Upon reading Alfie's latest article on Alex Smith and the lack of benefits of signing him, it made me start to think of the benefits that him wearing teal would bring. I would start like to begin by saying that I really liked Alfie's article and his article was not that Alex Smith had no benefits, but that the benefits would be negligible to comparison to Gabbert and Henne.

Well, I believe the greatest benefit that Alex Smith would provide is his ability to teach. Yes, 7 million a year for a teacher is pricey, however, it is clear that this team needs a veteran presence at the QB position. If you look at the QBs that have been under contract since the drafting of Gabbert they ability to teach the young QB anything has been extremely limited.

First, we had David Garrard, who lets all face it was on his way out and he was more concerned with protecting his starting role. Then we have Luke McCown....wait for it.....enough said of the career backup. Then we move on to Chad Henne, who ha been serviceable since starting, minus the Oakland game, however I question his ability to help teach and groom Gabbert.

Now we move on to Alex Smith, how has a variety of benefits and a wealth of experience that he can bring to the team. First, he was in a similar position as Gabbert is in, QB controversy and a slow, slow.....slow start. Smith had to fight over the likes of Torrey Smith, Shaun Hill etc . His ability to relate that experience to Gabbert could help easy the load of young Blaine's mind.

Second, Alex Smith is a teacher. Not as a profession, as for as I know anyways, but he has the veteran presence to help teach. Harbaugh said recently that Smith has been coaching Kaepernick more than he had. Now, one must take this statement of Harbaugh with some reservation, however, there could very well be some validity behind the comment.

To conclude with, will Gabbert be the future starter for the Jags for the next decade, probably not, useless that is if he can improve drastically. Even if Caldwell drafts a QB in this years draft, which is probably a certainty, that QB will need a teacher on the practice field and film room to help his transition into the NFL.