Chiefs Covitz:Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has another tough game - Page 2

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-14-2013, 01:55 AM

Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has another tough game
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was as frustrated as anyone in Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday.

Completing fewer than 50 percent of his passes is not acceptable. Failing to throw a touchdown pass for the second straight week is unsatisfactory.

But Smith knows the statistic by which all quarterbacks are measured:

Winning.

The Chiefs are 6-0 after Sunday’s 24-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders, and Smith, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason, is 26-5-1 since 2011 for an 82.8 winning percentage.

Only Peyton Manning (19-3, 86.4 percent), who missed the 2011 season, has a better mark among quarterbacks with at least 10 starts in the last three seasons.

“It’s been kind of a little bit ugly the last two weeks, that’s for sure,” said Smith, who completed just 14 of 31 passes for a season-low 128 yards against the Raiders and a season-worst passer rating of just 56.9.

“We have to get better and we will. We have to, and the great thing is we got the win. We’re 6-0 and the way we played on offense can certainly get a lot better. Frustrating a little bit, but encouraging at the same time. This is the first year, and some of these things we’re going through for the first time. We have to continue to take steps.”

One explanation for Smith’s lack of production was that the Chiefs were constantly facing third-and-forever.

The Chiefs faced third and 8-or-more six times in the first half and converted just twice. Smith was sacked three times in the game, and in one possession in the second quarter, after a first-down pass went through tight end Sean McGrath’s hands, Smith had to throw consecutive passes out of bounds when he either didn’t have the time or an open receiver.

“It’s so easy to get caught up in the stats and the QB rating and all that stuff … for me, throwing it away is still the smart play,” Smith said. “We struggled getting into a rhythm, just continued to put ourselves in a hole on first and second down. We have to be better on first and second downs, and then you get into better third downs.

“They did a great job mixing it up. I felt like we never could get a read on it, on what they were doing defensively. They caught us off guard a few times. They caught me off guard.”

It’s a lot easier to throw the ball away and punt when the defense is playing as well as it has this season.

“If you’re losing, you need to start forcing the ball sometimes,” Smith said. “You saw that with (the Raiders), losing and the pressure coming and the passes went up and our defense made plays. That changed the game. A little bit of it is the battle of patience as the quarterback.

“As frustrating as it can be … yeah, I want to go out there and be perfect and throw for a bunch of yards and touchdowns, but that’s not always what it’s going to be.”

Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn’t alarmed by Smith’s lack of productivity.

“He’s taking care of the football,” Reid said of Smith, who did not throw an interception Sunday. “When it counts, he makes the play. We’re winning football games, and he’s doing a nice job managing it.”

BlackHelicopters · 10-14-2013, 06:31 AM

Fetal Position redux

jspchief · 10-14-2013, 06:34 AM

Considering the marquee names of this offensive brain trust, the offense in it's current form is inexcusable.

Has Alex Smith's accuracy the last two games been terrible? Yes.
Has the Oline been bad in both run and pass blocking? Yes.

But to me, the real factor is after a few weeks of tape, the offense is completely predictable. Defenses know that they only have to cover the first 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. They know that the wideouts are going downfield to block for short slants and passes to Charles. This is the hole that Reid's scheme and playcalling has dug.

**cdcox** · 10-14-2013, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspchief

Considering the marquee names of this offensive brain trust, the offense in it's current form is inexcusable.

Has Alex Smith's accuracy the last two games been terrible? Yes.
Has the Oline been bad in both run and pass blocking? Yes.

But to me, the real factor is after a few weeks of tape, the offense is completely predictable. Defenses know that they only have to cover the first 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. They know that the wideouts are going downfield to block for short slants and passes to Charles. This is the hole that Reid's scheme and playcalling has dug.

I agree about the offense's predictability, but not the cause.

Reid did just fine getting the ball downfield in Philly. Smith is reluctant to do so. I'm sure there are deeper routes available on many of the plays that Reid calls.

2bikemike · 10-14-2013, 07:28 AM

The thing that disturbs me is the lack of seperation from our WR corps. That being said Smith needs to show a little more trust in Bowe being able to fight for the reception.

