Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and the Manning brothers went into a bar

[Sunstroke]

Takes more than a couple good years to make that list. Hell Big Ben has 2 rings and he isn't even on the list!

That might explain the discrepancy between our positions... You appear to view the term "elite QB" as being synonymous with "lifetime achievement award," while I define it as "QB talent and production level right now."

[MikeO]

That might explain the discrepancy between our positions... You appear to view the term "elite QB" as being synonymous with "lifetime achievement award," while I define it as "QB talent and production level right now."

Being "elite" means being great over a long period of time. Not just having a good year, half year or a few good games.

[Sunstroke]

Being "elite" means being great over a long period of time. Not just having a good year, half year or a few good games.

No...

"Being elite" means "being elite."

"Being elite over a long period of time" means "being elite over a long period of time."

I could go out today, catch a hot streak at a pool hall and sink 1,000 of the most amazing billiard shots ever seen in a row. Today, I would be an elite pool player, whether or not I have a resume that indicates that I was elite yesterday, or will be tomorrow.

Again...you see "elite" as a lifetime achievement award, and I see "elite" as a barometer of capability. I respect (and agree with) your position of rewarding long-term production, and simply disagree with the framework of your definition of the term "elite."

'nuff said on that one...

[MikeO]

Agree to disagree. Regardless, Kappernick has played  well but I don't think he is anywhere near elite yet.  And the odds of him being mentioned in the same breath as Brees, Brady, Rodgers and the Manning's a year from now I think are very slim.

It wasn't like SF was a garbage team when Alex Smith was playing.

[Landshark]

Agree to disagree. Regardless, Kappernick has played  well but I don't think he is anywhere near elite yet.  And the odds of him being mentioned in the same breath as Brees, Brady, Rodgers and the Manning's a year from now I think are very slim.

It wasn't like SF was a garbage team when Alex Smith was playing.

But if Smith is under center for the Niners, no way do they get past the Packers in the playoffs

[MikeO]

But if Smith is under center for the Niners, no way do they get past the Packers in the playoffs

don't know how you can say that when Smith beat GB on the road earlier in the season and was 20-26 passing in the game. I think he could have easily beaten them at home.

[Sunstroke]

^^^ I wish you were an NFL GM with a need at QB and draft picks to spend...because nothing would make me happier than to see SF net an extra draft pick or two in an Alex Smith trade this offseason.

[MikeO]

^^^ I wish you were an NFL GM with a need at QB and draft picks to spend...because nothing would make me happier than to see SF net an extra draft pick or two in an Alex Smith trade this offseason.

Oh I am sure they will. I could see a team like the Jets, Bills, KC, or Raiders part with some picks to land him

[el diablo]

Which is why a trade wouldn't make any sense. Why would those teams give up draft picks that they need for a QB that won't make them any better?

[MikeO]

Which is why a trade wouldn't make any sense. Why would those teams give up draft picks that they need for a QB that won't make them any better?

I think Smith would make any of those teams better.  Starting QB's don't grow on tree's!

[Sunstroke]

^^^ I agree... There are quite a few teams that could improve their QB position by adding Alex. Hopefully the weakness of this QB draft class will help the Niners maximize the return they get for a "good-but-not-great" QB.

[el diablo]

I disagree. I could see bringing him as a free agent. Which he is not. He lost his job to a 2nd rd pick in his 2nd season. The same QB that led his team to the NFC Championship game last season. What changed? Outside of KC, I can't see anybody else making that trade. Let me rephrase that. If I were the GM of any of those other teams, I wouldn't.

[MikeO]

I disagree. I could see bringing him as a free agent. Which he is not. He lost his job to a 2nd rd pick in his 2nd season. The same QB that led his team to the NFC Championship game last season. What changed? Outside of KC, I can't see anybody else making that trade. Let me rephrase that. If I were the GM of any of those other teams, I wouldn't.

He lost his job to injury. Let's be real. If Alex doesn't get hurt Kapernick never see's the field this year

[Sunstroke]

Talking points for San Francisco when discussing an Alex Smith trade with other teams:

* He is still young (28)
* His contract is very reasonable ($8.5 million in 2013 and $7.5 million in 2014)
* He is healthy and has no existing injury concerns
* At the time of his minor concussion, he was leading the NFL in completion percentage (70.2%)
* Once Alex got past the "new O-coordinator every season, he blossomed into a very efficient QB (TD/Int rate the past two seasons: 30/10)
* "The deep passing game in today's NFL is extremely overrated!"
* "Who cares how small Smith's hands are...he's really smart!"
* "What are your options? No, seriously...what are your options?"

[el diablo]

He lost his job to injury. Let's be real. If Alex doesn't get hurt Kapernick never see's the field this year

You're right. If special teams came through for him last year, he might be a defending champion. But when Smith was cleared to play, he didn't get his starting job back. I'm not saying that he is Sanchez bad, but I'm not saying he's franchise material either. If I'm the GM, I wouldn't make that trade.