Is Alex Smith the Next Steve DeBerg? So Far, He’s Been Worse

September 25, 2010   ·   Michael Erler   ·   Jump to comments

Bill Walsh, the only San Francisco 49ers head coach of any significance, used to have a saying about Steve DeBerg, his starting quarterback before Joe Montana took over the reins for good halfway through the 1980 season.
DeBerg, he said, was “just good enough to get you beat.”
He wouldn’t ever embarrass you. He wouldn’t get you blown out. However, DeBerg had this maddening way of playing up or down to his level of competition, and always making a critical mistake, whether it be an interception, a fumble, or a more innocuous screw-up like a bad read or a poor throw to a wide open receiver.
By hook or by crook, the guy just found a way to lose, and eventually he sapped the confidence of the team around him as well. Walsh went 2-14 with DeBerg in 1979 and finally gave him the hook for good when Montana was ready. 
Fast forward 31 years.
Is Alex Smith the next generation Steve DeBerg?
The evidence against him is certainly damning. ...

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