We all understand Harbaugh’s motivation.  Smith seemed to finally put things together last year and San Fran goes right after the first sexy name on the free market after the season ends.  It’s a move that makes perfect sense.  I think if I were Peyton, I would’ve signed with the Niners.  Their defense would’ve been a great luxury.  And I think if I were Smith, I would understand the NFL is a business.

To recount the Smith saga, he was selected with the first overall pick in 2005.  Over the next several years, he endured seven different offensive coordinators and seven different offenses.  He also endured a lot of bad press which called him a “bust” and a “game manager” at best.  Then Harbaugh came rolling into town and Smith went toe-to-toe with Drew Brees in the playoffs, somehow coming out victorious.

So now as training camp is set to open in two short months, Harbaugh begins work to build up his quarterback again.   Smith eventually signed a three-year, $24 million dollar contract which doesn’t exactly scream, “YOU are our guy!”  Instead, Harbaugh will spend the next eight weeks saying it to every microphone which happens to be in his vicinity.

Make no mistake.  The San Francisco 49ers are going to be in the thick of things at the end of the season.  The have a great defense and they play in the NFC West.  In 2010, the Seattle Seahawks went 7-9 and won the division.

As a total New York Giants homer, I believe they should win every single game and every single championship.  I am always absolutely devastated when they don’t.  That being said, I see the New York Giants and the San Francisco 49ers as the top two playoff seeds.  The New Orleans Saints have too much baggage to overcome this year.  And the Green Bay Packers ended the season on such a sour note last year, I think they may have trouble putting it all together consistently.

Not counting any other teams which take it to the next level such as the Detriot Lions or Atlanta Falcons, that leaves the Giants and Niners in the NFC Championship game.  I expect Jim Harbaugh and Alex Smith to have a great year.  And all of this makes me appreciate the stability the Giants have all the more.  I also wonder how Eli Manning’s career may be different if he had to endure the same challenges that Smith has had to.

I’m glad Smith is finally getting his shot.  But when he travels to New York in January, I will hope for dismemberment and perhaps a minor bit of death.  Nothing personal, Alex.  It’s just business.

Nov 8, 2009; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (left) and San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers talk prior to game at Giants Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O

Take a look at this brief off-season quarterback carousel just so that you can understand where I’m coming from:

• The Indianapolis Colts cut Peyton Manning so they can draft Andrew Luck.
• Peyton Manning signs with the Denver Broncos after putting the NFL on a three year waiting list. Wait, what? It wasn’t three years? Sure seemed like it.
• The St. Louis Rams got a fortune in return from the Washington Redskins so they can take RG3 right after the Colts select Luck.
• Matt Flynn signs with the Seattle Seahawks after being Aaron Rodgers’ backup.
• Jason Campbell leaves Oakland after having his starting job taken away and signs with the Chicago Bears to become Jay Cutler’s backup.
• Kyle Orton does the same thing and goes to backup Tony Romo in Dallas after starting for two teams last year: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos.
• Denver Broncos’ third string QB Brady Quinn moves to Kansas City to become that team’s newest backup QB.
• Chad Henne left the Dolphins to challenge for the starting QB job with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
• The New York Jets brought in Drew Stanton to be Mark Sanchez’s new body double.
• David Garrard comes back to the league after a one year absence to join the Miami Dolphins.

We have backups becoming starters, starters becoming backups, rookies being drafted presumably to start from day, guys out of the league for a year and one of the greatest QBs to ever play in the NFL cut for a player to have never played a down of professional football before. Confused yet? That’s because it is confusing to keep track of which quarterback is on which team now in the new quarterback driven NFL.

With the signing of Manning to the Broncos there is now another starting quarterback that could be had for the right price: Tim Tebow for a 5th round pick, presumably. The two teams with a most glaring need at a QB, if the 49ers don’t bring back Alex Smith, that is, are the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. You have to include Miami because a Matt Moore/David Garrard combo doesn’t scare anyone.

The Browns were never in the hunt for Manning but aren’t enamored with incumbent QB Colt McCoy and lost out on the RG3 sweepstakes. The Dolphins went all in on Manning but came back empty handed; then their second choice Flynn spurned them for the Seahawks. That leaves the potential of either one of those two teams signing Alex Smith, he of the 49ers, who has no idea of his job status thanks to the Peyton Derby, and the aforementioned Tebow.

