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.”

[O.city]

I like his intangibles but to say Dalton was a winner is a little disingenuous. He was on a good team, same with Tebow.


It's why I don't really like when peoe say Alex Smith won in the playoffs. So did Tebow. And I am one of few who actually like Alex Smith a lot here, was actually kind if hoping we would trade for him a little.


I just don't like to use "he won in the playoffs" or "he's a winner" as a justification because I think there's more to the player and I don't think it's a good way to show what they might do here in a totally different situation

[O.city]

Alex Smith has too many other positives that he brings to the table in terms of qb skills and leadership for me to have to use the playoff game.


Because of Cassel we hate to see all the talk if leadership etc. but Alex can actually back it up with talent and ability, so it's not necessarily a bad thing.

[Hammock Parties]

What ability?

Checkdown artist who takes too many sacks.

That's literally what defines him.

That's not ability.

[O.city]

The guy has near elite accuracy in short and intermediate zones. He isn't going to ever e confused for a gunslinger, but he's got good enough arm strength.

If you've watched harbaughs offense at Stanford and sf, you understand why his passer rating and stats are what they are

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

What ability?

Checkdown artist who takes too many sacks.

That's literally what defines him.

That's not ability.

Spending all your Saturday talking about Alex and Geno?

Sad. Lonely. Loser.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Please share with us who Clark Hunt should have hired as Head Coach and GM. Then, please tell us who should be the starting QB in 2013 instead of Alex Smith.

I expect you to answer in a timely manner and I WILL badger you until you answer.

He should have hired YOU, Dane! Because you're a goddamned ****ing expert in ALL THINGS IMAGINABLE!

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Threads like these are fantastic for exposing those people like SDH (not that his dumbassery is anything new) but for those people that consider themselves "experts", just because they have a lot of posts on a football forum.

I've never considered myself an expert. I go with what my gut tells me. In the case of the Chiefs, I have history on my side as well. It is what it is.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Geno Smith displayed a lack of maturity on the field and off the field.

Geno must've really ****ed up his pre draft interviews to fall out of the 1st, and pulling an LJ with signing on with Jay-Z and abruptly firing his previous agent is indicative of his off field decision making and maturity.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Spending all your Saturday talking about Alex and Geno?

Sad. Lonely. Loser.

Spend your Saturday watching the festivities of someone elses team? What the **** does that say about you?

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Spending all your Saturday talking about Alex and Geno?

Sad. Lonely. Loser.

I went for a 10-mile bike ride earlier.

I also like computer time.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Geno must've really ****ed up his pre draft interviews to fall out of the 1st, and pulling an LJ with signing on with Jay-Z and abruptly firing his previous agent is indicative of his off field decision making and maturity.

Or, considering the mans known IQ, perhaps he's being proactive regarding his career from the get-go, and taking no shit?

This "immaturity" shit is overblown. WAY overblown, and some folks here are going to find this out the hard way.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I went for a 10-mile bike ride earlier.

I also like computer time.

I'm thinking bout buying a bike, do you feel like you get the same workout as running? Do you have any recommendations on bikes?

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by O.city

I'm thinking bout buying a bike, do you feel like you get the same workout as running? Do you have any recommendations on bikes?

Yes, and it's easier on my knees.

No, not really.

Just go to a good bike store, they won't steer you wrong. You should spend about $300 unless you want a mountain bike or some serious shit.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by O.city

I'm thinking bout buying a bike, do you feel like you get the same workout as running? Do you have any recommendations on bikes?

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/

My son and his stepdad do a lot of trail riding.

Very solid bicycles.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Just go to a good bike store, they won't steer you wrong. You should spend about $300 unless you want a mountain bike or some serious shit.

Yeah, not cheap. My son's bike was $400. His stepdad paid $600 for his.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Yes, and it's easier on my knees.

No, not really.

Just go to a good bike store, they won't steer you wrong. You should spend about $300 unless you want a mountain bike or some serious shit.

I've been going at it pretty hard lately as I got talked into doing a tough mudder and I'm just getting worn down. I need something else to do for cardio work on the side so I thought cycling might work.

I'll check out a bike store