Chiefs Let's do the Alex Smith thing again.

Direckshun · 10-22-2014, 03:16 AM

Shall we.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-...a-game-manager

The Week in Overreactions: Alex Smith is more than a game manager
By Ryan Wilson | CBSSports.com
October 21, 2014 8:16 am ET

Alex Smith isn't a game manager

It's easy -- and, frankly, lazy -- to categorize Alex Smith as a game manager because that appeared to be his ceiling early in his career. Some of those growing pains can be attributed to youth (he came into the league as a fresh-faced 20-year-old), expectations that come with being the first-overall pick in the 2005 draft, and landing on a bad 49ers team that had six different offensive coordinators in Smith's first six seasons.

That's the definition of setting someone up to fail. And while the perception of Smith didn't change once coach Jim Harbaugh arrived in 2011, the reality was that he became a more complete player.

• In 54 games (50 starts) from 2005-2010, Smith completed 57 percent of his passes (6.2 YPA) with 51 touchdowns and 53 interceptions.

• In 2011-2012 under Harbaugh, Smith played in 26 games (25 starts) completed 64 percent of his passes (7.4 YPA) with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

• And in a season and a half with the Chiefs and Andy Reid, Smith has started all 21 games, completing 62 percent of his passes (6.6 YPA) with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

We've been as guilty as anyone as taking Smith's accomplishments for granted, even regularly referring to him as "a bridge quarterback" to whomever is pegged as the next face of the franchise in Kansas City. But he's proven to be much, much more than that. We saw it in last season's playoff loss to the Colts, when he was 30 of 46 for 378 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

We saw it again in Week 4 when Smith completed 20 of 26 passes for 248 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Chiefs throttled the Patriots, 41-14. And we were reminded once again on Sunday in San Diego when Smith, who has long been criticized for his inability to play from behind, did just that.

He led the Chiefs on a late-fourth-quarter, eight-play, 62-yard drive that began on their 8-yard line, and included a nine-yard scramble and passes of 19, 16 and eight yards to set up Cairo Santos' 48-yard field goal.

It wasn't spectacular but that's not Smith's game. (And when did spectacular equate to franchise savior, anyway? Jay Cutler has plenty of "spectacular" plays on his highlight reel but he's regularly played some truly awful football.)

According to Football Outsiders, Smith ranks 15th among all quarterbacks this season, ahead of Tom Brady, Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger, but his steady-as-she-goes approach fits nicely with what Reid wants to do offensively. And even if it means fewer big plays down the field, it's hard to argue with the results; the Chiefs started 9-0 last season before finishing 11-5. And after an 0-2 start this season, they have won three of four, their only loss an eminently winnable game in San Francisco in Week 5. And this all comes after the Chiefs, prior to Reid and Smith's arrival, won a grand total of two games in 2012.

When Smith signed a four-year, $68 million extension just before the season, our only reservation was that it would mean the Chiefs would put off finding their next young quarterback. But at 30 years old, he's entering his NFL prime; there's no reason to rush him off the field. In fact, he could be the key to helping the Chiefs to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2005-2006.

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-22-2014, 04:57 AM

Let's not.

Ugh.

**007** · 10-22-2014, 04:59 AM

oh for all that is holy.....

BigBeauford · 10-22-2014, 06:24 AM

I see where it says to stop calling him a game manager. I couldn't find the statistics to back that claim up, especially when it takes him 21 games to put up Andy Dalton numbers.

Sandy Vagina · 10-22-2014, 06:50 AM

Most of the time, I think the friction between people about Smith comes down to misunderstandings. Most agree that he is a good QB.. but the "sides" see criticism as extreme hate... and any applause as extreme adoration.

There is a large, grey area. Just about everyone is in this.. but somehow, get pushed further to one end or the other by the misunderstandings and overreactions from others.

I think Smith is every bit in that "2nd tier" of all QBs. Anywhere in the 7-15 range, and it fluctuates, as all QB's performances do each week. (except maybe Forehead)

Some feel he has hit his ceiling... that's fair enough.. but I don't agree. Another year in the system... an upgrade at OL here and there... and an upgrade at one WR spot... and I believe Smith can evolve even more.

He is NOT flawless... he is NOT without blame...
He is NOT a shitbag... he is NOT teh suxxorz...

Smith is simply a good, 2nd tier QB that can have a whole lot of success for a team that doesn't completely suck.

**Old Dog** · 10-22-2014, 06:56 AM

He's the very definition of a game manager. That's not necessarily a bad thing.

Prison Bitch · 10-22-2014, 07:01 AM

"Fire John Dorsey" - direck after game 1

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-22-2014, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

I see where it says to stop calling him a game manager. I couldn't find the statistics to back that claim up, especially when it takes him 21 games to put up Andy Dalton numbers.

You mean like Sunday's Dalton numbers?

Dalton is shit without Green.

In58men · 10-22-2014, 07:15 AM

Regular season hero nothing more. At the end of his career nobody will care about a playoff win lol.

Dunerdr · 10-22-2014, 07:25 AM

I'm really hoping he settles in after the midway mark like he did last year and we open things up a little.

**MahiMike** · 10-22-2014, 07:34 AM

Love the comparison to Cutler. Many Alex-haters think arm strength is the most important thing to a good QB. Alex proves that it's the 6 inches between the ears that is even more important.

Three7s · 10-22-2014, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MahiMike

Love the comparison to Cutler. Many Alex-haters think arm strength is the most important thing to a good QB. Alex proves that it's the 6 inches between the ears that is even more important.

The one short-coming Alex Smith has is the unwillingness to take chances. Solomon Wilcotts pointed out yesterday that he had a 1v1 matchup deep that he could've taken a shot on. He just refuses to do it.

