Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 13

**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.”

BigBeauford · 06-17-2013, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

If by better, you mean better chickenshit cowards? Then yes.

You said it yourself.. better to be negative and either be unexpectedly surprised or at least consoled by your brilliant, gloom-n-doom predictions coming true. You really keep your bases covered by this approach. Unfortunately, it's an approach that KC coaches and players would slap your pussy self for.

It's the skeptics who are out researching and coming up with valid points, and having real debate and discussions about every detail on their team. The true fans could give a shit less, half of them are there just for the beer and bbq. A great fanbase needs a healthy dose of both. Too far one way, and you are the Chiefs fanbase. Too far the other way, and you suddenly become the Jets. I like being right, so I go with what my research tells me. Same thing with Matt Cassel, when he was sacked a ton of times in NE and his receivers lead the league in YAC, I knew he would be exposed with a less talented team. I foresee the same with Smith.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

You're using that as evidence that we should listen to you about Alex Smith? You weren't savvy enough to recognize what Green could do, and so that makes you an authority of some kind in judging QBs? Interesting logic.

Some of us actually noted at the time that Green's receiver corps was dominated by names like Snoop Minnis and Larry Parker and Chris Thomas, and noted the difference that Kennison made after his mid-season arrival. And it certainly appeared to certain of us that Al Saunders had figured out his offense in general, and Priest Holmes in particular, over the course of the 2001 season, which might have, at the time, been taken as evidence that things could improve for Green in year 2.

Which they did.

Not all of us called him TrINT, in other words.

Unfortunately, I see no parallel in the discussion about Alex Smith.

Okay, I'll join the rest of you and sit and stew over something I cannot control, nor have any clue about how it's going to turn out. So, instead, I'll post negative shit about Smith and try to force my opinion of him.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbsacker93

It's the skeptics who are out researching and coming up with valid points, and having real debate and discussions about every detail on their team. The true fans could give a shit less, half of them are there just for the beer and bbq. A great fanbase needs a healthy dose of both. Too far one way, and you are the Chiefs fanbase. Too far the other way, and you suddenly become the Jets. I like being right, so I go with what my research tells me. Same thing with Matt Cassel, when he was sacked a ton of times in NE and his receivers lead the league in YAC, I knew he would be exposed with a less talented team. I foresee the same with Smith.

Some of the skeptics around here are wrong.

A lot.

BigBeauford · 06-17-2013, 04:22 PM

Some of us don't develop Stockholm syndrome when we are forced to like something. We resist at all costs, and without that kind of attitude, we might still have Scott Pioli and Matt Cassel in this organization.

mcaj22 · 06-17-2013, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Some of the skeptics around here are wrong.

A lot.

what have the skeptics been wrong about so far?

Scooter?
Cassel?
Haley?
Romeo?
Bill Muir?
Brian Daboll?
Stanford Routt?
Zach Thomas?
Peyton Hillis?

literally pick someone. Anyone. Baldwin? Tony Moeaki? the list goes on and on.

USArmyParatrooper · 06-17-2013, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbsacker93

Some of us don't develop Stockholm syndrome when we are forced to like something. We resist at all costs, and without that kind of attitude, we might still have Scott ***** and Matt Cassel in this organization.

We fans have no effect on the roster. The day that changes it's time to change coaches.

keg in kc · 06-17-2013, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Okay, I'll join the rest of you and sit and stew over something I cannot control, nor have any clue about how it's going to turn out. So, instead, I'll post negative shit about Smith and try to force my opinion of him.

If I was stewing, or if I'd posted anything negative about Smith, or if I'd tried to force my opinion on anyone, I could see what you're saying. As it stands right now, it seems like you're the one having the most issues with dissenting points of view.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

what have the skeptics been wrong about so far?

Scooter?
Cassel?
Haley?
Romeo?
Bill Muir?
Brian Daboll?
Stanford Routt?
Zach Thomas?
Peyton Hillis?

literally pick someone. Anyone. Baldwin? Tony Moeaki? the list goes on and on.

A chimp could have been right on most of those. I liked the Pioli hire at the time, but then so did most around here.

BigBeauford · 06-17-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USArmyParatrooper

We fans have no effect on the roster. The day that changes it's time to change coaches.

Lack of attendance, black out arrowhead, planes flying over, fans booing, cheering during injuries, fans booing during charity games. If you don't think these actions have a cumulative affect over time, I just don't agree. Do you think Tim Tebow was really better than Kyle Orton?

mcaj22 · 06-17-2013, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

A chimp could have been right on most of those. I liked the ***** hire at the time, but then so did most around here.

and chimps around here also DEFENDED most of those. It goes both ways.

Sandy Vagina · 06-17-2013, 04:30 PM

Being "right" on the internets iz more important than having any faith in your team after they have made multiple changes on significant positions and coaching!!!!

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

If I was stewing, or if I'd posted anything negative about Smith, or if I'd tried to force my opinion on anyone, I could see what you're saying. As it stands right now, it seems like you're the one having the most issues with dissenting points of view.

I don't have a problem with it, I just don't see the point in it.

Also, in case you haven't noticed, if anyone posts anything remotely positive about Smith, the usual suspects go about there usual diatribe. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Pro-Alex people are viewed as the dissenters.

BigBeauford · 06-17-2013, 04:33 PM

Part of it is the offseason, and most of us have nothing to do but speculate.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

and chimps around here also DEFENDED most of those. It goes both ways.

I liked Haley.

He was ****ed from the beginning. Cassel + ****face?

No chance for success.

**Rausch** · 06-17-2013, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

I liked Haley.

He was ****ed from the beginning. Cassel + ****face?

No chance for success.

He made his own bed.

The team respected the guy so much they played their balls off once he was fired for an even worse coach...

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1002813	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: 42,022

06-17-2013, 04:22 PM	#184
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $2336717	Some of us don't develop Stockholm syndrome when we are forced to like something. We resist at all costs, and without that kind of attitude, we might still have Scott Pioli and Matt Cassel in this organization.
Posts: 14,093

06-17-2013, 04:30 PM	#191
Sandy Vagina Still Got The Blues (For You) Join Date: May 2013 Casino cash: $10014178	Being "right" on the internets iz more important than having any faith in your team after they have made multiple changes on significant positions and coaching!!!!
Posts: 16,482

06-17-2013, 04:33 PM	#193
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $2336717	Part of it is the offseason, and most of us have nothing to do but speculate.
Posts: 14,093