Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 32

**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.”

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

You want to bet?

Alex wins at least 8 games for this team or you leave for a year.

He wins more than 8 I'll leave for a year.

Your balls...present them.

DEALLLLLLLLLLL

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

You want to bet?

Alex wins at least 8 games for this team or you leave for a year.

He wins more than 8 I'll leave for a year.

Your balls...present them.

Nah those bets are gay.

Why you root against the Chiefs is baffling to me.

I TRULY thought Huard was a better QB for our Herm team during the great Green/Huard debate.

You just argue the unpopular side because you know you'll get into these petty arguments. At least I call things how I see them and don't feel the need to troll Chiefs fans on Chiefs related topics.

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:06 PM

PFF is his gospel.

Alex Smith was the 8th best rated QB in football in 2011.

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 08:06 PM

And just so it is clear. 8 wins, and its a push. More than 8, you leave, less than 8, I leave. Sweet. I look forward to it.

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Nah those bets are gay.

Why you root against the Chiefs is baffling to me.

I TRULY thought Huard was a better QB for our Herm team during the great Green/Huard debate.

You just argue the unpopular side because you know you'll get into these petty arguments. At least I call things how I see them and don't feel the need to troll Chiefs fans on Chiefs related topics.

He doesn't even have to leave, I could care less about that. I am far more interested in the "alex smith was carried by Charles, the oline, and the defense." I live for those. I really do.

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:09 PM

and he probably will be

Alex Smith is just a game manager. It's whatever. At least he won't directly lose games like we've seen the past 4 years...

and maybe he can still make that leap. He made great strides the last 25 games. No reason to think he's going to regress without Harbaugh. It's not like Reid hasn't made guys like Kolb look excellent in the past.

**LoneWolf** · 06-22-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

You want to bet?

Alex wins at least 8 games for this team or you leave for a year.

He wins more than 8 I'll leave for a year.

Your balls...present them.

I specifically quoted your statement I was willing to bet on. If Alex Smith ever throws for over 25 tds you have to leave for a year. If he retires without ever throwing for 25 tds, I'll leave for a year.

Your vagina...wash it.

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:11 PM

Geno isn't even going to beat out Mark ****ing Sanchez.

After we saw no QB's go within the first 15 picks, everyone should have finally just got over Alex Smith and realized it's a good thing we made an aggressive move for an actual QB that can play the position reasonably well at a professional level.

And PLEASE about the compensation...I don't know how many times I have to say it...2nd round picks are VASTLY overrated on this board. I've proved this a countless amount of times and no one ever responds to it because they can't.

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

I specifically quoted your statement I was willing to bet on. If Alex Smith ever throws for over 25 tds you have to leave for a year. If he retires without ever throwing for 25 tds, I'll leave for a year.

Your vagina...wash it.

that's not a fair bet

Clay has value on this site. You don't.

This has to be loaded. If it happens, Clay leaves for 5 days. If it doesn't, you leave for an eternity.

That's more fair.

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

and he probably will be

Alex Smith is just a game manager. It's whatever. At least he won't directly lose games like we've seen the past 4 years...

and maybe he can still make that leap. He made great strides the last 25 games. No reason to think he's going to regress without Harbaugh. It's not like Reid hasn't made guys like Kolb look excellent in the past.

What sets Alex Smith apart from other qbs, is he has zero ego, and could care less who gets the lime light, as long as the team is winning. It can be a negative, but, as you said, hes never going to lose you a game, and always give the best players on the team, the chance to have the spot light, and succeed. I don't know other than fantasy football, why anyone would have a problem with that, especially given the qbing situation since Trent Green was forced to retire. It really boggles my mind....

BigBeauford · 06-22-2013, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

You want to bet?

Alex wins at least 8 games for this team or you leave for a year.

He wins more than 8 I'll leave for a year.

Your balls...present them.

I think I can already see some room for interpretation.

**LoneWolf** · 06-22-2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

if Alex Smith plays all 16 games he'll probably have between 25-30 TD's

GoChiefs is just a troll.

This is one of the first things I've agreed with you on in awhile. When you're not trying to be the douchey center of attention, your football takes are pretty good.

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Geno isn't even going to beat out Mark ****ing Sanchez.

After we saw no QB's go within the first 15 picks, everyone should have finally just got over Alex Smith and realized it's a good thing we made an aggressive move for an actual QB that can play the position reasonably well at a professional level.

And PLEASE about the compensation...I don't know how many times I have to say it...2nd round picks are VASTLY overrated on this board. I've proved this a countless amount of times and no one ever responds to it because they can't.

I don't have to respond to it. The Chiefs made sure they got their guy. They also agreed to a fairly low compensation to reach that second in 2014. It was what had to be done. Andy Reid, for whatever reason decided that Alex Smith was his guy, and they paid, well, obviously over paid for him. But, they left no doubt they wanted him. So really, there is nothing to respond to, until he has at least played a game or two.

**LoneWolf** · 06-22-2013, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

that's not a fair bet

Clay has value on this site. You don't.

This has to be loaded. If it happens, Clay leaves for 5 days. If it doesn't, you leave for an eternity.

That's more fair.

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

Hootie · 06-22-2013, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

What sets Alex Smith apart from other qbs, is he has zero ego, and could care less who gets the lime light, as long as the team is winning. It can be a negative, but, as you said, hes never going to lose you a game, and always give the best players on the team, the chance to have the spot light, and succeed. I don't know other than fantasy football, why anyone would have a problem with that, especially given the qbing situation since Trent Green was forced to retire. It really boggles my mind....

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.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $792813	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: 42,123

06-22-2013, 08:06 PM	#468
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	PFF is his gospel. Alex Smith was the 8th best rated QB in football in 2011.
Posts: 56,356

06-22-2013, 08:06 PM	#469
Mav XBOX GT MAVS ACE Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wisconsin Casino cash: $10019303	And just so it is clear. 8 wins, and its a push. More than 8, you leave, less than 8, I leave. Sweet. I look forward to it. __________________ Resident Browns fan I’m not here to argue about Alex Smith. Fastest Ignore user on CP
Posts: 18,683

06-22-2013, 08:09 PM	#471
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	and he probably will be Alex Smith is just a game manager. It's whatever. At least he won't directly lose games like we've seen the past 4 years... and maybe he can still make that leap. He made great strides the last 25 games. No reason to think he's going to regress without Harbaugh. It's not like Reid hasn't made guys like Kolb look excellent in the past.
Posts: 56,356

06-22-2013, 08:11 PM	#473
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Geno isn't even going to beat out Mark ****ing Sanchez. After we saw no QB's go within the first 15 picks, everyone should have finally just got over Alex Smith and realized it's a good thing we made an aggressive move for an actual QB that can play the position reasonably well at a professional level. And PLEASE about the compensation...I don't know how many times I have to say it...2nd round picks are VASTLY overrated on this board. I've proved this a countless amount of times and no one ever responds to it because they can't.
Posts: 56,356