Chiefs Teicher:On first play at camp, Chiefs show their new look - Page 28

**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.

Hammock Parties · 07-27-2013, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jakemall

You get a shoulder injury that effectively ends your next 2 seasons? Yup. Well played sir, well played.

You know he only played 7 games that season..and 4 of them with the injury. He was 2 and 1 prior to being injured. So your commentary was actually on Dilfer.

People should be careful when they play with stats...they might get burned...

Why are you lying?

Alex Smith was 2-5 that year in 7 starts.

Hammock Parties · 07-27-2013, 06:42 PM

Look at Alex Smith doing nothing for an entire quarter AND overtime while Tony Romo wins the damn game.

Alex Smith had three chances to win the game here and did absolutely nothing but get sacked and fart around.

He gave Romo enough chances and then BOOM, 77-yard killshot.

RunKC · 07-27-2013, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

And he's miles better than Alex Smith.

In fact he beat him head to head. In 2011.

I'd take a lot of QB's in the playoffs over Tony Romo, including Alex Smith.

Romo is so overrated. He's on very talented teams every year and throws it all away when the pressure is on.

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-27-2013, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

I'd take a lot of QB's in the playoffs over Tony Romo, including Alex Smith.

Romo is so overrated. He's on very talented teams every year and throws it all away when the pressure is on.

Where exactly is this talent?

He has a shitty OL. No consistent running game. Bryant's a stud but Austin can't stay healthy, and his defense has him constantly in shoot outs.

Bryant, Witten and needing to score 28 a game isn't exactly paradise.

Hammock Parties · 07-27-2013, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

I'd take a lot of QB's in the playoffs over Tony Romo, including Alex Smith.

Romo is so overrated. He's on very talented teams every year and throws it all away when the pressure is on.

Talented teams that have shitty running games and awful defenses?

Serious question: how does Alex Smith do in Dallas last season?

**OnTheWarpath15** · 07-27-2013, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Talented teams that have shitty running games and awful defenses?

Serious question: how does Alex Smith do in Dallas last season?

Des Bryant bubble screen, pray for YAC.

keg in kc · 07-27-2013, 07:02 PM

Nah, they'd install the read-option. That's definitely not a gimmick that the league will figure out shortly.

Coogs · 07-27-2013, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Nah, they'd install the read-option. That's definitely not a gimmick that the league will figure out shortly.

I can't remember where I read this, so I can not link it, but the next big thing to come of of the read-option is supposed to be the play action pass. I could see where that could be a good thing for us with Charles as the RB.

keg in kc · 07-27-2013, 07:12 PM

I remember reading around superbowl time how part of the reason SF kept Kaep on the field is because ASmith couldn't effectively run the read-option, that he allowed them to do things they couldn't do with Smith under center. And then in march the reason we picked him up is because he's so effective with the WCO. And now we're installing the read-option. It's so bizarre how all these stories are going. It's like every story contradicts the last.

**Mav** · 07-27-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Talented teams that have shitty running games and awful defenses?

Serious question: how does Alex Smith do in Dallas last season?

You haven't mentioned at all, in that Dallas SF game, Crabtree didn't play, and Braylon got hurt on his second play of the game.

But, nah, that don't matter.

**Mav** · 07-27-2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I remember reading around superbowl time how part of the reason SF kept Kaep on the field is because ASmith couldn't effectively run the read-option, that he allowed them to do things they couldn't do with Smith under center. And then in march the reason we picked him up is because he's so effective with the WCO. And now we're installing the read-option. It's so bizarre how all these stories are going. It's like every story contradicts the last.

That's not the case. They didn't even install the Read option for Kaep, until after the Saints game. Kaep fumbled 4 snaps that he took under center in that game. That's when they did the read option.

**Mav** · 07-27-2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Talented teams that have shitty running games and awful defenses?

Serious question: how does Alex Smith do in Dallas last season?

Terrible. No running game, bad oline, crappy defense. He would of done worse than Romo....

Hammock Parties · 07-27-2013, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

You haven't mentioned at all, in that Dallas SF game, Crabtree didn't play, and Braylon got hurt on his second play of the game.

But, nah, that don't matter.

How does that excuse taking horrible sacks? It doesn't.

Alex Smith sat around with his thumb up his butt for over a quarter while Romo won the game.

We've been dealing with that kind of QB for years now.

Jakemall · 07-27-2013, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Why are you lying?

Alex Smith was 2-5 that year in 7 starts.

Alex was hurt in the beginning of the 4th game. He was 2 and 1 going into the game. The injury was season ending. He tried to tough it out and played like crap before going on IR. What part of this do you struggle to comprehend?

Why did you lie and attribute games played by Dilfer to Alex?

**SAUTO** · 07-27-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Terrible. No running game, bad oline, crappy defense. He would of done worse than Romo....

he hasn't ever been close in any year to romo last year...
Posted via Mobile Device

07-26-2013, 07:24 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1012813	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: 42,021

07-27-2013, 06:42 PM	#407
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4810478	Look at Alex Smith doing nothing for an entire quarter AND overtime while Tony Romo wins the damn game. Alex Smith had three chances to win the game here and did absolutely nothing but get sacked and fart around. He gave Romo enough chances and then BOOM, 77-yard killshot. __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,451

07-27-2013, 07:02 PM	#412
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Nah, they'd install the read-option. That's definitely not a gimmick that the league will figure out shortly.
Posts: 58,682

07-27-2013, 07:12 PM	#414
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	I remember reading around superbowl time how part of the reason SF kept Kaep on the field is because ASmith couldn't effectively run the read-option, that he allowed them to do things they couldn't do with Smith under center. And then in march the reason we picked him up is because he's so effective with the WCO. And now we're installing the read-option. It's so bizarre how all these stories are going. It's like every story contradicts the last.
Posts: 58,682

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