Quote:
Originally Posted by Saccopoo
I understand the concept of a Hall of Fame guy versus the field and why I eventually ended with a Matt Hasselback reference.
I think A. Smith is of a MH level (a tad better IMO) and with the correct supporting cast, can actually be a title contender type of QB.
I think that we've become so over-the-top in terms of expecting the Chiefs to get that Hall of Fame QB that we're instantly denigrating the capabilities of a guy like A. Smith, especially in a Reid type offense (and especially one with aspects of a Childress/Ault union of the minds). Which is ironic in that this franchise has suffered through some of the worst QB situations over the past 40 years.
Many around here seem to be of the mindset of "Well, he ****ing sucks because some other team was willing to trade him so we should draft Peyton Manning/Tom Brady/Troy Aikman/Joe Montana/Johnny Unitas/John Elway because, well, you know, a guy like that is always going to be sitting there for the Chiefs in every draft."
And that just ain't gonna happen.
So, what we have here is a guy who Andy Reid obviously feels quite strongly about in terms of running his system. A guy who was finally coming into his own after suffering through some of the worst head coaches and offensive coordinators of the past decade. A veritable carousel of crap every single year was the fate suffered by A. Smith during his time in San Francisco. And yet, despite this avalanche of horse shit piled upon him, he remained focused, determined and positive. When he finally got a decent HC, the guy started producing.
So, what do we have here in KC with Smith? Do we simply have a re-tread QB that won't distinguish himself beyond a middling level, or do we have a Steve Young, who was basically deemed a bust by the Buccaneers who drafted Testaverde and traded Young to the 49ers for an incredible haul of draft picks at the time of a 2nd and 4th rounder. Young, deemed a cast off bust, and the 49ers were routinely criticized by the fans and press as a waste of a trade and far too expensive because of the picks.
However, west coast system guru Bill Walsh liked the traits that Young brought to the table (athleticism, accuracy, smarts) and when a 30 year old Young got the chance to start for a decent head coach in a new situation, he went on to a Hall of Fame level career despite becoming the 49er's starting QB in his eighth career season.
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I don't agree that Smith is better than Hasselbeck.
Hasselbeck is another who could take the top off a defense.
If I had to compare Smith to another QB, then it would be Chad Pennington.
Cerebral, tough QB that's extremely efficient in the short passing game.
But another whose physical limitations limit the team's success.