Chiefs Mellinger: In the Jets, there's a lesson for Chiefs fan about taking the safe route - Page 11

Deberg_1990 · 10-30-2014, 07:49 PM

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...le3481340.html

In the structure of the modern NFL, the most important decision a franchise can make is who plays quarterback. Two years ago, two franchises walked away from this decision on two very different paths.

The Chiefs played it safe, were largely criticized for it, then made the playoffs and have a chance to do it again this season. The Jets took the gamble that many in Kansas City had been screaming for, and are now 1-7 in what is a virtual certainty to be a fourth consecutive season without the playoffs.

They will play this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium in what for Chiefs fans could be fairly called The Upside of Boring.

Boring hardly ever plays well with sports fans, right? We want bold, we want daring. We want to toast those with enough guts to go for it all and laugh at the cowards who don’t.

But when it came time for the Chiefs’ new power structure to choose a quarterback, they did it with all of the flair of a ham sandwich.

They traded for a known commodity in Alex Smith, a man who had demonstrated what scouts often call “a high floor” but also “a low ceiling” which is often translated by fans and media as “weak sauce.” Then, when Smith performed well in their system and with their coaches, they signed him to a long-term extension for a higher salary than two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning, among others. Solid, logical, conservative thinking.

This has always been the Chiefs’ way. Trading for the 49ers’ backup quarterback is a time-honored tradition here.

One of the byproducts of this approach is a fan base that often clamors for bold, for daring, for, come to think of it, what the Jets sometimes do.

Two years ago, the same offseason when the Chiefs traded for Smith, the Jets were coming off 6-10 and also needed a quarterback. They’d drafted Mark Sanchez four years earlier with the fifth overall pick and watched him deteriorate from promising to an unplayable mess. They felt a compelling need to upgrade, to find the quarterback of their future.

Many around Kansas City wanted the Chiefs to draft Geno Smith, the three-year starter at West Virginia who completed 67 percent of his passes for 98 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

Full disclosure, I was in that crowd, at least until hearing from league insiders who questioned his drive, personality and ability to read defenses, among other things. Every draft prospect is questioned, obviously, but there was something different about the tone and scope of the criticism of Smith. It’s one reason he fell into the second round, and surely one reason the Chiefs went with a different Smith at quarterback.

Coincidence or not, Geno Smith has been fairly terrible in his short time in the NFL. He’s thrown 19 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. By passer rating, Total Quarterback Rating, and the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders, Smith is either the worst, second-worst, or third-worst quarterback this season.

He was benched this week. Michael Vick, who has completed 26 of 56 passes this season, will start instead.

Think the Jets would like that pick back?

Alex Smith was the top overall pick in the 2005 draft, but generally lacks the type of elite, obvious, natural ability that fans and scouts like in brand name quarterbacks.

The story about the Chiefs’ Smith is often the story about what he isn’t. He’s a good athlete with a great feel for the pocket, but can’t really be called elusive. He reads defenses well and is usually quite accurate, but has occasional lapses and doesn’t throw the best deep ball.

The Chiefs lost at the goal line as time expired in Denver, and with an interception on their final drive in San Francisco. The quarterback is the one who gets the most credit when things go well (like the two-minute drill that won a game in San Diego) and the one with the most blame when things fail. That’s part of the job description.

But in Smith’s case, it misses the point that the Chiefs are 11th in the league in scoring with a flimsy group of receivers and an offensive line that struggles in pass protection.

Jamaal Charles is the star of the offense, obviously, the one defenses plan for every week. But Smith makes enough good decisions, and is reliable enough with short and medium-range passes, to keep the offense moving and — through a season and a half in Kansas City — the Chiefs winning.

Now, clearly, the Chiefs would love to draft and develop their own quarterback. That has proven to be the most successful way to find a top passer and win Super Bowls.