Reerun_KC · 10-14-2013, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

The thing that disturbs me is the lack of seperation from our WR corps. That being said Smith needs to show a little more trust in Bowe being able to fight for the reception.

Rich Gannon was blasting our WR's all game long...

We don't have any WR's that can beat man bump and run coverage...

Especially not DBlowe.

jspchief · 10-14-2013, 07:42 AM

All our WRs do is block anyway. This shit about separation is over stated. It's Reid's stupid ****ing offense.

Sandy Vagina · 10-14-2013, 07:42 AM

The receivers are not great, but I struggle to heap tons of blame on them.. particularly in this last game.

2bikemike · 10-14-2013, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reerun_KC

Rich Gannon was blasting our WR's all game long...

We don't have any WR's that can beat man bump and run coverage...

Especially not DBlowe.

I saw one or 2 plays yesterday where it seems as though Bowe was kinda lagging and not really working. The plays were away from him and it seemed to me he just mailed those plays in. I don't know if anyone else saw that or I am just imagining it. Sometimes its hard to tell when watching on TV.

2bikemike · 10-14-2013, 08:09 AM

The other thing that ticked me off was after the Avery fumble. During one of the best drives of the game he coughs up the ball then right after that they show him laughing on the bench. That kinda irked me.

The DB did a hell of a job punching that ball out though!

**Fire Me Boy!** · 10-14-2013, 08:14 AM

Let's clear one thing up: turnover is a noun. Turn over is the verb form.

Usage: Alex Smith didn't have any turnovers. Smith didn't turn over the ball.

Sandy Vagina · 10-14-2013, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

The other thing that ticked me off was after the Avery fumble. During one of the best drives of the game he coughs up the ball then right after that they show him laughing on the bench. That kinda irked me.

The DB did a hell of a job punching that ball out though!

Yep... watching it right now. The offense did a nice job of answering the 7-0 deficit by driving for a TD themselves. Then early in the 3rd, another nice looking drive and some nice back to back plays by the QB to get us inside the 15... then... the Avery fumble.

This offense isn't a total fail.. but no doubt, they need to do more.

Snapplez · 10-14-2013, 08:16 AM

Was at the game yesterday. Receivers wide open all over the field and Smiff is locking on to the short routes. Avery wide open in the endzone on a blown Charles screen, Bowe wide open on dumpoffs. It's anecdotal, and completely unsatifactory.

duncan_idaho · 10-14-2013, 08:23 AM

Are there people who are really surprised that the Chiefs offense is terrible on third down with Alex Smith at QB? (It seems like Covitz is).

I mean, not like it was hard to see that coming. He was always bad on third down.

Sandy Vagina · 10-14-2013, 08:32 AM

I still look at 3rd down conversion % as a team stat, so...

warrior · 10-14-2013, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2bikemike

The other thing that ticked me off was after the Avery fumble. During one of the best drives of the game he coughs up the ball then right after that they show him laughing on the bench. That kinda irked me.

The DB did a hell of a job punching that ball out though!

Seen that too, pissed me off and Bowe seems to have a problem playing handsies with defenders seen this several times in games

