Chiefs Teicher:On first play at camp, Chiefs show their new look - Page 25

**Tribal Warfare** · 07-26-2013, 07:24 PM

On first play at camp, Chiefs show their new look
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
Andy Reid delivered a not-so-subtle message Friday with the first play at Chiefs training camp. He had quarterback Alex Smith heave a pass deep down the middle that was hauled in for a touchdown by wide receiver Dexter McCluster.

The play served notice that after two seasons with a dormant passing attack, the Chiefs intend to revive it in a big way.

“I wasn’t ready for that,” Smith said. “I came up and I got a good look for it. Crowd pleaser.”

Much more needs to happen before the passing game can be called successful. But the intent is obviously there. Smith completed another deep pass to McCluster a few plays later.

As much as Reid enjoyed the big plays, he liked the consistency of the passing game. Smith, who completed 70 percent of his passes for the 49ers last season, went several plays into practice before throwing his first incompletion.

“There weren’t a lot of balls on the ground, and it looked like the defense had people covered,” Reid said. “They were in position.”

The trade for Smith was the biggest of the offseason moves aimed at revitalizing a sluggish offense. Smith, the first pick in the 2005 draft and San Francisco’s long-time starter, is used to such pressure.

“I’m much better equipped to handle it now,” Smith said. “When you’re a young guy and coming in and playing early, I dwelled on (negative things) too much. I let it affect my play too much. I tried to please everybody.

“I’m going to play my game. I’m going to try to work as hard as I can to get as good as I can and try to reach my potential and win a bunch of games. That’s the goal. I’m not worried about a bunch of other things.”

Smith received another peek at the expectations waiting for him at the end of practice, when a fan called to him asking Smith to be the Chiefs’ savior.

“That’s a strong word,” Smith said. “That’s a great example. When I was younger, I would have taken that literally. I tried to make every single throw and I tried to prove to everybody on every single play that, yeah, I could do this.”

That McCluster was on the receiving end of Smith’s long passes was another bonus for the Chiefs. They practiced without their most accomplished receiver, Dwayne Bowe, who is on the non-football injury list with a viral condition.

Bowe may return to practice as soon as Saturday. But no matter when he plays, the Chiefs are still in search of a consistent threat to go along with him. The diminutive McCluster has long tantalized the Chiefs with his big-play ability, but he has delivered precious few such plays since arriving as a rookie in 2010.

He bounced from receiver to running back and again to receiver, never seeming to find a comfortable spot. While it’s far too early to call him a changed player in Reid’s offense, it’s a start.

“It’s always good to start a first practice … with a big one,” McCluster said. “I’m happy I held on to the ball.”

Reid’s arrival could rescue McCluster’s career, which stalled last season under coach Romeo Crennel. Reid, then coaching the Philadelphia Eagles, was intrigued by McCluster when he was available in the 2010 draft.

The Chiefs got to him first, but Reid began making plans for McCluster shortly after arriving in Kansas City in January.

“He gives you a little flexibility,” Reid said. “You can move him around a Iittle. We’ll use him here and there.”

During offseason practice and again on Friday, McCluster lined up in a variety of spots.

“I don’t know where he couldn’t line up, to be honest, as far as skill positions go,” Smith said. “He’s got that many tools in the belt.”

Another offensive player the Chiefs are counting on is rookie running back Knile Davis. The Chiefs hope he can be turned into a kickoff return specialist, even though he never returned a kick during a game in college at Arkansas.

That process got off to a rough start Friday when Davis, who was a frequent fumbler in college, dropped a kickoff.

“We’ll get that fixed,” Reid said.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-27-2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

If we had traded for Romo, I'd be homering it up right now.

Same.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-27-2013, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'd trust Tony Romo to win a Super Bowl before Alex Smith.

Eh, the last really "up" year he had wasn't really all that up. That said, it would probably be a more interesting mix overall than anything Axl will be bringing.

Hammock Parties · 07-27-2013, 05:20 PM

Tony Romo averaged 300 yards game last year.

Alex Smith does it once every 2 or 3 years.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-27-2013, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Tony Romo averaged 300 yards game last year.

Alex Smith does it once every 2 or 3 years.

I feel ya', but the stat-line alone just doesn't do much for me.

**Easy 6** · 07-27-2013, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Same.

Big arm, bad decision maker.

Small arm, good decision maker... whats the difference.

stevieray · 07-27-2013, 05:23 PM

I wouldv'e double bagged it.

**DeezNutz** · 07-27-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Ah I see, I am an uniformed non thinker when it comes to the Chiefs because I dont look at just the negatives and look at what could happen in a positive way.

Gotcha.

Like YPA, leading the league is a good thing - ME

YPA , Uh its a trick it doesn't mean what it means in THIS case - Clay

No, apparently you don't. You're trying to establish a false dichotomy.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-27-2013, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Big arm, bad decision maker.

Small arm, good decision maker... whats the difference.

If he shakes the rust off, maybe.

Hammock Parties · 07-27-2013, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Big arm, bad decision maker.

Small arm, good decision maker... whats the difference.

One guy carried a team to 8-8 despite the 25th ranked defense and 22nd ranked running game.

Another guy gets carried.

They both have one playoff win for their careers so who gives a shit?

