The crew on the NFL Network's "NFL GameDay Morning" talked Thursday about the tag of "game manager" as it applies to 49ers quarterback Alex Smith.Here is what they had to say:"'Game manager' has a negative connotation and it really shouldn't because what is means is he's smart, he does the right things, he takes care of the footballIt usually refers to a quarterback who's playing on a team with a good defense and they run the football."
--Steve Mariucci"That's all he is and there's nothing wrong with thatFrank Gore is the catalyst on that offense. That offense revolves around the 120 yards Frank Gore has averaged over those last six victories, if you take out the one game that he had against the Giants where he got hurt."
--Michael Irvin
"The Chargers would take a game manager right now. The Indianapolis Colts would take a game manager right now. There's a lot of teamsthe Washington Redskinswould love a game manager right now."
--Marshall Faulk"Alex Smith is having a career year, while (Ravens quarterback) Joe Flacco is riding that emotional roller coaster."
--FaulkAfter Sunday's game, Jim Harbaugh took on the topic of Smith being a "game manager."Harbaugh said, "That offends my sports sensibility, to call a quarterback a game manager. There's a manager in baseball, but if you're going to make a football analogy, a player to another sport like baseball then the quarterback's more like the pitcher. That just offends my sports sensibility."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.