Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 53

**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.”

Marcellus · 06-26-2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Says the man with "in denial" as his location. Yep, tells me all I need to know.

First off you completely lack the ability to use logic so no way you know all you need to know.

Secondly you have zero idea what that is in reference to.

**BossChief** · 06-26-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

So, no chances were taken when giving up first round draft choices for Montana or Green?

What?

Trading for other teams current backup quarterback?

I'm shocked.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-26-2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Trading for other teams current backup quarterback?

I'm shocked.

Green would have been successful had Carl and DV not completely ignored the D.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-26-2013, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Trading for other teams current backup quarterback?

I'm shocked.

Yeah, because everyone in the league viewed Green and Montana as backups in the NFL.

You're either being intellectually dishonest or naive.

Oh, and you failed to answer the question.

mcaj22 · 06-26-2013, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

So, you're claiming DeVito, Abdullah, Robinson, Smith and Avery aren't upgrades?

What team were you watching last year?

Mike Devito is a paralell move and not better than Dorsey, so its a wash

Hassain Abudullah has not played football in two years

Dunta Robinson is not an upgrade over even Javier Arenas

I will give you Sean Smith, he is better than Stanford Routt

Donnie Avery, injury prone and had the highest drop percentage in the league last year.

How are these better than what we put out there last season exactly? More of the same, if not steps backwards. You know what would have been actual upgrades? Taking a flyer on guys like Desmond Bishop and Vonta Leach, proven winners with actual high level NFL production and not a bunch of average roleplaying JAGs

RunKC · 06-26-2013, 09:13 PM

The day Andy Reid stepped in the building, this team got monumentally better. Period.

Hammock Parties · 06-26-2013, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

DeVito's ability to stay healthy makes him more valuable than Dorsey.

Doesn't really help us win more games.

ChiefsCountry · 06-26-2013, 09:33 PM

Alex Smith same type of turds the Chiefs have been going after sans Montana since 1987.
Posted via Mobile Device

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-26-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Mike Devito is a paralell move and not better than Dorsey, so its a wash

Hassain Abudullah has not played football in two years

Dunta Robinson is not an upgrade over even Javier Arenas

I will give you Sean Smith, he is better than Stanford Routt

Donnie Avery, injury prone and had the highest drop percentage in the league last year.

How are these better than what we put out there last season exactly? More of the same, if not steps backwards. You know what would have been actual upgrades? Taking a flyer on guys like Desmond Bishop and Vonta Leach, proven winners with actual high level NFL production and not a bunch of average roleplaying JAGs

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-26-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Doesn't really help us win more games.

Wrong

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-26-2013, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Alex Smith same type of turds the Chiefs have been going after sans Montana since 1987.
Posted via Mobile Device

Given the lack of a Franchise QB in this draft and the dearth of QB's available in free agency, what where their options this offseason?

ChiefsCountry · 06-26-2013, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Given the lack of a Franchise QB in this draft and the dearth of QB's available in free agency, what where their options this offseason?

Buffalo did the right thing.
Posted via Mobile Device

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-26-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Buffalo did the right thing.
Posted via Mobile Device

I don't disagree.

**BossChief** · 06-26-2013, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Yeah, because everyone in the league viewed Green and Montana as backups in the NFL.

You're either being intellectually dishonest or naive.

Oh, and you failed to answer the question.

Trading a high first round pick for a 31 year old quarterback and only making the playoffs once is a predictable outcome due to the small window a trade like that provides you.

To answer your question...there was less risk of Trent Green (who already knew the system, coaches, etc) than drafting a guy like Drew Brees.

If we had passed on the trade, Drew Brees would probably be our current quarterback.

As for the Montana trade...sure there was risk...big time risk due to injury and age (he was 37) even though we didn't make it to a superbowl...we won playoff games and had one heck of a ride.

You wouldn't hear me complain if we traded for Tom Brady.

We traded compensation that is as valuable as what we gave up for either Montana or Green to get Alex Smith.

Hopefully, it works out.

Lord knows I want to enjoy Chiefs football again.

BigBeauford · 06-26-2013, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Some of those points are legit, and probably warrant more than a facepalm.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1002813	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: 42,021

06-26-2013, 09:13 PM	#786
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $2339611	The day Andy Reid stepped in the building, this team got monumentally better. Period. __________________ 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: 45,824

06-26-2013, 09:33 PM	#788
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2408752	Alex Smith same type of turds the Chiefs have been going after sans Montana since 1987. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 49,528