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.”

[Rasputin]

How many quarterbacks did Will Shields have to protect and block for?

If he had one quarterback during his time that we drafted I bet we would have been in better shape to knock down the door in the playoffs.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

My anger in this area is directed, intensely, at Carl and DV. They made NO legit attempts to improve the defense.

Ryan Sims, Eddie Freeman, Junior Siavii, Shawn Barber and Patrick Surtain. Several first and second round draft choices, trades and free agents. They fired Robinson and replaced him with Gunther.

They made legitimate attempts. That cannot be contested. The problem is they never found the answer.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Fat Elvis

I think Alex Smith will really help to improve our defensive numbers, yet the defense will get the credit for bailing him out in games. It is really amazing what a "game manager" QB will do for defensive stats. The bottom line is that a "game manager" QB keeps your defense off the field--which in turn automatically helps your defensive stats. Our defense will be dramatically improved for four reasons: 1) Better coaching, 2) Better scheme, 3) Better players, 4) Better play by the QB.

I think the Chiefs will do really pretty well this year, but people will bitch and moan about ASmith saying, "Uh, well, just imagine what we could of done if we had drafted and groomed our own QB."

People don't seem to understand that this is a TEAM sport. Reid and Dorsey are finding the parts/players that fit their concept of how they want their team to play. QB is the most important position on the team but some QBs fit a team scheme better than others-- and yes, that means in certain schemes a dink and dunk game managing QB will be more effective than a sexy cannon armed QB in other schemes.

I think Reid's scheme will be methodical, surgical and time consuming--and Alex Smith is the perfect QB for that type of scheme. I don't think Reid and Dorsey were blowing smoke when they said they believe that ASmith can be a future Hall of Famer--in their particular scheme he may very well wind up with a bust in Canton. Is it a guarentee? No. Far from it. However, if there is one scheme where he has any chance at all, it will be under Reid.

Between our revamped O-line, our upgraded TEs, Bowe, and the ever dangerous Charles, our offense will be a force to be reckoned with over the next few years. ASmith is a cerebral QB; he understands the game and he knows how to get the ball to his playmakers and how to put them in a position to make plays. He doesn't have to do everything himself. There is nothing wrong with being a good manager; a good manager in business knows how to get the most out of the strengths of those people he hires and surrounds himself with-- in football, it is the same thing. A good game managing QB not only increases the productivity of those players on offense, but those on defense as well by keeping them rested, ready to attack and forcing the other team into a one dimensional offense because they are playing catch up both in time and points.

Such a great post. Thank you for it.

Props as well to folks like Marcellus, Dane McC, RunKC ( and even BossChief for at least keeping an open mind ) for keeping this place worthy of reading.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

How many quarterbacks did Will Shields have to protect and block for?

If he had one quarterback during his time that we drafted I bet we would have been in better shape to knock down the door in the playoffs.

What? Do drafted quarterbacks play defense also?

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by -King-

What? Do drafted quarterbacks play defense also?

Of course not on defense duh. They would have been able to put the team together better with consistency from the quarterback & build around him. We need a quarterback that is going be around more than 4-5 years that gets better with the team each year.

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Son of a...bitch. If I ever become like you two, I authorize Bugeater and Frazod to take me to the nearest landfill, put a bullet in my mother****ing head, and stuff me in an old refrigerator.

And I would imagine that most intelligent Browns fans feel like that they are least putting an effort forth, though probably not getting the best pick possible from the FO.

you and sorter can do lezbo things together

[Hammock Parties]

I think Alex Smith will really help to improve our defensive numbers

People keeping saying this.

Why?

He's bad on third down.

He doesn't put up points.

So...why?

Trent Green certainly didn't improve our defense. In fact one of our better defenses here during his time was during his first season.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

No people like Matt Cassel and Alex Smith **** this team

and missing out on the Andy Daltons, Russel Wilsons, Colin Kapernicks and passing right over them for some 2nd/3rd string Olineman or WR bust

How did alex smith, in any way shape or form **** this team? He hasn't done jack shit to this team yet, except from what every body on the TEAM,, and in the front office has said, bring nothing but POSITIVE to the team......So, epic fail, gonna fail?

