Chiefs Covitz:Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has another tough game - Page 3

**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.”

scho63 · 10-14-2013, 09:33 AM

When teams have NO FEAR of you throwing passes 20-25 yards or more down field, they bring pressure all day long and pack the box. It makes running very hard and your coverage on all the short routes very tight!

Our O-line better get better, especially the #1 pick who looks like shit so far this year.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 10-14-2013, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Damn Alex Smith is making Alexcuses.

Deberg_1990 · 10-14-2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

Andy Reid has to stop being so stubborn. If he wants this to be more than a "Happy to be here." playoff trip, he better get Anthony Sherman in front of Jamaal Charles, establish the run, and supplement the PA passes with Alex Smith.

This style of play is not sustainable......

Not gonna happen. Has he ever done this in 14 seasons as a HC?

NinerDoug · 10-14-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

reading comprehension fail.

Lol. Pretty much. Seems like Alex basically said, "My play sucked, and I need to improve it. Thanks for the W, Defense."

NinerDoug · 10-14-2013, 10:10 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.

Sure seemed that way to me. Of course, Alex had at least one opportunity, and he overthrew the WR.

Omaha · 10-14-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warrior

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

wut?

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

reading comprehension fail.

“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,”

**Mav** · 10-14-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Not gonna happen. Has he ever done this in 14 seasons as a HC?

Nope. But, I disagree slightly with you. Has he ever done it all the time?

No, but HE SURE AS HELL SEEMS TO DO IT every fourth quarter this season.

its just weird to me.

Contrarian · 10-14-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

“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,”

Agreed.

He was off yesterday but I don't understand why everyone wants Smith to throw it down field? Maybe the Raiders simply matched up with us well, and Alex couldn't. We have been behind twice in two games, came back took the lead and the defense did their thing. Why do we need to take a chance and throw down field? Do you guys think with our defense we need to put up 48 pts a game or something? I certainly don't.

Halfcan · 10-14-2013, 02:18 PM

After an Amzing day- Covitz chooses to go negative? 6-0 Bitches!!

L.A. Chieffan · 10-14-2013, 02:22 PM

If Donnie Avery doesn't fumble he would've had at least 1 TD. if his line could protect he'd have much more yards. No turnovers is the key stat.

Nightfyre · 10-14-2013, 03:16 PM

We have zero ability to sustain a drive. A punt is no worse than an interception forty yards down the field.

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-14-2013, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

We have zero ability to sustain a drive. A punt is no worse than an interception forty yards down the field.

This where I compare him to Bono, an average QB too reliant on an elite defense.

**MahiMike** · 10-14-2013, 03:31 PM

PA Chiefs · 10-14-2013, 04:03 PM

I think the play calling is very vanilla until they need to score, after that they seem to move the ball effectively. The O-line looks very bad they need to improve if we want to win a playoff game. The fact that Reid isn't showing to much is two fold either we can't or he see's we don't have to yet.

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.”
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10-14-2013, 09:33 AM	#31
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $1291110	When teams have NO FEAR of you throwing passes 20-25 yards or more down field, they bring pressure all day long and pack the box. It makes running very hard and your coverage on all the short routes very tight! Our O-line better get better, especially the #1 pick who looks like shit so far this year. __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
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10-14-2013, 02:18 PM	#40
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	After an Amzing day- Covitz chooses to go negative? 6-0 Bitches!!
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10-14-2013, 02:22 PM	#41
L.A. Chieffan PLAY GOOD FOOTBALL Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: American Gardens Building Casino cash: $3478654	If Donnie Avery doesn't fumble he would've had at least 1 TD. if his line could protect he'd have much more yards. No turnovers is the key stat.
Posts: 17,381

10-14-2013, 03:16 PM	#42
Nightfyre MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Helena, MT Casino cash: $2678849	We have zero ability to sustain a drive. A punt is no worse than an interception forty yards down the field.
Posts: 18,594

10-14-2013, 03:31 PM	#44
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	6-0 __________________ 99.9%
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10-14-2013, 04:03 PM	#45
PA Chiefs Starter Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: PA Casino cash: $10013498	I think the play calling is very vanilla until they need to score, after that they seem to move the ball effectively. The O-line looks very bad they need to improve if we want to win a playoff game. The fact that Reid isn't showing to much is two fold either we can't or he see's we don't have to yet.
Posts: 211