Chiefs How Alex Smith and the offense are holding back the Chiefs - Page 4

oaklandhater · 11-20-2016, 07:33 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...116100378.html

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith explain the critical interception in the fourth quarter that turned the outcome of the game on Sunday. The Chiefs lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-17. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star
BY SAM MELLINGER
[email protected]

After it was over, after a team that claims Super Bowl expectations lost at home to the NFL’s version of lukewarm tap water, the quarterback and head coach disagreed on who should be blamed for the day’s biggest failure.

What could’ve been another ugly Chiefs win turned into an ugly-as-vomit 19-17 loss to the mediocre Buccaneers at home on Sunday the moment quarterback Alex Smith executed a bad throw poorly, leading to an interception in the end zone when even a field goal would’ve probably been enough to win.

Exhale.

“I’ll take responsibility,” coach Andy Reid said: “Lousy call.”

A few minutes later, Smith addressed reporters.

“You can’t have it,” he said. “You can’t throw it. You have to protect the play.”

Three truths need to be said about this.

CHIEFS’ CLUNKER-LOSS TO BUCS DEALS NEAR-TERM BLOW TO SUPER BOWL CHATTER

First, Reid is right. Lousy call. Lousy call, because it was a predetermined read that relied upon Bucs safety Chris Conte falling for a play-action fake, and Conte did not fall for the play-action fake. The Bucs had consistent problems covering Travis Kelce, whose combination of agility and strength becomes more effective near the goal line, but the call Reid made meant Smith never looked that direction.

Second, Smith is right. Can’t have it. Can’t throw it, for a hundred reasons, starting with the larger truth that his value lies largely in his ability to avoid crucial mistakes. But beyond that, it was a virtually blind throw, his decision made regardless of what he saw when he looked up from the fake.

The throw was tipped at the line of scrimmage, but it’s not clear if that caused the interception. Either way, it only adds to the failure — in a situation where a field goal would’ve given the Chiefs the lead, Smith attempted a throw that wasn’t there through a passing lane that wasn’t open.

The third truth: The franchise quarterback and the coach paid more money than anyone else without a Super Bowl win each failed on Sunday, have failed for a few weeks now, and need to be better if the most promising Chiefs season in years is to end up in anything other than disappointment.

Because the Chiefs have a Super Bowl defense. They have won seven games with a wicked combination of point prevention and playmaking, using a talented, versatile and athletic group to nullify an opposing offense’s mismatches and create enough in the defense’s favor.

But at the moment, they have a lemon offense. This column could be a thousand words of nothing but specific reasons the offense is frustrating, but in the interest of respecting your time and limiting our collective masochism, let’s keep it to two.

They should be so much better than this in their fourth year together, and a disproportionate amount of the problems are in the most crucial spots.

BUCS SPOIL JUSTIN HOUSTON’S RETURN FOR CHIEFS

In the last three games, the Chiefs have had 10 red-zone possessions. One of those came after Marcus Peters’ remarkable strip that set up the winning field goal at Carolina. Of the nine in which the Chiefs were trying for a touchdown, they have six field goals, two touchdowns and a game-destroying interception.

Smith is responsible for at least three of those failures — two wide-open touchdown passes he missed at Carolina, and the interception against Tampa.

The rest are more of that murky and foul-smelling stew of football blame. Some on the quarterback, some on the play-calling, some on individual execution and some on good plays by the opponent’s defense.

One of the laments you hear around the Chiefs’ locker room is that their offense hasn’t found its identity yet, but if we’re being completely honest, the offense has developed a clear identity — they are in the league’s bottom half in points because Smith has regressed, they’ve been overmatched in the biggest moments and they haven’t gotten enough from their playmaking stars.

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Travis Kelce: 'There's no excuses' after loss to Buccaneers
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce spoke in the team's locker room after his team's 19-17 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016.
Blair Kerkhoff The Kansas City Star

Reid, Smith and everyone else involved with the offense spent a lot of time last week acknowledging their shortcomings on third down. They entered the week among the league’s worst five in converting third downs. They were awful at it, again.

The defense was bad enough, giving up 11 conversions on 16 third downs, but the offense didn’t help. They converted four of eight third downs, but that’s misleading. Two of the conversions came after Smith and Reid’s self-induced knee-capping, meaning the Chiefs were two-for-six when they still had a realistic chance.

Particularly in football, and particularly after disappointments like this, the temptation for hyperbole is omnipresent. But this isn’t a bad offense. At least, it shouldn’t be. They were ninth in points scored last season, and the emergence of Tyreek Hill should be providing the deep threat they’ve always missed.

But the Chiefs are torpedoing their own best chances, often on third down.

