Chiefs Teicher:Chiefs like what they’ve seen so far from QB Alex Smith - Page 4

**Tribal Warfare** · 05-30-2013, 04:02 PM

Chiefs like what they’ve seen so far from QB Alex Smith
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The trade for quarterback Alex Smith might take another year or more to adequately assess, but at least from their part, the Chiefs may not feel the need to wait. Quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy came close to calling it a success after practice Thursday.

“He’s been everything that we thought he was,’’ Nagy said of Smith. “He’s a true professional. He’s in his (playbook) every day. He’s always asking questions, trying to get better. He’s being a leader for the other (quarterbacks) as well.’’

Smith, like the other Chiefs quarterbacks, has had his successes and failures on the practice field. He is learning a new offensive system under a new set of coaches and throwing to a new set of receivers.

Smith and his teammates are prohibited under NFL rules from working in pads, so at this time of year, practice is conducted at something less than full speed, and a better quarterback evaluation is generally done at training camp, when teams are allowed to hold padded practice sessions.

Most teams are generally pleased with their quarterbacks at this stage, when there is no defensive pressure for them to worry about. The Chiefs, for instance, were content with Matt Cassel at a similar point after trading for him in 2009. Once the games began, Cassel never developed into the player they thought he could become, and in March he was released.

The Chiefs believe they already have an accurate grasp of what Smith is capable of in a physical regard, having watched on tape all of his games as a starter with the San Francisco 49ers. But none of their key offensive figures, including Nagy, coordinator Doug Pederson or coach Andy Reid, who will call the plays, had any experience with Smith, so they weren’t certain what they would get from their new starting quarterback in terms of preparation and work habits.

That part of Smith’s game has provided them with some relief.

“He’s comfortable with what we’re doing,’’ Pederson said. “He’s understanding the terminology, and he’s orchestrating that at the line of scrimmage. We’re really pleased with where he’s at right now.’’

Those intangibles were the unknown.

“I’m with him every single day,’’ Nagy said. “Just talking X’s and O’s and past experiences he’s had, he brings some good things to our attention as a staff. He has a lot of valuable experience. He’s been through a lot. Having those experiences and coming in here to a team with a new staff, it’s been an awesome experience. Throughout this process, we’re taking in what he has, he’s taking in what we have, and we’re putting it all together and trying to make this work.

“When he’s out here on the practice field, he’s a leader. The guys look to him. The quarterback position is so important to be that leader, whether it’s vocally or by your play. He does both of that. Having him be able to do that and have some of these younger guys look up to him, that’s what we need, and that’s what we expected he’d have and he does have that.’’

In return for Smith, the Chiefs sent their second-round pick in this year’s draft plus a third-rounder next year that converts to a second if they win eight or more games this season. Smith would be worth any price if he becomes the long-term solution at a position that has been most elusive for the Chiefs.

“It’s been great,’’ Smith said of his first few practices with the Chiefs. “It’s been football. I’ve been itching for this for a long time. I was sitting there watching a lot of football at the end of last year. I’ve said this before: This is what I wanted, and now it’s here. I’m just trying to make the most of it.’’

The Chiefs also signed former Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel to be Smith’s backup, even though he’s thrown only nine passes in four seasons behind Drew Brees for New Orleans.

“It’s evident he’s been with such a great quarterback in Drew,’’ Nagy said. “He comes in and he’s very cerebral with the protections. He understands the game and he’s a competitor. He pushed Drew Brees every day in practice, and that’s what he’s going to do here with Alex.’’

Ricky Stanzi and rookie Tyler Bray are the other quarterbacks. Stanzi, who has been with the Chiefs for two seasons without getting into a regular-season game, began the offseason as the third quarterback, a significant fact this time of year only because he will get more snaps in practice.

Bray and Stanzi have since flipped spots, with Bray getting more practice snaps.

“I want to see each guy every day getting better,’’ Nagy said. “If one is a little bit behind the other, I want to see who that is and I want to see if he’s going to improve. Is he getting better? If he’s going backwards, that’s not what we want. Let’s see him improve.

“Let’s not put them against each other right now. Let’s just see where they’re at individually, and if you get better, that’s great. We’ll go from there.’’

Skull-FU · 05-31-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddha

There is nothing that the Star can write that the same group of douchebags won't rip to shreds.

Hell...have the negative nancys every imagined that Alex might actually work out well in KC?

It's amazing how all three of the QBs were demeaned in the same thread...and yet, somehow, the GREAT MATT BARKLEY would have made it all better.

Good post and I agree. We have a new coach, GM, and three new quarterbacks. People should be happy.

Even if the record happens to turn out worse than last year's, we are better off.

el borracho · 05-31-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buddha

Hell...have the negative nancys every imagined that Alex might actually work out well in KC?

