How Andy Fell for Alex

[FRCDFED]

..How Andy fell for Alex

By Jeff Fedotin | National Football Post – 6 hours ago

It would be one of the first major moves of the 2013 NFL offseason.

By the end of February, the Chiefs already had locked on to their new triggerman and they would trade for him on the first official day of the new league year. But coach Andy Reid’s affection for Alex Smith began well before that.

Reid remains very close with one of Smith’s college coaches.

Kyle Whittingham, a BYU linebacker from 1978 to 1981, practiced against Reid, a BYU lineman from 1979 to 1981, for three years, an experience which forged a long friendship.

The defensive coordinator during Smith’s tenure at Utah, Whittingham then succeeded Urban Meyer as head coach of the program, which Smith helped put on the map.

“I’ve followed (Smith) since college,” Reid said.

Reid became even more impressed and familiar with Smith during his NFL career.

Through a scheduling quirk, Reid’s Eagles faced Smith’s 49ers six times (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011) during Smith’s eight-year career with San Francisco. During those encounters, Reid became so enamored with Smith’s toughness, smarts and accuracy that he inquired about acquiring him for the Eagles.

“When I was with Philadelphia — for whatever reason — we seemed to play them every year and got to see him firsthand,” Reid said. “If given the chance, I wanted him on my team.”

The feeling was mutual.

An eager Smith, who wore a Chiefs arrowhead lapel pin on his suit jacket during his introduction to the Kansas City media, targeted the Chiefs.

The 49ers had made it clear that Colin Kaepernick was their guy. As Smith made it equally clear he wanted to start and not continue as Kaepernick’s backup, the 49ers told him they would trade him instead of granting his outright release.

Smith sought a trade to Kansas City.

Alex Smith and Andy Reid begin the next chapter of their careers together in Kansas City.

“There is no doubt in my mind this is where I wanted to be,” Smith said. “It wasn’t close. Everything pointed here for me, and I was excited.”

A QB-needy team that was otherwise talented, including a roster with six Pro Bowlers from last year (S Eric Berry, RB Jamaal Charles, P Dustin Colquitt, LB Tamba Hali, LB Justin Houston and LB Derrick Johnson), the Chiefs seemed like a natural fit.

Another draw was Reid, who served as Brett Favre’s QB coach in Green Bay before guiding Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick in Philadelphia, and the reputation he earned as an offensive guru.

“His pedigree,” Smith said, “speaks for itself.”

Reid’s QB pedigree started with Favre and the Packers, and during that time, Reid befriended John Dorsey, the new Chiefs general manager, who was scouting for Green Bay.

Further showing the deep connections embedded in the NFL old boys network, the Chiefs president, Mark Donovan, served as the Eagles vice president of business operations during Reid’s tenure in Philadelphia.

Because of these relationships, the Chiefs served as a comfortable landing spot for Reid, Dorsey and Smith.

The latter hopes that makes for a smoother ride in Kansas City than his time in San Francisco.

Smith played for four head coaches and seven offensive coordinators during his 49ers career, which he started by throwing for one touchdown and 11 interceptions as a 2005 rookie.

After starting the 2007 season with a 2–1 record, he suffered a separated shoulder against the Seahawks. 49ers coach Mike Nolan questioned the severity of the injury and the quarterback’s toughness, even though Smith eventually would need multiple surgeries.

Finally after compiling a 104.1 passer rating while steering the 2012 49ers to a 6-2-1 record, Smith would sustain a concussion and lose his starting job to Kaepernick, who led the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

Smith declined to call his trade to the Chiefs a fresh start, but he expressed great enthusiasm about playing quarterback in Kansas City.

“Because of what I’ve gone through, you grow as a player. You grow as a person. I’m ready for this,” Smith said. “This is a new opportunity for me. I can’t say how excited I am for it.”

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Did Smith actively seek a trade to KC, or did the Niners just go with the best offer??

Tradition, where 49ers QBs go to pasture.

[Cannibal]

People on here hate Alex Smith, but I'm pulling for him. I hope that with Reid, and the accompanying stability he brings, that Alex's career really takes off.

[Molitoth]

Originally Posted by Cannibal

People on here hate Alex Smith, but I'm pulling for him. I hope that with Reid, and the accompanying stability he brings, that Alex's career really takes off.

People don't hate Alex Smith. They hate the way the Chiefs go at bringing in other teams cast offs at the most important position in football, when common practice of super bowl winning teams has been to draft and develop their own.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

'Scuse meeeeee...while I puke my guts; waow-dow~dow, da~dow-dow-dow!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Cannibal]

If we draft Geno, I'll be delighted, but if not, I'm hoping for the best from Alex.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Tradition, where 49ers QBs go to pasture.

Pretty damn amazing streak we have going.

[KC_Lee]

Originally Posted by Molitoth

People don't hate Alex Smith. They hate the way the Chiefs go at bringing in other teams cast offs at the most important position in football, when common practice of super bowl winning teams has been to draft and develop their own.

This, over and over and over.

I just cannot get real fired up over another retread QB. And that's not to say the Chiefs and Alex Smith cannot be sucessful.

But, barring injury & Geno in the 1st rpund, we are in for at least 3 years of Alex Smith and 9 - 7 / 10 - 6 / maybe pull out a 11 - 5 season. This will equal another one and done in the playoffs.

I'll root for them, cheer them on, but until this team get serious in drafting & developing its own starting QB (if not Geno I'd take Bray in the 3rd) I have better things to do with my time and money.

[FRCDFED]

Originally Posted by Cannibal

People on here hate Alex Smith, but I'm pulling for him. I hope that with Reid, and the accompanying stability he brings, that Alex's career really takes off.

Same here. I am hoping that we not only give him stability at the OC position but that we also give him an offensive philosophy that he can thrive in. He has always had potential and seemed to show it when he was finally surrounded by a coach that actually knew what coaching meant. We need to develop our own QBOTF while helping Smith and the rest of the guys succeed.

By the time Smith's tenure is over as the starting QB in KC most of our stars (ie Jamal Charles, DJ, etc.) will be in the latter portion of their careers. I for one hope he can take these core guys to the SB.

[RealSNR]

If Pioli had brought in Alex Smith, I probably would have supported him far more enthusiastically than I did Matt Cassel. And I didn't even initially hate Matt Cassel. I bought his ****ing jersey.

But it's just been too much. Too many never-wills. It's one thing to bring in a has-been like Manning. But we haven't even done that.

Drafting a QB represents a maybe-will. And that bring hope. Something we haven't had. Ever.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Ugh. Such a pathetic way to operate.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Cannibal

People on here hate Alex Smith, but I'm pulling for him. I hope that with Reid, and the accompanying stability he brings, that Alex's career really takes off.

All these guys have to do is win. Winning cures everything.

[Goldmember]

The Niners knew Reid had such a big boner for Smith they had all the leverage in the trade. I get the high 2013 second rounder but a possible 2nd rounder next year for a back up was too much.

[tman]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

*cue* the Brokeback Mountain theme.....

youtu.be/HyF93_kwGeI

[Frosty]

Andy Reid: played at BYU

Alex Smith: played at Utah

[B14ckmon]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Andy Reid: played at BYU

Alex Smith: played at Utah

Andy Reid and Alex Smith are both Mormon.