Patrick Mahomes Question Looms Large as Alex Smith Continues to Struggle

[RunKC]

Patrick Mahomes Question Looms Large as Alex Smith's Struggles Continue

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Patrick Mahomes Question Looms Large as Alex Smith's Struggles Continue

BRENT SOBLESKI
NOVEMBER 19, 2017
Alex Smith has gone full Alex Smith over the last five weeks, and the Kansas City Chiefs need some type of spark to revert back to the squad that opened the year 5-0 with impressive victories over the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

Head coach Andy Reid must consider the possibility of making a change at quarterback after Sunday's 12-9 overtime loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

A move of this magnitude isn't taken lightly, nor is it a knee-jerk reaction to the losses. Even the best teams struggle. Any given Sunday, right? But it's how the Chiefs continue to lose and Smith's role in their recent downturn that makes a switch at the game's most important position a legitimate possibility.

Patrick Mahomes is Smith's polar opposite, and the rookie's playmaking ability could send a charge throughout the entire organization.

For years, Smith earned the designation of the quintessential game manager. He was good enough to win games as part of a talented core, but he wasn't the type of quarterback who took over games. He made the expected plays and didn't turn the ball over, yet he lacked big-time throws.

His game began to evolve under Reid's supervision. The veteran signal-caller took on more responsibilities to create as both a passer and runner, especially after a knee injury cut Jamaal Charles' career in Kansas City short.

Smith started to look more like the quarterback once deemed an elite talent and drafted No. 1 overall coming out of Utah. His skill set evolved further this year with a vertical component added to the mix. Smith made deeps throws during his career, but his game was primarily built around precision passing and getting the ball out quickly. This is where he excelled.

The Chiefs found weapons in wide receiver Tyreek Hill, tight end Travis Kelce and rookie running back Kareem Hunt to help Smith become the ultimate distributor. The 33-year-old quarterback was an MVP candidate a month ago after catering to each of his dynamic weapons.

The Kansas City quarterback completed 76.6 percent of his passes for 1,391 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions during the team's 5-0 start.

Life came at Smith fast, though.

During the next five games, Smith's stats dovetailed to a 62.9 completion percentage, 1,283 passing yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.

On the surface, those numbers aren't horrible. But he hasn't been nearly as efficient or dynamic. Smith has looked uncomfortable behind a reshuffled offensive line. He hasn't been nearly as accurate and made some terrible throws. The explosive plays just haven't been as prevalent, either.

Yes, Smith is willing to lay it on the line to win. On Sunday, he showed how much far he'll go during the final drive that led to the Chiefs' game-tying field goal and forced overtime, per NFL.com:

Aside from an ill-advised interception that would have killed Kansas City's final regulation drive if not for being called back due to pass interference, Smith completed five of six passes—including a 32-yard strike to Kelce.

Smith gave his team a chance to win, but it wasn't enough. The fact Kansas City had to battle for every yard is an indictment of the offense's current direction.

The Giants pass defense ranked 30th overall entering in the contest. The disappointing group surrendered 267.8 passing yards on average. Smith managed 230 yards and threw a pair of interceptions, which tripled his season total, per NFL Research:

Two factors make Smith's lackluster performance even more damning.

First, the Chiefs came off their bye week and provided a level of play bordering on lethargic. Second, Smith couldn't even replicate the success lesser quarterbacks experienced against the Giants in recent weeks, as Arrowhead Pride's Ryan Hall noted:

Not producing to the level of Jared Goff, Russell Wilson or even Philip Rivers isn't a crime. Not being able to play as well as Trevor Siemian or C.J. Beathard is a travesty.

Smith's regressed to his mean. Recent history shows it's not enough. In some ways, the organization has alluded to the fact it's preparing for life without Smith. The Chiefs made a bold decision in April by trading up 17 slots in the first round to acquire Mahomes.

The Texas Tech product is a pure gunslinger. Mahomes is everything Smith isn't. The 6'2" 225-pound quarterback displayed rare arm talent during his collegiate career. Scouts still viewed Mahomes as a project despite throwing for 5,052 yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior. His game isn't based on precision or efficiency. He's a big-play machine and can make throws other quarterbacks can't. WBIW-TV's Chris Lilly provided a preseason example:

The Chiefs may follow through on drafting Mahomes by moving past Smith this offseason. The franchise can save $17 million against the salary cap with his release, per Spotrac.

Why wait to make a move?

Kansas City isn't winning with Smith, and he's not playing well. Yes, Mahomes is going to make mistakes, but his penchant for big plays is exactly what the Chiefs lack.

