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.”

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I'm sorry, he may have had "Elite" coaching but he had questionable offensive play calling.

Can you please explain to me why in the Super Bowl, in a last ditch effort to win the game, the 49ers tried the same exact plays three times?

Can you explain to me why on that final drive, they didn't spread out their personnel, even once, in order to give Kaepernick a running lane?

Can you?

I'd have to review the film but did they really run the same pc each time?

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Can you explain why Alex Smith completes fewer passes down the field than anyone in the NFL, save Christian Ponder...

...and why his team almost always loses when the opponent scores 24 or more points?

Can you?

Because that's not Alex Smiths strong suit? And because that's not the game plan they drew up for him? And, they really didn't have anyone other than Vernon Davis to go deep. Oh,, and last but not least, the 49ers threw less passes than anyone else in the NFL.

Those would just be SOME of the reasons I could think of. But hey, what do I know. I just found out today that an Elite qb, makes his defense better. Who knew?

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Sorter

I'd have to review the film but did they really run the same pc each time?

They did. Mostly because that is what Kaep checked into. He audibled on all four plays. And the one play they were going to run, jim harbaugh called our last time out because Kaep was too slow getting the ball off.

[RunKC]

I would argue that Alex Smith is once again in the right place at the right time.

Andy Reid is more proven than Harbaugh. He's done it longer.

Jamaal Charles is a bigger offensive threat than anyone Alex has ever played with, Bowe is just as good as Crabtree, our bookend tackles are going to make it difficult for pass rushers to get around the edge and sack him and our defense has talent.

The more I see this situation, the more it reminds me of how Haley used Big Ben last year. It's gonna be very similar and that's exciting considering Big Ben had his 2nd best year statistically in his 9 year career.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Can you explain why Alex Smith completes fewer passes down the field than anyone in the NFL, save Christian Ponder...

...and why his team almost always loses when the opponent scores 24 or more points?

Can you?

Again, you are just proving with each and every post that you've created a false narrative.

You continue to avoid answering direct questions, you avoid commenting on YouTube videos that directly contradict that narrative and you avoid your precious PFF stats that also contradict that narrative.

It's time to end this nonsense.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

And I would agree. I believe the concept of the deep pass, in many peoples minds, are 40 yard streak routes. Where in actuality, the concept of the deep pass, is any pass over 20 yards, and I truthfully think that Bowe becomes the most dangerous, after the catch, something Alex Smith excels at. Dwayne Bowe is going to be his favorite target, and best receiver he has ever played with.

It really depends on where you (as an ofc) decide to stem your routes. For example, the majority of teams stem their digs at 10-12 yards, whereas Martz would stem any where 15-18./20.

I do agree with the theme of your post though.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Again, you are just proving with each and every post that you've created a false narrative.

So false that it relies upon stone cold, hard, incontrovertible evidence known as THE FACTS.

It is you who is false. Homer.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Sorter

I'd have to review the film but did they really run the same pc each time?

They threw in the corner to Crabtree at least twice. They had the same "tight" formation (can't remember the formation exactly from memory).

I kept screaming at the TV "Spread them out! Give Kap a running lane!".

It was madness. And the worst play calling sequence I'd ever seen, especially given that a Super Bowl victory was on the line.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Because that's not Alex Smiths strong suit?

Exactly. Because he sucks at it.

Thank you for your confessional.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

So false that it relies upon stone cold, hard, incontrovertible evidence known as THE FACTS.

It is you who is false. Homer.

Honest question: did you think that just maybe that was the game plan Harbaugh ran?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

So false that it relies upon stone cold, hard, incontrovertible evidence known as THE FACTS.

It is you who is false. Homer.

"Facts" from the same guy that endlessly and viciously pimped Geno Smith as a Franchise QB?

"Facts" from the same guy that pimped Tyler Bray as a Franchise QB?

"Facts" from the same guy that LOVED Matt Cassel?

Give me a break.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

They threw in the corner to Crabtree at least twice. They had the same "tight" formation (can't remember the formation exactly from memory).

I kept screaming at the TV "Spread them out! Give Kap a running lane!".

It was madness. And the worst play calling sequence I'd ever seen, especially given that a Super Bowl victory was on the line.

Interesting. On the 2nd down play iirc, I was sure they were going to shift to a bigger split by their X (crabtree) and run the same slant concept they scored their 2nd Td against the saints in their playoff game.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Exactly. Because he sucks at it.

Thank you for your confessional.

Again, who has he had to throw the deep ball consistently? Im not arguing that it is his strong suit. Its not, but clearly, it is all that matters to you. Which, I guess is okay. I just wish you would say that, then trying to spread lies and make it seem like alex smith is just a complete failure as a qb.

Rather than the truth. All you care about are long passes. YOu think that throwing a short well timed passes that allows your play makers the room to make plays for themselves is useless, and should be banned from football. Because that to me is the type of approach you seem to want.

[Sorter]

They didn't and Roman should be fired , thus forcing them to hire the young Sorter.

The terminology switch would have been brutal though.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Sorter

They didn't and Roman should be fired , thus forcing them to hire the young Sorter.

The terminology switch would have been brutal though.

cosigned.....or we should make Clay their OC. they have the qb to throw the long ball. He would be in heaven.