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

[Tribal Warfare]

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]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Every excuse you have used in regards to Alex Smith is the same EXACT shit that was said about Cassel when we traded for him.

Name the "excuses" I've used.

Thanks.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by TheUte

The fact is if you look at the last 3 years, AS has been a pretty damn serviceable QB in the NFL.

Which is pretty damning, because being serviceable at QB just keeps your team treading water.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Which is pretty damning, because being serviceable at QB just keeps your team treading water.

If that was the case, how were the 49ers a few minutes from the Super Bowl in 2011? How were they 6-2 before he was injured in 2012?

Keep in mind, if they were 5-3 or worse, they would have never qualified for the playoffs, let alone the Super Bowl.

[TheUte]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Which is pretty damning, because being serviceable at QB just keeps your team treading water.

As opposed drowning like last year???

[TheUte]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Which is pretty damning, because being serviceable at QB just keeps your team treading water.

And actually is not damning at all. As long the QB doesn't lose the game.

I personally think the QB get far too much credit and far too much blame.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If that was the case, how were the 49ers a few minutes from the Super Bowl in 2011? How were they 6-2 before he was injured in 2012?

The rest of the team.

How were the Chiefs 10-6 in 2010?

The rest of the team.

How were the Chiefs 13-3 in 1995?

Not Steve Bono.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by TheUte

As opposed drowning like last year???

to getting his ass knocked out with a concussion

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

The rest of the team.

How were the Chiefs 10-6 in 2010?

The rest of the team.

How were the Chiefs 13-3 in 1995?

Not Steve Bono.

If this is the case I like our chances. We already have some strong talent on the team.

All depends on Dorset though. Can he build some more pieces in the next 2 years to put us around the 49ers level?

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by TheUte

And actually is not damning at all. As long the QB doesn't lose the game.

I personally think the QB get far too much credit and far too much blame.

Love Matt Cassel.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

The rest of the team.

How were the Chiefs 10-6 in 2010?

The rest of the team.

How were the Chiefs 13-3 in 1995?

Not Steve Bono.

Lame and uniformed answer.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Name the "excuses" I've used.

Thanks.

His line
Play calling
Receivers

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Lame and uniformed answer.

You really don't understand this concept of average QBs being drug to good seasons by elite teams, huh?

You'd think Chiefs fans would be all too familiar with the concept by now but I guess some people just don't ****ing get it.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BossChief

His line
Play calling
Receivers

Those are not excuses.

Are you going to argue that he had even an adequate offensive line prior to 2011?

Are you going to argue that he's had a legitimate, consistent downfield threat?

Are you going to argue that the offensive play calling hasn't been questionable at times, especially in the Super Bowl with Kap?

If so, I'm all ears.

Furthermore, those ARE NOT excuses made for Cassel. Cassel had Welker and a very good Randy Moss. His offensive line gave up less than 20 sacks the year prior and the year following his departure. His offensive coordinator had been outstanding in 2007 and helped him to fabricate his numbers by putting him in the spread.

Alex Smith, despite the lack of a Wes Welker and young Randy Moss, put up the best QBR in the league last year. With no one other than a fat, slow and lazy Michael Crabtree, his team was one special teams fumble from the Super Bowl in 2011.

You guys are looking at this all wrong.

[BigMeatballDave]

Clay is the biggest hypocrite in ChiefsPlanet's history.

[RunKC]

The defensive side of the ball is a different thing entirely but I would say the following are facts about our offense.

-JC is a bigger playmaker than anyone Alex Smith has ever played with.
-Bowe is just as good as Crabtree. He's actually better at YAC, which is needed with this QB.
-Albert and Fisher combined will be better pass protectors than Staley and Davis combined.
-Andy Reid is every bit as good of a QB coach as Jim Harbaugh.

There really isn't that much of a difference in surrounding cast on the offensive side of the ball aside from Iupati and our TE's, who look to be pretty solid.