A counter-argument is easily made: The Chiefs are 6-4, still lead the AFC West by two games and Mahomes isn't ready.

So what?

Reid and his offensive staff are counted among the league's most creative play-callers, and the group can build around the rookie's multifaceted skill set. Plus, the move wouldn't be made based just on this season. Mahomes is the face of the franchise; he just hasn't taken the field yet.

"I mean, you don't get any days off," Mahomes said on Nov. 9, per the Kansas City Star's Terez A. Paylor. "You do, but at quarterback, you don't. So you're watching film every single day, trying to make sure you're prepared and ready. That's something you hear about, you talk about, but until you're here, you don’t actually know what it’s like."

There's no reason to keep an ace off the mound in favor of a long-term reliever. Since the Chiefs do have some wiggle room in the AFC West, the option to bring the veteran off the bench exists if the first-year signal-caller struggles.

Smith is who he is. The Chiefs knew what they had at the position and chose to make a big move and acquire Mahomes. Being bold to acquire a special talent doesn't stop once the draft is complete.

After four losses in five games, there's no reason for the Chiefs to remain conservative. It's time to unleash Mahomes.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndica...tinue.amp.html

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Ok, geni(0)us name me 5 pro bowl QB's from a spread offense (in less than 8 hours.)

Ok, now name me 2 that repeated that feat.

You can't do that in less than 8 hours because it never happened.

And your argument is that not only will this spread QB play well enough to win but it won't set him back by playing him in his rookie year, and KC (OF ALL TEAMS KC) will be the one team to achieve this?

Ben
Brees
Wilson
Newton
Rivers
Shitty

What do I win?

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by T-post Tom

“Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.”

Chiefs could easily lose this game. Wonder how far up or down they'd have to be (or how bad Smith would have to play) before Andy put Mahomes in the game. Not wishing for an injury though. Doing that would be sickening and disgusting ...

I know they can lose the Game because it’s November and Alex Smith is under center. The only hope for this season is a shot of St. Patty.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[okcchief]

When Alex played well I was good with him keeping his job. As the season gets along and it gets colder he declines.

September: 92.0
October: 111.1
November: 63.5
Dec.-Jan.: 68.8

We aren’t playing in tropical climates. He did his job, we are 2 games up, put in the kid.


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[Rausch]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Ben
Brees
Wilson
Newton
Rivers
Shitty

What do I win?

And how many repeated being a pro-bowl QB?...

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by Rausch

And how many repeated being a pro-bowl QB?...

All of them

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

All of them

No.

Check again...

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Rausch

Ok, geni(0)us name me 5 pro bowl QB's from a spread offense (in less than 8 hours.)

Ok, now name me 2 that repeated that feat.

You can't do that in less than 8 hours because it never happened.

And your argument is that not only will this spread QB play well enough to win but it won't set him back by playing him in his rookie year, and KC (OF ALL TEAMS KC) will be the one team to achieve this?

That wasn't my argument at all. You seem to think I'm concerned about 2017. I was unconcerned about 2017 the moment it was announced that Smith would be the starter.
And I do not believe that bringing Mahomes in at this point is going to save 2017.
It will however get the ball rolling and give him some legit playing time to build on.

[Hammock Parties]

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by Rausch

And how many repeated being a pro-bowl QB?...

ben 5 times

brees 10 times

wilson 3 times

newton 3times

rivers 6 times

smith 2 times

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

ben 5 times

brees 10 times

wilson 3 times

newton 3times

rivers 6 times

smith 2 times

Rivers was arguable.

And Newton was more option than spread...

[Ming the Merciless]

Was just answering your question

[KCrockaholic]

Pro bowl isn't a good indicator of anything Rausch. You should know that.

[BigCatDaddy]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

All of them

Originally Posted by Rausch

No.

Check again...

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

ben 5 times

brees 10 times

wilson 3 times

newton 3times

rivers 6 times

smith 2 times

Originally Posted by Rausch

Rivers was arguable.

And Newton was more option than spread...

Again. Whst do I win?

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Pawnmower

Was just answering your question

Fair enough.

Your best answer is 5 in 20 years.

At best. If all 5 did make 2 pro-bowls.

And they didn't.

I WANT PM to be our QBOTF. I want him to have the best launch pad to success.

Our defense is shit this season. Our pass rush is banged up and half hearted.

Why would you want to throw our future into that?...

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Again. Whst do I win?

If I'm wrong, 6 QB's drafted in 20 years.

Let's say that's all true.

If true 6 QB's drafted in 20 years worked out.