Chiefs Covitz:Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has another tough game - Page 5

**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.”

**007** · 10-15-2013, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapplez

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.

Bowe was WIDE OPEN in the endzone at one point. The entire crowd saw it and Alex dumped off again.

**Rausch** · 10-15-2013, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Bowe was WIDE OPEN in the endzone at one point. The entire crowd saw it and Alex dumped off again.

So put Bowe in routes that Alex will hit.

That easy.

Why is this so ****ing difficult?...

Rasputin · 10-15-2013, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

So put Bowe in routes that Alex will hit.

That easy.

Why is this so ****ing difficult?...

Yeah really this makes most sense to do and so they wont.

Give Bowe short quick slant routs and have Alex get the ball out quick to him.

I don't know if that would work against ball swatting Watts?

Hammock Parties · 10-15-2013, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

What is the difference from this year, to the past two years?

70 percent passer at 8 YPA vs 56 percent passer at 6 YPA

Massive ****ing difference.

**Rausch** · 10-15-2013, 04:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pam Oliver's Forehead

70 percent passer at 8 YPA vs 56 percent passer at 6 YPA

Massive ****ing difference.

The Elephant in the room is Phat Andy running an offense that tries to expose all areas of the field and and a QB that's only willing to throw to 1/3rd of it...

Titty Meat · 10-15-2013, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Who knows, Bray could be the answer

Are we really going to put our hopes on a UDFA? FFS just draft a qb

**Tribal Warfare** · 10-15-2013, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Are we really going to put our hopes on a UDFA? FFS just draft a qb

says the guy with said QB in his avy

BlackHelicopters · 10-15-2013, 07:31 AM

Covitz: Arrowhead sits near intersection of 70 and 435

Pasta Little Brioni · 10-15-2013, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pam Oliver's Forehead

No, he's absolutely correct.

Defenders know they don't have to worry about Alex throwing it past 20 yards. He just doesn't do it. Only 4 completions in 6 games.

They can afford to cheat up and play the short stuff more.

They were inside the 10

warrior · 10-15-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PGM

They were inside the 10

Good catch --

Mr. Laz · 10-15-2013, 10:38 AM

Chris Sembower ‏@ChrisSembower 1h
Alex Smith's QB rating by receiver:
-Hemmingway - 128.8
-Avery - 94.0
-Bowe - 89.1
-McCluster - 63.9
-Hall - 39.6
-Jenkins - 39.6

Nightfyre · 10-15-2013, 10:39 AM

Whats the point in doing QB rating by receiver without using Charles as a baseline?

Mr. Laz · 10-15-2013, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Whats the point in doing QB rating by receiver without using Charles as a baseline?

what's the point of using Charles as a baseline when most of his receptions are extended handoffs?

Sandy Vagina · 10-15-2013, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Chris Sembower ‏@ChrisSembower 1h
Alex Smith's QB rating by receiver:
-Hemmingway - 128.8
-Avery - 94.0
-Bowe - 89.1
-McCluster - 63.9
-Hall - 39.6
-Jenkins - 39.6

Found it interesting, thanks. I would imagine that for Hall and AJJ, the sample size is too small to matter much. McCluster, I don't find to be particularly useful the further he runs routes from the line of scrimmage. IIRC, he did have one good game a week or two ago, where he made some nice 3rd down catch conversions that helped. I would still much rather have Sherman out in front of JC versus an extra WR... unless in 3rd and long.

ChiefsCountry · 10-15-2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

Bowe was WIDE OPEN in the endzone at one point. The entire crowd saw it and Alex dumped off again.

splatbass will say you are wrong because Rich Gannon said it didn't happen.

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

10-15-2013, 07:31 AM	#68
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $1510588	Covitz: Arrowhead sits near intersection of 70 and 435 __________________ "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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10-15-2013, 10:38 AM	#71
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Chris Sembower ‏@ChrisSembower 1h Alex Smith's QB rating by receiver: -Hemmingway - 128.8 -Avery - 94.0 -Bowe - 89.1 -McCluster - 63.9 -Hall - 39.6 -Jenkins - 39.6 __________________
Posts: 95,626

10-15-2013, 10:39 AM	#72
Nightfyre MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Helena, MT Casino cash: $2678849	Whats the point in doing QB rating by receiver without using Charles as a baseline?
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