Consider:

They averaged 6.6 yards per play against the Bucs but let drives die on third and 9, third and 2, third and 1 and third and 7.

Blaming the quarterback is always among the easiest things to do in football, and it’s probably one of the most misguided. But it fits here, with this team, at least as a primary problem.

Smith’s underperformance — compared to what he’s been in the past, and what he should be now — is the single biggest obstacle keeping the Chiefs from being what they could and should be.

Maybe it’s worth mentioning that I’ve been higher on Smith than most over his first three seasons. But so far, what should be his best season with the Chiefs is instead pacing to be his worst, by touchdowns, yards per pass, passer rating, QBR and rushing yards. All of this while being surrounded by the most talent, and protected by the best offensive line, that he’s had in Kansas City.

One theory: Smith and the coaches have not effectively adjusted to defenses taking away the quarterback scramble, which is emphasizing the truth that Smith operates with a smaller margin for error than most.

Smith did have an 11-yard scramble for a touchdown against the Bucs, but that’s the exception. If he keeps his current pace, he will finish the season with 74 yards on 37 attempts (2.0 yards per rush). A year ago, he ran for 498 yards on 84 attempts (5.9 per rush).

Without the threat of him running, windows that were already small tend to shrink, particularly on third down. A year ago, Smith ran for 30 first downs. Only Cam Newton and Russell Wilson had more. This year, he has run for three.

The worry here is only amplified by the vague head injury Smith suffered in Indianapolis. He is wearing a different helmet now, and has pledged to no longer slide feet-first to better protect himself.

Smith talked about seeing pressure up the middle when describing one of the missed throws at Carolina, and even his inner self-defense calculus has only changed slightly, it could make a significant difference. Football coaches and players are constantly talking about the thin margins that decide their sport’s winners and losers.

Maybe it’s that. Maybe it’s something else. Maybe it’s that, combined with something else. But the Chiefs are down three points per game from last year, scoring 20 or fewer in five games already after being held that low just four times all of last regular season.

The good news is that this doesn’t have to be a fatal flaw. The Chiefs can still win the AFC West, and can still work their way into a first-round bye and home playoff game. The defense has been more than good enough and only figures to improve as Justin Houston comes along.

But the offense is holding them back. It needs to be fixed, and soon. They play at Denver on Sunday night. Heck of a time to see the toughest defense on their schedule.

Sam Mellinger: 816-234-4365, @mellinger

**notorious** · 11-20-2016, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

How many first downs did the offense convert to keep the defense off the field?

How many plays did Tampa run? 74? And we only gave up 19 points?

You're telling me Andy "Offensive Genius" Reid and Alex "Gunslinger" Smith can't score 20 points at home, against Tampa Bay?? ****ing inexcusable. I don't care how many 1st downs Tampa had, a ****ton more than KC because Smith won't convert 3rd downs, like he's ****ing allergic.

Shut the **** up.

It's hopeless, but I hope people keep responding to him because he has fired off some Grade-A winners today.

rabblerouser · 11-20-2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinyEvel

Today is what happens when our magic defense doesn't do their magic like in all the past 5 games. Offense got exposed. Coming into this game we were 3 for 26 on third down conversion in our last two games. I don't know anything about football and I can see that.
Reid calling that pitch to Kelce on the goal line was just outright stupid.

Angry Tiny is angry.

You know a lot more about football than the people who think they know a lot about football do...offense stinks. Can't convert on third down. Can't consistently string plays together to make meaningful drives...can't score points - touchdowns, specifically.

It's no secret.

TigeRRUppeRRcut · 11-20-2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

How many first downs did the offense convert to keep the defense off the field?

How many plays did Tampa run? 74? And we only gave up 19 points?

You're telling me Andy "Offensive Genius" Reid and Alex "Gunslinger" Smith can't score 20 points at home, against Tampa Bay?? ****ing inexcusable. I don't care how many 1st downs Tampa had, a ****ton more than KC because Smith won't convert 3rd downs, like he's ****ing allergic.

Shut the **** up.

Chiefs put up 2 TD's and 1 FG on the 6 drives that Smith got to throw the ball. Our second series of the game was a quick 3 runs and out. Scoring on half of your drives when the QB gets to throw the problem isn't exactly a problem...

**Bugeater** · 11-20-2016, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

It's hopeless, but I hope people keep responding to him because he has fired off some Grade-A winners today.

Honest to god I try to ignore him but yeah, when he says something so absurdly stupid even by his standards, I have to say something.

stumppy · 11-20-2016, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeaverEater

What. The. Hell?

If you're going to make reeruned comments like this you have no business calling out others for being intellectually challenged. This is the dumbest thing I have read on this board for quite some time and that is saying something.

