Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 19

**Tribal Warfare** · 06-05-2013, 06:26 PM

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.”

**ptlyon** · 06-18-2013, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Must be why so many good KC fans have left... the crybabies ran them all off with their ninny-boo-boo syndrome. But there are still some believers here... or at least some that will give the new regime a chance before throwing in the towel. I stick around to read their posts. Unfortunately, I have to sift through the crybabies to do so.. but I can stomach it. I understand and can take pity on the emotionally defeated and broken souls.

Oh so you're good & we're bad?

Got it.

Make sure you get your season ticket money in in time.

But wait, you're a niners fan.

So basically you're just a troll.

BigBeauford · 06-18-2013, 09:35 AM

Again, if you 9er's fans can honestly tell me there wasn't dissent from your fans for about a decade prior to hiring Harbough, then you get a pass. If not, seriously **** off. I know plenty of fans that bitched and moaned, and I have seen the Alex Smith jersey burning on youtube. We have every right to be pissed, and it for sure isn't your place to tell us how to feel.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-18-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branden Albert's Huge Balls

And one QB showed more ability, so comparisons are not accurate.

Smith. One more play off win than Green.

What is more important, 4000 yrd seasons or postseason wins?

BigBeauford · 06-18-2013, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Smith. One more play off win than Green.

What is more important, 4000 yrd seasons or postseason win?

FYP

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-18-2013, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Smith. One more play off win than Green.

What is more important, 4000 yrd seasons or postseason wins?

I'll take "both can get ****ed" for $500, Alex.

Sandy Vagina · 06-18-2013, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Oh so you're good & we're bad?

Got it.

No. I don't think you do. In terms of being (at the very least) a wait-n-see supporter of the team? Yes... I'm the good fan.. you are the bad fan. That's of course just my opinion thus far, and I don;t expect it to mean any more to you than yours would to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

But wait, you're a niners fan.

So basically you're just a troll.

Think that, if it makes you feel more comfortable labeling me. I am above all.. a football fan.. I love the Niners and have now taken a strong interest in following Chiefs football more closely. I really came to this forum in peace, and am generally willing to talk football with anyone capable of being open and respectful.

To those that only wish to spread their miserable outlook on everything... to those that can only throw out simple-minded insults and hate? Yeah, those people can suck a fat dick and get ANUSTART license plates for all I care. They only lessen this forum with childish anger.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-18-2013, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

I love the Niners and have now taken a strong interest in following Chiefs football more closely.

Signed,

Just Passing By, 2009.

-King- · 06-18-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Smith. One more play off win than Green.

What is more important, 4000 yrd seasons or postseason wins?

We should have traded for Sanchez then. He has 4 playoff wins.

**ptlyon** · 06-18-2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

No. I don't think you do. In terms of being (at the very least) a wait-n-see supporter of the team? Yes... I'm the good fan.. you are the bad fan. That's of course just my opinion thus far, and I don;t expect it to mean any more to you than yours would to me.

Think that, if it makes you feel more comfortable labeling me. I am above all.. a football fan.. I love the Niners and have now taken a strong interest in following Chiefs football more closely. I really came to this forum in peace, and am generally willing to talk football with anyone capable of being open and respectful.

To those that only wish to spread their miserable outlook on everything... to those that can only throw out simple-minded insults and hate? Yeah, those people can suck a fat dick and get ANUSTART license plates for all I care. They only lesson this forum with childish anger.

So you haven't endured 40 years of bullshit from this organization like we have. You have no basis on telling us how we should feel or call us "the bad fans" for how we feel.

Get over yourself.

Hammock Parties · 06-18-2013, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Smith. One more play off win than Green.

What is more important, 4000 yrd seasons or postseason wins?

Please, please shut up.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-18-2013, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Then go to those other places and circle jerk with them.

Do I hope Smith does well? Of course, I've been a chiefs fan all my life. We have just eaten this shit sandwich before and know what it tastes like.

Don't like the negativity? Leave.

So ****ing what? This is a Chiefs message board.

People can't discuss a certain player because you don't like him?

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-18-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branden Albert's Huge Balls

Please, please shut up.

Sandy Vagina · 06-18-2013, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptlyon

Get over yourself.

It's not about ME at all.. or you.. or any other individual poster. That is truly the aspect posters should "get over". This "I have an identity, damn it!" mentality on a forum is just silliness.

The thing to truly "get over" is the past.. stop your own anal discharge over past grievances and give your team a chance.

You are still here, so perhaps there IS some hope left in you. I'm only making recommendations... though I realize that it's almost certainly a futile effort.

BigBeauford · 06-18-2013, 10:02 AM

Most of our grievances are not over the archetype of getting someone else's retread qb (I.e. if we got Aaron Rogers, people wouldn't bitch). It's that the qb we got sucks, and most of us have facts to back it up.

Sandy Vagina · 06-18-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbsacker93

Most of our grievances are not over the archetype of getting someone else's retread qb (I.e. if we got Aaron Rogers, people wouldn't bitch). It's that the qb we got sucks, and most of us have facts to back it up.

Your facts include that this QB has been in the top 10 the last two years in passer rating?

... wow.. do you even think? at all?

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3047187	Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive 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.”
Posts: 43,455

06-18-2013, 09:35 AM	#272
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $1396717	Again, if you 9er's fans can honestly tell me there wasn't dissent from your fans for about a decade prior to hiring Harbough, then you get a pass. If not, seriously **** off. I know plenty of fans that bitched and moaned, and I have seen the Alex Smith jersey burning on youtube. We have every right to be pissed, and it for sure isn't your place to tell us how to feel.
Posts: 14,412

06-18-2013, 10:02 AM	#284
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $1396717	Most of our grievances are not over the archetype of getting someone else's retread qb (I.e. if we got Aaron Rogers, people wouldn't bitch). It's that the qb we got sucks, and most of us have facts to back it up.
Posts: 14,412

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