No. If the goal is Super Bowl, then it is unimaginable that Alex Smith will work out well in KC.

jlw62987 · 05-31-2013, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

No. If the goal is Super Bowl, then it is unimaginable that Alex Smith will work out well in KC.

That doesn't make any sense. Alex Smith was a fumble away from making the Super Bowl two years ago. He should have started over Kaepernick this year as well. I can't wait until teams figure out Kaepernick and the 49ers collapse from Harbaugh's dumb decision. Smith was a number 1 pick! He had AWFUL coaching and AWFUL teams until Harbaugh came into town. The guy has tremendous talent and will thrive under Reid's coaching.

Let me see here. Trust the CP internet coaches on here or Andy Reid? Hmm....tough one! I think I'll trust Andy Reid over you guys on here any day.

el borracho · 05-31-2013, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Quarterbacks in KC have failed under old management, so that means no new QB can succeed with new management. Brilliant!

Alex Smith is not a new QB; he is an eight year veteran who has been benched multiple times and ultimately replaced by a more dynamic player.

jlw62987 · 05-31-2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Alex Smith is not a new QB; he is an eight year veteran who has been benched multiple times and ultimately replaced by a more dynamic player.

And who would that be? Geno Smith? lol...

el borracho · 05-31-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skull-FU

Good post and I agree. We have a new coach, GM, and three new quarterbacks. People should be happy.

Even if the record happens to turn out worse than last year's, we are better off.

Wrong on all counts. Three different quarterbacks does not necessarily indicate that you have found your franchise quarterback and a worse record than last year would indicate that the team is not better off.

el borracho · 05-31-2013, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlw62987

That doesn't make any sense. Alex Smith was a fumble away from making the Super Bowl two years ago. He should have started over Kaepernick this year as well. I can't wait until teams figure out Kaepernick and the 49ers collapse from Harbaugh's dumb decision. Smith was a number 1 pick! He had AWFUL coaching and AWFUL teams until Harbaugh came into town. The guy has tremendous talent and will thrive under Reid's coaching.

Let me see here. Trust the CP internet coaches on here or Andy Reid? Hmm....tough one! I think I'll trust Andy Reid over you guys on here any day.

Alex Smith could be a gold medalist on the Olympic standing there team. It was not Smith's play that led the 49ers to the championship game, as evidenced by the fact that the team went to the championship game (and on to the Super Bowl) without Smith the following year.

**SAUTO** · 05-31-2013, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlw62987

And who would that be? Geno Smith? lol...

No you stupid ****, he was replaced by kapernick.
Posted via Mobile Device

Chief Roundup · 05-31-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Alex Smith could be a gold medalist on the Olympic standing there team. It was not Smith's play that led the 49ers to the championship game, as evidenced by the fact that the team went to the championship game (and on to the Super Bowl) without Smith the following year.

EASY........you are going to make an argument that you don't have to have that elusive QB to get to and win the SB.

Marcellus · 05-31-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlw62987

Let me see here. Trust the CP internet coaches on here or Andy Reid? Hmm....tough one! I think I'll trust Andy Reid over you guys on here any day.

I am fairly tired of the entire Alex Smith debate and we have yet to play a snap in a preseason game.

I will say all coaches at times make mistakes but I am fairly certain Andy Reid knows more about QB's and his offense than the entire CP collective.

Mos of the same people who praised the Andy Reid hire now suddenly know that Reid's hand picked Qb cannot win a SB.

Its laughable.

el borracho · 05-31-2013, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlw62987

And who would that be? Geno Smith? lol...

Who would who be? I was referring to Kaepernick in the post you quoted. Kaepernick was the more dynamic QB that ultimately replaced Smith.

Marcellus · 05-31-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Alex Smith could be a gold medalist on the Olympic standing there team. It was not Smith's play that led the 49ers to the championship game, as evidenced by the fact that the team went to the championship game (and on to the Super Bowl) without Smith the following year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Who would who be? I was referring to Kaepernick in the post you quoted. Kaepernick was the more dynamic QB that ultimately replaced Smith.

By that same logic Kaepernick's play had no contribution to the SB team last year. They basically won onne more game with Kap right?

Care to rethink that?

nychief · 05-31-2013, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Alex Smith could be a gold medalist on the Olympic standing there team. It was not Smith's play that led the 49ers to the championship game, as evidenced by the fact that the team went to the championship game (and on to the Super Bowl) without Smith the following year.

dumb.

el borracho · 05-31-2013, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

EASY........you are going to make an argument that you don't have to have that elusive QB to get to and win the SB.

Well, that is essentially true (although that scenario has a very low percentage of success). If you are trying to be the one team in a decade that wins the Super Bowl without a franchise QB, you really are trying to do things the hard way.

jlw62987 · 05-31-2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el borracho

Alex Smith could be a gold medalist on the Olympic standing there team. It was not Smith's play that led the 49ers to the championship game, as evidenced by the fact that the team went to the championship game (and on to the Super Bowl) without Smith the following year.

