Andy blames himself, not Alex, for Chiefs' sputtering offense

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- When you're 6-0 and coming off a 2-14 season, there really shouldn't be any complaining.

There can't be a football fan or scout or executive anywhere on the planet who could have forecast the amazing turnaround general manager John Dorsey and coach Andy Reid have conducted with the Chiefs -- certainly not to the extent of a 6-0 start.

But -- and isn't there always a but? -- there is one small area of concern that even Reid himself continues to address: a sluggish offense.

The Chiefs are 25th in the NFL in offense, chugging along at just 326 yards per game, a remarkably low figure for a team unbeaten this far into the season.

No one is more aware of the offense's struggles than Reid. The offense is his baby.

"Listen, I'm never going to make excuses," Reid said Monday. "That's not how we roll here. But the reality of it is we're a little young, but we have to get better.

"I see some phases we're getting better at. But I've got to do a better job of getting these guys in the right position to succeed. We've all got a little piece of the pie to get things right. We're learning on the fly, but we're going to get better."

The Chiefs likely will have to. Fans in this area have seen this script before. They've seen the Chiefs' teams of the 1990s soar through the regular season on the strength of their overpowering defenses and elite special teams.

Then those fans saw the same teams misfire in the postseason, mainly because the offense couldn't step up and contribute when it had to.

To avoid revisiting that script, the Chiefs must get more production out of quarterback Alex Smith, whose numbers keep sinking.

Smith is 26th in the league in passing yards at just 221.7 per game. He's also 20th in the league with a passer rating of 79.8.

But if you're looking for Reid to point any fingers toward Smith, you'll have a long wait.

Reid knows what kind of team he has. He knows, outside of Jamaal Charles and at times Dwayne Bowe, he doesn't have an explosive offense.

Reid also knows you can win in this league simply by not messing up, and letting the opponent beat itself. The Chiefs are No. 1 in the league in turnover ratio at plus-12, and don't have the appearance of a team that will beat itself anytime soon.

"Not turning the ball over is very important to us," Reid said, "especially when you have a solid defense like we have and the kicking game we have, both from our punter and our kicker."

In that respect, Smith is giving Reid all he needs, even if the offense has that familiar conservative look of the '90s. After all, there is a fine line between wanting more offensive production, and opening the offense up so much that more turnovers occur. Reid isn't likely to stand for that.

"You want to always start off by protecting the ball," Reid said. "There's no fine line there for me. ...

"Alex is doing that. And we need to point out the way Alex continues to manage this offense."

And that is the key in Reid's mind: He simply wants Smith to manage the game, which also includes managing the different personalities in the huddle.

"We've got a guy at quarterback, this kid, he's a stud," Reid said. "The things he does for this team is unbelievable. He's making people around him better. He takes the blame for things -- that's what good leaders do.

"At the same time, he's able to teach and explain to other guys with a clear head. Those are valuable things for us as coaches to see. I'm very pleased with the job (Smith) is doing."

In Reid's mind, let the other quarterbacks around the league possess the pretty passing numbers; Reid will take the ultimate one that counts. That is, for now, 6-0.

Still, Reid also has been around long enough to know that his offense will have to improve as the season wears on, even if it's just incrementally.

And that will be up to Reid himself as the play-caller and architect of the offense, something Reid has mentioned almost every week.

"I think we have done some good things, but we have plenty to work on," Reid said. "I don't think I've done a very good job of putting guys in position to make plays. That has been obvious at times. I have to do a better job."



http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/n...75&feedID=5117


Sorry if Q

[Anyong Bluth]

Per Espn's Page 2 Tuesday Morning Quarterback:

It's been a bit over a year since Alex Smith has lost.
26-5-1 in his last 32- a stat that had been pointed out originally in his last 30 games, but obviously is updated with his current winning streak.

I guess the old saying, " It's better to be lucky than good ", is playing itself out.

I almost dare not to even mention it for fear of jinxing it, but I would be on cloud 9 if there was some way to face Denver and beat them in heartbreaking fashion as payback for 97.

That game goes down as my saddest loss in KCsportsfan growing up, followed by the Indy Elliott Nightmare loss.

Not since 97 have the fan bases both been as geeked about their own team at the same time. I want to twist the knife back and exercise that demon, and the rest of the playoff demons off this franchise's back.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

First full season?

Yes, 2007 was Romo's first full season as a starter. He took over Bledsoe's job halfway through 2006.

How many ****ing chromosomes are you missing?

Much less than you apparently, Dane.

He'd been a starter since 2004.

Check again. It was 2006.

You don't even know what the **** you're talking about.

I admit, I did mix up one of Dallas' many underachieving, flawed teams for a second there, but this is some irony.

[Mav]

KC connection.

I am not attacking you, so lets stay away from the name calling.

But, Tony Romo has been instrumental in the failure of the Cowboys.

Too many choke jobs like the one against Denver. Including two last season when they had games won, and lost because of his costly mistakes.

he plays great in the first three quarters, but he is terrified of having to make a play when its needed.

he has far too much talent around him to be this insignificant when it matters.

He is a really good qb, but what good is a qb that always comes up small when it matters?

They have as much if not more offensive Talent than anyone in the league save the Broncos, Saints, or Packers.

Their defense isn't trash either.

Their owner is a huge problem, their coach is a dumbass, but just like with the Chiefs offense, where there is blame for everyone, but at the end of the day, your team goes, as your qb goes.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Well, you're right that I probably need to get over it, but then I watch him play on Sundays and have renewed anger.

