Rap Sheet: Talks With Alex Smith Not Progressing Well

[CaliforniaChief]

Team that will consider a 1st-round QB: The #Chiefs. Negotiations with Alex Smith aren’t progressing well. Must keep long-term options open

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 5, 2014

[Eleazar]

Originally Posted by SNR

And if that's what they're doing, then Dorsey needs to let Smith walk if their camp doesn't come down from that offer.

It's just a negotiation. Both sides are going to gasp at the other side's offers and act like they are crazy. When the deal is finally made they'll all hug and kiss and say it was never not going to happen. It's just business.

Smith's camp has the advantage right now because the team has to make a choice tomorrow. If they don't pick a QB, then Smith's camp gets more leverage. The team can prevent that, but they have to spend a first round pick to do it.

The way I see it there are two possibilities:

1. The sides really are far apart. Smith's camp has the advantage then because the Chiefs have to decide what to do with their first round pick tomorrow. I'd not be surprised if Alex's camp said "let's talk after the draft". They are probably willing to bet that they won't spend a first on a QB.

2. This is all a smokescreen, and the sides already have an agreement in principle. It's just gamesmanship for draft day.


I tend to think it's #2. They invested too much in draft value and things went too well last year for the Reid and Smith marriage to just split up over a few bucks. They're trying to drive up the premium of QBs in the draft so that someone trades with them, or they get the consolation prize of someone else they like falling to them.

The simplest explaination is usually the best. I doubt Alex is the kind of guy who's going to turn into TO over a couple mill. He's in the best position to perform that he's been in over his whole career so far, being the unquestioned starter and with a coach who is committed to him. He won't talk his way out of that.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I'm basing my opinion on what my eyes saw at camp.

Knile Davis looked like a difference maker, as did Kelce. Eric Fisher was getting whooped repeatedly, but part of that was transitioning to the right side and I think he will be more natural on the left side.

Kush and Catapano should both play increased roles and showed against SD that they can play at this level.

Boss, we all hope you are right. It would be fantastic. Knile Davis is the only guy of that group that got me excited. I would love to see that class turn out to be one of the good ones.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Cochise

It's just a negotiation. Both sides are going to gasp at the other side's offers and act like they are crazy. When the deal is finally made they'll all hug and kiss and say it was never not going to happen. It's just business.

Smith's camp has the advantage right now because the team has to make a choice tomorrow. If they don't pick a QB, then Smith's camp gets more leverage. The team can prevent that, but they have to spend a first round pick to do it.

The way I see it there are two possibilities:

1. The sides really are far apart. Smith's camp has the advantage then because the Chiefs have to decide what to do with their first round pick tomorrow. I'd not be surprised if Alex's camp said "let's talk after the draft". They are probably willing to bet that they won't spend a first on a QB.

2. This is all a smokescreen, and the sides already have an agreement in principle. It's just gamesmanship for draft day.


I tend to think it's #2. They invested too much in draft value and things went too well last year for the Reid and Smith marriage to just split up over a few bucks. They're trying to drive up the premium of QBs in the draft so that someone trades with them, or they get the consolation prize of someone else they like falling to them.

The simplest explaination is usually the best. I doubt Alex is the kind of guy who's going to turn into TO over a couple mill. He's in the best position to perform that he's been in over his whole career so far, being the unquestioned starter and with a coach who is committed to him. He won't talk his way out of that.

If he doesn't agree to a deal, they will just tag him.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

This could work out perfectly. Draft his replacement, then let him play out his contract year. He will have all the incentive in the world to play his best ball at a discounted price for us for that season for his big contract he apparently wants.

As a human being, you'd have to think that'd get real old real fast. If KC dropped Smith after this year, i would understand if Smith went all "Kyle Orton" and said **** it, gimmie the clipboard.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by BossChief

If he doesn't agree to a deal, they will just tag him.

Then you'll probably lose Houston.

[Jimmya]

Maybe they will meet somewhere in the middle.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Then you'll probably lose Houston.

I'd franchise tag Houston and transition tag Alex.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by O.city

Frankly, I think it's all posturing for something. It's draft week.

This.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I'd franchise tag Houston and transition tag Alex.

Since when have you been able to tag two players at once?

[Fish]

Originally Posted by O.city

Saying you are interesting in drafting a QB doesn't make a team who wants to take a QB want to trade with you. It makes them want to trade in front of you to take a QB.

I've seen this posted a few times now...

But, both scenarios would have the same result so it's irrelevant. Trading picks with a team in front of the Chiefs, or trading directly with the Chiefs, both effectively eliminates the Chiefs from picking anyone ahead of that team. There's no difference.

[rico]

When was the last time that we were so vocal in expressing our willingness to draft a 1st time QB? Smoke-screen or not, when was the last time the Chiefs were reportedly "possibly interested in taking a QB in the 1st round of the draft" prior to the draft taking place?

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

Since when have you been able to tag two players at once?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_tag

In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag (of either the exclusive or non-exclusive forms) and one transition tag. As a result, each team may only designate one player each year as that team's franchise player. It has been designed to reduce player movement (often to bigger markets) which is often evidenced in other major pro sports leagues.

[rico]

If we draft Derek Carr to sit behind Smith for a year and Smith has a crappy year next year and the Chiefs fans started making these kinds of chants about Derek, I bet Smith will seriously be like, "**** my ****ing life" and despise the entire Carr family.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by BossChief

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franchise_tag

In the National Football League, the franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. The tag binds the player to the team for one year if certain conditions are met. Each team has access each year to only one franchise tag (of either the exclusive or non-exclusive forms) and one transition tag. As a result, each team may only designate one player each year as that team's franchise player. It has been designed to reduce player movement (often to bigger markets) which is often evidenced in other major pro sports leagues.

A club can designate one franchise player or one transition player in any given year.

http://football.about.com/cs/footbal...hisetransi.htm

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by rico

When was the last time that we were so vocal in expressing our willingness to draft a 1st time QB? Smoke-screen or not, when was the last time the Chiefs were reportedly "possibly interested in taking a QB in the 1st round of the draft" prior to the draft taking place?

Um....

I think it was when Carl Peterson did that infamous 2007 draft interview where he said he was def. going to draft Brady Quinn if he slid to our slot and kept calling Trey Wingo Zack. The Browns proceeded to trade one slot ahead of us and we got Bowe instead.