Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 65

**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.”

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I've watched plenty of 49ers games over the past few years.

The statistical breakdowns only confirm what I saw on the field.

There is literally no way anyone can defend a QB who sucks on third down and doesn't throw the ball down the field.

It's a recipe for disaster.

SO disastrous that he led his team into overtime in the NFC Championship with crap wide receivers.

SO disastrous that he had the highest QB rating in the league before injury last year.

Yeah, you're right: That's disastrous. I'd just hate to see the same thing happen in Kansas City.

**Mav** · 06-27-2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I sure do, Dave.

I used to be one.

And instead now, you are just a major douche bag who hopes that his team fails because they didn't get the qb he wanted.

Id rather be the homer than the douche bag.

**Mav** · 06-27-2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

SO disastrous that he led his team into overtime in the NFC Championship with crap wide receivers.

SO disastrous that he had the highest QB rating in the league before injury last year.

Yeah, you're right: That's disastrous. I'd just hate to see the same thing happen in Kansas City.

Also first in the league in YARDS PER ATTEMPT......

Ace Gunner · 06-27-2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorter

Honestly, I'd have to review it but there are a few factors such as letting your gameplan dictate the play call, player error, poor route design, as well as what you'd mentioned. I'll try to look at it and provide some cut ups of the route designs and the coverages if A) people are interested and B) the plays are in fact different.

eh, he was seeing similar formations/personnel -- not the same play calls tho. scroll the video I posted and the plays are at the end there.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Also first in the league in YARDS PER ATTEMPT......

Irrelevant/GoChiefs

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Also first in the league in YARDS PER ATTEMPT......

I've already debunked this idea that his high yards per attempt indicated anything positive. It didn't. Because he didn't throw the ball down the field. Literally threw fewer passes over 15 yards than MATT CASSEL.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I've already debunked this idea that his high yards per attempt indicated anything positive. It didn't. Because he didn't throw the ball down the field. Literally threw fewer passes over 15 yards than MATT CASSEL.

Debunked?

How in the world can you deny that you've created a false narrative?

Have you lost your mind?

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-27-2013, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I sure do, Dave.

I used to be one.

Yes, back before you knew shit about football.

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Debunked?

How in the world can you deny that you've created a false narrative?

Have you lost your mind?

Have you?

Alex Smith isn't good at any of the things that take teams to championships.

The ****er takes more sacks than...MATT CASSEL.

RunKC · 06-27-2013, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I've already debunked this idea that his high yards per attempt indicated anything positive. It didn't. Because he didn't throw the ball down the field. Literally threw fewer passes over 15 yards than MATT CASSEL.

It's funny you cite short passes as Geno Smith was the king of them.

It's also funny that overlook that a QB can be successful doing that. Hell Tom Brady threw 18 of his TD's from 10 yards or less. 18.

Big Ben threw 20 TD's from 0-20 yards downfield.

**Mav** · 06-27-2013, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I've already debunked this idea that his high yards per attempt indicated anything positive. It didn't. Because he didn't throw the ball down the field. Literally threw fewer passes over 15 yards than MATT CASSEL.

anything positive? 19-5-1? That seems pretty damn positive to me.

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

anything positive? 19-5-1? That seems pretty damn positive to me.

27-7, baby!

Destruction. Enjoy it.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Have you?

Alex Smith isn't good at any of the things that take teams to championships.

The ****er takes more sacks than...MATT CASSEL.

And yet somehow, he had the highest QB rating in the league last year.

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And yet somehow, he had the highest QB rating in the league last year.

How did that gosh darned Matt Cassel get a high QB rating in 2010?

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

27-7, baby!

Destruction. Enjoy it.

False narrative.

Alex Smith is not Matt Cassel.

Andy Reid is not Todd Haley.

Need I go on?

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1032813	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.”
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