Thank You Alex Smith
 

I think like a lot of you guys I feel a special attachment to this year's team, more than I have with any version of the Skins probably since the Sean Taylor / Joe Gibbs days. Certainly Alex Smith's toughness, perseverance and character have everything to do with that.

I have read nothing to indicate this will be the case, but I anticipate this playoff run will be the end of Alex Smith's career. I think he is likely to retire in the offseason, having proven to himself he could overcome the seemingly insurmountable obstacle, and gotten his leg back to the point where - as he puts it - he can live his life again. I think he knows that without his mobility he's not the same player, and I think he's going to talk with his wife in the offseason and they'll together decide that he achieved his goal, and he'll feel good about calling it a career. And he should feel very good about it.

Maybe this is jumping the gun but I really like having the opportunity to appreciate a player before their last game, rather than after. Whatever happens this offseason, I'll remember Alex Smith very fondly as a member of the WFT. Looking forward to seeing him in the uniform even if it's the last time.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

I appreciate Alex Smith. I also hope this is not his last game in the WFT uniform.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Great thread and I agree with you, I am all in with this organization again for the first time in years.. I love Alex Smith, I just wish he was 31 years old. I'm happy to see him back and winning (5-1) but it's def time to go grab a QB in the off season.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Let me ask this, given his career performance (inc. 3 PB's), his winning % and what he's overcome, despite not winning the big one, does he not deserve to be in the HoF?

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

[quote=AnonEmouse;1272592]Let me ask this, given his career performance (inc. 3 PB's), his winning % and what he's overcome, despite not winning the big one, does he not deserve to be in the HoF?[/quote]

I don't see that happening. If he somehow manages to carry this team to a SB victory, he would likely get consideration...but I don't see his body of work being Hall of Fame worthy to be honest. He's a winner, he's a great guy, he's over come a ton to be even playing the game again... but I think he's probably going to go down as a great story, but not a Hall of Famer.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

He's a Hall of Fame great guy but as a player, no.

What else can be said about his comeback, just an unreal story. If you can't root for a guy like him you're just a super shitty human.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

[quote=MTK;1272598]He's a Hall of Fame great guy but as a player, no.

What else can be said about his comeback, just an unreal story. If you can't root for a guy like him you're just a super shitty human.[/quote]

About sums it up.

Schneed I'm getting the same vibes, looks like this is Smith's final hurrah thanks to his calf issues. But he proved he can come back from what has been a career-ender to every other player that got it, there is serious steam behind renaming the CPOTY award for him (rightfully so), and he proved to himself and his family that he can do this again. No shame in going out like this. Hope for his sake Saturday night isn't his last game though.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Cannot agree more! Alex is a true professional. Tough as nails! Great teammate! Great leader! But yes, after hearing him talk it sounded to me like the writing is on the wall as well. I would love to see him stick around the team as a mentor/coach, but not sure if that is something he wants or not. Best of luck to you Alex!! Thanks!!!

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

There aren't that many top ex-QB's join the coaching ranks, compared to other positions (a lot of linemen!). But I suspect that is because many highly successful QB's prefer to walk away as a success than risk their legacy on being failed coaches. They prefer media roles etc. But Smith fits the model of guys that have done it before and succeeded; moderately successful starters or backups. I think he'd do a good job and I would really like to see him back with the team if he goes that route.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

I hope this isn't Alex's last game, but I agree with everybody else, the writing is really on the wall. Whatever is happening with his calf seems like there is nothing they can do about it, and it's probably a thing where in "real life" he will be fine running / jogging, playing with his kids, etc., but whatever is going on football-wise it doesn't seem like it is healing, and I wonder if he will have another surgery to fix it, once he has made up his mind about retiring.

Like somebody else said, I wish we had Alex when he was 30 years old and you could build around him. I think his run here would have been even more special had he never gotten hurt in 2018.

