Bingo!

Smith is a huge upgrade. What used to be a crippling, team killing position for the Chiefs, is now at least competent. I appreciate that, and expect the offense to get better as they work together longer.

The big story is our D. They're just killin' it right now.

Who the **** pays 10k a night for a Slavic skank?

Romanians aren't Slavs.

Maybe if she's a gymnast she gets 10k.

This team isn't masking their flaws.
They are, in fact, highlighting them, putting the ball in Alex Smith's hands and running straight up the gut.

They took control of the tempo and the game, both against Philly. And Dallas, when they ran Charles to the left with Sherman leading.

That is the strength of this offense.

With the o-line playing like complete shit and Bowe yet to do anything. Call me a homer but I think the o-line improves and this offense becomes fun to watch.

I think the relative success of the offense late in the last two games is more a result of the offensive line having worn down the opposing D a little rather than play-calling. At the end of the Philly game, Charles had running lanes, and Smith actually had some time. The rest of both games, the O-line was getting blown up.

The formations definitely changed we did more power I to end it.

I agree.

Not loving these shotgun looks. We don't seem to run well out of them, but I do understand we had limitations with both our TEs out of the last game. Jamaal Charles is a hit or miss kind of guy. He is obviously gifted, but I find myself disappointed with his hands and ability to power through tackles inside. We should really consider a much larger proportion of formations with Sherman in front of JC... whether I-form 3 wideouts or the 21 personnel.

With the oline doing their best impressions of turnstiles they have to have some space for the throws. If I recall they had Alex dropping back more against dallas than against Philly and were getting smith killed

Yeah, guess that is an issue also when considering the formations. So glad the team has extra days to heal up and get their shit together in practices throughout the week.

Add to that AS finds the accuracy, "touch", and little less happy-feet (that I think we all thought he possessed more of), and I'd agree. I know the O-line has sucked, that's crystal clear, but AS seems to not be making passes that many of his counterparts seem to make rather routinely..

Smith, largely, played like complete ****ing shit on Thursday night. However, positive perceptions are defined by two specific plays:

1. 3rd-down play to Avery when Smith was standing on his own goal line. Absolutely beautiful, perfect throw. Multiple, tight coverage. And the ball is placed perfectly at the most crucial point of the game.
2. Correct read and quick throw to Bowe on 3rd down later in this same drive. Routine throw but exceptional read.

The question is: Can Smith replicate this type of performance throughout an entire game? If so, he becomes a top-10 QB. Easy. If not, he remains what he's been thus far in red and gold (and as his career stats suggest). Mediocre. At best.

Either way, the ol is going to have to play better