Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive

[Tribal Warfare]

Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
One of the qualities the Chiefs like in new quarterback Alex Smith is his recent history with few turnovers. Smith threw just 10 interceptions in his last 25 games for the San Francisco 49ers, a stat that looks extremely pretty in Kansas City after Chiefs quarterbacks committed 27 turnovers last season.

Smith’s low turnover rate was due at least in part by his reluctance to throw the ball down the field. He was referred to by frustrated 49ers fans as Captain Checkdown for his habit of throwing shorter patterns to receivers for shorter gains.

Smith is in the process of being reprogrammed by Andy Reid, his new coach. Reid doesn’t want to turn Smith into a turnover machine but wants him to be more aggressive, particularly during offseason practice.

“You want to get a feel for the offense now, particularly when you’re new at it (and) if there are close throws, challenge it, see what you can get away with,” Reid said. “If it ends up being an interception, OK, it’s an interception. You learn from it. These are smart guys so they learn from it and once they get into the season, they’re not experimenting with it on game day and they know what they can get away with and know what they can’t.

“It’s a new offense. I would tell any quarterback that comes in new that that’s what you need to do. I’ve told them all that. Go ahead and take your shots and see what you can get away with, within reason. But if it’s a close throw, there are going to be a few of those in the National Football League on game day so you need to know what you can get away with on each route.”

Smith and the other Chiefs quarterbacks were rewarded with several long completions in Wednesday’s practice. Smith had three such plays, including two to Jon Baldwin, while Tyler Bray and Ricky Stanzi had one apiece.

Wednesday’s barrage of big passing plays isn’t necessarily an indication the deep ball is back in the Chiefs’ offense. But since such plays have been scarce for the Chiefs in each of the past two seasons, they’re taking it as an encouraging sign.

“We’re just kind of continuing to press to see what we can do … finding out what we’re capable of,” Smith said. “You’ve got to find that out at some point. This is what the practice field is for.”

Smith was the NFL’s highest-rated passer last season before he was injured, missed a start and then replaced by Colin Kaepernick as San Francisco’s starting quarterback. Smith was completing more than 70 percent of his passes, a high rate, and had just five interceptions.

Still, he had just 30 touchdown passes in his final 25 starts for the 49ers. While that’s a good number as a ratio with his 10 interceptions, it still represents a shortage of big plays.

Smith won’t turn into a mad bomber overnight, if he ever does.

“You want to stay aggressive,” Smith said. “But in the end I’m always trying to make the right read and throw where the defense is telling me to throw. You don’t come out here and predetermine anything, like ‘Oh, I’m going to chuck it deep on this play.’ I’m constantly trying to just trust my eyes and what I’m seeing out there, trust my reads and what I’ve prepared for and then come out here and throw good balls.”

For his part, Reid might be OK with that. But for now, when an interception costs the Chiefs nothing, he would prefer Smith be more of a gambler.

“Everybody is all on board (with Smith),” Reid said. “He’s a good football player. He’s showing that (along with) good leadership. I’m asking him to do a ton of things. He’s handling it. We’ve had an interception here or there but that’s all part of this thing. You’ve got to find out about the offense and you can’t do it with your hands in your pocket. You’ve got to go out and try things and experiment. That’s what he’s doing now.

“It’s just good stuff. He’s staying aggressive with the ball, and I appreciate that.”

The final offseason practice is today. The Chiefs won’t get together again as a group until training camp begins in July at Missouri Western State University.

Smith indicated he may try to throw to some Chiefs receivers during their downtime in an effort to stay sharp.

“We’re heads and shoulder above where we were a couple of months ago,” he said. “But that’s a never-ending thing. I don’t think it’s something like, ‘We’ve got a good feel for each other so we don’t need to work anymore.’ You’re constantly working at it. This is our job, this is our craft. Every single day, it’s coming out here and pushing to get better.”

[Dixie Land]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

I can't believe people here are acting mad because Reid is trying to expand Smith's approach.

I mean are we really taking the 'How DARE Andy Reid ask Alex Smith to be more aggressive!" road? Is it a bad thing for the coach to see the limits of the QB's abilities?

Jesus people. Get a grip. I'm no Alex Smith fan, but this is an area almost everyone here has blasted Smith for. Why are you pissed? Yeah, it likely won't work. It's not a BAD thing for a coach to attempt to make a QB better though. It's called coaching.

