Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 14

**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.”

keg in kc · 06-17-2013, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

I don't have a problem with it, I just don't see the point in it.

Also, in case you haven't noticed, if anyone posts anything remotely positive about Smith, the usual suspects go about there usual diatribe. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

Pro-Alex people are viewed as the dissenters.

You're what's called an "enabler". If you don't like the "wash, rinse, repeat" nature of the discussion, then stop being part of it. It's not that hard.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

You're what's called an "enabler". If you don't like the "wash, rinse, repeat" nature of the discussion, then stop being part of it. It's not that hard.

If you don't like what the Chiefs are doing as an organization, don't follow them. It's not that hard.

Hammock Parties · 06-17-2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

So, in other words, you haven't got the slightest ****ing idea what you are talking about. Smith threw for 3100 2 seasons ago. Looks similar to when Green came to KC.

Green > Smith

Statistically, and from a standpoint of his abilities as a passer.

You have no legs to stand on.

CALL ME when Alex Smith throws 23 TDs in a season.

Had Alex Smith done anything like what Green had done before KC, I'd be more inclined to give him some slack.

That eight-game stretch Green had with the Rams was more impressive than the ENTIRETY of Alex Smith's NFL dink and dunk career.

**Rausch** · 06-17-2013, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

If you don't like what the Chiefs are doing as an organization, don't follow them. It's not that hard.

Season tickets on sale now!

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

Season tickets on sale now!

Is there truck parking?

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branden Albert's Huge Balls

Green > Smith

Statistically, and from a standpoint of his abilities as a passer.

You have no legs to stand on.

CALL ME when Alex Smith throws 23 TDs in a season.

Had Alex Smith done anything like what Green had done before KC, I'd be more inclined to give him some slack.

That eight-game stretch Green had with the Rams was more impressive than the ENTIRETY of Alex Smith's NFL dink and dunk career.

Any good play by Smith this season will be met with your skepticism, I'm sure.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 04:59 PM

To be clear, I never said Smith was better than Green.

I used Green as an example because he had not done anything in his short career at the time to indicate he would throw for 4000 in 3 consecutive seasons.

mcaj22 · 06-17-2013, 05:05 PM

the Treen Green/Rich Gannon comparisons are literally what you hope and pray Alex Smith is for a ceiling. Some 30-37 year old window where he plays lights out and has a career resurgence.

I mean, it's really rare for that to happen to a QB. How many can you name? Gannon? Green? Who else had a good late career. Kurt Warner probably counts in there too.

You are basically saying Alex Smith might compare to 3 guys that are such a rare case at the QB position, and if he ends up being as good as them, probability states he should carry us to a Super Bowl, like Gannon and Warner did.

That's just way too much hypothetical with such a rare percentage of it panning out.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

the Treen Green/Rich Gannon comparisons are literally what you hope and pray Alex Smith is for a ceiling. Some 30-37 year old window where he plays lights out and has a career resurgence.

I mean, it's really rare for that to happen to a QB. How many can you name? Gannon? Green? Who else had a good late career. Kurt Warner probably counts in there too.

You are basically saying Alex Smith might compare to 3 guys that are such a rare case at the QB position, and if he ends up being as good as them, probability states he should carry us to a Super Bowl, like Gannon and Warner did.

That's just way too much hypothetical with such a rare percentage of it panning out.

I completely agree.

But, hope is all I have.

**Rausch** · 06-17-2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

To be clear, I never said Smith was better than Green.

I used Green as an example because he had not done anything in his short career at the time to indicate he would throw for 4000 in 3 consecutive seasons.

Keep in mind these were players with limited opportunities.

Smith has been playing for years...

Hammock Parties · 06-17-2013, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

I used Green as an example because he had not done anything in his short career at the time to indicate he would throw for 4000 in 3 consecutive seasons.

His half season in St. Louis was pretty solid evidence he was going to be a good QB.

Meanwhile Alex Smith has only shown dink and dunk propensities.

You are a homer so this is hard, but Green > Smith before KC, and it's not close.

O.city · 06-17-2013, 05:35 PM

People want us to run an offense like the Texans run, which is fine. But by saying that, do you think Andy Reid is going to run an offense like that?

Cause IIRC, he's never ran one that way.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branden Albert's Huge Balls

His half season in St. Louis was pretty solid evidence he was going to be a good QB.

Meanwhile Alex Smith has only shown dink and dunk propensities.

You are a homer so this is hard, but Green > Smith before KC, and it's not close.

Play off wins: Green 0, Smith 1

Hammock Parties · 06-17-2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Play off wins: Green 0, Smith 1

Doesn't matter, and you know it.

Stop being a dumb homer. We had enough of that from you last offseason.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branden Albert's Huge Balls

Doesn't matter, and you know it.

Stop being a dumb homer. We had enough of that from you last offseason.

10-6 bitches!

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare The Boom Boom Room Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $1032813	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: 42,015

06-17-2013, 04:59 PM	#202
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	To be clear, I never said Smith was better than Green. I used Green as an example because he had not done anything in his short career at the time to indicate he would throw for 4000 in 3 consecutive seasons.
Posts: 59,997

06-17-2013, 05:05 PM	#203
mcaj22 MVP Join Date: Feb 2010 Casino cash: $10014454	the Treen Green/Rich Gannon comparisons are literally what you hope and pray Alex Smith is for a ceiling. Some 30-37 year old window where he plays lights out and has a career resurgence. I mean, it's really rare for that to happen to a QB. How many can you name? Gannon? Green? Who else had a good late career. Kurt Warner probably counts in there too. You are basically saying Alex Smith might compare to 3 guys that are such a rare case at the QB position, and if he ends up being as good as them, probability states he should carry us to a Super Bowl, like Gannon and Warner did. That's just way too much hypothetical with such a rare percentage of it panning out.
Posts: 11,886

06-17-2013, 05:35 PM	#207
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2864064	People want us to run an offense like the Texans run, which is fine. But by saying that, do you think Andy Reid is going to run an offense like that? Cause IIRC, he's never ran one that way.
Posts: 81,158

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