On the road, first year with team, biggest game for the franchise in many years, missing several key players... has his best game of the season.

That's how you spell "rising to the occasion".

I'm talking about the final regular season game Smith played, against Indy, when he had a very poor game, especially compared to his performance in the 4-5 games leading up to that point and then in the playoff game.

In the playoffs? Yes. I said this about it in the other thread, earlier today, which is still on the first page of The Lounge:

"I do think Smith missed some opportunities in the second half of that playoff game, but I don't put all of the blame on him or anything. Three straight empty possession as Indy started its comeback is not what you want to see from your QB, but he played an excellent game overall.

Just wish he had hit that pass on the wheel route..."

Calm down, cupcake. I'm not talking about the game you assumed I was talking about.

I agree completely. Especially with the last paragraph.

True, he played poorly in that one, but the entire team looked asleep... that was probably the ugliest game of the regular season.

Beaten in every phase that day.

Really? Ive only seen a bunch of dudes do it in this forum. So, either its not a female trait but a petulant little spoiled boy trait, or theres a ton more women on this forum posing as dudes.

Yes. I was mentioning it not as a knock, just as a factual statement.

His play was very good from the first San Diego game on, aside from that game.

I thought that was the first game against the Chargers. He balled out from start to finish and tossed the go-ahead TD to Bowe with something like 1:15 left on the clock.

At his peak, he played better in the Indy game, but the final 26 minutes of that game were an abortion.

I had never thought of it this way. Posts like this are why I am such a fan of yours.

Cue me up some Joe Cocker.

Dinny

And Flowers, which is where it seemingly started unravelling. Up to that point the D was getting pressure, and picking off passes. Once Flowers went out it really exposed Lewis and that was the end. The other prob IMO is we didn't adjust well to their halftime defensive adjustments. It's hard to when you lose Charles, Avery, and Davis. I think if Flowers doesn't get hurt we win that game.

My two cents...

I honestly think, (completely based on what he said post-season last year - which I realize could be a complete load of crap) that he isn't really concerned about money. He's made a lot of money already in his career, and is crazy smart and will have no trouble making plenty more money after his football career is over. I think he's looking for commitment. He wants to find a home, play football, and rewrite how history will remember his career. So...

On one hand, he doesn't want the team to break the bank and chop itself off at the knees with a ridiculous contract.

On the other hand, he wants the team to invest in him so he isn't so easily replaced even when he is playing great football (he had the highest QBR the week before he went down I think).

If the Chiefs can convince him that he is there guy - long term - in some other way than with a huge contract (assuming quality of play remains high) then I think he'd be happy to do a team friendly deal. I'm not really sure how you do that though. Maybe that's why you keep hearing all the love-talk from Reid Dorsey and Hunt. But words don't mean shit. Harbaugh said "Smith earned the starting role" as well. He certainly didn't do anything to un-earn it.

Anyway, that's my armchair psychologist opinion into what Smith is going for. Or, maybe he really is just staying completely out of it and letting Condon do everything.

I apologize as I meant no disrespect with my poor choice of words. I should have said a childish trait. Sorry Carlota :(

"Hell hath no fury...." :)