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

[temper11]

I have no idea what's going on in the contract discussions. I don't know if this report by rappaport is just negotiation tactics..., I don't know if Smith is even involved in them or not, I don't know if the Smith camp is asking for big money or if they are asking for long-term or both or neither, or anything. No one does.

But isn't it possible that they want to sign smith for a long term (3 to 5 years) AND spend their number 1 pick on a QB, if a QB they like falls to them? I know this doesn't enjoy a lot of popularity with fans, because fans like "immediate impact guys" out of the draft, but if the Chiefs like a kid, draft him, and then let him develop under Smith for a few years so when he takes the field, he doesn't get ruined as so many young QB's do - isn't that a good thing? Isn't this what both Dorsey and Reid did with Farve and Rodgers? Didn't Rodgers go late in the first round as well?

This would hurt because there are a number of holes on the roster that need to be filled but sometimes you have to bite the bullet for the long term gain. Developing your franchise QB over a few years under an experienced QB might be one of the best formulas for eventual payoffs there is. Teams just rarely have the patience to do it anymore though.

Also, do you really want to draft your hotshot QB and put him behind the line that the Chiefs have on paper right now? That kids career would likely be over before it began. If the Chiefs do draft a QB number 1, then I think it is all the more critical to sign Smith up for a few years to protect that QB from flaming out.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by rico

Not giving Smith an extension would give him incentive to play his ass of next year for a big, lucrative contract...whether it be with the Chiefs or whoever. If he doesn't get extended and does, in fact play his ass off, that would justify what we would have to pay him via franchise tag.

I could be wrong... but I honestly don't think Smith needs this kind of motivation. I've seen every snap of this NFL career, he plays with the same level of effort whether he is getting paid #1 overall pick in the draft money, or 1 year deal "make it or break it" money. He has gotten smarter and more cautious over the years - and the increased cautiousness has been both a good and a bad thing - but the level of effort has never changed. He just doesn't need incentive to "play his ass off".

[rico]

Originally Posted by temper11

I could be wrong... but I honestly don't think Smith needs this kind of motivation. I've seen every snap of this NFL career, he plays with the same level of effort whether he is getting paid #1 overall pick in the draft money, or 1 year deal "make it or break it" money. He has gotten smarter and more cautious over the years - and the increased cautiousness has been both a good and a bad thing - but the level of effort has never changed. He just doesn't need incentive to "play his ass off".

Meh, just a thought...

[keg in kc]

I think this whole "earn his contract" idea has been bullshit from the beginning. They aren't going to trade two 2nd round picks away for a guy they don't plan to extend. Which is the box they put themselves into. They have no leverage at all.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by KCSLC2008

This is why Smith hasn't signed. He's not stupid. He'll sign a big contract now, a team friendly contract if we don't pick high, and play this year out if we do.

This would be my guess as well.

[rico]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think this whole "earn his contract" idea has been bullshit from the beginning. They aren't going to trade two 2nd round picks away for a guy they don't plan to extend. Which is the box they put themselves into. They have no leverage at all.

It depends on how much value Clark/Dorsey put into stopping the bleeding from a seriously wounded franchise and rejuvenating the fan base to put butts in seats. 2012 was so freaking catastrophic. I mean, shit...a fool murdered his squeeze and then blew his own brains out in front of the HC/GM, banners were being flown requesting the QB be benched and the GM fired, a couple games were "black-outs." In their eyes, maybe they thought it would take something extremely bold, like being overzealous with what they forked over for Smith to at the least, get the fans excited/interested again.

IF they don't have plans on extending Smith any time soon, I think it can be indicative of a couple things... 1.) They are playing hard ball with Condon, or at the least are refusing to bend over, spread their butt-cheeks and take it in the ass from the dude...which is GREAT...it's about time someone steps up to that money-grubber. 2.) They consider Poe, Berry and Houston to be less expendable than Smith and they know they will need to sign them to lucrative contracts in the near future...which is also GREAT because they are right about that...not to mention, it's nice to know they aren't handcuffing themselves to the guy like Pioli did so ridiculously prematurely with Cassel.

[keg in kc]

It depends on how much value Clark/Dorsey put into stopping the bleeding from a seriously wounded franchise and rejuvenating the fan base to put butts in seats.

I think that's a complete non-factor.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by SNR

That doesn't change the fact that Condon is asking for way too much money for his client. And we honestly shouldn't give it to him.

You've seen a report that shows what Condon is asking for? Link?

[rico]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I think that's a complete non-factor.

Yeah, I suppose you are right. For if it's one thing that Clark Hunt learned after his Cheap's 2012 season, it's this:



I suppose we would have sold as many tickets, jerseys, etc. in 2013 if Cassel had remained our starter.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

If that's the case then all we would have done is garner the Eagles more trade offers.

The only logical explanation for releasing this "info" outside of contract negotiations with Smith is hoping other teams will attempt to trade up ahead of us and nab a QB leaving a WR, S, etc on the board.

If the Chiefs didn't have a solid QB already then I'd agree with you... but since they have a solid proven QB, I think hinting they MIGHT draft for the QBOTF could scare a few QB desperate teams to try and trade up with the Chiefs with the pitch that more later round picks for KC will solve more immediate needs.

[rico]

Originally Posted by temper11

You've seen a report that shows what Condon is asking for? Link?

It's his history in asking too much and in many/most cases receiving too much for his other clients that would validate the speculation that the same is going on with Smith.

[temper11]

Originally Posted by rico

It's his history in asking too much and in many/most cases receiving too much for his other clients that would validate the speculation that the same is going on with Smith.

Ahhh... ok. Thought I missed a report somehere in which a number was tossed out.

Thanks,

[BossChief]

Casserly just said he spoke with someone involved in the negotiations with Alex Smith and they are "nowhere" in the talks and he guaranteed the Chiefs take a QB.

Said he wouldn't guarantee it would be with the first pick, but that he guarantees they take a QB in the draft.

[Sandy Vagina]

eh... I have had enough of this. Trade Alex to a team that actually wants to win. A team that has WRs, an OL, and a defense worth playing for!



I don't believe any of this shit, but it's funny. KC is just trying to rattle some chains before the draft. Why not? Might get a team to bite and trade in front of or even with KC for 23... and that pushes a good non-QB their way or they get the extra draft pick(s) they need to field a good team around a QB.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by temper11

You've seen a report that shows what Condon is asking for? Link?

I don't need to. I highly doubt Condon would be happy with 3 years $15 million or something like that for his client, and it's just the mean ol' Chiefs being stingy assholes.

If the Chiefs valued Alex Smith as much as people think they do, then the negotiations wouldn't be so far apart right now. Either the Chiefs don't think very highly of Smith and are undercutting him by a ton, or Condon is asking for something ridiculous like Jay Cutler money.

In either case, it means the team should walk away from Alex if Condon's not going to come down either to the level the team thinks he's worth or if he's not going to come down to a reasonable level that the team should be expected to pay.