Charles needs to get going early in this game. A productive Charles equals a productive play action passing game.

And that's why getting new receivers or better linemen isn't going to help Alex improve.

He's not even taking full advantage of the ones we already have.

so, you agree with the below statement.

The coaching staff corrected Balls fumbling issues, apparently Studesville (our RB coach) noticed that Montee wasn't tucking the ball away immediately after receiving the handoff, that's why most of Ball's fumbles came shortly after receiving the handoff. Montee hasn't fumbled since that flaw was corrected.

oh yeah? well reid fixed alex smith's passing issues thsi week. they noticed he was being a big wuss and that's why he never throws the damn ball. alex will throw 50 touchdowns now that he's been corrected.

Re: Your bolded statements...

These speak to my concerns with Alex Smith from Day 1. And I don't share your belief that a cleaner pocket will allow him the impetus to make those throws and make those plays.... because he's NEVER had that.

Alex Smith has a long track record as an NFL QB of not being willing to throw into "NFL OPEN" windows. Of checking down too early/easily, when there are bigger plays to be made downfield. All-22 film breakdown backs that up.

I don't think fixing the Chiefs OL is going to do anything to reverse those tendencies. It's just who he is.

Andy Reid seems to think he can reverse them. I hope he can, but that's all it is... hope.

I agree on the Receivers part... they are running open, but the line could improve drastically. Like DJLN mentioned; Alex is playing scared... and if he had some extra time and more faith in the line, maybe just maybe he could get out of this scared-y-cat bullshit QB'ing enough to throw downfield.

and DUncan brings up another good point... that's just who Alex is.

Of those photos, the first one doesn't really bother me - if he starts passing on open 12-15 yard passes to Dwyane Bowe on the chance that Dexter McCluster is breaking open deeper, we're ****ed. Bowe was his first read there, IMO and Bowe was open - so he hit him.

The 2nd photo bothers me more than any of the other ones. There is no justification at all for him bailing out of that pocket. His linemen did a fantastic job and he had Bowe past the sticks for a first down (I don't love that throw to Avery; the corner in the short zone is reading the QB, he'd have likely been waiting to break on that throw using the boundry to leverage coverage; that was a tough pass).

On the third photo that isn't as easy a pass as is being portrayed there, but it's one you'd like to see him try. The FS is waiting to close on that throw. Though ultimately I have to wonder what his progressions were - afterall, it looks like Bowe is just starting his route upfield before the throw went to Charles. Smith abandoned the route altogether. Was that based on a pre-snap read? I almost wonder if Philly didn't fake a blitz there and fool Smith into dumping to his hot read.

The 4th one also irritates me and I remember that one in real-time. It was the same damn throw to McCluster or Bowe, he just had to put another 8 yards of oomph on the throw to Bowe and he chickened out. It was yet another 1st down left on the field through skittish QB play. He's feeling phantom pressure up the middle on that play and rather than stand in and deliver the first down pass to Bowe, he's already looking to bail out of the pocket.

The 2nd picture is the most annoying one to me but the 4th picture most clearly demonstrates my concern - in SF he stands in and completes that pass for the first down. That's the kind of intermediate throw he needs to make for us to be successful. As this season has progressed, however, he's gotten worse and worse about feeling pressure that isn't there and bailing. He's been a drive killer on several occasions because of it.

What I'm saying is true though LMAO

It's why Montee still gets playing time and Ronnie Hillman doesn't dress anymore.

We have played 9 games and he gives 4 examples, 2 from the Eagles game and 1 each from other games. This is in 315 pass attempts (not including plays he didnt pass he scrambled so its actually more passing plays).

Should we see all the examples of WR not being able to get any separation? I see that a lot when watching the games.

I am curious as to what will happen if we get behind and have to move the ball fast. I don't know if that changes his mindset or not. His highest situational QBR is when we have been behind.

Further more I watch other games and you see most QB's miss opportunities every game. Yea Manning, Brees, and the upper tier guys don't do it much but nobody ever claimed Smith is that level.

He needs to improve but its not like he needs to make a huge leap, he just needs to make a few more plays a game.

If ESPN says we suck, may as well just forfeit.

oh well

We have just about the worst passing game in the league.

Being 33rd in yards per completion (only MIKE GLENNON is worse) is abysmal. That INCLUDES YAC, son.

What the hell are you on?

Yeah, the idea that this disproves the notion that WRs aren't getting any separation is silly. The WRs are often struggling to get much separation out there.

However, this also raises serious concerns as to whether or not it would make a damn bit of difference. Smith's leaving a ton of plays on the field right now. His generally conservative nature leads to many of those to begin with but now he's playing skittish football as well and it's becoming a serious problem.

I like the guy. I like the acquisition. But there are a lot of things to be concerned about with him right now and he needs to fix them if we hope to make some noise in the playoffs.

This same debate happened over Matt Cassel not too long ago.

Some people are fine with a "nice guy" as the Chiefs QB, and some people want "more".

Jinx comment... :cuss:

Ball has had all of 21 carries since week 5, including 0 vs the Colts - a game where points and turnovers really mattered. I would hope that he isn't dropping the ball when he's carried it 1, 3, 0, 12 and 5 times over the last 5 games.