QFT

It's not like the offense had about the same number of possessions as the Bucs did.....oh wait.

rabblerouser · 11-20-2016, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

I don't see how the offense got exposed. What has everyone been watching? They have been this bad almost every game.

They didn't notice that it was this bad because defense and special teams have pretty much bailed the offense out every week.

This shit coaching staff is squandering a championship defense.

Because Chiefs. Again.

rabblerouser · 11-20-2016, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumppy

QFT

It's not like the offense had about the same number of possessions as the Bucs did.....oh wait.

*sigh*

You can tell who the Hillary voters are.

stumppy · 11-20-2016, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notorious

It's hopeless, but I hope people keep responding to him because he has fired off some Grade-A winners today.

Righty-o you are.

rabblerouser · 11-20-2016, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

We allowed Bucs 68% conversion of their third downs.

Common sense, use some kid.

Q : What stopped KC from converting a similar number?

A : SmithReid suckage = allergic to 3rd down conversions

Dipshit.

**Dartgod** · 11-20-2016, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

****, they had to score a TD last week, THEN take the ball away to set up the game winning FG.

Anyone blaming the defense is an idiot. I understand that they didn't score this week, but little known secret to AlexAndy Apologists : it's actually the OFFENSE'S job to score points! True story! Weird as it may seem...

Anyone giving the defense a pass is a bigger idiot.

The offense and defense were equally bad today.

stumppy · 11-20-2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Anyone giving the defense a pass is a bigger idiot.

The offense and defense were equally bad today.

Ding ding ding, we have a winner.

It's not either / or it's both for sure.

Chief Roundup · 11-20-2016, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

Common sense, use some kid.

Oh the irony

TigeRRUppeRRcut · 11-20-2016, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabblerouser

Q : What stopped KC from converting a similar number?

A : SmithReid suckage = allergic to 3rd down conversions

Dipshit.

WE converted 50%, above the league average.

Your move. Wait, that's checkmate.

stumppy · 11-20-2016, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TigerUppercut

WE converted 50%, above the league average.

Your move. Wait, that's checkmate.

They damn sure haven't done that in the last 3 or 4 games.

Sandy Vagina · 11-20-2016, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Anyone giving the defense a pass is a bigger idiot.

The offense and defense were equally bad today.

THIS

the injuries greatly contributed, but the team just sucked as.. a TEAM.

NO ONE gets a free pass. Just a shit day and a rare KC loss. Suck it up, and move forward. If they win on Thursday, all smiles again.

