Interview w/ Alex Smith about Kaepernick & other items.
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/kawaka...akami-merc+(Talking+Points+with+Tim+Kawakami)
Alex Smith spoke at his locker today for several minutes, Im writing a column about what he said and the things he must be feeling as the famous former 49ers starting QB, and heres the transcript
-ALEX SMITH gaggle transcript/
-Q: Whats it like to watch this team that youve been with for so long get to a Super Bowl, and youre not playing?
-SMITH: You know, I think a lots being made of that.
For one, Id be lying if I said it wasnt a little bittersweet. Yeah, I want to be out there. Thats what you work for. Coming into the season, thats what I was thinking aboutthat was the mindset, that was the goal for me.
But at the same time, its a team sport and these are all my teammates. You go through so much together, especially a lot of these guys that have been here for a chunk of time now.
If you cant be happy for them then theres something wrong with you, you know. For sureif youre asking me if I want to be out there. But I mean, thats secondary to this.
-Q: Can you enjoy it with your teammates?
-SMITH: Absolutely. Yes, very much so.
-Q: Kaepernick has really taken off these last few weeks.
Have you been impressed by him?
-SMITH: Yeah, no question. I think the thing Ive been impressed with most is, not so much the playmakingI knew that, I think guys around here knew that.
I think its the lack of young mistakes thats really jumped out at me. Most young guys that come in, yeah, they show flashes and they can play good at times. But then they also seem to have those young moments as wellrookie moments and kind of bone-headed things.
And he hasnt done it, period. You know, hes played good ball. Really played patient, played smart. Playing good football. So Ive been impressed most with that. The consistency of that.
-Q: Do you help with that?
-SMITH: Ive got no idea. Thats a better question for him. For me, he sees things really well. When he comes off the sideline there, especially during games, he sees things really well.
Just trying to relay anything Im seeing or communicating the game plan. But no, hes a smart kid. Sees things well out there.
-Q: You said Sunday that Kaepernick didnt get rattled out there. And you didnt seem surprised.
-SMITH: No, its just kinda him.
-Q: Down 17-0, NFC Championship Game, youre not surprised hes not rattled?
-SMITH: No, I dont think anybody was. Especially at halftime there, were on the offensive side of the ball. Yeah, were down 17-0, but were in the middle of the game, youre on the sidelines there, youre just trying to get something going.
And I think it really changed with that first drive, getting that first score, all of a sudden its 17-7, youre back in it. Then we scored again, all of a sudden we go in 24-14 but I think wed scored on our last two drives, headed into halftime.
I think guys felt really good with the game plan and what was going on even though we were down 10. Just a matter of sticking with it.
-Q:
Has this shaken your confidence at all?
-SMITH: Not at all. Its the nature of sports, you know? Yeah, he got an opportunity, stepped up and made the most of it. Thats the deal.
I mean, t
hats how I got my start in college, it was no different. Guy in front of me got hurt and thats how I got my first start. So itd be pretty hypocritical to be upset about it. Its just the nature of team sports.
[Skip question]
-Q: During practices or in the QB room before Colin started playing, could you see this coming from him?
-SMITH: Like I said, no question out there you see the play-making ability, for sure, on the practice field, you saw it in the preseason.
I think the thing youre shocked by is the consistency, that he hasnt had those
what career start is this for him? And he hasnt had those moments. Hes played really well, played really consistent, hasnt done anything that a lot of young quarterbacks do, which is lose the game for their team, you know, turn the ball over, cant operate at the line of scrimmage, things like that.
And hes done a great job of preparing and not having those mistakes.
-Q: Does he talk to you much about how he feels?
-SMITH: As QBs were not talking about our feelings very often. More so like coverages and progressions and things like that. So yeah, we talk football. Thats kind of the great thing, especially about the QB room. I feel weve got a great group of guys, Scott as well helping out and Geep.
Got a great room and its all ball in there. Were just really focused on preparing and getting ready to win.
-Q: You played the Ravens last year. What does he have to worry about with that defense?
-SMITH: That was a unique thing, playing them on a short week and flying out there. For me it really seems like a blur. Dont remember much from that game.
Well learn from the film for sure, see how they played us and things they did. Other than that, we know theyre a good defense, theyve got good players. Its just a matter of going out there and executing.
-Q: How do you make a difference over the next few weeks?
-SMITH: Same thing Ive been doing the last 10 weeks. For me, my job is to prepare and be ready to go, one. And then two, anything else I can do, whether its helping Colin or anyone else on this offense, on this team, in this locker room. Thats my job and Im going to put everything into that. Hasnt changed.
-Q: Youve proven you can win games as an NFL starting QB. Could you imagine not being a starter next year?
-SMITH: Therell be a time to talk about all that stuff after this game. Like I said, for now, just concentrating on the game plan.