Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 15

**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.”

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-17-2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Being "right" on the internets iz more important than having any faith in your team after they have made multiple changes on significant positions and coaching!!!!

****-off, ****!

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-17-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branden Albert's Huge Balls

Doesn't matter, and you know it.

Stop being a dumb homer. We had enough of that from you last offseason.

He'll enjoy being owned again this season too.

**ptlyon** · 06-17-2013, 10:01 PM

Would somebody PLEASE dumpster fire this ****ing thread???

BigBeauford · 06-17-2013, 10:06 PM

Won't happen. Alexsexuals need a place to defend their golden boy. Haters need a place to trash Smith. I think it's a healthy outlet.

**ptlyon** · 06-17-2013, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbsacker93

Won't happen. Alexsexuals need a place to defend their golden boy.

Can we give them their own forum?

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-17-2013, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Can we give them their own dumpster?

FYP.

**BossChief** · 06-17-2013, 10:24 PM

Alex Smith had 13 tds last year in 8 1/4 games.

If he finishes the year as the starter, he almost positively ends with a career high and possibly 25 tds...while playing safe football. Less than 450 attempts every year and will probably throw the ball a lot more under Andy Reid.

We

Must

Have

Hope

**ptlyon** · 06-17-2013, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

FYP.

Even better!

**ptlyon** · 06-17-2013, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Alex Smith had 13 tds last year in 8 1/4 games.

If he finishes the year as the starter, he almost positively ends with a career high and possibly 25 tds...while playing safe football. Less than 450 attempts every year and will probably throw the ball a lot more under Andy Reid.

We

Must

Have

Hope

He's got a better chance at getting pregnant

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-17-2013, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Alex Smith had 13 tds last year in 8 1/4 games.

If he finishes the year as the starter, he almost positively ends with a career high and possibly 25 tds...while playing safe football. Less than 450 attempts every year and will probably throw the ball a lot more under Andy Reid.

We

Must

Have

Hope

I have plenty of hope:

His name is Bray.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

He'll enjoy being owned again this season too.

Yeah. I care.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Can we give them their own forum?

Replace your tampon.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-17-2013, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Yeah. I care.

You obviously care very much. You care enough to throw the reality of this situation right out the ****ing window, and put on your Lil' Chiefy blinders.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

You obviously care very much. You care enough to throw the reality of this situation right out the ****ing window, and put on your Lil' Chiefy blinders.

Who was that great Chief offensive lineman in the 90s?

Dan Saleaumua?

I'd rather discuss football in general. You have no clue how to. You ride the coattails of others.

I'd rather wait and see how things shake out instead of crying about things now.

Not hating on Alex Smith doesn't make one a homer.

**J Diddy** · 06-17-2013, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Who was that great Chief offensive lineman in the 90s?

Dan Saleaumua?

I'd rather discuss football in general. You have no clue how to. You ride the coattails of others.

I'd rather wait and see how things shake out instead of crying about things now.

Not hating on Alex Smith doesn't make one a homer.

Hmmm. Not sure if serious.

Chiefs had plenty of good o and d linemen in the 90's

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: 42,026

06-17-2013, 10:01 PM	#213
ptlyon Bono & Grbac wasn't enough Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Sioux City, IA Casino cash: $13173829	Would somebody PLEASE dumpster fire this ****ing thread??? __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Advertise here: $19.99 a month
Posts: 33,468

06-17-2013, 10:06 PM	#214
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $2336717	Won't happen. Alexsexuals need a place to defend their golden boy. Haters need a place to trash Smith. I think it's a healthy outlet.
Posts: 14,093

06-17-2013, 10:24 PM	#217
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1954088	Alex Smith had 13 tds last year in 8 1/4 games. If he finishes the year as the starter, he almost positively ends with a career high and possibly 25 tds...while playing safe football. Less than 450 attempts every year and will probably throw the ball a lot more under Andy Reid. We Must Have Hope __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,097