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

That would be one LATE blooming mother****er. He'll help win some regular season games, people will get excited, then the eventual shellacking in the postseason. This book has been written, adapted for screenplay, and shot on location several times already.

Uh, except that Alex Smith never plays bad enough for his team to get BLOWN out. Hes not matt cassel. He has proven one thing. He is extremely clutch, and no, im not talking about the saints game. Im talking about the OTHER 6 come from behind victories he played a crucial part in that season.

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I find it funny people think trading for Green was a failure. He did exactly what he was supposed to do, the defense wasn't good enough

Teams draft QB's all the time and dont win a SB with them but that's a success according to CP.

You trade for a QB and have a chance to win and its failure/CP.

We have done this before it didnt work/CP

I wonder what Brown's fans think about drafting QBs, they seem to have drafted about 5 first rounders and haven't done shit, by CP logic they need to trade for a QB because what they have done hasn't worked.

Well, I assume that I can speak for the browns fans. We worshipped the drafting of Quinn. Fail, FAIL, FAIL. We hated the drafting of Weeden, I nearly threw up. But, most are cautiously optimistic, that after we realized what a poop bag that shurmur was, that if Chud can make Derek Anderson into a pro bowler, that he probably can get something useful out of Weeden, even if he is older than ALEX SMITH.

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Son of a...bitch. If I ever become like you two, I authorize Bugeater and Frazod to take me to the nearest landfill, put a bullet in my mother****ing head, and stuff me in an old refrigerator.

And I would imagine that most intelligent Browns fans feel like that they are least putting an effort forth, though probably not getting the best pick possible from the FO.

most browns fans, think that the Chiefs have really improved.

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

People keeping saying this.

Why?

He's bad on third down.

He doesn't put up points.

So...why?

Trent Green certainly didn't improve our defense. In fact one of our better defenses here during his time was during his first season.

He doesn't put up points. Hmmmm, interesting. 70 percent completion percentage last year. Guess what that means. He doesn't turn the ball over. Which means that he keeps the chains moving. Also means that every possession ends in a kick, punt, which isn't a bad thing when you have COLQUITT, or a fg, or a touch down. Which means your defense is not on the field. If you win the time of possession, and the turn over battles, you will win far more often than you lose. I know you are functionally reeruned, but try not to let it show so often.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

People keeping saying this.

Why?

He's bad on third down.

He doesn't put up points.

So...why?

How can you even ask this question if you claim to have any fundamental idea about football?

[Hammock Parties]

Which means that he keeps the chains moving.

No, he doesn't.

The 2011 49ers were:

30th in passing first downs
31st in third down conversion percentage

If that is what the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs can expect, **** Alex Smith.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

How can you even ask this question if you claim to have any fundamental idea about football?

People are going to be sorely disappointed when they find out Alex Smith is almost as bad as Matt Cassel on third down.

I mean ****, 2010 Matt Cassel BLEW AWAY 2011 Alex Smith in terms of third down conversion percentage and passing first downs.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

No, he doesn't.

The 2011 49ers were:

30th in passing first downs
31st in third down conversion percentage

If that is what the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs can expect, **** Alex Smith.

He was brought here to immediately end the turnover-fest and be smart enough to know exactly which short target to throw to when open.

That's it.

He's a sell-able stop-gap they hope can be more than a stop-gap.

Dorsey picked the guy with the least downside...

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Trading that high of a first rounder for 5 years at quarterback is only deemed a good or bad trade in playoff wins.

That's nothing against Trent Green at all, it's gauging the trade and how it effected the teams success.

Sorry, but some of us still think the Chiefs should win playoff games...Green played in 1 playoff game in 5 years.

The right decision (as it almost always is) would have been to draft Drew Brees with that pick.

Disagree. Brees at 12 or wherever they picked would have been a huge reach. The trade was a success because of the level of production Green provided.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

No, he doesn't.

The 2011 49ers were:

30th in passing first downs
31st in third down conversion percentage

If that is what the 2013 Kansas City Chiefs can expect, **** Alex Smith.

The only upgrade Smith provides is that he's more accurate within 10 yards, more mobile, and doesn't turn it over.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

The only upgrade Smith provides is that he's more accurate within 10 yards, more mobile, and doesn't turn it over.

Yes.

When properly used.

That said Andy wants to make him ****ing Brett Fah-ver-uh...