Plus there are other potential first round quarterbacks besides Luck and RG3 that could be taken by the Browns or Dolphins like Ryan Tannehill or Brandon Weeden, both of whom, if you ask me aren’t worthy of being selected in the top ten of the draft but might be taken that early because the Dolphins (picking 8^th overall) and the Browns (picking 4^th overall) won’t have any choice other than dangling a future first round draft pick in order to trade back into the latter part of the upcoming 2012 NFL Draft.

By my calculations we might have a total of 11 teams with a new starting QB/quarterback question marks entering next season:

-Redskins – RG3, Vikings – Ponder/Webb?, Jaguars – Gabbert/Henne? Or maybe even Tebow?, San Fran – Smith/Kaepernick/Josh Johnson?, Arizona – Kolb/Skelton? Cleveland – McCoy?, Seattle – Flynn/T-Jax? Titans – Locker/Hasselbeck?, Indy – Luck, Miami – Moore/Garrard? and Denver – Peyton Manning.

11! That is a ridiculous amount of turnover at the most important position in football.

Now you can see why I’m pretty happy that the Giants have Eli Manning and we didn’t have to put up with the Peyton circus and the revolving game of quarterback musical chairs that teams like the Redskins and Dolphins plus players like Tebow and Smith have had to put up with this offseason. Heck, the Giants are even keeping their back-up QB David Carr.

Now, no one is going to mistake any Harbaugh for Josh McDaniel, Peyton Manning is more established and proven than Matt Cassell, and Alex Smith is no Jay Cutler, but the chances of losing all of them is a possibility.  Harbaugh and Alex Smith were said to have a special relationship, one built on trust and belief in each other.  It was said that that was all Alex needed was someone to believe in him, trust him, and give him his opportunity to prove himself.  Harbaugh did all of  the above and the 9ers won 13 games during the regular season and hosted the NFC Championship game last season. Now it seems like Harbaugh is willing to gamble that all away.  Alex Smith has visited the Miami Dolphins and is headed to Seattle for a visit.  Peyton Manning, it has been reported, wants to stay in the AFC for a variety of reasons, including not having to face the Giants and Eli in the playoffs.  I would suggest that San Francisco would be the place to go if you wanted to Guarantee a playoff match-up with Eli, not avoid one.  So, Here are the 49ers, 13-3 last season, with a home playoff win against the Saints, and a very well played overtime loss to the Super Bowl Champions, without a QB on their roster.

Peyton may very well choose Denver or Tennessee….Alex Smith might be so put off that he signs with Miami or Seattle, or Denver.  Matt Flynn could go to the team Smith doesn’t choose, and the 9ers could be left standing when the music stops.  I understand this might be worth the risk, but the result might be disaster for San Francisco and coach Harbaugh.  Even if Alex Smith stays the relationship will always be damaged and may break the team apart.

We will know more Monday or Tuesday as Peyton makes his decision.

Has it really sunk in yet? Has your pulse rate returned to normal?

After a 20-17 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers, the Giants are going to the Super Bowl.

It’s amazing how far this Giants team has come in a little more than a month. This was a team that was 7-7 at one point, lost to the Seahawks and twice to the Redskins, and looking maddeningly inconsistent for a good portion of the season. But they hung tough, they got key wins at the end of the season instead of collapsing, and have been rolling ever since. This Giants team is a testimony to the fact that in the NFL postseason, it’s not about who was best in the regular season but about getting hot at the right time.

Thoughts from the game-

-On a night when the offense struggled to move in the ball, especially in the second half, it was great to see the defense play so well. They didn’t get to Alex Smith as much as expected and were burned on big plays a few times but they refused to bend or break and buckled down when needed. Which, if you think about it, is really how they’ve operated in the past few weeks. The Giants defense tends to give up a decent amount of yards but they manage to keep their opponent off the board, which is what’s most important any way.

