Not everybody was super-pumped by the notion that the first-overall pick in the 2005 draft, Mr. Alex Smith, might not be NFL starting quarterback material. Certainly understandable, particularly if you're a 49ers fan who has had to endure five consecutive losing seasons.
Even if you think Smith isn't the long-term answer in San Francisco, that doesn't mean the future starting quarterback isn't already on the roster. Yep, that's right, J.T. O'FreakingSullivan:
[Offensive coordinator Mike] Martz predicted that O'Sullivan would jump out to an early lead when the team's offseason program begins on Monday because of his familiarity with Martz and Martz's system. (O'Sullivan was a backup in Detroit last season).The 49ers offense is in worse shape than I thought if O'Sullivan has a legit shot at being the team's No. 1 quarterback. No knock against the guy, but in six NFL seasons he's played for seven teams and has exactly zero starts.
When I told him that most observers thought Smith, or possibly Hill, would eventually move to the top spot, Martz said that was a bad assumption. "Heck, no," he said. "(O'Sullivan) is capable of being a starter in this league. He's not a reliever, if you will. He's not a backup. He'll take full advantage of (the competition). He's a very fierce competitor."
Who knows, maybe he's Kurt Warner without the grocery store experience. That would be a great story. My guess, though, is that Martz has to say O'Sullivan's in the running for the job. Partly to push Smith and Hill, and partly because the quarterback situation is about as unsettled as it can get. Still, given the economics involved, I'm guessing Smith wins out. Whether that's the right move -- or even if O'Sullivan could've done better -- well, we'll see.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Martz system is unique in NFL, if your good your great and if your bad your horrible thats why he had to move from Detroit not enough quality players, made Millen look like a jerk.
Posted at 8:17AM on Mar 12th 2008 by Rmoore
2. In Detroit, Martz the offensive mad scientist was welded on to a pound-the-rock coach's team. The experiment did not go well, and now the Niners intend to repeat it. Martz worked under a weak front office in Detroit, so he will find the Niners front office confusion familiar stuff.
Posted at 1:25PM on Mar 14th 2008 by robert
3. Martz's motives are three-fold: J.T. O' Sullivan knows Martz's offense. Number two, O' Sullivan provides the continuity of Martz's offense while the two, Hill and Smith, learn his offense. Thirdly, O' Sullivan has experienced success elsewhere outside of the NFL, which is promising. Hill showed flashes of pro bowl type of quarterbacking while having zero starts in as many years, so can O'Sullivan. Lastly, Martz knows the potential for O'Sullivan, otherwise he would not have gotten him to join the 49er's ranks.
Martz is no patsy, and is willing to gamble supported by his offensively schematic brilliance.
The 49ers are on a make-or-break status, and Martz's offensive scheme can make-or-break it, depending on offensive line protection and other factors.
Posted at 3:44AM on Mar 26th 2008 by John Critser