Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 88

**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.”

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-28-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

no, I'm saying it's hard to cheer for guys like Dunta Robinson, Donnie Avery, and Mike Devito as upgrades and positive changes when their sample size on previous teams has been less than desired.

Our best players are still our Herm picks besides 2 guys and that is really sad in a 6 year span.

Avery caught 60 last year. What is wrong with that?

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Nothing is looking good for him as it is right now. I maybe wrong about him after all, but I sure liked what he did at WC so I still think he can do good in the pros if he works hard enough for it. It may not be how hard he works but his smarts may hold him back? He has talent to be successful though.

Maybe?

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Avery caught 60 last year. What is wrong with that?

800 yards and 3 TD's, yet he claimed last night that Avery wasn't an upgrade over Steve Breaston and his 74 yards last season.

Rasputin · 06-28-2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The biggest difference is that Matt Cassel went from the Spread offense, from Randy Moss and Wes Welker, to playing behind center with Dwayne Bowe as his only target.

Smith is coming from a similar offense with a single decent receiver to a team with a Top Three WR in Bowe, a solid veteran in Avery, as gadget receiver in McCluster and a similar tight end in Fasano.

Smith played lights out with lessor skilled players whereas Cassel played in an unconventional offense with greater players.

The parallels between the two players, other than compensation, don't exist.

Matt Cassel had BB on the sideline too. I think Matt Cassel played with fear and abandonment that he didn't want an earful if he missed up and had to go to the sidelines. He ran for first downs and had success moving the chains with his feet more than he did with his arm. We didn't get that out of Matt Cassel. That's how I remembered Matt Cassel doing it in NE.

Rasputin · 06-28-2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Maybe?

Yes, maybe? I want to see how they do in preseason when it matters.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Yes, maybe? I want to see how they do in preseason when it matters.

The biggest reason why you were wrong is because you greatly overstated his value.

No one in the NFL viewed him as a first round draft prospect, let alone worthy of 1.1. Yet all you did for months (not that you were alone) is bitch and moan after the Alex Smith trade was announced because you were absolutely certain that Geno Smith was a day one Franchise QB.

Wrong.

Now, this doesn't preclude Smith from someday developing into an average to above average QB. But his actions on draft day and since seem to prove that he doesn't "get it".

Regardless, the Chiefs would have been a disaster in waiting had they selected Smith at 1.1 and signed Chase Daniel.

Marcellus · 06-28-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

My biggest difference is that Cassel was a backup QB in every sense of the word... including his college days.

Smith is a starting QB... at all levels.

Major difference.

But I agree with your assessment as well.

Wait a freaking minute here.

Are you saying a guy who never started in college and was a 7th round pick is not the same talent level as a guy who was the 1st overall pick in the draft?

Rasputin · 06-28-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The biggest reason why you were wrong is because you greatly overstated his value.

No one in the NFL viewed him as a first round draft prospect, let alone worthy of 1.1. Yet all you did for months (not that you were alone) is bitch and moan after the Smith trade was announced because you were absolutely certain that Smith was a day one Franchise QB.

Wrong.

Now, this doesn't preclude Smith from someday developing into an average to above average QB. But his actions on draft day and since seem to prove that he doesn't "get it".

Regardless, the Chiefs would have been a disaster in waiting had they selected Smith at 1.1 and signed Chase Daniel.

I'm more upset if we give up an opportunity to draft a top prospect QB in next years draft by giving the niners another 2nd draft pick than passing on Geno Smith. I can live with Alex Smith being a stop gap if that is the plan & look at this years QB prospects & continue to upgrade in the draft. It's if he lives up to the mediocre way of the Chiefs and we are stuck in purgatory I'm worked up about.

Winning in the playoffs would prove me wrong.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I'm more upset if we give up an opportunity to draft a top prospect QB in next years draft by giving the niners another 2nd draft pick than passing on Geno Smith. I can live with Alex Smith being a stop gap if that is the plan & look at this years QB prospects & continue to upgrade in the draft. It's if he lives up to the mediocre way of the Chiefs and we are stuck in purgatory I'm worked up about.

Winning in the playoffs would prove me wrong.

So, you're "upset" about the possibility of drafting a QB in the second round, NEXT YEAR, before this team and QB have even played a preseason game this year?

What?

Rasputin · 06-28-2013, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

So, you're "upset" about the possibility of drafting a QB in the second round, NEXT YEAR, before this team and QB have even played a preseason game this year?

What?

I'm upset if the next four years go by that we don't have a draft pick QB under center giving us a chance to compete for Super Bowls.

If we are stuck with Alex Smith next for years & no Super Bowl or even playoff wins that matter then FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU**

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I'm upset if the next four years go by that we don't have a draft pick QB under center giving us a chance to compete for Super Bowls.

If we are stuck with Alex Smith next for years & no Super Bowl or even playoff wins that matter then FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU**

Rasputin · 06-28-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

So, you're "upset" about the possibility of drafting a QB in the second round, NEXT YEAR, before this team and QB have even played a preseason game this year?

What?

I'm upset if the next four years go by that we don't have a draft pick QB under center giving us a chance to compete for Super Bowls.

If we are stuck with Alex Smith next four years & no Super Bowl or even playoff wins that matter then FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU**

Marcellus · 06-28-2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I'm upset if the next four years go by that we don't have a draft pick QB under center giving us a chance to compete for Super Bowls.

If we are stuck with Alex Smith next for years & no Super Bowl or even playoff wins that matter then FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU**

So you are upset about things that haven't happened and may never happen.

Genious.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-28-2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I'm upset if the next four years go by that we don't have a draft pick QB under center giving us a chance to compete for Super Bowls.

If we are stuck with Alex Smith next four years & no Super Bowl or even playoff wins that matter then FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU**

O.city · 06-28-2013, 02:27 PM

Looks like its time to kill this thread with fire. Double posts.

Ffs at least wait and see what happens with this regime before we declare it dead. I realize and get where some are coming from, after the past decade it's easy to be apathetic.

But hopefully this times different in that we actuall brought in guys who have proven they know what they're doing. While I, or anyone for that matter, probably doesn't agree with a few, some or all the moves they make/made, their history in the league gives them a benefit of the doubt.

Just sit back relax and see what happens

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $922813	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: 42,078

06-28-2013, 02:27 PM	#1320
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2754064	Looks like its time to kill this thread with fire. Double posts. Ffs at least wait and see what happens with this regime before we declare it dead. I realize and get where some are coming from, after the past decade it's easy to be apathetic. But hopefully this times different in that we actuall brought in guys who have proven they know what they're doing. While I, or anyone for that matter, probably doesn't agree with a few, some or all the moves they make/made, their history in the league gives them a benefit of the doubt. Just sit back relax and see what happens
Posts: 81,244