You're right. Going 24 for 42, 299 yards, 3 TD's, and 1 rushing TD for a rating of 103.2 against the Saints didn't help at all.

Or going 12 for 26, 196 yards, 2 TD's for a rating of 97.6 caused them to lose against the Giants right?

Give me a break. Tom Brady and the Patriots offense couldn't beat that Giants defense that year in the Super Bowl.

Man, you're right. I don't want a guy who throws 5 TD's with 0 INT's plus a rushing TD in the postseason to lead this team.

05-30-2013, 04:02 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $582813	Teicher:Chiefs like what they’ve seen so far from QB Alex Smith Chiefs like what they’ve seen so far from QB Alex Smith By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star The trade for quarterback Alex Smith might take another year or more to adequately assess, but at least from their part, the Chiefs may not feel the need to wait. Quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy came close to calling it a success after practice Thursday. “He’s been everything that we thought he was,’’ Nagy said of Smith. “He’s a true professional. He’s in his (playbook) every day. He’s always asking questions, trying to get better. He’s being a leader for the other (quarterbacks) as well.’’ Smith, like the other Chiefs quarterbacks, has had his successes and failures on the practice field. He is learning a new offensive system under a new set of coaches and throwing to a new set of receivers. Smith and his teammates are prohibited under NFL rules from working in pads, so at this time of year, practice is conducted at something less than full speed, and a better quarterback evaluation is generally done at training camp, when teams are allowed to hold padded practice sessions. Most teams are generally pleased with their quarterbacks at this stage, when there is no defensive pressure for them to worry about. The Chiefs, for instance, were content with Matt Cassel at a similar point after trading for him in 2009. Once the games began, Cassel never developed into the player they thought he could become, and in March he was released. The Chiefs believe they already have an accurate grasp of what Smith is capable of in a physical regard, having watched on tape all of his games as a starter with the San Francisco 49ers. But none of their key offensive figures, including Nagy, coordinator Doug Pederson or coach Andy Reid, who will call the plays, had any experience with Smith, so they weren’t certain what they would get from their new starting quarterback in terms of preparation and work habits. That part of Smith’s game has provided them with some relief. “He’s comfortable with what we’re doing,’’ Pederson said. “He’s understanding the terminology, and he’s orchestrating that at the line of scrimmage. We’re really pleased with where he’s at right now.’’ Those intangibles were the unknown. “I’m with him every single day,’’ Nagy said. “Just talking X’s and O’s and past experiences he’s had, he brings some good things to our attention as a staff. He has a lot of valuable experience. He’s been through a lot. Having those experiences and coming in here to a team with a new staff, it’s been an awesome experience. Throughout this process, we’re taking in what he has, he’s taking in what we have, and we’re putting it all together and trying to make this work. “When he’s out here on the practice field, he’s a leader. The guys look to him. The quarterback position is so important to be that leader, whether it’s vocally or by your play. He does both of that. Having him be able to do that and have some of these younger guys look up to him, that’s what we need, and that’s what we expected he’d have and he does have that.’’ In return for Smith, the Chiefs sent their second-round pick in this year’s draft plus a third-rounder next year that converts to a second if they win eight or more games this season. Smith would be worth any price if he becomes the long-term solution at a position that has been most elusive for the Chiefs. “It’s been great,’’ Smith said of his first few practices with the Chiefs. “It’s been football. I’ve been itching for this for a long time. I was sitting there watching a lot of football at the end of last year. I’ve said this before: This is what I wanted, and now it’s here. I’m just trying to make the most of it.’’ The Chiefs also signed former Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel to be Smith’s backup, even though he’s thrown only nine passes in four seasons behind Drew Brees for New Orleans. “It’s evident he’s been with such a great quarterback in Drew,’’ Nagy said. “He comes in and he’s very cerebral with the protections. He understands the game and he’s a competitor. He pushed Drew Brees every day in practice, and that’s what he’s going to do here with Alex.’’ Ricky Stanzi and rookie Tyler Bray are the other quarterbacks. Stanzi, who has been with the Chiefs for two seasons without getting into a regular-season game, began the offseason as the third quarterback, a significant fact this time of year only because he will get more snaps in practice. Bray and Stanzi have since flipped spots, with Bray getting more practice snaps. “I want to see each guy every day getting better,’’ Nagy said. “If one is a little bit behind the other, I want to see who that is and I want to see if he’s going to improve. Is he getting better? If he’s going backwards, that’s not what we want. Let’s see him improve. “Let’s not put them against each other right now. Let’s just see where they’re at individually, and if you get better, that’s great. We’ll go from there.’’
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