When did Pioli trade for Alex Smith?
If you compare the QBs traded for just by the numbers sure they are very comparable. BUT you CAN'T IGNORE the situation they were in.
Cassel 1st year playing Bill Belchick coaching Randy Moss Wel Welker to throw to.
Smith Mike Nolan coaching Arnaz Battle Brandon Lloyd to throw to.
Tell me theres 1 qb out there who would prefer Smith's situation to Cassel's there
Cassel moved on to play in KC had Haily as coach D Bowe to throw to
Smith got Mike Singletary as coach had Vernon Davis to throw to who Singletary sent off the field and went on a rant on how you cant win with him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB5-yJM3vJc
When Smith got a good head coach he did took a team farther then Matt Cassel ever did
THIS IS FAR From starting the same