UK_Chief · 10-22-2014, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three7s

The one short-coming Alex Smith has is the unwillingness to take chances. Solomon Wilcotts pointed out yesterday that he had a 1v1 matchup deep that he could've taken a shot on. He just refuses to do it.

That's my biggest problem with him. We know he can do it (see playoff game last season) but chooses not to. Is that because of the coaches, the WRs being shit, or just because of his personality???

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-22-2014, 07:45 AM

Arm strength is vastly overrated.

Perfect example, Peyton Manning.

**Bearcat** · 10-22-2014, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three7s

The one short-coming Alex Smith has is the unwillingness to take chances. Solomon Wilcotts pointed out yesterday that he had a 1v1 matchup deep that he could've taken a shot on. He just refuses to do it.

There was a good quote Whitlock's article on the Royals the other day.... if we're not making mistakes, we're not being aggressive enough.

10-22-2014, 03:16 AM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $2033447	Let's do the Alex Smith thing again. Shall we. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-...a-game-manager The Week in Overreactions: Alex Smith is more than a game manager By Ryan Wilson \| CBSSports.com October 21, 2014 8:16 am ET Alex Smith isn't a game manager It's easy -- and, frankly, lazy -- to categorize Alex Smith as a game manager because that appeared to be his ceiling early in his career. Some of those growing pains can be attributed to youth (he came into the league as a fresh-faced 20-year-old), expectations that come with being the first-overall pick in the 2005 draft, and landing on a bad 49ers team that had six different offensive coordinators in Smith's first six seasons. That's the definition of setting someone up to fail. And while the perception of Smith didn't change once coach Jim Harbaugh arrived in 2011, the reality was that he became a more complete player. • In 54 games (50 starts) from 2005-2010, Smith completed 57 percent of his passes (6.2 YPA) with 51 touchdowns and 53 interceptions. • In 2011-2012 under Harbaugh, Smith played in 26 games (25 starts) completed 64 percent of his passes (7.4 YPA) with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. • And in a season and a half with the Chiefs and Andy Reid, Smith has started all 21 games, completing 62 percent of his passes (6.6 YPA) with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. We've been as guilty as anyone as taking Smith's accomplishments for granted, even regularly referring to him as "a bridge quarterback" to whomever is pegged as the next face of the franchise in Kansas City. But he's proven to be much, much more than that. We saw it in last season's playoff loss to the Colts, when he was 30 of 46 for 378 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. We saw it again in Week 4 when Smith completed 20 of 26 passes for 248 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Chiefs throttled the Patriots, 41-14. And we were reminded once again on Sunday in San Diego when Smith, who has long been criticized for his inability to play from behind, did just that. He led the Chiefs on a late-fourth-quarter, eight-play, 62-yard drive that began on their 8-yard line, and included a nine-yard scramble and passes of 19, 16 and eight yards to set up Cairo Santos' 48-yard field goal. It wasn't spectacular but that's not Smith's game. (And when did spectacular equate to franchise savior, anyway? Jay Cutler has plenty of "spectacular" plays on his highlight reel but he's regularly played some truly awful football.) According to Football Outsiders, Smith ranks 15th among all quarterbacks this season, ahead of Tom Brady, Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger, but his steady-as-she-goes approach fits nicely with what Reid wants to do offensively. And even if it means fewer big plays down the field, it's hard to argue with the results; the Chiefs started 9-0 last season before finishing 11-5. And after an 0-2 start this season, they have won three of four, their only loss an eminently winnable game in San Francisco in Week 5. And this all comes after the Chiefs, prior to Reid and Smith's arrival, won a grand total of two games in 2012. When Smith signed a four-year, $68 million extension just before the season, our only reservation was that it would mean the Chiefs would put off finding their next young quarterback. But at 30 years old, he's entering his NFL prime; there's no reason to rush him off the field. In fact, he could be the key to helping the Chiefs to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2005-2006.
Posts: 59,693

10-22-2014, 04:57 AM	#2
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Let's not. Ugh.
Posts: 59,997

10-22-2014, 04:59 AM	#3
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $12140126 VARSITY	oh for all that is holy..... __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
Posts: 65,738

10-22-2014, 06:24 AM	#4
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $1436717	I see where it says to stop calling him a game manager. I couldn't find the statistics to back that claim up, especially when it takes him 21 games to put up Andy Dalton numbers.
Posts: 14,411

10-22-2014, 06:56 AM	#6
Old Dog Supporter Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: North Central Kansas Casino cash: $2440201	He's the very definition of a game manager. That's not necessarily a bad thing.
Posts: 10,770

10-22-2014, 07:01 AM	#7
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	"Fire John Dorsey" - direck after game 1
Posts: 87,025

10-22-2014, 07:15 AM	#9
In58men I didn’t say mud, I said crud. Join Date: Jan 2012 Casino cash: $-1561974	Regular season hero nothing more. At the end of his career nobody will care about a playoff win lol. __________________ Attendance Chief record 11-9
Posts: 30,926

10-22-2014, 07:25 AM	#10
Dunerdr MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Casino cash: $-2850000	I'm really hoping he settles in after the midway mark like he did last year and we open things up a little. __________________ Adopt-A-Chief- Rachel Santschi
Posts: 12,758

10-22-2014, 07:34 AM	#11
MahiMike He's Mahomie! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Jax, FL Casino cash: $10023443	Love the comparison to Cutler. Many Alex-haters think arm strength is the most important thing to a good QB. Alex proves that it's the 6 inches between the ears that is even more important. __________________ 99.9%
Posts: 17,387

10-22-2014, 07:45 AM	#14
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Arm strength is vastly overrated. Perfect example, Peyton Manning.
Posts: 59,997