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

[Tribal Warfare]

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.”

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Alex Smith was basically Marty's Steve DeBerg for the 49ers...think about that....

OMG dude, get a ****ing life already. You spending every waking hour obsessing about Alex has gotten just so sad to watch.

[TheUte]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Even Jon Beason knows this guy sucks

That's a really poorly reasoned argument.

That is guy is sticking up for a team mate.

Because it sure seems like AS team mates have always respected and liked him.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

OMG dude, get a ****ing life already. You spending every waking hour obsessing about Alex has gotten just so sad to watch.

Does it bother you that your sweet baboo is so rejected by a subset of his new team's fanbase?

In time...we will all hate him for the void he will hurl Arrowhead into.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

Does it bother you that your sweet baboo is so rejected by a subset of his new team's fanbase?

In time...we will all hate him for the void he will hurl Arrowhead into.

It doesn't bother me, because he's not. There is only a dozen of you poor pathetic anustarts that have no lives and post on here with every breath how Alex is teh suxxorz because poor Geno Smith wasn't selected. Boo Hoo. Mostly, I feel a small amount of pity for you. 150 thousand posts and this is what you bring? It's pathetic. Find a real life. You are really a sad POS.

[Hammock Parties]

It will only take one year of failure from checkdown king and more of them will come out of the woodwork...

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by TheUte

That's a really poorly reasoned argument.

That is guy is sticking up for a team mate.

Because it sure seems like AS team mates have always respected and liked him.

Actually the argument is broken down right here:

Talk about going for the jugular. Thing is – Beason is 100% right. The absolute truth of the matter, and absolute fact – Smith was a free agent this year. The 49ers put out a take it or leave it offer, and Smith, somehow feeling he was due more as the QB of a successful 13-3 team, balked. He felt undervalued, and went out to test the market. Only thing is – there was no market for Smith. He didn’t receive a single offer from any team in the entire league. In fairness, the 49ers offer was a very good one, and one I believe was beyond fair and generous for a QB of his level (and one that he eventually signed). But the fact that they didn’t franchise him, and fully allowed him to test the market speaks volumes. The Miami Dolphins, desperate for a QB, didn’t even offer him a contract (even though they met with him). Lest you forget, the Dolphins pretty much suck. I can’t even name you any other teams, because Miami was pretty much the only team that gave this guy a call. Now, by my count, there were about 10 teams (including San Francisco) that had needs at the starting QB position before both free agency and the draft.

Here are some more Smith facts – a year ago, the 49ers had so much faith in this guy, they drafted QB Colin Kaepernick in the 2nd round. Kaepernick wasn’t drafted as a “sit and wait” QB – he was expected to compete for and win the job. So what saved Smith’s bacon? The lockout. New coach Jim Harbaugh didn’t have the time to really work with the kid like he would’ve liked, so he went with the experienced guy on the roster. That’s it. Nothing more. When Smith performed decently during the season, the team felt a breath of relief. And lest one tries the argument of how it wouldn’t matter since it was a new coach – Harbaugh kept much of he 49ers’ system that was previously in place the year before since he didn’t have a full offseason to make major changes. Smith, of course, was familiar with that system.

What’s that? I’m missing something? Oh, believe me, I know. I know how San Francisco went balls to the wall to get Peyton Manning. I know full well the coach who rejuvenated Smith’s career and who supposedly had so much faith in his ability had no contact with him during this time period, and was the first person to go see Manning throw at Duke, secretly flying in under cover of night. I know that the 49ers put on the press harder than any other team until Manning told them he wasn’t interested. Big show of confidence, right?

and it's a valid argument to make.

2 years ago this guy couldnt get a team to sniff him, a year later we give up two draft picks for him. Nothing has changed in a year.

[Ace Gunner]

and agian, Jamaal Charles is the Chiefs' offense. Ain't gonna change, just gonna get an upgrade at the QB position and a new attack scheme.

But don't kid yourself, it will be Jamaal Charles -- left, Jamaal Charles -- right, and Jamaal Charles -- up the middle.

but now with a passing game compliment. Second fiddle.

Bowe is gonna do good this season. He'll still drop a few, but maybe he holds onto those important catches. and maybe Alex Smith helps. sacrilege, I know.

But get ready for Alex Smith to run a passing game to compliment Jamaal's concerto in Kansas City come 2013 regular season.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

It doesn't bother me, because he's not. There is only a dozen of you poor pathetic anustarts that have no lives and post on here with every breath how Alex is teh suxxorz because poor Geno Smith wasn't selected. Boo Hoo. Mostly, I feel a small amount of pity for you. 150 thousand posts and this is what you bring? It's pathetic. Find a real life. You are really a sad POS.

You follow Alex Smith to Kansas City by registering an account on a Chiefs fan forum, and you call someone else sad and pathetic?

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by J Diddy

that instance yes, but let's be real. Trent would be out on the wing trying to block lineman and shit.


That's why I love the ****er.

reminded me of this! (Alex pancaking a Raider)

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2013/3...er-players-too

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by milkman

You follow Alex Smith to Kansas City by registering an account on a Chiefs fan forum, and you call someone else sad and pathetic?

Nothing sad or pathetic about that. I'm expanding my love and excitement over upcoming football by adding another team to watch closely. That's far and away a different situation. You too stupid to get that or what? Or do you just like Clay's cock in your mouth like Sweet Pussy Hate and feel such a need to defend him? **** off... dumbass.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Nothing sad or pathetic about that. I'm expanding my love and excitement over upcoming football by adding another team to watch closely. That's far and away a different situation. You too stupid to get that or what? Or do you just like Clay's cock in your mouth like Sweet Pussy Hate and feel such a need to defend him? **** off... dumbass.

Where did I defend him, dumbass?

Expanding your love and excitement?

Code for spreading your butt cheeks for Smith.

[BigBeauford]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Nothing sad or pathetic about that. I'm expanding my love and excitement over upcoming football by adding another team to watch closely. That's far and away a different situation. You too stupid to get that or what? Or do you just like Clay's cock in your mouth like Sweet Pussy Hate and feel such a need to defend him? **** off... dumbass.

You want to denounce our fandom for being critical of our new qb, and yet now you profess to following multiple teams. You really just need to .

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

The only problem is if Alex throws the ball that much, you are looking at problems.

You can't expose him like that.

I'm not so sure. Now granted, 50+ passes a game is a bit much, but given a scenario where we might have to put it in the air that much, I'm not so sure Smith couldn't get similar results to what Montana did with that game plan that night.

[Hammock Parties]

He would be intercepted and sacked more.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

He would be intercepted and sacked more.

Why? He completes 70% of his passes (last season). His TD to INT ratio is in that area (last 2 to 3 seasons). YPC is about the same. So why couldn't he do that in one game as opposed to spread out over multiple games?