What do you think happens if Romo plays with a top ranked defense and running game?

Messier · 07-27-2013, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

One guy carried a team to 8-8 despite the 25th ranked defense and 22nd ranked running game.

Another guy gets carried.

They both have one playoff win for their careers so who gives a shit?

What do you think happens if Romo plays with a top ranked defense and running game?

Throws a pick 6 and loses the game in the final minutes.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-27-2013, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scott free

Big arm, bad decision maker.

Small arm, good decision maker... whats the difference.

Bad decision maker, yet he has a better INT percentage than Alex Smith, while taking WAY more shots downfield.

**DeezNutz** · 07-27-2013, 05:27 PM

Perhaps the perception is false, but it does seem that Romo has a habit of pissing himself.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-27-2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Perhaps the perception is false, but it does seem that Romo has a habit of pissing himself.

I think it is what it is, thus my not being particularly floored by a superior stat-line.

I know people LOVE to throw numbers around, but they really don't tell the complete tale for better OR worse.

keg in kc · 07-27-2013, 05:30 PM

I'd rather have Smith than Romo. And you know how much I like Smith.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-27-2013, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'd rather have Smith than Romo. And you know how much I like Smith.

I think they're BOTH a a couple of old testicles in a dogs saggy nutsack.

07-26-2013, 07:24 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $902813	Teicher:On first play at camp, Chiefs show their new look On first play at camp, Chiefs show their new look By ADAM TEICHER The Kansas City Star Andy Reid delivered a not-so-subtle message Friday with the first play at Chiefs training camp. He had quarterback Alex Smith heave a pass deep down the middle that was hauled in for a touchdown by wide receiver Dexter McCluster. The play served notice that after two seasons with a dormant passing attack, the Chiefs intend to revive it in a big way. “I wasn’t ready for that,” Smith said. “I came up and I got a good look for it. Crowd pleaser.” Much more needs to happen before the passing game can be called successful. But the intent is obviously there. Smith completed another deep pass to McCluster a few plays later. As much as Reid enjoyed the big plays, he liked the consistency of the passing game. Smith, who completed 70 percent of his passes for the 49ers last season, went several plays into practice before throwing his first incompletion. “There weren’t a lot of balls on the ground, and it looked like the defense had people covered,” Reid said. “They were in position.” The trade for Smith was the biggest of the offseason moves aimed at revitalizing a sluggish offense. Smith, the first pick in the 2005 draft and San Francisco’s long-time starter, is used to such pressure. “I’m much better equipped to handle it now,” Smith said. “When you’re a young guy and coming in and playing early, I dwelled on (negative things) too much. I let it affect my play too much. I tried to please everybody. “I’m going to play my game. I’m going to try to work as hard as I can to get as good as I can and try to reach my potential and win a bunch of games. That’s the goal. I’m not worried about a bunch of other things.” Smith received another peek at the expectations waiting for him at the end of practice, when a fan called to him asking Smith to be the Chiefs’ savior. “That’s a strong word,” Smith said. “That’s a great example. When I was younger, I would have taken that literally. I tried to make every single throw and I tried to prove to everybody on every single play that, yeah, I could do this.” That McCluster was on the receiving end of Smith’s long passes was another bonus for the Chiefs. They practiced without their most accomplished receiver, Dwayne Bowe, who is on the non-football injury list with a viral condition. Bowe may return to practice as soon as Saturday. But no matter when he plays, the Chiefs are still in search of a consistent threat to go along with him. The diminutive McCluster has long tantalized the Chiefs with his big-play ability, but he has delivered precious few such plays since arriving as a rookie in 2010. He bounced from receiver to running back and again to receiver, never seeming to find a comfortable spot. While it’s far too early to call him a changed player in Reid’s offense, it’s a start. “It’s always good to start a first practice … with a big one,” McCluster said. “I’m happy I held on to the ball.” Reid’s arrival could rescue McCluster’s career, which stalled last season under coach Romeo Crennel. Reid, then coaching the Philadelphia Eagles, was intrigued by McCluster when he was available in the 2010 draft. The Chiefs got to him first, but Reid began making plans for McCluster shortly after arriving in Kansas City in January. “He gives you a little flexibility,” Reid said. “You can move him around a Iittle. We’ll use him here and there.” During offseason practice and again on Friday, McCluster lined up in a variety of spots. “I don’t know where he couldn’t line up, to be honest, as far as skill positions go,” Smith said. “He’s got that many tools in the belt.” Another offensive player the Chiefs are counting on is rookie running back Knile Davis. The Chiefs hope he can be turned into a kickoff return specialist, even though he never returned a kick during a game in college at Arkansas. That process got off to a rough start Friday when Davis, who was a frequent fumbler in college, dropped a kickoff. “We’ll get that fixed,” Reid said.
Posts: 42,081

07-27-2013, 05:20 PM	#363
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4700478	Tony Romo averaged 300 yards game last year. Alex Smith does it once every 2 or 3 years. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,920

07-27-2013, 05:23 PM	#366
stevieray best in the biz Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Under Pressure Casino cash: $2575273	I wouldv'e double bagged it.
Posts: 71,206

07-27-2013, 05:30 PM	#374
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	I'd rather have Smith than Romo. And you know how much I like Smith.
Posts: 58,682