But the Chiefs picked first overall the year after Andrew Luck. They went boring, and traded for a guy who led them to the playoffs. The Jets reached, and drafted a guy they just benched.

Boring is better, sometimes.

Marcellus · 10-31-2014, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temper11

I disagree... the kid obviously has talent. .

I will keep this simple for you.

Yes he has talent, physically.

But he doesn't have the head for it and that will not change.

He is Tony Banks V2. Not because he is black but because he is black, isn't really mobile, has a big arm, and makes terrible decisions.

temper11 · 10-31-2014, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I will keep this simple for you.

Yes he has talent, physically.

But he doesn't have the head for it and that will not change.

He is Tony Banks V2. Not because he is black but because he is black, isn't really mobile, has a big arm, and makes terrible decisions.

Maybe... I don't know. I just know that the Jets were shit and the coaching staff not great. I think it would have been tough for most QB's to just come in there and immediately have success without any of the structure I talked about before.

For as much as everyone talks about how important the position is... not many organizations do much to protect their investment. They just draft a kid and throw him to the wolves. If you think someone is good enough to select high, why not try to do what you can to make that pick work?

Sandy Vagina · 10-31-2014, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temper11

I just know that the Jets were shit and the coaching staff not great.

For as much as everyone talks about how important the position is... not many organizations do much to protect their investment. They just draft a kid and throw him to the wolves. If you think someone is good enough to select high, why not try to do what you can to make that pick work?

Can you explain to me where the NYJ are lacking so horribly in support cast for Geno?

Saccopoo · 10-31-2014, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temper11

Maybe... I don't know. I just know that the Jets were shit and the coaching staff not great. I think it would have been tough for most QB's to just come in there and immediately have success without any of the structure I talked about before.

For as much as everyone talks about how important the position is... not many organizations do much to protect their investment. They just draft a kid and throw him to the wolves. If you think someone is good enough to select high, why not try to do what you can to make that pick work?

Also consider that Marty Morinwheg is his offensive coodinator.

Geno Smith hasn't really had a lot of support (talent wise around him) or coaching at this point in the NFL.

Quesadilla Joe · 10-31-2014, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SNR

would have had the money to afford Emmanuel Sanders,

The Chiefs didn't miss out on Sanders because of money. They missed out on Sanders because they didn't have Peyton Manning.

Quesadilla Joe · 10-31-2014, 05:28 PM

SNR truly believes he could run an NFL franchise.

Mother****erJones · 10-31-2014, 05:51 PM

We weren't truly in on Sanders. He ****ed us. It's ok. He will get his and break his ****ing leg

**RealSNR** · 10-31-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Herpe

SNR truly believes he could run an NFL franchise.

Great, now you're a ****ing liar in addition to being a dumbass and a bet-welcher.

Let me know when you add axe-murderer to the list. Then I'll go buy a gun.

**Easy 6** · 10-31-2014, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

Also consider that Marty Morinwheg is his offensive coodinator.

Geno Smith hasn't really had a lot of support (talent wise around him) or coaching at this point in the NFL.

I'm just fine with the fact that Andy didnt bring Marty along with him here, but lets not act like its all his fault that Geno sucks... after all, you're talking about the same OC that made Mike Vick look like a legit superstar QB for atleast two seasons.

He even had me sold on Vick in 2010, what with the 21 to 6 td/pick ratio and 100+ QBR... so dont pass it all of on Marty, let Geno suck on his own.

**Easy 6** · 10-31-2014, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Herpe

The Chiefs didn't miss out on Sanders because of money. They missed out on Sanders because they didn't have Peyton Manning.

This is the ONLY correct thing you've said since you've been here... there was nothing Dorsey could've done to prevent that.

He got snookered by a shady agent and player that wanted to use us as leverage against the team he wanted all along... oh, and **** your shady ass team

**Easy 6** · 10-31-2014, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Herpe

The Chiefs didn't miss out on Sanders because of money. They missed out on Sanders because they didn't have Peyton Manning.

