Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive

[Tribal Warfare]

Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
One of the qualities the Chiefs like in new quarterback Alex Smith is his recent history with few turnovers. Smith threw just 10 interceptions in his last 25 games for the San Francisco 49ers, a stat that looks extremely pretty in Kansas City after Chiefs quarterbacks committed 27 turnovers last season.

Smith’s low turnover rate was due at least in part by his reluctance to throw the ball down the field. He was referred to by frustrated 49ers fans as Captain Checkdown for his habit of throwing shorter patterns to receivers for shorter gains.

Smith is in the process of being reprogrammed by Andy Reid, his new coach. Reid doesn’t want to turn Smith into a turnover machine but wants him to be more aggressive, particularly during offseason practice.

“You want to get a feel for the offense now, particularly when you’re new at it (and) if there are close throws, challenge it, see what you can get away with,” Reid said. “If it ends up being an interception, OK, it’s an interception. You learn from it. These are smart guys so they learn from it and once they get into the season, they’re not experimenting with it on game day and they know what they can get away with and know what they can’t.

“It’s a new offense. I would tell any quarterback that comes in new that that’s what you need to do. I’ve told them all that. Go ahead and take your shots and see what you can get away with, within reason. But if it’s a close throw, there are going to be a few of those in the National Football League on game day so you need to know what you can get away with on each route.”

Smith and the other Chiefs quarterbacks were rewarded with several long completions in Wednesday’s practice. Smith had three such plays, including two to Jon Baldwin, while Tyler Bray and Ricky Stanzi had one apiece.

Wednesday’s barrage of big passing plays isn’t necessarily an indication the deep ball is back in the Chiefs’ offense. But since such plays have been scarce for the Chiefs in each of the past two seasons, they’re taking it as an encouraging sign.

“We’re just kind of continuing to press to see what we can do … finding out what we’re capable of,” Smith said. “You’ve got to find that out at some point. This is what the practice field is for.”

Smith was the NFL’s highest-rated passer last season before he was injured, missed a start and then replaced by Colin Kaepernick as San Francisco’s starting quarterback. Smith was completing more than 70 percent of his passes, a high rate, and had just five interceptions.

Still, he had just 30 touchdown passes in his final 25 starts for the 49ers. While that’s a good number as a ratio with his 10 interceptions, it still represents a shortage of big plays.

Smith won’t turn into a mad bomber overnight, if he ever does.

“You want to stay aggressive,” Smith said. “But in the end I’m always trying to make the right read and throw where the defense is telling me to throw. You don’t come out here and predetermine anything, like ‘Oh, I’m going to chuck it deep on this play.’ I’m constantly trying to just trust my eyes and what I’m seeing out there, trust my reads and what I’ve prepared for and then come out here and throw good balls.”

For his part, Reid might be OK with that. But for now, when an interception costs the Chiefs nothing, he would prefer Smith be more of a gambler.

“Everybody is all on board (with Smith),” Reid said. “He’s a good football player. He’s showing that (along with) good leadership. I’m asking him to do a ton of things. He’s handling it. We’ve had an interception here or there but that’s all part of this thing. You’ve got to find out about the offense and you can’t do it with your hands in your pocket. You’ve got to go out and try things and experiment. That’s what he’s doing now.

“It’s just good stuff. He’s staying aggressive with the ball, and I appreciate that.”

The final offseason practice is today. The Chiefs won’t get together again as a group until training camp begins in July at Missouri Western State University.

Smith indicated he may try to throw to some Chiefs receivers during their downtime in an effort to stay sharp.

“We’re heads and shoulder above where we were a couple of months ago,” he said. “But that’s a never-ending thing. I don’t think it’s something like, ‘We’ve got a good feel for each other so we don’t need to work anymore.’ You’re constantly working at it. This is our job, this is our craft. Every single day, it’s coming out here and pushing to get better.”

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Clay is the biggest hypocrite in ChiefsPlanet's history.

I just stick to the facts.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

You really don't understand this concept of average QBs being drug to good seasons by elite teams, huh?

You'd think Chiefs fans would be all too familiar with the concept by now but I guess some people just don't ****ing get it.

You don't ****ing get it.

Cassel had McDaniels, Belichick, Welker and a young Moss. His numbers were inflated and fabricated.

Smith had Crabtree and Davis. That's it. You bitch about his lack of downfield passing but fail to recognize that not only was there no one available to stretch the field, but that he wasn't ASKED to stretch the field because there was no one to catch the passes.

Again, FALSE NARRATIVE.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I just stick to the facts.

Just like the "fact" that Geno Smith was worthy of 1.1, if not a first rounder, and is a Franchise QB?

[Hammock Parties]

So are we to believe Alex Smith is going to be a "playmaker" for this team?

Judging by Dane's post Alex Smith took that 49ers team to the cusp of the Super Bowl before they ****ed up his greatness.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Clay is the biggest hypocrite in ChiefsPlanet's history.

If Alex Smith has any success in KC, GoChiefs will move to the nearest apartment complex to his home in order to stalk him 24/7.

[beach tribe]

There were positives and negatives playing with a completely different roster.
I am refusing to do anything other than hope he becomes something/anything close to the player for us that Gannon was for the Raiders AND that Dorsey puts a premium on drafting his eventual replacement.
I will wait till at least week 8 to start sending banner funds though.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

So are we to believe Alex Smith is going to be a "playmaker" for this team?

Judging by Dane's post Alex Smith took that 49ers team to the cusp of the Super Bowl before they ****ed up his greatness.

So, Kyle Williams didn't fumble, which immediately led to a Giants field goal and overtime?

Facts.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

I am refusing to do anything other than hope

Meet your new friends!

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by beach tribe

There were positives and negatives playing with a completely different roster.
I am refusing to do anything other than hope he becomes something/anything close to the player for us that Gannon was for the Raiders AND that Dorsey puts a premium on drafting his eventual replacement.
I will wait till at least week 8 to start sending banner funds though.

I think it will take at least half a season for this new offense to gel, maybe a little longer. New staff, new QB, new receivers, new TE's, new line.

If it happens sooner, I'll be shocked and thrilled. But I don't expect it.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

So, Kyle Williams didn't fumble, which immediately led to a Giants field goal and overtime?

Facts.

And Alex Smith wasn't 1 for 12 on third down before that?

Facts.

[Hammock Parties]

Alex Smith completed less than half his passes in that playoff game.

But don't blame him!

It wouldn't fit in with your "narrative."

[BossChief]

Charles
Bowe
Baldwin
Fasano

Or

Gore
Crabtree
Moss
Davis

I don't think there is a huge difference between those two groups...but I do think our group is the overall better of the two.

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Charles
Bowe
Baldwin
Fasano

Or

Gore
Crabtree
Moss
Davis

I don't think there is a huge difference between those two groups...but I do think our group is the overall better of the two.

I think once you add Kelce and Reid's scheme it overwhelmingly favors the Chiefs....

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I just stick to the facts.

Me too.

Hypocrite.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

And Alex Smith wasn't 1 for 12 on third down before that?

Facts.

That game didn't exist in a vacuum, as much as you wish it had in order to perpetuate your false narrative.

At what point do you begin questioning the play calling if you're 1-12 on third down? But I guess Roman was in no way responsible, right?

The Giants defense held Tom Brady to 14 points and harassed him in the Super Bowl. That defense was stellar and ultimately the reason they won the Super Bowl that year.