Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith (11) warms up against the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers have reportedly found a trading partner for ex-starting quarterback Alex Smith.  The sought after quarterback who has had a career resurgence since Jim Harbaugh’s arrival as head coach two years ago is one of the more desirable quarterbacks this offseason.  Having led the league in completion percentage before being benched in favor of second year player Colin Kaepernick, quarterback needy teams have been linked to Smith all offseason.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been linked to Smith as much as any other team.  Not likely to spend so much for what many consider a mediocre quarterback, the Jags have officially announced that it wasn’t them.  So, who is Smith going to?  We won’t know until March 12th, when the NFL year officially begins.

So, where does this leave teams like the Jaguars?  Who will be under center for 2013?

With West Virginia QB Geno Smith the favorite to go #1 overall, the Jags may not end up with a quarterback in the first round.  With a relatively shallow quarterback class coming out in this year’s draft, it seems unlikely that the Jags use their #33 pick to grab a lesser ranked passer when need and talent on both the defensive and offensive lines still match up at that point in the draft.

While it would be nice to grab a prospect like E.J. Manuel – especially if he slips to the mid rounds! (which he won’t) – I don’t see a passer coming out that could compete with Blaine Gabbert enough to push him out.  With the way the coaching staff has been talking lately, it seems that Gabbert is the one to beat in the open quarterback competition, even if he isn’t given an advantage in it.

2012 backup Chad Henne is still with the team but isn’t being talked about like Gabbert.  As we saw in 2012, it is unlikely that Henne will prove to be the better option during the offseason, so if the Jags bring in another player, as they are expected to, to compete it may likely be a free agent.

Some top quarterbacks likely to hit free agency are:

• Derek Anderson
• Charlie Batch
• Jason Campbell
• Brian Hoyer
• Tarvaris Jackson

There are a few others with starting experience, but it looks like a pretty slim field.  Jackson seems like an interesting prospect to bring in and compete, but the one-time Vikings starter has been underwhelming when on the field.  If the Jags are serious about pushing/beating Gabbert, this season does not seem to be the likely year it will happen.

While I doubt we’re stuck with just Gabbert and Henne for another season, the quarterback situation is bleak.  I hope Smith has a good go of it in whatever city he ends up, but there’s no denying that if his trade goes through there will be a lot less optimism – even if you didn’t want Smith – for teams that need a quarterback to step up.

- Luke N. Sims

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Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

The read option is on the rise in the NFL.  Teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and the Washington Redskins all ran it with decent to outrageous success during the season.  Colin Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III have begun to make names for themselves largely based on their dual threat ability that is highlighted through the read option.

Some teams can stop it and some can’t.  You need look no further than the 49ers-Green Bay Packers Playoff game that showcased Kaepernick’s ability in the read option to the tune of 181 yards.  That was in the playoffs. The effect of that game was felt by the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens, I assure you.

It’s an offensive attack that can really affect the game plan of the opposing defense.  It forces them to take more options into consideration.  So, how do you stop it?

The 2012 season showed that the Seattle Seahawks did a pretty good job against a number of different offensive packages and schemes.  They limited the read option against RGIII’s Redskins in the playoffs and were never beaten by it during the season.  The 49ers beat them when Alex Smith was still quarterback and the Vikings posted 200+ yards on the ground, but who didn’t Adrian Peterson do that against?

Bradley elaborated on stopping the read option while talking at the NFL combine:

For us (the Seattle Seahawks), it started off with having really good coverage corners, guys who can play press and obviously at the defensive end spot, guys who can run. That’s so important in our philosophy – you need a defense built around speed. The corners that press, it allows you to bring an extra player into the box to account for all the different option aspects and that’s critical.

Maybe the best example of Bardley’s defense destroying the read option was against the 49ers on December 23rd.  The Niners had just beat the New England Patriots and were coming in hot to Seattle.  Then the Seahawks just destroyed them.  The 42-13 final score isn’t the whole story.  The big story is that the Niners, a tough running team used to using the read option to throw defenses off and open things up, was limited to just 82 rushing yards and subsequently a horrendous 27% of third downs completed.

If the Jags can emulate what Bradley did in Seattle with tough defense that limits the hottest trend in NFL offensive play calling, then the read option may become a detriment for teams that face the Jags.  Of course there may not be many teams on the Jags 2013 schedule that run the read option.  But it’s good to be prepared anyway.

- Luke N. Sims

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Despite now backing up Colin Kaepernick, Alex Smith is still getting plenty of love and attention from those around the NFL.  Source: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith will seek his release this offseason, but where will he go if the Niners let him?  While his fate is in the hands of the organization while they still hold his contract, that $8.5 million he’s due later this year will start to get heavier and heavier the longer they look for a team willing to take on his bloated contract.

While Smith probably isn’t the Messiah for most teams, he could be an immediate upgrade for a number of franchises looking for someone who can at least throw the ball accurately.

So, where will he land via trade or free agency?

Arizona Cardinals

• The Cardinals learned the hard way (thanks Philadelphia) that trading for a highly touted quarterback can bite you in the butt.  While they may not be willing to shell out in a big trade for Smith, you have to think that Arizona would be interested in landing a guy who would make Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley, and Brian Hoyer all irrelevant.  For now, don’t expect Arizona to be active in trade discussions but definitely look for them to be waiting if Smith gets released.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Head coach Gus Bradley can’t talk about players currently under contract with other teams, but you’ve got to imagine he’d be pretty eager to get a veteran quarterback with some big wins under his belt involved in the quarterback competition he wants.  Bradley just said there are some things he likes about Blaine Gabbert, but it would be tough to deny that Smith would be an upgrade or, at the very least, really good competition that finally pushes Gabbert over the top.  A trade would be a big splash for first-year GM Dave Caldwell but the Jags need to hold onto their valuable players and draft picks as they begin a rebuild.  Like Arizona, the Jags could be very active if Smith is released.

New York Jets

• The Jets may be the most quarterback desperate team in the league.  While Mark Sanchez gave them some wins early in his career, he has since regressed significantly.  Tim Tebow isn’t the answer, and as a much good as Greg McElroy is, he’s probably just a backup.  The Jets probably can’t afford to trade for Smith, but it wouldn’t be shocking if head coach Rex Ryan and the media-hungry franchise tried to get some attention by making the move.

Where else could Smith end up?  Does San Fran have a shot at dealing him?

- Luke N. Sims

Feel free to leave comments on here or visit us at Facebook or Twitter!

You can also find me on Twitter @LukeNSims