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I actually haven't changed much on Smith. He did exactly what I expected last season, almost exactly the numbers I thought he'd have. And this won't be a popular sentiment, and I believe there are extenuating circumstances (namely injuries and coaching decisions), but he really didn't do what we needed him to do after halftime. The only TD they scored was after they were handed the ball on the 18 yard line. That's when they went up 38-10. From that point on, Smith was 14-21 for 139 yards, no TDs and a fumble. Not bad numbers, but not good either, not after starting 16-25 for 232 yards and 4 TDs. Particularly the TD doughnut (for the team, not just for him).
I know it's harsh. I know it's not fair. I know the defense is by far the most responsible for the loss. But one big play in the last 25 minutes, instead of drives that end with fumble, punt, field goal, punt and field goal, and we all end that day laughing about the game they almost blew, instead of throwing remotes at our televisions. Somebody needs to make that play, at least one guy has to shoulder the load when everything else is falling apart. Has to say "**** this shit, I'm not letting this happen!".
Unfortunately nobody did. And that includes Alex Smith. Which is the worry that I've always had about him: that he's more of a complimentary player who might not come through where other guys (like Andrew Luck, down 38-10 in a laugher...) might. Hell, think about it the other way: Chiefs are down 38-10 to anybody at Arrowhead in January. Can he lead that comeback?
I think that's the quarterback we need Alex Smith to be, or this trade was a waste. And I haven't seen that yet. 'course it's only 17 games so far.
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