THIS Smith has been timid his whole career....not a risk taking QB at all....Dingleberry called him "meek"....he wanted more fire outta Smith....good luck with that....Can't stand his little sideways smirk during interviews also...well season 9 here we come Smith..

[Dixie Land]

Originally Posted by Rausch

The only ****ing thing Smith is great at is protecting the football.

You knew what you got when you signed him.

He only "protected football" when Harb surrounded him with killer players though....even before that he had a good team, just lacks fire and enthusiasm and leadership and and and.....

[Dixie Land]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Alex Smith will do whatever is asked of him. that's just the way he is.

Whatever the game plan is, is what he will do. its always been that way. hes a perfect soldier. There is no general in him though.


Really? Jim Harbaugh changed Alex Smith in a lockout shortened offseason. Taught him to protect the ball, and to make sure that every drive ended in a kick.

Alex has a brilliant mind, and he will do whatever Andy, and Doug want him to do. That is the problem with people assume that they know Alex Smith, and then get pissed when people WHO DO know Alex Smith, try to tell you what to expect. If Andy wants Alex throwing more down field, then Alex will do that.

True the last year in Frisco the team lead the league in FG attempts and FG points....Smith socked azz getting TD's and throwing downfield even with Crabtree and Vernon Davis....better pray your kicker has good ju ju..

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I think the suckfest for CK is a bit much. He took the team 1 game farther than Smith did and truth be told just about ****ed them several times with bad turnovers early in playoff games.He did have the talent to make up for most of it though.

He is a good QB for sure but until he can win for a period of time I'm not sold he is super man. He has had a 9 game stretch that was damn good. Lets see what he can do when teams know what they are going against.

No one here hopes Smithe can shut people up more than me, i HOPE this guy has a renaissance here and is an outstanding leader and player, and i've seen just enough from him to believe it might be possible... too much hard work from two preeminent NFL minds believes it to be possible as well.

But i watched the game Kaep replaced Smith in and it was just sooo immediately apparent how much more talented he was... forget "rawness" and "easier reads by design"... he just excited that team more, plain and simple, it was like watching a chemistry experiment gone well.

As i've said before, i see Smith as what Casell SHOULD'VE been... the steady vet capable of immediately digesting and implementing a new system, avoiding disasters and starting a new regime off on the right foot, setting the tone and work habits of a new team.

But i will always believe that Reid is too smart not to constantly be on the lookout for the Next Step... bottom line, if Smith does well we take a step up to the platform that preceeds the big step.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

scott free is a goddamned WIN FACTORY tonight.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

scott free is a goddamned WIN FACTORY tonight.

High praise, many thanks

[milkman]

Originally Posted by scott free

No one here hopes Smithe can shut people up more than me, i HOPE this guy has a renaissance here and is an outstanding leader and player, and i've seen just enough from him to believe it might be possible... too much hard work from two preeminent NFL minds believes it to be possible as well.

But i watched the game Kaep replaced Smith in and it was just sooo immediately apparent how much more talented he was... forget "rawness" and "easier reads by design"... he just excited that team more, plain and simple, it was like watching a chemistry experiment gone well.

As i've said before, i see Smith as what Casell SHOULD'VE been... the steady vet capable of immediately digesting and implementing a new system, avoiding disasters and starting a new regime off on the right foot, setting the tone and work habits of a new team.

But i will always believe that Reid is too smart not to constantly be on the lookout for the Next Step... bottom line, if Smith does well we take a step up to the platform that preceeds the big step.

Spot on.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

the whole Alex Smith ordeal has pretty much kept me out of football threads this entire offseason...

it's just not even worth it

people are so oblivious it sickens me...and I'd rather waste my time on CP calling Frazod fat then explaining to everyone why Joe Flacco isn't elite

Joe Flacco wins in the post season.

Isn't that what you want from your QB?

Is he as talented as some of the usual suspects? No.

But he wins. That's all that matters.

If the Chiefs won with Matt Cassel, we'd all ****ing love Matt Cassel.

Tony Romo hasn't won shit.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Mental Note:

Dave Lane is the Chiefs fan who deals in reality, while "just" Dave is the Lil' Chiefy moran. Got it.

Go tongue your daddy's ass.

You might just be the biggest 'moran' here.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Go tongue your daddy's ass.

You might just be the biggest 'moran' here.

Put those claws away, girl!

