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Chiefs counting on continuity to improve offensive output
Tuesday’s practice, which marked the first of 10 voluntary practices the Chiefs will hold over the next month, was the first time the Chiefs have gone 11-on-11 since their 27-20 loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC divisional round. But for quarterback Alex Smith, the best indicator of hope for an improved offense in 2016 did not hit him this week. Instead, he realized it way back on April 18, which marked the start of the team’s offseason workout program. “It kind of hit me day one of Phase I when we came out here and QBs and receivers and tight ends and running backs were throwing, and there were only a couple of new faces,” said Smith, a 12-year veteran. “Definitely a rarity.”
The NFL, by nature, is rife with turnover. That is especially true at the bottom of the roster, where players are viewed as inexpensive and replaceable. Yet the Chiefs remain largely intact from last year, especially at the skill positions, as their top eight rushers and top seven receivers return. “It was nice from day one,” Smith said. “We weren’t really having to reteach anything, guys knew it.”
Granted, there are some new faces who might be expected to contribute, especially at receiver. Veteran free agents like Rod Streater and Mike Williams could make an impact, in addition to rookies like Demarcus Robinson (a fourth-rounder) and Tyreek Hill (a fifth-rounder). Meanwhile, coveted free-agent right tackle Mitchell Schwartz is being counted on to help solidify an offensive line that surrendered 46 sacks, tied for sixth-most in the league.
Add it all together, and players say there’s a belief the Chiefs — who finished 27th in total offense and ninth in points scored a year ago — have the pieces in place to take the next step. “I think we have basically gotten to the point where we know what we are, we know what we’re capable of, and the things that we’re doing now, on the offensive side of the ball, is what we’re good at,” receiver Jeremy Maclin said.
That may sound simple, but Maclin said it’s not always a given. “Sometimes, people try to do things they want to do, but they’re not necessarily good at doing,” Maclin said. “But as long as you stick to your strengths and put guys in position to be successful, I think we’re going to be in pretty good shape. Like I always said, Alex is a guy who can do everything. You’ve got (tight end Travis) Kelce. You’ve got myself. A busload of running backs who can all run the football. So I’m excited about it, for sure.”
A big key to making it all work, of course, will be the 32-year-old Smith, who is coming off a career year in which he assumed more control of the offense, earned respect around the league and emerged as a timely playmaker, both with his arm and his legs. Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the staff will continue to challenge Smith as he pushes to find his ceiling as a leader and quarterback. “Yeah, he’s so smart, we’re lucky to have him,” Reid said. “He’s always wanting more and to be challenged more. We give it to him within realm, we give it to him. He just gobbles that kind of stuff up. He’s not getting any younger, I know that, but he’s loving every minute of it, which is kind of fun to be around.”
Smith’s positive, upbeat attitude on Tuesday reflected that. After the practice, he happily noted that there were fewer mistakes compared to last year, and he seemed genuinely optimistic about the status of the offense. “I know today we stuck on a little tape from last year’s first OTA just to kind of take a peek,” Smith said. “Very, very different the install that went in today, very different than last year’s install.
"It was a clean day, way cleaner today than last year’s.”