But to me he will go down as one of my favorite ever Washington players, and I will always have incredible respect and appreciation for what he went through here. Guys, Washington is an incredibly hard place to find success. And Alex Smith did it.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

My favorite Alex Smith stat 2-0 v Dallas :food-smil. I hope he stays with the organization in some area. I bet he's great in the QB room.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Alex Smith is a class act all the way. And what he has accomplished with his recovery and return is beyond inspirational. Whatever he decides, he will always be welcome around here.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

With today's announcement that he is inactive, I can't help but think we might have seen the last of Alex Smith as a starting qb for the WFT. I can see a scenario where he returns to the team next year, but not as the starter (unless it's bridge starter for a young guy who needs time to develop).

If this is it thanks for everything. Hope Heinicke did his best sponge impression in the short time he got to work with Smith.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Alex Smith has nothing to prove, his courage is an inspiration to all, but I think it's time for him to let it go and maybe become a coach if not here then someplace else, because at this point he's more of a liability at QB...THANK YOU ALEX SMITH!!

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Amazing!

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Alex is a testament of pure determination ad grit and the Team showed it thru Alex

thank you Alex Smith

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

A true professional.. I hope we can find a place for him as a coach (if he wanted that) .. inspiring story for sure!!

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Smith told 60 mins “this year showed me that I can still play at this level”

Doesn’t sound like he’s retiring


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

[quote=skinsfaninok;1274371]Smith told 60 mins “this year showed me that I can still play at this level”

Doesn’t sound like he’s retiring


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/quote]

Nope. I think if he goes, it’s going to have to be because Ron cuts him. But I’m not sure if Ron would do that. Fans have all these decisions of grandeur with Watson or Stafford and we going to end up with Alex Smith starting week 1 next year.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Thank you Alex Smith for everything you have done for this franchise. Your courage and will are amazing. All the best to you and your family!

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Stud and determination!! A true inspiration!!

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

We were 5-1 with him. HE got us to the playoffs.

Alex is not the Pro Bowl QB he used to be, but he's proving he can still play.

I'm all for giving him the keys next year and building around him for a run.

If we're not using the 1st-round pick on a QB, we can get a stud offensive lineman to replace Trent Williams...a desperately-needed DB or LB, or a real weapon at WR.

Giving Alex more protection and more offensive firepower is a winning plan.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

If he could improve his mobility and fragility I'd agree, but I just can't see it happening. Had he not broken his leg, who knows what could have been, but we can't pretend it's 2018 and he's got the promise to be our QB for 2-3 years. Honestly I don't know what he'd feel he had to prove by coming back next year, apart from the potential of a SB win (which frankly I see us 2-3 years away from right now).

If he retires now he'll go away looking like a legend. Come back next year and get crocked (or look awful) and he'll look like he hung around too long. Even worse if RR feels he has to cut him in/after camp for the benefit of the team.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

No surprise here

[URL="https://sports.yahoo.com/alex-smith-named-nfl-comeback-172812019.html"]Alex Smith named NFL Comeback Player of the Year by Sporting News[/URL]

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Do you think there is any chance the WFT brings him back if he does not retire?

I find it tought to believe we would pay him the 20+ million, and ultimately would cut him. Anyone have any insights into the CAP ramifications (It's my understanding that the post JUNE 1 cut number would be prohibitive from keeping him on the team).

Outside of the "scrap heap" and "mortgage the future" route, it seems we are back to square 1 on the QB situation. Still like the direction of this team, but we are in a tought spot.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Any other choice would be a joke. Congrats, Alex.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Once he retires, the award will be named after him. Most gruesome sports injury ever recovered from. He could be dead, instead he's winning football games in the NFL. Pretty unfathomable.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

[quote=sdskinsfan2001;1274796][B]Once he retires, the award will be named after him.[/B] Most gruesome sports injury ever recovered from. He could be dead, instead he's winning football games in the NFL. Pretty unfathomable.[/quote]

That is a most excellent idea.

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Alex Smith has been named the Associated Press' Comeback Player of the Year.
This one was pre-ordained after 36-year-old Smith's miraculous recovery from a 2018 compound leg fracture that ended up requiring 17 surgeries due to a host of complications. The football was not necessarily scintillating — never an aggressive player,

Congrats to Alex Smith. Your leadership and performance this year will always be remembered.

But it’s time

Re: Thank You Alex Smith
 

Great man, and leader! Yes it is time tho