number one despite their insistence to the contrary.  And now, Chris Mullin’s big night!

 

0:13: “Now that we got that over with…” referred to fans booing him when being introduced.  Suffice to say that this smug remark gave fans the green light to tear right into him.  You cannot think that people will get all the boos out the way and sit back and relax.

0:18: Card check.  You can’t remember that your organization is focused on *card check* History and Respect!?  Boo him more.  Memorize the darn speech.  Make it up.  Don’t card check.  Looks like the NBA All-Star game.  Only worse.

0:26: He knows this will be bad!

0:40: Is this the first time he saw this card or found out he would be making this speech?

1:15: Fans booing Mullin’s “change inevitable” appeal.  This helps the case of Warriors fans being great – they really do hate this new ownership team.

1:40: Rick Berry pops out of his chair like he saw Ricky Sobers (look it up if you don’t get the reference).  He is ready to take on the world and no one cares.

1:54: This turns into an old school WWF Attitude era event.  Berry sounds like a Vince McMahon stooge – most likely Pat Patterson.

1:56: BEST PART! Look at the black guy closest to the last framed jersey.  He starts clapping and signaling everyone in the VIP area to stand and clap too.  Is this a wrestling promo or what?  This has to be Jonathan Coachman-esque.  Hilarious.

2:00: The VIP section is up and spends the next eight seconds adjusting jackets and belts.  Love it!

2:15: Grandpa Berry whining about the multimillionaire spending his money on the fans and some other stuff but everyone has tuned him out because he is whining up a storm.

 

After dealing with all of that, maybe Golden State does have the best fans in the NBA!  No, probably not but they can spot B.S. from a mile away.

ManningWatch 2012 IS Over: A Review

Peyton Manning will join the Mile High Legacy (as sponsored by Sports Authority) with a 5yr/ $96 million dollar contract.  Broncos’ management did their due-diligence in structuring the contract with health related bonuses in years two and three.  Andrew Brandt offers up contract nitty gritty but I want to go through the implications for the main parties involved in the deal.  While some people write the standard “Winners/Loser” post, I give you updates on the “Movers and Shakers.”

Peyton Manning: Quarterback, Denver Broncos

Two different narratives emerge from his decision to join the Broncos and depending on his success it may lead to a massive reevaluation of the greatness of number 18.  From a football perspective – that is winning Super Bowl Titles- the 49ers appeared to be in the best position for a Manning upgrade.  With an elite defense, retooled wide receivers and decent offensive line Manning could rip through the NFC West to a 1 or 2 seed every year.  Not wanting to play against Eli Manning seems like a piss poor reason to avoid the NFC, so I did not buy it.  Like John Elway, Peyton is devilishly calculating.  He does recognize the NFC is the better conference with more, better quarterbacks making his playoff route significantly harder.  Owning the depleted AFC West can provide the safer route to title land and his familiarity with the conference means limited extra preparation.  It shouldn’t be discounted that John Fox is a defensive coach and would not stand in the way of an all Peyton affair on offense – something he enjoyed during his time in Indianapolis.  How do we view all of this?

1)      Peyton Manning is a cerebral, intelligent quarterback who will work to get to the Super Bowl in the most comfortable manner.  Has all the information and skill to make a young team great.

2)      Peyton Manning can only play in one system to the point where his abilities are questionable.  He cannot deal with strong coaches and unless he gets full control he cannot succeed.  He avoids the path of most resistance both teams and conditions (windy in ol’ Candlestick) to try a softer route to a title.

John Elway: Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Denver Broncos

Fresh off a glowing endorsement one month ago, Elway finished wiping the blood off the knife driven in Tebow’s back and made a monster move.  No one should be shocked that Elway made this move: he is a traditional quarterback, never did like Tebow, and always wanted to move him in the best possible way.  His team now gets a Hall of Famer and someone who looks like the last major performer in Denver.  Elway also shows how serious he is in this job.  Former players often get pushed over in negotiations in sympathizing with current players; Elway looks as cold-blooded as a Chicago Booth graduate.  Also gives the Broncos room to negotiate for adding talent to please Peyton which is a long term win.

Timothy Tebow: Position TBD, New York Jets

 

Numbers may deceive but never lie.  Winning games and being on a winning team as a sub-50% completion rate passer just does not cut it.  Fans and teammates immediately abandoned him for the shiny Peyton Manning who will not arm punt the 8 yard out.  Going to New York City is just stunning.  J-E-T-S fans will immediately demand for him to hit the field after the second three and out continuing the regression to the mean under the Rex Ryan-era.  If anything, Tebow may be active at a difference position at FB or maybe tight end which would be an upgrade because he does not need to throw the ball.

Miami Dolphins: Poorly Run Organization, AFC East

What in the hell are they doing!? A competitive team down the stretch needed to wait for a bad game to fire their coach; they gave away a premier wide receiver, and cannot get a quality player to go there?  Manning sweepstakes – not a chance.  Alex Smith possibilities?  He USED them to get back at the 49ers.   New Miami coach, former Packers Offensive Coordinator Joe Philbin, passed on Matt Flynn.  Miami is left with nothing and never had a plan going into free agency.  Some fans protested Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland and his decisions made over the offseason.  Yeah, those same fans who are responsible for the second lowest home-field attendance in 2011 behind the playoff Bengals (embarrassing Cincinnati).  Dolphins did nothing so this means rebuilding and that is never good for fans or players.

San Francisco 49ers, Window wide open for playoff run, NFC West Champs, 2011

Awkward but grown men will get over it and play ball.  Never a real contender for Manning so the entire Manning conversation just caused unnecessary drama.  Second time where a strong head coach interferes with better quarterback play.  Mike Nolan did not like young Aaron Rodgers opting with a less threatening Alex Smith.  Now Harbaugh opts for Smith over Manning (though more likely the other way around).  Smith is such a nice guy here but he better not stink it up in the playoffs next year.

Pick Up Podcast: March 18, 2012

Ladies and Gents,

Our first Pick Up Podcast is up!  Chika, Brian, and ALL II discuss college basketball, ManningWatch 2012, NBA Coaching woes, and D-Howard’s Drama.  Fun Stuff to be had but it is darn near two hours.  Fast forward throughout and we will try to get time stamps to help.  Enjoy and please send in topics to be discussed!

Pick Up Podcast: March 18, 2012

 

Is the 49ers’ Interest in Peyton Manning an Indictment on Alex Smith?

Earlier this week, the 49ers emerged as a one of the teams interested in signing former Indianapolis Colt’s superstar quarterback Peyton Manning. Reportedly, the 49ers worked out Manning, with Jim Harbaugh leading the work out. This new development was quite surprising because the 49ers have maintained the public stance that they intended on re-signing Alex Smith, the quarterback that “led” them to the NFC Championship game.

So, what does the 49ers’ interest in Manning say about the 49ers’ view of Smith? I posed this question to ALL II because he has been an ardent supporter of Smith. The result was a lengthy and a sometimes hostile discussion in an email chain.

Cheeks: 49ers have emerged as the third team in the Peyton sweepstakes. Allen, you still think that the 49ers truly believe that A. Smith is good enough to lead them to the Superbowl? Their interest in Peyton indicates otherwise.

ALL II: For the foolish people that make these kinds of assertions all the time, it is worth reminding YOU and others that interest in another entity does NOT mean lack of belief in what is there. I just got into an argument about Obama not closing Guantanamo Bay and how this indicated that his preferences changed on the issue. This logic is pretty friggin stupid. Not closing Gitmo indicates opposition from people in the organization (government) but it has NO bearing on preference changes. Similarly, interest in Manning – to me – indicates that believe Manning can lead the team to the Super Bowl. It DOES NOT mean that the team doesn’t think Smith can lead them to a Super Bowl, perhaps that one can do so in a more immediate fashion.  That said, I think Peyton ends up Denver where the organization is clear that they do not believe Tebow can lead them to a Super Bowl. Also, the 49ers got amazingly close to a super bowl with crappier receivers so I doubt the organization is wavering in its belief in Smith.  Jeez….”indicates otherwise”…do better. As if you cannot have belief in two people….as if Peyton is going to play another 7 years!?  GTFO

Cheeks: Awww…You mad because your Boo is not getting any respect?…Here is where your analogy falls short. In order for Obama to get things done, he needs the support and approval from people in the organization. He can be staunch advocate of something but if he can’t get others to support his cause then his cause will be rendered ineffective. So, in the situation that you cited, it would be misguided to infer Obama’s preference. For the 49ers, the power dynamics are vastly different. Jim Harbaugh holds a lot of sway in that organization and when it comes to quarterbacks, you would think that he has the ultimate say. Anything that involves bringing in a quarterback to replace his purported darling (i.e. Alex Smith) would be strictly his call. So, for the 49ers to go after Manning–and for Harbaugh to be the one running the workouts–I think indicates that he has some doubts about Alex Smith.

Look at the other teams that we know for sure had interest in Manning. Seattle, Washington, Arizona, NY Jets, Miami, Denver, Tennessee & KC. It is widely believed around the league that those teams weren’t particularly fond of their quarterback and were looking to upgrade if possible. So, if that was the case for those teams then why can’t I assume that the 49ers also are not fully sold on their quarterback? Teams typically go after a quarterback of Manning’s caliber with health issues when they aren’t completely sold on their quarterback (See the Brett Favre situation). If it is incorrect to interpret a teams’ interest in Manning as an indictment of their current quarterback, then why the hell aren’t teams like the Bears, Lions, & Falcons going after Manning? The quarterbacks for those teams have not led their team to a Superbowl and the teams are comprised of Superbowl caliber talent. The reason is because those teams truly believe that their current quarterback is capable of leading their team to a Superbowl.

Manning will not play 7 more years but I assure you that the 49ers will NOT re-sign A. Smith if they sign Peyton.

Also, the low-key nature with which the 49ers have pursued Peyton is very suspicious.

EIC (aka Bunker): New York Giants – Superbowl Champions.

ALL II: The 49ers like Alex Smith. Coach Jim Harbaugh has repeatedly expressed his affinity for Smith. Taking a look at another veteran quarterback would threaten the relationship between the two, but Manning is a special case. Looking into a four-time MVP quarterback and future Hall of Famer doesn’t qualify as a personal affront to a quarterback with one winning season on his resume. The assumption here is that Harbaugh has communicated the team’s intentions to Smith, either directly or through Condon, and that the 49ers feel comfortable in their ability to move forward with Smith if Manning does not come to San Francisco. (http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/61101/manningwatch-five-thoughts-on-49ers)

Cheeks: What else do you think Jim Harbaugh would say?! You think that if he had some doubts about Smith that he would express them to Smith? C’mon Allen. Like you like to say: DO BETTER!! Communicating with Smith is the prudent thing to do because it is not a certainty that they will land Manning. Manning is a special case yet the Lions, Bears, and Falcons are not interested but the 49ers are and they have not re-signed Smith. I’ll leave you with this: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.

ALL II: I think you are absolutely misevaluating the actions as they relate to the question: Do the 49ers think Smith can lead them to a Super Bowl?  Dealing with Manning indicates: we think Manning can do that.  It may be a difference in certainty but that should not be confused with believing he cannot.

EIC: As the only one who has access to Peyton Manning’s agents. The 49ers, while expressing interest are merely doing their due diligence as a franchise. One 49er source said, if we didn’t look into it, it would be tantamount to malpractice and outright irresponsibility.

Cheeks: “Difference in certainty” essentially implies that the 49ers have some doubts. They believe that Peyton can lead them to a Superbowl but aren’t completely sure that Smith can. And I go back to what I said earlier. What else did you think that Harbaugh would tell Smith?

Yes. Not looking into Peyton is certainly tantamount to malpractice and outright irresponsibility when Alex “Average” Smith is your quarterback. Lol

ALL II: Dude, a friggin four time MVP and someone widely considered as a top five greatest QB ever is a unique situation even if you have an above average QB.

Cheeks: A QB that is coming off 4 neck surgeries and is 35 years old is only a unique situation for teams that have doubts about their QB.

ALL: Absolutely not…again, ignoring the body of work.

Thank you Mr. Moneybags.

ZIP IT

Cheeks: Absolutely not ignoring the body of work. I’m taking everything into consideration. The quarterback situation of the teams that were/are interested is telling.

ALL II: If you could not read between the lines of the Manning people and the positive support for Smith, I don’t know what to say.

Cheeks: 49ers like Smith but they have doubts hence the pursuit of Manning. Fair?

EIC: (Allen just cursed and said “that’s what the fuck I been saying”)

ALL II: NO! Pursuing Manning does not indicate doubt. For instance, I have no doubt that Westbrook is a great point guard but if I could get Chris Paul I would at least have the conversation

EIC: Allen to say that the 49ers have no doubt about Smith you’d be silly. Get it together. I don’t see the Pats, Saints, Panthers, Giants, Ravens, etc. hitting up Manning…wanna know why? They don’t have doubts about their Quarterback. Alex Smith is a pretty doubtful/unknown quantity.

Thus I have to agree with Cheeks as to why they are going after the 2nd best Manning.

Cheeks: Thank you Brian. Allen, suck it! By the way, having a conversation is different from running someone through a workout for the purposes of signing them.

ALL II: All the same to me…no real threat. I certainly am not putting Smith in the elite zone but I am saying it is fundamentally different than Denver, Tennessee, and Seattle.

The End