Jaworski rates Chiefs QB at No. 20 among NFL starters

[Tribal Warfare]

Jaworski rates Chiefs QB at No. 20 among NFL starters

The Kansas City Star
Former NFL quarterback-turned-broadcaster Ron Jaworski ranks new Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith No. 20 among the NFL's 32 starting quarterbacks.

That's according to Jaworski's ratings on ESPN's MediaZone site, transcribed from his three-minute daily segments dubbed "Jaws' QB Countdown" on SportsCenter and NFL Live.

Smith, of course, was acquired in a trade from San Francisco this offseason, and has yet to throw a pass in Kansas City (aside from OTAs, that is).

Here are some excerpts from Jaworski's evaluation of Smith:

“A year ago, Smith was coming off his best season in the NFL, having led the 49ers to the NFC Championship. This year, he’s the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs. It was a great move by (Chiefs coach) Andy Reid to acquire Smith.

“The defining element of Smith’s play is efficiency. He executes the offense the way it’s designed, and he makes very few mistakes. Last season – for the second year in a row – he was exceptional on first down. In 2012 he led the NFL in first-down passing, with a quarterback rating of 119. Much of it came off play-action, or in the case of the 49ers, hard run-action out of base personnel. There was no better play-action quarterback last season than Smith. He had a quarterback rating of over 132.

“Smith has been outstanding out of multiple tight end personnel over the last couple of seasons. No quarterback has thrown the ball more with three tight ends on the field. You don’t see that very often in today’s NFL.

“This play was beautifully designed with all three tight ends to the same side. First, look at the impact of the run-action on the two linebackers and the safety. This was hard run-action. Then you see that Delanie Walker’s vertical route occupied the corner. That left Vernon Davis matched on a safety, a safety that initially reacted to run. He had no chance on Davis’ wheel route.

“One area Smith improved in 2012 was in the pre-snap phase of the game. He was much better at the line of scrimmage checking and audibling.

“It will be interesting to see what Andy Reid does in Kansas City. Don’t be surprised if he turns Smith loose a little bit and features an up-tempo offense with an emphasis on quick throws. Remember, Alex Smith played for Urban Meyer at Utah.”

Other QB's that Jaworski has analyzed so far:

No. 32 Matt Flynn

No. 31 Jake Locker

No. 30 Kevin Kolb

No. 29 Chad Henne

No. 28 Mark Sanchez

No. 27 Christian Ponder

No. 26 Brandon Weeden

No. 25 Michael Vick

No. 24 Ryan Tannehill

No. 23 Carson Palmer

No. 22 Sam Bradford

No. 21 Josh Freeman

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Gotcha.

I think SOC proved last year that you don't have to have faith in the FO to be a good fan once that FO has proven inadequate. IN that case being a good fan meant voicing your displeasure loud enough to make an impact.

However railing on a FO that hasn't shown any propensity to be incompetent is kind of silly.

The Giants are well run organization. If you read that whole blog the guy isn't that harsh on the move IMO anyway.

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I think CP's belief in value of 2nd round picks is exaggerated.

They gave up 1 too many 2nd rounders I agree. No need to lose your shit over a 2nd round pick though.

I think these two statements are at odds with one another.

Carl Peterson and Scooter Pioli sucked at drafting with their 2nd round picks. They also both made big errors in trading for and relying on other teams' leftovers at the QB position.

If you give Dorsey the benefit of the doubt on the QB thing, don't you ALSO have to give him the benefit of the doubt on the 2nd round pick?

[Mav]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Define "great" year.

If you're defining that as what he did in San Francisco the past two seasons, there is a wide gulf between what we see as "great."

As I said earlier in the thread, my biggest fear is that Alex Smith will be basically the same QB he was in San Fran, with slightly lower efficiency numbers because he is being asked to be more aggressive.

That would in all likelihood result in an extension, and I think it is the most likely outcome.

I will jump on the Alex Smith bandwagon when the Chiefs beat an elite team in the playoffs BECAUSE of Alex Smith's performance throwing the football. Until then, I will grudgingly root for him while doubting him and hoping they replace him with someone who CAN pull that off.

I would love to be completely wrong about Smith. That would be a great thing as a Chiefs fan. I just can't believe it until I see it.

I have never understood this logic. I really haven't. You have an incredible oline, you have a top 5 running back. You have a lot of money invested in your defense, and draft picks might I add. Who cares if you knock off an elite team in the playoffs, and it didn't take alex smith throwing for 300+ and 4 tds to do it. A win is a win is a win. Especially in the playoffs. By the way, and im asking, and not being a smart ass. When exactly was the last CHIEFS PLAYOFFS WIN?

Because, I can tell you this. When the 49ers beat the saints, it was an INCREDIBLE moment for me, because they hadn't won a playoff game since 2002 before that.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

They made the right move this year. For what was available to them, they made the right move. I don't know when or what it is going to be that is going to show you that, Alex Smith, via, trade, free agent, or draft, was the best qb they could of gotten this offseason. What more do you want?

I think most here would rather have a "worse" option in hopes of getting a real option in the future. If you're not competing for championships, what's the point?

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Absolutely they do and have already come forward and stated as much. Bowe and Charles have said he is the best they have played with. This team wants to win, especially after last year.

Why don't you check and see what they said about Cassel last offseason.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by aturnis

Why don't you check and see what they said about Cassel last offseason.

In his defense C@$$hol3 put up 3.5 games worth of effort in the first 5 weeks...