-Given San Francisco’s turnover-happy defense, one of the keys to this game for the Giants was winning the turnover battle, just like they did last week in Green Bay. Not only were they +2 in that category but both of the turnovers they recovered were huge. (Both came on special teams too, which is one area where many seemed to think the 49ers had a clear advantage.) If it wasn’t for the Kyle Williams muffed punt and Jacquain Williams and Devin Thomas teaming up on that fumble recovery, the 49ers very well could have put the Giants away for good.

Speaking of the muffed punt, was I the only one who was amazed that challenge went the Giants’ way, considering what happened last week with the Greg Jennings so-called non fumble?

-The Giants struggles in the running game reared its ugly head again, though in fairness they were playing against a very stout run defense. Eli Manning got no relief from handing the ball off to Ahmad Bradshaw or Brandon Jacobs, and there were times when he could’ve used that break. It really goes to show how much the offense has depended on him all year.

-Here’s to hoping that the injured 49ers cornerback- Tarrell Brown if I recall correctly- is alright after colliding with one of his teammates during the game. Seeing him lay on the field for so long was scary, though it was a huge relief that he was showing signs of movement. No one wants another Kevin Everett situation.

-As pointed out above, the Giants defense was stingy when needed. The 49ers were 1-for-13 on third down all game and that one third down conversion was from the end of the fourth quarter when the Giants were in prevent defense and only concerned about not giving up a touchdown with no time left on the clock.

-The offensive line didn’t have the best game. Manning was sacked six times in the game and hit infinitely more.

-When the Giants make it to the NFC Championship, they win the NFC Championship. They are now 5-0 in NFC Championship games.

-Congratulations to Victor Cruz for his first career 100 yard postseason game!

-I admit all the references to this being a “repeat” of 2007 were getting a bit old/annoying but now it’s almost creepy. The Giants win the NFC Championship game on the road, against a team who had beaten them in the regular season, thanks to an overtime field goal by Lawrence Tynes, which was set up by a turnover, in order to play the Patriots in the Super Bowl. You have to admit that’s at least a little bit weird.

At least Tynes didn’t miss two potential game-winning field goals in regulation this time. I don’t know if I could’ve taken that again, especially considering how tight this game was defensively. But be sure to brace yourself for unlimited mentions of this being a “Super Bowl XLII rematch”.

The Giants and the Niners renew their storied rivalry today at Candelstick Park in San Francisco at 6:30 EST.  This one should be a good old fashioned battle of wills.  Those of us who remember the match-up from January of ’91, are really looking forward to a battle royale. However, there really are a few keys to this game that ensure victory for the New Yorkers. Forget the rain, forget the wind, and forget the mirror image 4 game winning streaks.  This game will be decided up front.

Offensive Line:  The offensive line must protect Eli today at all costs.  They must find a way to open a few running lanes to allow the Giants to use the play action pass effectively.  The Niners have a very talented defensive front which recorded 3 sacks last week.  The Giants did rush for 89 yards in the last meeting in week 10, without Ahmad Bradshaw.  Bradshaw’s presence should make a big difference in this game. His physicality along with Brandon Jacobs could be a key to this game.

Defense:  The defense can turn this into a simple task.  They need to stop the run game of the Niners, force them into throwing the ball, and invite Alex Smith to beat them.  Alex looked good in the final quarter last week, but he saw one look from the Saints defense.  The Saints repeatedly brought 7 to 8 players on blitzes, which is actually a very easy read for the Qb.  This week he will see the Giants rush 4 or 5, and see many more defenders in coverage.  The Giants must remain physical when playing the wideouts and especially the tight ends of the Niners.  Throwing off the rhythm of the San Francisco offense as they did against Atlanta and Green Bay is critical.

Eli vs. Alex: No matter which side of the stadium you are on this week, this match-up is one sided.  If the Giants can make this a game of QB vs. Qb by restricting the running game of the Niners, they win.

