Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 45

**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.”

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-25-2013, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

It's not a "catchphrase".

True. It would have to be catchy in order to be so. You win!

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-25-2013, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

With no risk, there is no chance at a big reward.

The biggest risk/reward QB in this draft was E.J. Manuel. He'll either be a bust or Daunte Culpepper (before the knee injury). Had the Chiefs taken that chance, I'd have been on board 100%.

I didn't like Geno Smith as a first or second rounder but I did like Barkley as a second rounder. Turns out, Barkley was a fourth rounder.

I didn't like Wilson at all. I thought Bray was the best developmental QB in the draft due to his ideal size, arm strength and age. But I wouldn't have imagined that he would go undrafted. I figured (incorrectly, as it turns out) that he'd be gone in the third.

True to "expert" projections, this was not a good year for QB's as seen by NFL Scouts, GM's, coaches and media prognosticators. If anything positive can be taken by this offseason, it's that those media prognosticators are far more in touch with NFL thinking than previously suspected. The world between informed mock drafters and the NFL is shrinking exponentially.

I just hope that next offseason, people take that information into consideration, instead of bashing anyone (those prognosticators included) furiously while waiting for the draft to unfold. It'll make for a much more pleasant experience.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-25-2013, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

True. It would have to be catchy in order to be so. You win!

Vapid

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-25-2013, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I just hope that next offseason, people take that information into consideration, instead of bashing anyone (those prognosticators included) furiously while waiting for the draft to unfold. It'll make for a much more pleasant experience.

Not happening. We will find a worthy QB every year and beat the board to death with him every day until the Chiefs actually do something worth two ****s at the position.

It is what it is, and I approve of this method wholeheartedly.

**BossChief** · 06-25-2013, 09:44 PM

Scouts and the NFL in general didn't like Colin Kaepernick, Russel Wilson and many other recent "drafted after the first round" quarterbacks, either.

It's how these guys respond to adversity that will dictate if their draft positions were true, or fantastic steals due to following one of the best quarterback drafts in NFL history.

I just happen to think there are a few guys in this class that have 9" dicks and are trying to follow Lex Steel.

-King- · 06-25-2013, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Dane.

I read all of your posts in this thread.

And then I was like...

holy shit, he LITERALLY took the words out of my mouth.

Like whoa. You have to realize you are arguing with KC Tattoo and ROR, though. They are literally two of the dumbest people on this board. And that's not a mean comment. I mean they are just dumb.

This.

Titty Meat · 06-25-2013, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Scouts and the NFL in general didn't like Colin Kaepernick, Russel Wilson and many other recent "drafted after the first round" quarterbacks, either.

It's how these guys respond to adversity that will dictate if their draft positions were true, or fantastic steals due to following one of the best quarterback drafts in NFL history.

I just happen to think there are a few guys in this class that have 9" dicks and are trying to follow Lex Steel.

There was also a huge difference in demeanor between guys like Wilson/Kapernick and Geno Smith.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-25-2013, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Don't agree with me I don't give a ****. Doesn't make me dumb to have a different opinion on a subject just for wanting the Chiefs to draft a ****ing quarterback for a change.

I'm not trying to bash you or insult you but this is a false narrative.

You've acted all offseason as if you're above someone or anyone else because you wanted the Chiefs the draft a QB. You acted as if you were the only person that wanted the Chiefs to draft a QB in the history of the franchise and continue to spout off on anyone that has a different opinion. They're suddenly a "homer" or a "True Fan" because they didn't like the available options.

That is complete and utter nonsense.

There have been very few years, especially as of late, in which the consensus on this forum was to draft a QB. When Brodie Croyle was chosen in the third round of 2008, everyone was behind that move and saw him as the successor to Green. Unfortunately, that didn't pan out.

In 2008, most "informed" members wanted Matt Ryan. They saw past his supposed flaws and interceptions. Unfortunately, he was chosen before the Chiefs selected, so he wasn't an option. There were those that suggested Flacco as an alternative but the Chiefs selected Dorsey and Albert instead (the correct answer would have been Clady and Flacco).

In 2009, a very vocal group (myself included) wanted to see Mark Sanchez drafted, even though the Chiefs traded for Cassel. That didn't happen and instead, the Chiefs made the worst selection in franchise history.

In 2010, the consensus was split between Berry and Clausen. Very few people were unhappy with Berry's selection and as it turned out, Clausen has been a major disappointment (and would have been a disaster at #5 overall).

In 2011, the Chiefs moved back and selected Baldwin. Matt Cassel had just come off of his finest season as a pro and there was very little hope that his successor would be drafted that year. There was very little discussion of QB's.

