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.”

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And as I've said before in this forum, the only QB I'd take over Kaepernick today is Cam Newton.

Holy mother of God.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Holy mother of God.

Yeah, you're right. They both suck.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

So, you've gone from comparing Alex Smith to Matt Cassel to Colin Kaepernick?

And don't forget Andrew Luck.

I have no doubt that Avery's numbers will plummet playing with Alex ****ing Smith instead of a real QB.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Lucky? How so?

that HAS keeps him out all training camp why would a roster spot be secured or gifted for him?

This isnt Scott Pioli anymore that will protect his players and gift them a roster spot no matter how shitty they are or how injured. Andy Reid will cut a player without blinking while eating Taco Bell for lunch

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

that HAS keeps him out all training camp why would a roster spot be secured or gifted for him?

The last report I read said he'll be ready for training camp. Care to link to this new information?

Originally Posted by mcaj22

This isnt Scott Pioli anymore that will protect his players and gift them a roster spot no matter how shitty they are or how injured. Andy Reid will cut a player without blinking eating Taco Bell for lunch

Sure. Andy Reid's going to cut a guy that runs a 4.3, had 800 yards and 3 TD's last year, because the Chiefs are so deep at receiver.

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Yeah, you're right. They both suck.

Haha

Yeah, cause that's what I said.

Cam Newton is a gimmick...Kaepernick is a better version of him.

There are at least 13 or 14 quarterbacks I'd take before Cam.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

The last report I read said he'll be ready for training camp. Care to link to this new information?



Sure. Andy Reid's going to cut a guy that runs a 4.3, had 800 yards and 3 TD's last year, because the Chiefs are so deep at receiver.

you have bigger hard on for some average bum like Avery than I do thinking Anthony Sherman sucks at FB

[mcaj22]

and I wont argue, Avery may be fine and get reps in training camp but if you dont think that HAS will be lingering all through training camp and probably the first half of the season

think again

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Haha

Yeah, cause that's what I said.

Cam Newton is a gimmick...Kaepernick is a better version of him.

There are at least 13 or 14 quarterbacks I'd take before Cam.

Whoa, whoa, whoa: Newton is a gimmick? What?

He played on a team that for two years straight, had a terrible defense. All he's done is put up 8,000 yards in the air, another 1,500 on the ground and a total of 62 TD's.

Gimmick?

And Kaepernick is a BEAST. Not only is he an elite athlete, the guy can just as easily run for a 50 yard TD as he can throw one.

I don't know what NFL games you're watching but they must be much different than the games I see.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

you have bigger hard on for some average bum like Avery than I do thinking Anthony Sherman sucks at FB

Avery is the second most accomplished receiver currently on the Chiefs roster, yet you believe he's a throwaway.

[mcaj22]

Kapernick and Newton still make terrible reads for being athletic freaks

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Kapernick and Newton still make terrible reads for being athletic freaks

If Newton averages 20 TD's and 4,000 yards per season making "terrible reads" (and the guy doesn't have anyone to throw to), just think how good he'll be once they provide him with a surrounding cast and he gains experience.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Avery is the second most accomplished receiver currently on the Chiefs roster, yet you believe he's a throwaway.

Mike Devito is the second most accomplished DL on this roster

Dunta Robinson is the second most accomplished CB on this roster

Kendrick Lewis is the second most accomplished FS on this roster

Jon Asamoah is the second most accomplished OL on this roster

you can do this with a lot of average/bad players on paper with this team. that doesnt make them good or prone to being protected of a roster spot

[BossChief]

Rodgers
Brady
E. Manning
Wilson
Luck
RG3
Rothlisberger
Flacco
Brees
Ryan
Dalton
Tannehill
Kaepernick

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Mike Devito is the second most accomplished DL on this roster

Dunta Robinson is the second most accomplished CB on this roster

Kendrick Lewis is the second most accomplished FS on this roster

Jon Asamoah is the second most accomplished OL on this roster

you can do this with a lot of average/bad players on paper with this team. that doesnt make them good or prone to being protected of a roster spot

None of those players are "bad" and outside of Asamoah, will likely provide quality depth.

Asamoah's due for a break out season. If it doesn't happen, it's time to move on.