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Considering what the Chiefs have done with their 2nd rounders- I really doubt the next Junior savil would have made much of a difference for us-lol

I am sure the Chiefs didnt just offer it up- they gave what they had to. It is worth the extra second to have a quality QB for once. Chiefs will dominate this year!!

I can't believe you'd hold what Peterson and Pioli did against Dorsey and Reid...

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I think these two statements are at odds with one another.

Carl Peterson and Scooter Pioli sucked at drafting with their 2nd round picks. They also both made big errors in trading for and relying on other teams' leftovers at the QB position.

If you give Dorsey the benefit of the doubt on the QB thing, don't you ALSO have to give him the benefit of the doubt on the 2nd round pick?

I'm not that concerned about the other 2nd rounder so I don't see any issue with giving him the benefit of the doubt.

I think in the end if Smith does what Dorsey and Reid expect him to do that 2nd rounder wont matter. I'm confident they expect to win and to win soon. The whole logic for the move was this isn't going to be a a rebuilding year.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I have never understood this logic. I really haven't. You have an incredible oline, you have a top 5 running back. You have a lot of money invested in your defense, and draft picks might I add. Who cares if you knock off an elite team in the playoffs, and it didn't take alex smith throwing for 300+ and 4 tds to do it. A win is a win is a win. Especially in the playoffs. By the way, and im asking, and not being a smart ass. When exactly was the last CHIEFS PLAYOFFS WIN?

Because, I can tell you this. When the 49ers beat the saints, it was an INCREDIBLE moment for me, because they hadn't won a playoff game since 2002 before that.

It's simple.

I care because they aren't going to win the Super Bowl or even the AFC title without beating elite teams in the playoffs. It's INCREDIBLY difficult and unlikely to do either without an elite QB.

The last playoff victory for the Chiefs was in 1993. Which, coincidentally, was the last time the Chiefs had an elite QB.

Four years of Alex Smith playing like he did the last two years in San Francisco are four years spinning your tires, because the chance that's enough to win the league title or the Super Bowl is very small.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by aturnis

I think most here would rather have a "worse" option in hopes of getting a real option in the future. If you're not competing for championships, what's the point?

No sorry- tired of watching QB's on our team that give us zero chance to win. Brady f n Quinn- even our own team knew we would suck every single game.

We have at least two qbs on our team now that wont equate to an automatic loss every week.

Turnovers by the QB killed us the last few years and if we cut that in half an extra 2nd pick won't mean nothing. They got the QBOTF in Smith-That is why they gave up what they did. He was a #1 pick and they feel they can win Now- not Hopefully build something down the road.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Now we are getting somewhere. I agree with you. I too thought the price they paid was far out of line. But after I thought about it, they just wanted to get their guy, and they were the highest bidder by a mile. I get and understand all of that. And, I love the fact that they didn't extend him right away, and if he fails, you guys can wash your hands of him after this season, and if they do that, the price is a second, and a third. A steep price to pay for sure, but at the very least they didn't tie themselves to it for longer.

I thought it was a smart play. I still maintain 10 wins. And if you ask me, that's a pretty good price to pay for a 8 win jump. Obviously, 6 wins, not so much. KNow what im saying?

They weren't the highest bid by a mile. They initially offered lower, Buffalo wound up offering a 2nd & a 3rd, so we had pay more than we would have liked.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by aturnis

I think most here would rather have a "worse" option in hopes of getting a real option in the future. If you're not competing for championships, what's the point?

Well stated, in many fewer words than I needed. Whole-heartedly agree.

The 90s burned me out on being good enough to get to the playoffs and MAYBE win if all the stars aligned and your QB didn't need to do too much. And I know I'm not alone on that point.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

It's simple.

I care because they aren't going to win the Super Bowl or even the AFC title without beating elite teams in the playoffs. It's INCREDIBLY difficult and unlikely to do either without an elite QB.

The last playoff victory for the Chiefs was in 1993. Which, coincidentally, was the last time the Chiefs had an elite QB.

Four years of Alex Smith playing like he did the last two years in San Francisco are four years spinning your tires, because the chance that's enough to win the league title or the Super Bowl is very small.

I hate to tell you- Montana was FAR from elite. Smith has a better arm and leg speed. Yes Montana always had the intangibles to lift his team up as he did for us. Our Defense got us that win- they were Beast!

What exactly did Mr Elite Peyton do last year- he choked. It takes an entire team to win.

We will be runniing all over teams this year and out D should be lights out not having to play 45 minutes of every game. Smith will help both sides of the ball. i think he is going to surprise you.

[Marcellus]

What is hilarious is you guys talk like Reid and Dorsey picked up Smith thinking they weren't competing for a SB.

Just because you don't think he can win a SB does not make it fact.

Maybe let the guy play a game or 2 in KC before blowing it all up.Its not like this team is rebuilding the results are going to be in front of you pretty quickly.

[Halfcan]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I'm not that concerned about the other 2nd rounder so I don't see any issue with giving him the benefit of the doubt.

I think in the end if Smith does what Dorsey and Reid expect him to do that 2nd rounder wont matter. I'm confident they expect to win and to win soon. The whole logic for the move was this isn't going to be a a rebuilding year.

Exactly- win now!! Love it! calling it a "rebuilding year" is just an excuse to say-"well maybe next year".

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I'm not that concerned about the other 2nd rounder so I don't see any issue with giving him the benefit of the doubt.

And here I'll disagree.

This is like buying a new house and having a problem with your foundation and some guys come in and say "I'll spackle some $3it up there so it doesn't leak for 3 years and the realtors won't notice!"

Uh...not the solution I was looking for...