Quote:
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho
A QB whose primary asset is ball protection will win a LOT of regular season games when paired with a good or great defense. There's no doubt about that, and the 90s in KC are a great example of that.
I think the disrespect Alex Smith gets is because he avoids making a lot of plays that would be the difference between his teams being great regular season teams and great postseason teams. People respect - and covet - QBs who make plays in the postseason and lead their team in that regard.
Just protecting the ball and letting the D, ST and run game win the game is not enough against elite teams, and most NFL fans and writers realize that.
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Look, no one i've ever seen defend Smythe thinks he shouldn't be trying harder to hit bigger plays, trying harder to find the open man past 10 yards, but it becomes a chicken or the egg scenario... if he starts attempting too many passes he isn't sure of, that leads to turnovers, at that point he isn't the ball control QB he tries to be.
We have a guy who knows his limitations, he knows he cant thread the needle 20-30 yards downfield very often like a handful of other guys... so he doesn't try it that much... he tries to play within himself, play to his strengths.
That isn't usually very sexy, but it IS a winning formula when paired with a good defense, i just don't get why its so hard to accept it for what it is and enjoy it on its own merits... if i could have a MAD BOMBER who didn't make dumb decisions i'd take him in a heartbeat, but for now, we have a smart and athletic QB who can win games.
Is it easier for a guy like that in the regular season, of course, most of the defenses aren't playoff caliber, but saying its all doom, all day in the playoffs is pure baloney... don't **** your killer defense, lead just enough clutch drives, and you CAN win playoff games that way.
I realize this post changes no opinions, but it is true... 2-14 to 9-0... anyone who thinks the QB isn't a big part of that is biased beyond repair.