No turnovers, No special teams mistakes, and the Giants should win their 5th game in a row as well as their 5th NFC Championship in 5 tries.  Physicality, Determination, and Finishing will get the Giants a re-match with either Baltimore or New England in two weeks

Green Bay Packers (10-0) vs Detroit Lions (7-3)  Thursday  12:30 EDT on Fox.  The Lions finally bring a team to the Thanksgiving Day game.  Not since the days of Barry Sanders have the Lions looked so capable, and they found a running game last week which will certainly serve them well.  Green Bay, of course, is now in the position of chasing history.  The ever elusive undefeated season on the line every week from now till February 5th in Indianapolis.  Aaron Rodgers is the best QB in the game currently, and should provide some pre meal entertainment for all.

Miami Dolphins (3-7) vs Dallas Cowboys (6-4)  Thursday  4:15 EDT on CBS.  This game just a month ago looked like it would be the worst game ever played on Thanksgiving Day.  With the Cowboys struggling with injuries and the lack of a running game, and Tony Romo being inconsistent the Cowboys were going nowhere.  In walks DeMarco Murray and suddenly the Cowboy offense works again.  The Cowboys now lead the NFC East.  The Dolphins on the other hand were a defeated team, had a coach that was about to be fired, and couldn’t win a game even when leading by 15 with 2 minutes to go.  What’s changed?  The last three weeks the Dolphin defense has allowed  3, 9, and 8 points respectively while scoring 31, 20, and 35.  As a wise man once said….It’s not who you play, but when you play them.  This game could rival the famous snow game between these two teams……or it could be another waste of three hours of advertising.  We will see.

San Francisco 49ers (9-1) vs Baltimore Ravens (7-3)  Thursday 8:20 EDT on NFL Network.  In a game many won’t see, if you don’t get the NFL Network, the brothers Harbaugh clash in this Prime Time affair,  The Surprising 9ers travel to Baltimore with their young QB Alex Smith, and a pretty good running game.  The Ravens have a pretty good running game themselves and a struggling young Qb in Joe Flacco.  The Ravens are showing some age on their great defense and the offense has just been too inconsistent, but they have been finding ways to win.  This game will be all about hard hitting defense, and probably some trickery thrown in somewhere.  This contest will without a doubt come down to Special Teams, Turnovers, and who has the nerve to pull out the big play.  Look for these two brothers to have their guys ready to play, and a few tricks up their sleeves from the backyard as well.

So while their are no guarantees……except that we will all be stuffed by the end of the day…….this Thanksgiving Day at least gives hope to the prospect of three good football games to enjoy before, during, and after dinner.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone form the staff of GMENHQ.COM and thank you for your support!

Offense:  The 9ers are a pure running team.  They find all sorts of ways to get Frank Gore in good positions.  Their two running backs have a total of 999 yards on the ground so far this year.  They have a young and talented offensive line whose athleticism has proved to be it’s strength.  In my opinion Alex Smith, the QB, is still not ready to win at this level.  He has been kept under wraps, been given safe throws to make, and has not been asked to win a game without his running attack.  He has thrown for less that 1500 yards this season with a completion percentage of 64% and has been sacked 19 times.  The San Francisco team has some talent to catch the ball in Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, and Tedd Ginn Jr. however Smith’ accuracy on anything too far down the field is still a problem.  The 9ers will throw to backs, TE’s, and even some offensive tackles, in order to keep the opponent guessing, and to provide Smith with quick short throws.

Defense: Ranked number 1 against the rush, and first in points allowed with just 14.  They haven’t played many good scoring teams, and therefore that rank might be a little optimistic.  They are an impressive +12 in turnover ratio and have 22 sacks.  They are a strong 3-4 defensive team against the run, but rank 30th against the pass.

Specials:  Here comes another explosive special teams layer in Tedd Ginn Jr.  He has kickoff and punt returns for T.D’s, and can ruin any game in a hurry.  They have ex-Eagles kicker David Akers who is 19 of 21 with a long of 55.  With Alex Smith being a liability the 9ers don’t hesitate to call on Akers to put points on the board.

The call here for the Giants is simple.  Make Alex Smith beat you.  While looking out for play action passes the Giants will face their toughest task to date stopping the run.  The 9ers run the ball an average of 30 times a game while averaging 59 plays a game.  Look for the Giants to stack the box, play the three safeties a lot, and do whatever they can to force San Francisco into third and long.

As of this writing it looks like the Giants will be without Ahmad Bradshaw again this week, but Hakeem Nicks seems on track to go.