NFL Preseason games: 49ers vs. Vikings

I'm sorry for the long delay in this post.  Last Sunday the San Francisco 49ers hosted the Minnesota Vikings in a preseason game where the Niners were looking to avenge a last second touchdown pass made by Brett Favre last season that led to a stunning loss.  The Niners looked nothing like they did last season; they looked sharp and coordinated.  While they had their moments of sloppiness over all they looked like a team that could be a contender this year.  They have the same offensive coordinator as they had last year so starting Quarterback Alex Smith is actually getting a chance to keep improving the same offense. 

The first quarter opened up with the Niners playing dominate offense and keeping control of the ball.  Smith required 11 plays to drive up the ball 65 yards and was able to convert a touchdown on the 12th play.  The Vikings then got control of the ball and Brett Favre only lasted 4 plays and was forced to punt the ball on the 4th down.  Favre was also sacked by Patrick Willis for a 10 yard loss, which I have to say was a beautiful sack.  Favre went down and it took all I had to not cheer loudly.  I agree with what analysts said he needed this sack so that he could truly become comfortable with playing again and all that it entails to be a quarterback in the NFL.

Alex Smith played for most of the first half and showed us that with the same offensive coordinator for more then a year, he can actually make smart decisions.  He does still have a lot to learn and is clearly not in the same league of player like Joe Montana or Steve Young, he is someone who is willing to work hard and improve and is a team player.  His back up is David Carr a very able veteran quarterback who also showed signs of brilliance in the game against the Vikings.  Carr showed us that we do have someone who is capable to help out when Smith has a bad night or if he ends up disappointing fans again like he did in his first two seasons.  I personally am hoping for the Alex Smith of the second half of last season where he showed 49er fans that they hadn't made a mistake in drafting him with our first round pick in 2005.  I look forward to watching this season and following the 49ers and not being to insecure about the fact that I own and Smith jersey and wear it around.  Lets hope he makes me proud that I own his jersey.

I hope you enjoyed this post and keep following my love affair with sports.