10-14-2013, 01:55 AM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-567187	Covitz:Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has another tough game Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has another tough game By RANDY COVITZ The Kansas City Star Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith was as frustrated as anyone in Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. Completing fewer than 50 percent of his passes is not acceptable. Failing to throw a touchdown pass for the second straight week is unsatisfactory. But Smith knows the statistic by which all quarterbacks are measured: Winning. The Chiefs are 6-0 after Sunday’s 24-7 victory over the Oakland Raiders, and Smith, acquired from the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason, is 26-5-1 since 2011 for an 82.8 winning percentage. Only Peyton Manning (19-3, 86.4 percent), who missed the 2011 season, has a better mark among quarterbacks with at least 10 starts in the last three seasons. “It’s been kind of a little bit ugly the last two weeks, that’s for sure,” said Smith, who completed just 14 of 31 passes for a season-low 128 yards against the Raiders and a season-worst passer rating of just 56.9. “We have to get better and we will. We have to, and the great thing is we got the win. We’re 6-0 and the way we played on offense can certainly get a lot better. Frustrating a little bit, but encouraging at the same time. This is the first year, and some of these things we’re going through for the first time. We have to continue to take steps.” One explanation for Smith’s lack of production was that the Chiefs were constantly facing third-and-forever. The Chiefs faced third and 8-or-more six times in the first half and converted just twice. Smith was sacked three times in the game, and in one possession in the second quarter, after a first-down pass went through tight end Sean McGrath’s hands, Smith had to throw consecutive passes out of bounds when he either didn’t have the time or an open receiver. “It’s so easy to get caught up in the stats and the QB rating and all that stuff … for me, throwing it away is still the smart play,” Smith said. “We struggled getting into a rhythm, just continued to put ourselves in a hole on first and second down. We have to be better on first and second downs, and then you get into better third downs. “They did a great job mixing it up. I felt like we never could get a read on it, on what they were doing defensively. They caught us off guard a few times. They caught me off guard.” It’s a lot easier to throw the ball away and punt when the defense is playing as well as it has this season. “If you’re losing, you need to start forcing the ball sometimes,” Smith said. “You saw that with (the Raiders), losing and the pressure coming and the passes went up and our defense made plays. That changed the game. A little bit of it is the battle of patience as the quarterback. “As frustrating as it can be … yeah, I want to go out there and be perfect and throw for a bunch of yards and touchdowns, but that’s not always what it’s going to be.” Chiefs coach Andy Reid isn’t alarmed by Smith’s lack of productivity. “He’s taking care of the football,” Reid said of Smith, who did not throw an interception Sunday. “When it counts, he makes the play. We’re winning football games, and he’s doing a nice job managing it.”
Posts: 42,512

10-14-2013, 06:31 AM	#16
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $1510588	Fetal Position redux __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
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10-14-2013, 06:34 AM	#17
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	Considering the marquee names of this offensive brain trust, the offense in it's current form is inexcusable. Has Alex Smith's accuracy the last two games been terrible? Yes. Has the Oline been bad in both run and pass blocking? Yes. But to me, the real factor is after a few weeks of tape, the offense is completely predictable. Defenses know that they only have to cover the first 15 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. They know that the wideouts are going downfield to block for short slants and passes to Charles. This is the hole that Reid's scheme and playcalling has dug. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

10-14-2013, 07:28 AM	#19
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $1115377	The thing that disturbs me is the lack of seperation from our WR corps. That being said Smith needs to show a little more trust in Bowe being able to fight for the reception.
Posts: 16,339

10-14-2013, 07:42 AM	#21
jspchief BAMF Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Your Face Casino cash: $9998710	All our WRs do is block anyway. This shit about separation is over stated. It's Reid's stupid ****ing offense. __________________ Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all.
Posts: 27,207

10-14-2013, 08:09 AM	#24
2bikemike Born to Ride Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NWA Casino cash: $1115377	The other thing that ticked me off was after the Avery fumble. During one of the best drives of the game he coughs up the ball then right after that they show him laughing on the bench. That kinda irked me. The DB did a hell of a job punching that ball out though!
Posts: 16,339

10-14-2013, 08:14 AM	#25
Fire Me Boy! Cast Iron Jedi Join Date: Nov 2004 Casino cash: $9999900 VARSITY	Let's clear one thing up: turnover is a noun. Turn over is the verb form. Usage: Alex Smith didn't have any turnovers. Smith didn't turn over the ball.
Posts: 35,253

10-14-2013, 08:16 AM	#27
Snapplez Starter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Casino cash: $10027795	Was at the game yesterday. Receivers wide open all over the field and Smiff is locking on to the short routes. Avery wide open in the endzone on a blown Charles screen, Bowe wide open on dumpoffs. It's anecdotal, and completely unsatifactory.
Posts: 588

10-14-2013, 08:23 AM	#28
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $290308	Are there people who are really surprised that the Chiefs offense is terrible on third down with Alex Smith at QB? (It seems like Covitz is). I mean, not like it was hard to see that coming. He was always bad on third down. __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,431