Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 67

**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.”

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

You took a position that Alex Smith is better than the QB he actually is. You scoff at the evidence I present, because you are a homer and want to believe in this QB. No other reason to treat these facts with such disdain.

Oh, give me a break.

The mere fact that he's had a winning record the past two seasons and led the NFL in QB rating contradicts all of your "facts", which of course, you've hand-picked.

He's not Matt Cassel, yet you continually refer to him as if he IS Matt Cassel.

You make claims such as his presence won't improve the defense over last year, that he can't throw the ball downfield, etc. and so on, yet it's all untrue.

False narrative.

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 05:33 PM

Winning seasons:

Matt Cassel - 2
Alex Smith - 1.5

Would you like to know more?

Quote:

he can't throw the ball downfield

He can't. He's been consistently terrible at it over the course of his career.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Winning seasons:

Matt Cassel - 2
Alex Smith - 1.5

Would you like to know more?

He can't. He's been consistently terrible at it over the course of his career.

Unbelievable.

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 05:35 PM

I know, I can't believe Matt Cassel has had more winning seasons!

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I know, I can't believe Matt Cassel has had more winning seasons!

No, that you would include his stats from previous seasons.

You know, because THAT'S the guy Dorsey and Reid traded for in February.

Sandy Vagina · 06-27-2013, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Just because Alex Smith didn't throw downfield very much doesn't mean he sucks at it.

Yep!

Did anyone ever really read this long article?

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/5...verages-part-3
Alex Smith - The Long Ball (Trends and Averages: Part 3)

Quote:

So it seems pretty settled, he didn’t throw the long ball much by anyone’s standard. But, how did he do (comparatively) when he did throw it?

Alex Smith is right there at the top in all six charts. (in extensive comparison to others like Flacco, Rodgers, Brady, and even Cassell for fun)

He had to "trend" his way to the top in his short game, but...
He has always been near the top in his throws over 20 yards (up there with Rodgers). Hmmm....

TD% doesn’t seem to be driven by "Arm Strength" but by talent. Rodgers and Brady lead in both categories. This shoots some holes in the theory that "weak armed" QBs have a harder time with late game drives or needed big plays.

Alex is right in the middle (above Cassel and Flacco) in both the short and long throws, but below our elites.

Smith is right at Flacco level in the LOS and 11-20 range.
Smith has "trended" to the upper level in his 1-10 yard throws
Smith is second behind Rodgers in 30-40 yard throws
Smith is second behind Flacco is over 40 yard throws
Aaron Rodgers is the frickin’ man. Period. We should get that guy.
So Smith completed the ball, but did he move the ball down the field?

Smith is again in the top half
Smith is right near Flacco in the short game and AAYPA, but well above him in the +20 yard range.
This stat - Like TD% - seems to be driven more by talent than arm strength
So, in terms of actually throwing the long ball, completing his throws, scoring TDs, and affecting the team by moving the ball, Alex Smith is all right in the long game. He is not elite, but these charts show that his long game actually appears more efficient than his short game, which has really improved over the years. Arm talent certainly does matter, but not quite as much as I would have thought before I did this analysis.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-27-2013, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Alrighty, but on one condition. Alex Smith gets hurt and all bets are off.

Don't worry. Clay will be gone when they win their 9th game.

Marcellus · 06-27-2013, 05:48 PM

Clay is awesome at ****ing his own argument he has tried this shit before.

Only that jacking off idiot could claim having the highest yards per pass attempt is a bad thing.

****ing clueless idiot.

**BossChief** · 06-27-2013, 05:56 PM

I posted this a few months ago, but it BEGS to get repeated...

If you take Alex Smiths average per attempt and touchdowns per attempt for 2012 and multiply them by the amount of attempts Eagles quarterbacks had last year...here's what you get:

4989 yards
37 tds

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Clay is awesome at ****ing his own argument he has tried this shit before.

Only that jacking off idiot could claim having the highest yards per pass attempt is a bad thing.

****ing clueless idiot.

I never claimed it was a bad thing.

All I claimed was - and this is accurate - is that it doesn't mean what people think it means.

He doesn't throw the ball down the field. His YPA is deceptive.

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

No, that you would include his stats from previous seasons.

You know, because THAT'S the guy Dorsey and Reid traded for in February.