I completely disagree that he's not putting the team in bad situations, and last Sunday was a perfect illustration of this. The game was in doubt as long as it was, in large part, because Smith was garbage.

Yeah, the line play needs to be better (and it damn well should be better), but Smith gets more blame because more is (rightfully) expected of him.

Fisher is a very close second. Anyway, both are going to be in KC for the next 3-4 years for sure.

He's certainly not putting his team into good positions, that's for sure.

I'm fine with Alex Smith, game manager, at quarterback if he's actually, you know, managing games. I mean, that's what we have, so make the best of it.

But he's not managing games. Not so far.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

WHO GIVES A ****?

Yeah, **** the facts! Romo being the best 4th quarter QB in the league statistically? Irrelevant information when it doesn't back up my argument!

You're a clown, Dane.

The guy hasn't won SHIT.

Because of his team.

Get back to us when he actually WINS SOMETHING.

Going to be hard to do that as long as he's playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Alex Smith isn't Matt Cassel. He's not Geno Smith.

While he's certainly not putting up historic numbers, he's also not putting his team in bad situations, nor is he turning the ball over at crucial times.

You need to get over it, Dude. Alex Smith is who he is and he's not going anywhere.

You're right about that much. He's the guy that's going to hold this organization back from getting anywhere near the SB over the next few seasons.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

He's certainly not putting his team into good positions, that's for sure.

I'm fine with Alex Smith, game manager, at quarterback if he's actually, you know, managing games. I mean, that's what we have, so make the best of it.

But he's not managing games. Not so far.

Pretty much. "Game manager" doesn't have to be a terrible thing. Hell, Green fits into this category, so there are definitely different tiers that one can occupy within this space.

Smith is protecting the football (some fortuitous bounces not withstanding), but he takes the offense off the field incredibly quickly. Points are pretty cool and decently important in contributing to the whole "winning" thing, but I'd take sustaining a few drives at this point.

The defense and the security blanket of JC are far too overworked at this point.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Can't sustain shit, that boy.

[Anyong Bluth]

I think part of the unease of the offense is squarely due to the fact that in many people's minds they are looking ahead - specifically to an offense like Denver.

Feeling unsure that this team will be able to hold them to less than around 28-32 points, because they're gonna score and Manning gets calls or special treatment by the zebras, so this offense should target 35 points - or a bit above their hoped avg of say 24-28 we'd hope they can score on offense, not including D/ST scores.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

He's certainly not putting his team into good positions, that's for sure.

I'm fine with Alex Smith, game manager, at quarterback if he's actually, you know, managing games. I mean, that's what we have, so make the best of it.

But he's not managing games. Not so far.

I don't think that's fair at all.

You have a point the last two weeks. But he was the very epitome of "game manager" the first four weeks.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

You're right about that much. He's the guy that's going to hold this organization back from getting anywhere near the SB over the next few seasons.

Don't agree. At all.

Its hilarious though, that you will scape goat the ENTIRE Dallas team, but you single out alex smith like the rest of the offense has been perfect.

Oh, and before you start on me, Alex Smith has been awful the last two weeks.

But, none of the offense all season besides Charles has held their own with ANYONE.

[KC_Connection]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Pretty much. "Game manager" doesn't have to be a terrible thing. Hell, Green fits into this category, so there are definitely different tiers that one can occupy within this space.

Smith is protecting the football (some fortuitous bounces not withstanding), but he takes the offense off the field incredibly quickly. Points are pretty cool and decently important in contributing to the whole "winning" thing, but I'd take sustaining a few drives at this point.

The defense and the security blanket of JC are far too overworked at this point.

Why sustain drives when you can just go three and out, punt, then force a turnover on defense, though?

Smith knows how to win.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

I think part of the unease of the offense is squarely due to the fact that in many people's minds they are looking ahead - specifically to an offense like Denver.

Feeling unsure that this team will be able to hold them to less than around 28-32 points, because they're gonna score and Manning gets calls or special treatment by the zebras, so this offense should target 35 points - or a bit above their hoped avg of say 24-28 we'd hope they can score on offense, not including D/ST scores.

There is no chance the Broncos will put up more on the Chiefs than they did the Jags. Welker hates physical play. Peyton Manning hates physical play, Eric Decker hates physical play.

They have almost no chance.

That will be a 20-13 ish type game at Denver. I could see KC blowing them completely out in KC.

Peyton is great, but once you rattle him, he has a hard time overcoming it.

Check the playoff game where he threw three picks to Ty Law if you want to understand what I mean. Also check his super bowl against the Saints. They started rattling him early, and he never got out of it.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Mavericks Ace

Don't agree. At all.

Its hilarious though, that you will scape goat the ENTIRE Dallas team, but you single out alex smith like the rest of the offense has been perfect.

Oh, and before you start on me, Alex Smith has been awful the last two weeks.

But, none of the offense all season besides Charles has held their own with ANYONE.

Anthony Sherman is unhappy with this post.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Yeah, **** the facts! Romo being the best 4th quarter QB in the league statistically? Irrelevant information when it doesn't back up my argument!

You're a clown, Dane.


Because of his team.


Going to be hard to do that as long as he's playing for the Dallas Cowboys.

Yeah, 13-3 on the back of an awesome defense isn't enough for poor little Tony.

You're an assclown. Stick to sucking off Bill Self.