Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 33

**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.”

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Haven't we been over this. Your opinion of other posters on this site means less than nothing.

but it's like

a year for a year?

that's the equivalent of someone betting someone $50 straight up that the Chiefs win the Super Bowl next year

it isn't a fair bet

we'll miss Clay

we won't miss you (or realize you're gone)

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:18 PM

sorry I'm a gambler

I look at all of the angles

I hate seeing terrible bets

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Meh. I understand them.

They want Aaron Rodgers. So do I.

Unfortunately they don't grow on trees. Naturally, we get the #1 pick when the QB class is the worst it has been in a decade.

Can't fault the new regime for getting Alex Smith though. Totally makes sense given what we had.

I was disappointed at first thinking Geno was better than he was...but when he fell to #39, at least I could admit I don't know everything.

So far the new regime is doing pretty well in my eyes.

I understand them as well. You would think now given like you said how the draft played out, how the first qb taken was NOT geno, and was infact Ej Manuel, that they would of understood, by now that they did the best they could. I agree, the draft class was terrible. If this had been the year before, of course they don't trade for Alex Smith, they would of drafted Andrew Luck, and who could of blamed them?

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

but it's like

a year for a year?

that's the equivalent of someone betting someone $50 straight up that the Chiefs win the Super Bowl next year

it isn't a fair bet

we'll miss Clay

we won't miss you (or realize you're gone)

to be fair. No one would miss me either lol.

**LoneWolf** · 06-22-2013, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

but it's like

a year for a year?

that's the equivalent of someone betting someone $50 straight up that the Chiefs win the Super Bowl next year

it isn't a fair bet

we'll miss Clay

we won't miss you (or realize you're gone)

You just called Clay a troll. I enjoy his videos, but if he's going to make statements in absolutes don't you think he should have the balls to stand behind them?

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

You just called Clay a troll. I enjoy his videos, but if he's going to make statements in absolutes don't you think he should have the balls to stand behind them?

you have to understand. Clay is like that Uncle that no one can stand, but would miss him if he didn't show up to the family reunion. I don't know your situation, so I wont comment, but you just have to understand, hes family, and love him or hate him, hes always going to be family.

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

You just called Clay a troll. I enjoy his videos, but if he's going to make statements in absolutes don't you think he should have the balls to stand behind them?

he is a ****ing troll and I think he's a TERRIBLE sports poster

but the work he does for Chiefs fans is legendary

he's the best IN SEASON Chiefs poster on the internet

not because of his takes, but because of his videos, his torrents, and his .gifs

Hammock Parties · 06-22-2013, 08:24 PM

I'll be accepting apologies as soon as Alex Myth loses Week 1 against the Jags.

The tears will flow...drowning the excuses...

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:24 PM

god damn I could go without ever hearing that TERRIBLE nickname

not creative, not witty

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I'll be accepting apologies as soon as Alex Myth loses Week 1 against the Jags.

The tears will flow...drowning the excuses...

Alex Smith isn't what is going to be the key to our success this year.

It's defense. Will our defense take the next step? How do we have all of this talent and why doesn't it translate to actual good defense?

If Joe Flacco can win a Super Bowl, so can Alex Smith. That much I know. We just need a defense with some actual HEART and an actual LEADER.

**LoneWolf** · 06-22-2013, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

he is a ****ing troll and I think he's a TERRIBLE sports poster

but the work he does for Chiefs fans is legendary

he's the best IN SEASON Chiefs poster on the internet

not because of his takes, but because of his videos, his torrents, and his .gifs

I agree. The videos are awesome.

OK, I'll leave for a year and Clay leaves for an entire offseason.

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

I agree. The videos are awesome.

OK, I'll leave for a year and Clay leaves for an entire offseason.

that's more like it

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-22-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Alex Smith isn't what is going to be the key to our success this year.

It's defense. Will our defense take the next step? How do we have all of this talent and why doesn't it translate to actual good defense?

If Joe Flacco can win a Super Bowl, so can Alex Smith. That much I know. We just need a defense with some actual HEART and an actual LEADER.

And you prize yourself for your football takes? Sweet Christ you are a ****ing idiot.

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

And you prize yourself for your football takes? Sweet Christ you are a ****ing idiot.

Joe Flacco and Alex Smith are in the same tier.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-22-2013, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Joe Flacco and Alex Smith are in the same tier.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $952813	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: 42,033

06-22-2013, 08:18 PM	#482
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	sorry I'm a gambler I look at all of the angles I hate seeing terrible bets
Posts: 56,356

06-22-2013, 08:24 PM	#488
Hammock Parties I'll be back. Join Date: Nov 2002 Casino cash: $4750478	I'll be accepting apologies as soon as Alex Myth loses Week 1 against the Jags. The tears will flow...drowning the excuses... __________________ Chiefs game films
Posts: 277,667

06-22-2013, 08:24 PM	#489
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	god damn I could go without ever hearing that TERRIBLE nickname not creative, not witty
Posts: 56,356