Like I said, I'd have liked the trigger to have been pulled. But Smith I guess didn't think that THAT was the point at which to take chances. And seeing as how even his most bitter detractors think that he is nothing more than a good game manager, I'm willing to give Smith the benefit of the doubt on that decision.

That's what I'm arguing. That's exactly THE point to take a chance on that throe. At worst you throw a deep pick that ends up being basically a punt. Atleast it gives you a chance to put the game away

If this is the play we are still talking about, I still think Smith made the right decision. The next... and maybe better choice would have been Bowe(?)... coming back towards the ball at the 38.

We are winning the game at this point by keeping the ball nearly the entire game. That is the way we are winning games all of our games. It's the way we should keep winning games.

The three options at the top of the picture are the worst three options from what I see (including the circled Kelcey... who is nearly triple covered).

Look at all the things that have happened this year. OL struggling in pass pro, receiver not making catches they should, his worst game being when he forced it downfield.

I can understand why he doesn't want to try those throws with the surrounding cast at this time.

Why in the hell is AJJ highlighted in this picture? Does the OP not realize that there is a dude literally inserted into his anus right there? How in the hell is that "NFL open", if you knew a god damn thing about AJJ it's that he doesn't fight well for the ball and tends to give up on routes. If I am AS11 in this situation I run the ball and punt on 4th. Good decision

It's 3rd down on that play. You're either getting a first down, or your punting the ball away. I get trusting your defense, but you have a chance to end the game with a score.

Bowe is open, but by the time he comes back left, it would have been too late anyway.

What's the worst thing that could have happened had he thrown it deep there?

He didn't run the ball, he threw it away stopping the clock.

Jenkins is single covered with high leverage on the wr. In the nfl, single coverage with inside leverage is open

One of the biggest problems I have with people who defend Alex for not throwing deep is their perception of said throw.

People think Alex doesn't throw deep because he doesn't want to make a "risky throw." Most of the throws that Alex passes up are only deemed dangerous or risky by the Alex apologists. These throws being passed up are considered wide open to normal NFL QB standards.

We are not asking him to thread a needle 30 yards down field between 2 defenders. Of course I would rather him take a wide open short gain than to do that. But most of the time, we are talking about a WR who has multiple steps on the last defender. Those are NOT risky throws....especially if Alex is as accurate as the Alex fans claim he is.

Agreed... the worst thing that could have happened there would be a change of possession either by incompletion or interception. Which is why I think he decided not to throw it - he decided on looking for a higher percentage pass to extend the drive. Just didn't work out.

How about Bowe and Hemmingway making plays on perfectly thrown passes? Those were routine catches for anyone in the league, JFC. Make those plays and they're also in position to score a TD. Hell Jenkins was in position to score a TD but failed miserably by not knowing where he was on the field. Good WRs play to make plays and sucky ones just suck.

Ok so if the WRs drop wide open short passes by powder puff league standards, why in the world would you chuck deep passes to those same guys?

He knew the receiver was open down field and he passed it up. It's tied game and the Chiefs ended attempting what was it about 50 yard field? Make that play and at worst it's a shorter field goal attempt and at best it puts the Chiefs in a position to score a touchdown.

Please consider brutally dying. Very soon.

Thanks.

Franchise quarterbacks play to make plays. Journeyman quarterbacks like Smith play only to not make mistakes. Kyle Orton is the same way.