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Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs
That appears to be fair enough.
I am sure you don't wish to read it or believe it... but I'll say it anyway. It really comes down to the competence of the OL sustaining blocks, picking up blitzes, and receivers downfield.
If early on, the receivers are getting open and catching the deeper ones, you will likely see more of them coming. Same for the OL holding their blocks, picking up blitzes, etc.
If they can't do well enough to earn the deep passes, then just like usual... Smith will go back to what does work. First pass of the game was a nice, deeper pass to Fasano... and he short/armed +/or kept his feet on the ground, when a very slight hop/jump would have been plenty sufficient to make the catch. He does that? and he will likely see no more attempts like that.
Now, there IS a small chance that I am wrong here... and that Smith just really hates throwing deep. But all through his career, he really hasn't had the OL pass pro or the quality deep receivers to make deep passing a real priority. His best target was VD on seams and wheel routes, and he connected very well on those.
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I was at the game so I could see the defensive coverage deep. In the first half the Jags were covering the deep pass, but in the second half they were pulling up the safeties and stacking the line leaving Avery with one on one down field every play. I assume the Chiefs did not take advantage of the down field coverage because they were trying to run the clock and keep Smith from getting hit. Makes sense with the lead and the way the defense was dominating.
It will be interesting to see what happens next week given both the Chiefs and Cowboys will dissect that game film. If the Cowboys stack the line from the beginning the Chiefs are going to have to take shots down field.