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Yeah, I will always be a die-hard 49ers fan, but Harbaugh is an asshole snake for stabbing Alex in the back. Jim got what he deserved by losing the SB... though we the fans didn't deserve it. (well, some did) Oh well.. won't historically be the first team I adore that is coached by a despicable person.

Bottom line: You can lose your starting spot especially at QB IF you consistently score more in the redone like Kaep did and continue to put up W's as you bring the level of play up for everyone else around you making them play better.

The only time this wouldn't have applied is if IF Marty Shot were the coach he would have given the starting QB job back to Smith and benched Kaep because in his mind it's not fair to Smith since he got injured (a la Grbac vs Gannon). It was obviously clear the Chiefs O during that run was far more motivated and productive under Gannon than Grbac. The Chiefs O that year respected Gannon's leadership and playmaking abilities far more than Grbac and it definitely showed. But Marty couldn't see it. No way am I comparing Gannon to Kaep athletically although Gannon is very athletic but, I'm strictly speaking about Gannon's leadership and motivation he brought to the Chiefs O that year and the big difference between he and Grbac.

If Kaep is taken out and Smith put back in last year your Niners don't make it to the SB. Because Matt Ryan/Russell Wilson are far better athletic playmaking leaders in crunch time than Smith can ever hope to be. But Harbs did the right thing and went with his gut based on what not only what he saw in Kaep individually but how everyone else in the offense 'stepped their game up' and played better under Kaep's leadership.

Take off your Harb hating glasses and see the real picture here.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Bottom line: You can lose your starting spot especially at QB IF you consistently score more in the redone like Kaep did and continue to put up W's as you bring the level of play up for everyone else around you making them play better.

Smith had scores on 14 of 23 red zone opportunities for 60.8%.

Kaepernick has had 8 scores in 17 red zone opportunities for 47%.

http://49ers.pressdemocrat.com/2012/...nd-alex-smith/

Want to try that again?

Originally Posted by Chiefshrink

Take off your Harb hating glasses and see the real picture here.

I generally despise dishonesty. I feel Jim promised and owed it to Alex to give him the 2012 season. To let him finish what he started... even if that meant saying g'bye to Alex the following year for his handpicked, young QB. It was a surprise to most people (outside of the few Alex hating talking heads) when Kaepernick came in and never looked back. Most analysts and fans thought it was a huge gamble... and it was. I believe Alex was ranked as the 3rd best in NFL passer rating at the time of the concussion.

To Kaep's credit, he did a great job of stepping in. I get that he has amazing potential. I actually am "over" it now, and I like where everything's at right about now. But there's no way I will ever see the decision as anything other than a betrayal.. a real dick move by a HC that would slit his own mother's throat to get what he wants. Maybe that is a mentality that fans should want out of their HC. Winning is all that matters in the end, right? Still... it was a dick move... and I would expect most of the players to see Jim in a different light now. (not that that matters much, when it comes down to it)

[Coogs]

Although Kap did appear to provide a spark to certain player(s), (Crabtree), and maybe even a portion of a fan base, he really didn't do a whole lot for the team in terms of improving the output. Points per game, yards per game, passing yards per game, rushing yards per game, wins... all very similar. Just a different way of getting those things. Just for varification, here are the numbers:

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...s/sfo/2012.htm

Now I am not saying Smith is going to be the end-all-be-all QB this franchise is looking for, but it is not like the 49ers benched Tyler Palko (Smith) and upgraded to John Elway (Kap) last season, and their fortunes suddenly took a turn for the better. Things were pretty good to begin with.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

. I feel Jim promised and owed it to Alex to give him the 2012 season. You have no idea what Harbaugh "promised". Additionally, he doesn't and didn't owe anything to Alex Smith.

To Kaep's credit, he did a great job of stepping in. I get that he has amazing potential. I actually am "over" it nowI'm so happy that you're over having a 2nd year QB who led his team to SB in his first 10 games and is likely a franchise player for the next several years. I don't know how you have managed to cope with that but golly, I sure am happy you managed to live through it. But there's no way I will ever see the decision as anything other than a betrayal.. a real dick move by a HC that would slit his own mother's throat to get what he wants.You seem like someone who would defend starting Grbac. Winning is all that matters in the end, right? Yes. Winning ensures job security (unless your name is Lovie) and I would expect most of the players to see Jim in a different light now. Then you're a complete mongoloid.

This kind of stupidity is quite alarming.

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by milkman

Spot on.

You're agreement to a mostly optimistic post confuses me, and you didn't say dumbass.