11-20-2016, 07:33 PM
oaklandhater future chiefs fans Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: oakland california Casino cash: $5808993	How Alex Smith and the offense are holding back the Chiefs http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...116100378.html Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith explain the critical interception in the fourth quarter that turned the outcome of the game on Sunday. The Chiefs lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-17. David Eulitt The Kansas City Star BY SAM MELLINGER [email protected] After it was over, after a team that claims Super Bowl expectations lost at home to the NFL’s version of lukewarm tap water, the quarterback and head coach disagreed on who should be blamed for the day’s biggest failure. What could’ve been another ugly Chiefs win turned into an ugly-as-vomit 19-17 loss to the mediocre Buccaneers at home on Sunday the moment quarterback Alex Smith executed a bad throw poorly, leading to an interception in the end zone when even a field goal would’ve probably been enough to win. Exhale. “I’ll take responsibility,” coach Andy Reid said: “Lousy call.” A few minutes later, Smith addressed reporters. “You can’t have it,” he said. “You can’t throw it. You have to protect the play.” Three truths need to be said about this. CHIEFS’ CLUNKER-LOSS TO BUCS DEALS NEAR-TERM BLOW TO SUPER BOWL CHATTER First, Reid is right. Lousy call. Lousy call, because it was a predetermined read that relied upon Bucs safety Chris Conte falling for a play-action fake, and Conte did not fall for the play-action fake. The Bucs had consistent problems covering Travis Kelce, whose combination of agility and strength becomes more effective near the goal line, but the call Reid made meant Smith never looked that direction. Second, Smith is right. Can’t have it. Can’t throw it, for a hundred reasons, starting with the larger truth that his value lies largely in his ability to avoid crucial mistakes. But beyond that, it was a virtually blind throw, his decision made regardless of what he saw when he looked up from the fake. The throw was tipped at the line of scrimmage, but it’s not clear if that caused the interception. Either way, it only adds to the failure — in a situation where a field goal would’ve given the Chiefs the lead, Smith attempted a throw that wasn’t there through a passing lane that wasn’t open. The third truth: The franchise quarterback and the coach paid more money than anyone else without a Super Bowl win each failed on Sunday, have failed for a few weeks now, and need to be better if the most promising Chiefs season in years is to end up in anything other than disappointment. Because the Chiefs have a Super Bowl defense. They have won seven games with a wicked combination of point prevention and playmaking, using a talented, versatile and athletic group to nullify an opposing offense’s mismatches and create enough in the defense’s favor. But at the moment, they have a lemon offense. This column could be a thousand words of nothing but specific reasons the offense is frustrating, but in the interest of respecting your time and limiting our collective masochism, let’s keep it to two. They should be so much better than this in their fourth year together, and a disproportionate amount of the problems are in the most crucial spots. BUCS SPOIL JUSTIN HOUSTON’S RETURN FOR CHIEFS In the last three games, the Chiefs have had 10 red-zone possessions. One of those came after Marcus Peters’ remarkable strip that set up the winning field goal at Carolina. Of the nine in which the Chiefs were trying for a touchdown, they have six field goals, two touchdowns and a game-destroying interception. Smith is responsible for at least three of those failures — two wide-open touchdown passes he missed at Carolina, and the interception against Tampa. The rest are more of that murky and foul-smelling stew of football blame. Some on the quarterback, some on the play-calling, some on individual execution and some on good plays by the opponent’s defense. One of the laments you hear around the Chiefs’ locker room is that their offense hasn’t found its identity yet, but if we’re being completely honest, the offense has developed a clear identity — they are in the league’s bottom half in points because Smith has regressed, they’ve been overmatched in the biggest moments and they haven’t gotten enough from their playmaking stars. FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL SHARE Travis Kelce: 'There's no excuses' after loss to Buccaneers Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce spoke in the team's locker room after his team's 19-17 loss to Tampa Bay on Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016. Blair Kerkhoff The Kansas City Star Reid, Smith and everyone else involved with the offense spent a lot of time last week acknowledging their shortcomings on third down. They entered the week among the league’s worst five in converting third downs. They were awful at it, again. The defense was bad enough, giving up 11 conversions on 16 third downs, but the offense didn’t help. They converted four of eight third downs, but that’s misleading. Two of the conversions came after Smith and Reid’s self-induced knee-capping, meaning the Chiefs were two-for-six when they still had a realistic chance. Particularly in football, and particularly after disappointments like this, the temptation for hyperbole is omnipresent. But this isn’t a bad offense. At least, it shouldn’t be. They were ninth in points scored last season, and the emergence of Tyreek Hill should be providing the deep threat they’ve always missed. But the Chiefs are torpedoing their own best chances, often on third down. Consider: They averaged 6.6 yards per play against the Bucs but let drives die on third and 9, third and 2, third and 1 and third and 7. Blaming the quarterback is always among the easiest things to do in football, and it’s probably one of the most misguided. But it fits here, with this team, at least as a primary problem. Smith’s underperformance — compared to what he’s been in the past, and what he should be now — is the single biggest obstacle keeping the Chiefs from being what they could and should be. Maybe it’s worth mentioning that I’ve been higher on Smith than most over his first three seasons. But so far, what should be his best season with the Chiefs is instead pacing to be his worst, by touchdowns, yards per pass, passer rating, QBR and rushing yards. All of this while being surrounded by the most talent, and protected by the best offensive line, that he’s had in Kansas City. One theory: Smith and the coaches have not effectively adjusted to defenses taking away the quarterback scramble, which is emphasizing the truth that Smith operates with a smaller margin for error than most. Smith did have an 11-yard scramble for a touchdown against the Bucs, but that’s the exception. If he keeps his current pace, he will finish the season with 74 yards on 37 attempts (2.0 yards per rush). A year ago, he ran for 498 yards on 84 attempts (5.9 per rush). Without the threat of him running, windows that were already small tend to shrink, particularly on third down. A year ago, Smith ran for 30 first downs. Only Cam Newton and Russell Wilson had more. This year, he has run for three. The worry here is only amplified by the vague head injury Smith suffered in Indianapolis. He is wearing a different helmet now, and has pledged to no longer slide feet-first to better protect himself. Smith talked about seeing pressure up the middle when describing one of the missed throws at Carolina, and even his inner self-defense calculus has only changed slightly, it could make a significant difference. Football coaches and players are constantly talking about the thin margins that decide their sport’s winners and losers. Maybe it’s that. Maybe it’s something else. Maybe it’s that, combined with something else. But the Chiefs are down three points per game from last year, scoring 20 or fewer in five games already after being held that low just four times all of last regular season. The good news is that this doesn’t have to be a fatal flaw. The Chiefs can still win the AFC West, and can still work their way into a first-round bye and home playoff game. The defense has been more than good enough and only figures to improve as Justin Houston comes along. But the offense is holding them back. It needs to be fixed, and soon. They play at Denver on Sunday night. Heck of a time to see the toughest defense on their schedule. Sam Mellinger: 816-234-4365, @mellinger
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