Alex Smith Interview

[Tribal Warfare]

Alex Smith Conversation

It's been nearly two months since Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid introduced Alex Smith as the team's new QB, following a trade with the San Francisco 49ers. Having gone through voluntary workouts, it's been business as usual for the team's new signal caller.

Alex Smith:"It’s been football for the most part," Chiefs QB Alex Smith said. "Besides living out of a hotel and commuting back on some weekends to see my family, just football. It takes a little while to get acclimated but the longer you’re here the better you feel, the better you feel about the guys in the locker room; you start to build some relationships and then about the football, you’re getting more comfortable with it, that’s why we’re here. The longer you’re in the system the better you feel. The coaches keep pushing us, so, it’s good work."

While playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Smith teamed with Pro Bowl LT Joe Staley, who played collegiately at Central Michigan University, the same school as the Chiefs top draft pick in 2013, Eric Fisher.

Alex Smith:"I had heard about him from Joe Staley out in San Francisco, all leading up and then even after the trade, Joe kept telling me, ‘I think you guys ought to go with my guy (Eric) Fisher'," Smith said. "Joe’s a great guy and he’s obviously a tremendous player and he speaks and thinks very highly of Eric."

The former #1 overall pick of the 2005 NFL Draft, Smith was able to share his experience and insight with Fisher.

Alex Smith:"I got a chance to talk to him after he got drafted," Smith said of Fisher. "It was quick. I know what that’s like, being out there and it’s a surreal deal and you’re getting pulled in a thousand different directions, talking to every media in the country. I just tried to tell him to take it all in, enjoy it for a couple days, because that’s all you’re really going to get. It’s going to be ‘get to work’ and come in here and you’re going to be expected to perform at a high level and come in and play. So, take it all in, catch your breath for a couple of days, while you can."

There were also a few laughs exchanged between the new Chiefs teammates.

Alex Smith:"(I) congratulated him and had a couple cracks about the (Central Michigan) Chippewas, seems like I can’t get away from them, but if he turns out anything like Joe (Staley), it’ll be a good thing," Smith admitted.

Alex hasn't been the only one giving the Chiefs top draft choice advice, especially on how to handle the questions about playing at a "small school" like CMU.

Alex Smith:"I know he’s been talking to and really helping out Eric through the draft process and kind of what to expect coming into his rookie year," Smith said of Joe Staley. "It’s another guy to have as a sounding board for him. If you have the talent, it doesn’t matter where you came from."

The Kansas City Chiefs traded for QB Alex Smith as part of a new movement, which the team hopes leads to the playoffs and beyond. The journey known as the 2013 NFL season has already begun, in the shape of voluntary workouts, minicamps and OTAs, which are still to come.

The new Chiefs signal caller, like his teammates, is looking to make the most out of any offseason practices

Alex Smith:"I think for us, it’s just come in every day and expect to perform at a high level, work your butt off, preparing yourself and try to have a good day, work as hard as you can every single day and just try to put good days together," Smith said. "I think that’s what it’s all about, don’t get complacent. Don’t think, ‘I got 10 OTAs and another minicamp,’ you have the next day and a chance to get some work in and work as hard as you can that day and make as much of a stride as you can that day and come back the next day and do it again. Just get as good as you can, push yourself as hard as you can, as fast as you can."

When the Chiefs traded for Alex Smith in March, offseason activities couldn't begin soon enough for the team's new QB.

Alex Smith:"I was just excited about the opportunity," Smith admitted. "For me, it was about getting to work. So much of being able to play quarterback starts mentally, even before you get on the field. If you can’t understand the system and grasp it, I don’t care how well you can throw it, how athletic you are, it starts there. It’s really (important) to get that down, so that you can go out on the field and execute, make plays. I'm going to work my tail off as hard as I can just to really soak up this offense and master it."

Smith's newest teammates arrive in town this week for a three-day rookie minicamp, beginning Friday, including former Tennessee QB Tyler Bray. The addition of another quarterback to the Chiefs roster doesn't bother Smith at all; in fact, he admits that it's common sense.

Alex Smith:"This is my 9th year in the NFL," Smith stated. "I understand how it works; they’re going to bring in arms. I mean, you expect to have a certain amount of arms for camp. It’s just a pure numbers thing. You can’t have three QBs and throw to that many receivers, you need to have extra arms to come in and you have to develop guys, that’s the name of the game. I don’t give it much thought, I’ve just been around it so long, it’s the nature of the game."

During the recent Kansas City Chiefs "Take Your Child to Work Day", many of the kids were interviewed like Chiefs players at a press conference, asked who their favorite player is, many answered "Alex Smith".

Alex Smith:"It’s humbling, for one," Smith said of his fans. "It’s just been great getting a feel for the people in the area and how hungry they are. First of all, they’re very loyal and hungry for wins and that’s what you want out of a fan base. I see how supportive they are and I can feel how bad they want it, for this team to take those steps to get into the playoffs, win playoff games and then, the goal is the world championship, so it’s a good thing to have. I’ve been around the fans; it’s such a great thing."

Those same fans will be hoping Alex Smith and his Chiefs teammates give them plenty to cheer about in 2013.

[007]

Those poor kids.

[BigCatDaddy]

If it was 1 paragraph... TL,DR

[TEX]

Originally Posted by Guru

Those poor kids.

Short bus...

[RealSNR]

Alex Smith:"(I) congratulated him and had a couple cracks about the (Central Michigan) Chippewas, seems like I can’t get away from them, but if he turns out anything like Joe (Staley), it’ll be a good thing," Smith admitted.

[Strongside]

[-King-]

10 out of 10. Would read again.
Posted via Mobile Device

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Guru

Those poor kids.

Someone should call DFS. Clearly some child abuse going on there.

[Dave Lane]

Worst Chief evar.....

[Dave Lane]

He probably hates BBQ.

[patteeu]

I see that there's a strong need for some medication in this thread. Here you go, guys.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I see that there's a strong need for some medication in this thread. Here you go, guys.

[BlackHelicopters]

Great story. Anything Alex Smith arouses me.

[boogblaster]

ready .. set .. go ....

[ShowtimeSBMVP]

Originally Posted by patteeu

I see that there's a strong need for some medication in this thread. Here you go, guys.