In 2013, everything came to a head. New coach, new GM, new direction from ownership, etc. That management team traded for, what they saw, as the best available option. Every QB in this draft comes with great risk and after successive seasons of 4-12, 2-14, 4-12, 10-6, 7-9 and 2-14, 2013 was not the time to make a gigantic leap of faith or take a risk. How this move turns out remains to be seen but it would be shocking if Alex Smith did not outperform any of the QB's selected in the 2013 draft.

All of that said, I don't think there's a single soul that posts in this forum that does not want the Chiefs to take a QB in the first round in hopes of developing him into a Franchise QB. So for all your bluster, you are not alone, so stop acting as if you're the only guy on Chiefsplanet that wants the Chiefs to draft, develop and win championships.

It's old. It's tired. It's boring. But most of all, it's completely false.

RunKC · 06-25-2013, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Scouts and the NFL in general didn't like Colin Kaepernick, Russel Wilson and many other recent "drafted after the first round" quarterbacks, either.

I'm not sure about Kaepernick, but you're definitely wrong about Russell Wilson. Teams loved him. The only reason he was not drafted in the top half of the first round was his height.

He had basically everything you want from a QB, but ideal height.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-25-2013, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

Scouts and the NFL in general didn't like Colin Kaepernick, Russel Wilson and many other recent "drafted after the first round" quarterbacks, either.

But that's not true. There were plenty of scouts that liked Kaepernick and Wilson but they were overruled by their GM (the Chiefs included).

Wilson's issue didn't stem from athleticism, leadership, or ability. It stemmed from his height. Kaepernick was passed over because of his competition.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

It's how these guys respond to adversity that will dictate if their draft positions were true, or fantastic steals due to following one of the best quarterback drafts in NFL history.

I just happen to think there are a few guys in this class that have 9" dicks and are trying to follow Lex Steel.

And I disagree. As I stated earlier, E.J. Manuel is the only guy that I can look at and say "Wow, this guy has all the tools to be a Franchise QB". Smith has issues, Wilson has issues, Barkley has issues, Bray has issues.

And had Buffalo not needed a strong-armed QB, it's quite possible that he'd have fallen to the second round as well.

There were no "clean" prospects in this draft, despite the narrative passed around Chiefsplanet for five brutal months.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-25-2013, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Not happening. We will find a worthy QB every year and beat the board to death with him every day until the Chiefs actually do something worth two ****s at the position.

It is what it is, and I approve of this method wholeheartedly.

Who is this "we" you speak of? Not that it wasn't clearly obvious to anyone that's ever read your drivel, you've already admitted that you don't know anything about college players, scouting and so on.

You're a hanger-on. A hanging Chad. You have no original thoughts in your brain.

"We".

O.city · 06-25-2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

I'm not sure about Kaepernick, but you're definitely wrong about Russell Wilson. Teams loved him. The only reason he was not drafted in the top half of the first round was his height.

He had basically everything you want from a QB, but ideal height.

We've heard a lot of this after the fact from GM'S but it sounds a lot like revisionist history. If you love a guy that much, you draft him.

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-25-2013, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

We've heard a lot of this after the fact from GM'S but it sounds a lot like revisionist history. If you love a guy that much, you draft him.

I concur

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-25-2013, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

We've heard a lot of this after the fact from GM'S but it sounds a lot like revisionist history. If you love a guy that much, you draft him.

Loving a guy and investing a first or second round draft pick can be mutually exclusive.

O.city · 06-25-2013, 10:02 PM

If they see Alex smith as the least risky and best option, fine. As much as sweet whatever his name is or whoever will argue, they were right this offseason in the direction they took.

With that said, if that's the route you go, there won't be much wiggle room from the fan base if they don't win early and often.

Going the route they did us fine, but they can't go that route and win 5 games and expect patience.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $932813	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: 42,055

06-25-2013, 09:44 PM	#665
BossChief SuperBowl or bust Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: BF Iowa Casino cash: $1894088	Scouts and the NFL in general didn't like Colin Kaepernick, Russel Wilson and many other recent "drafted after the first round" quarterbacks, either. It's how these guys respond to adversity that will dictate if their draft positions were true, or fantastic steals due to following one of the best quarterback drafts in NFL history. I just happen to think there are a few guys in this class that have 9" dicks and are trying to follow Lex Steel. __________________ Dreams do come true... http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...postcount=1407
Posts: 47,124

06-25-2013, 10:02 PM	#675
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2764064	If they see Alex smith as the least risky and best option, fine. As much as sweet whatever his name is or whoever will argue, they were right this offseason in the direction they took. With that said, if that's the route you go, there won't be much wiggle room from the fan base if they don't win early and often. Going the route they did us fine, but they can't go that route and win 5 games and expect patience.
Posts: 81,234