Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 94

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-05-2013, 06:26 PM

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.”

Hammock Parties · 06-28-2013, 08:58 PM

Torrey Smith had 104 targets as a #2 receiver.

You want to delete some posts there, tribe?

RunKC · 06-28-2013, 08:59 PM

IMO the guy who is really going to get some yards in Pitt this year is Markus Wheaton.
He's going to make the Steelers forget about Mike Wallace IMO.

beach tribe · 06-28-2013, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Follow the posts.

GoChiefs believes that Breaston (who's currently unsigned, by the way) will have more yards this season than Avery and expects him to sign in Pittsburgh, even though they already have Brown and Sanders (and drafted some guys as well).

I was actually wondering how avery having under 500yds would = a QB throwing for less than 2000 yds.

Coogs · 06-28-2013, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Wait a freaking minute here.

Are you saying a guy who never started in college and was a 7th round pick is not the same talent level as a guy who was the 1st overall pick in the draft?

I think so, yes.

I don't view this as a rinse and repeat scenario that many others here do. Nor am I concerned in June about 3rd downs that many here seem to be wringing their hands about. Many things play into 3rd downs besides the QB.

Honestly, I am pretty excited about what has happened since we all were wanting Pioli, Cassel, and RC's heads on a platter.

Hammock Parties · 06-28-2013, 09:03 PM

I'm thinking it will break down like this:

Bowe: 1,000
Avery: 400
Fasano: 400
McCluster: 400
Baldwin: 200
Charles: 400

That's 2800 yards. Tack on a 3-400 hundred more for the other backups and you have your average Alex Smith season!

Coogs · 06-28-2013, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

I agree, another major difference is this is the first draft in five years we drafted by measurables and not by the GM's ****ing ego to outsmart everyone else in the draft with his high bro Patriots attitude. We actually went for talent and need.

Which is why this class could blow the last four out of the water. And it could pay off big in the future years.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

I was actually wondering how avery having under 500yds would = a QB throwing for less than 2000 yds.

I was just throwing out a number but if Avery's the #2 with 500 yards, it's like the passing game is a turd.

RunKC · 06-28-2013, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I'm thinking it will break down like this:

Bowe: 1,000
Avery: 400
Fasano: 400
McCluster: 400
Baldwin: 200
Charles: 400

That's 2800 yards. Tack on a 3-400 hundred more for the other backups and you have your average Alex Smith season!

What about Kelce? I expect him to be very involved in this offense.

beach tribe · 06-28-2013, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Torrey Smith had 104 targets as a #2 receiver you want to delete some posts there, tribe?

And he had fewer receptions than the top receiving RB and TE on his team and fewer rec and rec% Than Avery Lol!!
http://www.kffl.com/player/24232/nfl...n/torrey-Smith
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/s...ltimore-ravens

Hammock Parties · 06-28-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I was just throwing out a number but if Avery's the #2 with 500 yards, it's like the passing game is a turd.

We will be bottom third. Again.

Excuses will be made.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I'm thinking it will break down like this:

Bowe: 1,000
Avery: 400
Fasano: 400
McCluster: 400
Baldwin: 200
Charles: 400

That's 2800 yards. Tack on a 3-400 hundred more for the other backups and you have your average Alex Smith season!

What's wrong with 3,200 yards, especially with Charles raking up 1,100 or more on the ground?

Russell Wilson had 3,118 last season.

Mr_Tomahawk · 06-28-2013, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I'm thinking it will break down like this:

Bowe: 1,000
Avery: 400
Fasano: 400
McCluster: 400
Baldwin: 200
Charles: 400

That's 2800 yards. Tack on a 3-400 hundred more for the other backups and you have your average Alex Smith season!

You think McCluster will have as many yards at Charles...

Hammock Parties · 06-28-2013, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

And he had fewer receptions than the top receiving RB and TE on his team and fewer rec and rec% Than Avery Lol!!
http://www.kffl.com/player/24232/nfl...n/torrey-Smith
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/s...ltimore-ravens

Yes, but he still had 104 targets. And he was a legit downfield threat.

This was not the 49ers passing game with Alex Smith.

That's the point. Alex Smith is our QB. Donnie Avery will probably be lucky to get 60 targets next year.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

We will be bottom third. Again.

Excuses will be made.

And the excuse will be that the receiving corp, as it has for years, sucks.

Hammock Parties · 06-28-2013, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

You think McCluster will have as many yards at Charles...

McCluster catches dinks and dunks.

Alex Smith throws dinks and dunks.

Not hard to do the math.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $942813	Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive 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.”
Posts: 42,041

06-28-2013, 08:58 PM	#1396
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4740478	Torrey Smith had 104 targets as a #2 receiver. You want to delete some posts there, tribe? __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,717

06-28-2013, 08:59 PM	#1397
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $2279611	IMO the guy who is really going to get some yards in Pitt this year is Markus Wheaton. He's going to make the Steelers forget about Mike Wallace IMO. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Noah Gray
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06-28-2013, 09:03 PM	#1400
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4740478	I'm thinking it will break down like this: Bowe: 1,000 Avery: 400 Fasano: 400 McCluster: 400 Baldwin: 200 Charles: 400 That's 2800 yards. Tack on a 3-400 hundred more for the other backups and you have your average Alex Smith season! __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,717