Seriously, **** you... I lurk around the mange once in a while and quite frankly, you're lucky to even be here.

I see some of our guys over there occassionally, and they do nothing but eat a steady stream of insults and garbage... if it were mixed in with some "yeah we cant stand KC but you're killer here and here, or we cant look past you" etc, it'd be different.

But from what I've seen it never is, unless a Planeteer kisses ass and endures all slams without complaint its a bloodbath, so... **** your board, **** you and **** your team.

Get it?
Got it?
Good.

lcarus · 10-31-2014, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy 6

Seriously, **** you... I lurk around the mange once in a while and quite frankly, you're lucky to even be here.

I see some of our guys over there occassionally, and they do nothing but eat a steady stream of insults and garbage... if it were mixed in with some "yeah we cant stand KC but you're killer here and here, or we cant look past you" etc, it'd be different.

But from what I've seen it never is, unless a Planeteer kisses ass and endures all slams without complaint its a bloodbath, so... **** your board, **** you and **** your team.

Get it?
Got it?
Good.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 10-31-2014, 08:36 PM

Remember when Mellinger used to have balls?

Deberg_1990 · 11-02-2014, 02:59 PM

Geno fan tears..... They're delicious!

Just Passin' By · 11-02-2014, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Geno fan tears..... They're delicious!

Geno didn't throw an interception this game!

10-30-2014, 07:49 PM
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $64454	Mellinger: In the Jets, there's a lesson for Chiefs fan about taking the safe route http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...le3481340.html In the structure of the modern NFL, the most important decision a franchise can make is who plays quarterback. Two years ago, two franchises walked away from this decision on two very different paths. The Chiefs played it safe, were largely criticized for it, then made the playoffs and have a chance to do it again this season. The Jets took the gamble that many in Kansas City had been screaming for, and are now 1-7 in what is a virtual certainty to be a fourth consecutive season without the playoffs. They will play this weekend at Arrowhead Stadium in what for Chiefs fans could be fairly called The Upside of Boring. Boring hardly ever plays well with sports fans, right? We want bold, we want daring. We want to toast those with enough guts to go for it all and laugh at the cowards who don’t. But when it came time for the Chiefs’ new power structure to choose a quarterback, they did it with all of the flair of a ham sandwich. They traded for a known commodity in Alex Smith, a man who had demonstrated what scouts often call “a high floor” but also “a low ceiling” which is often translated by fans and media as “weak sauce.” Then, when Smith performed well in their system and with their coaches, they signed him to a long-term extension for a higher salary than two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning, among others. Solid, logical, conservative thinking. This has always been the Chiefs’ way. Trading for the 49ers’ backup quarterback is a time-honored tradition here. One of the byproducts of this approach is a fan base that often clamors for bold, for daring, for, come to think of it, what the Jets sometimes do. Two years ago, the same offseason when the Chiefs traded for Smith, the Jets were coming off 6-10 and also needed a quarterback. They’d drafted Mark Sanchez four years earlier with the fifth overall pick and watched him deteriorate from promising to an unplayable mess. They felt a compelling need to upgrade, to find the quarterback of their future. Many around Kansas City wanted the Chiefs to draft Geno Smith, the three-year starter at West Virginia who completed 67 percent of his passes for 98 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. Full disclosure, I was in that crowd, at least until hearing from league insiders who questioned his drive, personality and ability to read defenses, among other things. Every draft prospect is questioned, obviously, but there was something different about the tone and scope of the criticism of Smith. It’s one reason he fell into the second round, and surely one reason the Chiefs went with a different Smith at quarterback. Coincidence or not, Geno Smith has been fairly terrible in his short time in the NFL. He’s thrown 19 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. By passer rating, Total Quarterback Rating, and the advanced metrics at Pro Football Focus and Football Outsiders, Smith is either the worst, second-worst, or third-worst quarterback this season. He was benched this week. