John Clayton: Teams Ready to Turn the Corner

[Brighteyes]

In case this hasn't been posted yet, from ESPN's Clayton:

Best way to tell teams on the rise is QB stats:

"(Alex) Smith should turn into a 60-plus percent throwers, as should Matt Leinart of the Cardinals. Leinart completed 56.8 percent of his passes as a rookie, which is exceptional. Rookies normally complete 53.3 percent of his passes. If Leinart can get his percentage into the 60s, Arizona scoring should vault into the 20s and the Cardinals should be an eight- or nine-win team."

 

[Pariah]

Sad that becoming a .500 team is "turning the corner" for this franchise.

 

[Ryanwb]

Alex Smith makes me laugh

 

[BigOX]

Sad that becoming a .500 team is "turning the corner" for this franchise.

You haven't been a Cardinal fan long enough if you think getting this team to .500 isn't very good and a celebration

 

[Pariah]

You haven't been a Cardinal fan long enough if you think getting this team to .500 isn't very good and a celebration

yeah, that's it.

 

[82CardsGrad]

You haven't been a Cardinal fan long enough if you think getting this team to .500 isn't very good and a celebration

Should we be happy about getting to .500? Sure... Celebrate?? Uh, no F'in Way!

 

[SeattleCard]

Alex Smith makes me laugh

me too.

he he

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Should we be happy about getting to .500? Sure... Celebrate?? Uh, no F'in Way!

I celebrate anytime we are over .500. I was elated after the first game of the season last year. Obviously that didn't last long.

 

[D-Dogg]

Alex Smith makes me laugh

Not me. I'm hoping he doesn't make us cry.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

Not me. I'm hoping he doesn't make us cry.

With Norvie gone me thinks Alex will have issues...

 

[SuperSpck]

With Norvie gone me thinks Alex will have issues...

Well, it'll say a lot about Smith's ability to learn if he's able to take what he had the chance to learn from Turner's offense and grow from it.

Or he could throw the football at the helmets of his offensive linemen.

Oh wait...

 

[AZCB34]

The upgraded talent on the Niners roster will help Smith alot and I think the Norv factor is a bit over-rated.

 

[football karma]

The upgraded talent on the Niners roster will help Smith alot and I think the Norv factor is a bit over-rated.

Is it really that much better on offense?

While Antonio Bryant was a whack job off the field, he was a darn good receiver on it. I think him and Darrrel Jackson are a wash. Ashlie Lelie is not the kind of receiver you get to help a young Qb. I guess Vernon Davis has a year under his belt.

 

[chickenhead]

.500 is one game away from an outside shot at the playoffs, so count me as interested.

 

[AZCB34]

Is it really that much better on offense?

While Antonio Bryant was a whack job off the field, he was a darn good receiver on it. I think him and Darrrel Jackson are a wash. Ashlie Lelie is not the kind of receiver you get to help a young Qb. I guess Vernon Davis has a year under his belt.

When you improve all facets of the team, the QB cannot help but be assisted in his development. A very good running game and some ok-pretty good receivers will be good enough to continue Smith's development and I think Norv being gone is not nearly as big a deal as some are suggesting (counting on?)

Add to that what appears to be an improved defense which will filter down an easier task on Smith.

 

[Gambit]

me too.

he he

I am one of those who is impressed by Alex Smith's growth and think he will be a solid starter in the NFL next season.

 

[wembley88]

In case this hasn't been posted yet, from ESPN's Clayton:

Best way to tell teams on the rise is QB stats:

"(Alex) Smith should turn into a 60-plus percent throwers, as should Matt Leinart of the Cardinals. Leinart completed 56.8 percent of his passes as a rookie, which is exceptional. Rookies normally complete 53.3 percent of his passes. If Leinart can get his percentage into the 60s, Arizona scoring should vault into the 20s and the Cardinals should be an eight- or nine-win team."

Wow - what an incredible fact.

I wonder if he meant to say 'on average'

 

[CtCardinals78]

Is it really that much better on offense?

While Antonio Bryant was a whack job off the field, he was a darn good receiver on it. I think him and Darrrel Jackson are a wash. Ashlie Lelie is not the kind of receiver you get to help a young Qb. I guess Vernon Davis has a year under his belt.

Vernon Davis is the next Antonio Gates that will make anybody better.

 

[nurnay]

I'm not so sure that Smith will improve much beyond last season. I just don't see him as a very solid QB. I've said it many times, SF couldn't have picked a much worse year to have the #1 overall pick. I think Norv helped him a lot last season, and he still had as many INT's as TD's.