I only included his stats from 2011 and 2012.

In those seasons -

shitty on third down

doesn't throw down the field

sacked more than anyone else in the NFL

All that for 2 2nds!

Sandy Vagina · 06-27-2013, 07:08 PM

3rd down conversions fall on the TEAM and playcalling, yeah?

Is it the QB's fault if it is 3rd and 15 and the playcall is a designed clear-out that is meant to get YAC that just doesn't happen? Harbaugh and Roman called lots of those plays... because they figured at best, convert... at worst, better field position to punt. Is that type of failed conversion the QB's fault?

How about a dropped pass in and out the hands of a receiver on 3rd down?
How about a receiver that runs his route a yard shy?
How about a RB that runs into a brick wall and can't get his 2 yards needed?
How about a receiver that runs the wrong route or can't beat a jam?
How about OL pass pro failures?

All of these things factor in..

It's really a shame that your mind is so incredibly poisoned against Smith. It will leave with only two avenues. (1) Smith plays well and you will hate him for it. (2) Smith plays poorly and your team sucks.

Either way, you lose. Your level of hate for this guy is epic. As a supposed Chiefs fan, you should really be ashamed of yourself. You sound like a butthurt loser throwing a fit because KC didn't follow your gameplan... and DaneMcC and others have helped to make you look utterly pathetic.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I only included his stats from 2011 and 2012.

In those seasons -

shitty on third down

doesn't throw down the field

sacked more than anyone else in the NFL

All that for 2 2nds!

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 07:17 PM

I know, right?

What's not to like?

At his PEAK...this guy was a check down artist that got sacked a shit ton.

RunKC · 06-27-2013, 07:21 PM

You could also say he was sacked a lot because his OL as a whole sucked ass for most of his career and Harbaugh purposely told him to take sacks.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $952813	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: 42,033

06-27-2013, 05:35 PM	#994
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4750478	I know, I can't believe Matt Cassel has had more winning seasons! __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,667

06-27-2013, 05:48 PM	#998
Marcellus Diablo Negro Join Date: Sep 2003 Casino cash: $3122662	Clay is awesome at **ing his own argument he has tried this shit before. Only that jacking off idiot could claim having the highest yards per pass attempt is a bad thing. **ing clueless idiot.
Posts: 69,191

06-27-2013, 05:56 PM	#999
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1914088	I posted this a few months ago, but it BEGS to get repeated... If you take Alex Smiths average per attempt and touchdowns per attempt for 2012 and multiply them by the amount of attempts Eagles quarterbacks had last year...here's what you get: 4989 yards 37 tds __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,106

06-27-2013, 07:08 PM	#1002
Sandy Vagina Still Got The Blues (For You) Join Date: May 2013 Casino cash: $10014178	3rd down conversions fall on the TEAM and playcalling, yeah? Is it the QB's fault if it is 3rd and 15 and the playcall is a designed clear-out that is meant to get YAC that just doesn't happen? Harbaugh and Roman called lots of those plays... because they figured at best, convert... at worst, better field position to punt. Is that type of failed conversion the QB's fault? How about a dropped pass in and out the hands of a receiver on 3rd down? How about a receiver that runs his route a yard shy? How about a RB that runs into a brick wall and can't get his 2 yards needed? How about a receiver that runs the wrong route or can't beat a jam? How about OL pass pro failures? All of these things factor in.. It's really a shame that your mind is so incredibly poisoned against Smith. It will leave with only two avenues. (1) Smith plays well and you will hate him for it. (2) Smith plays poorly and your team sucks. Either way, you lose. Your level of hate for this guy is epic. As a supposed Chiefs fan, you should really be ashamed of yourself. You sound like a butthurt loser throwing a fit because KC didn't follow your gameplan... and DaneMcC and others have helped to make you look utterly pathetic.
Posts: 16,482

06-27-2013, 07:17 PM	#1004
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4750478	I know, right? What's not to like? At his PEAK...this guy was a check down artist that got sacked a shit ton. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,667

06-27-2013, 07:21 PM	#1005
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $2289611	You could also say he was sacked a lot because his OL as a whole sucked ass for most of his career and Harbaugh purposely told him to take sacks. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Noah Gray
Posts: 45,899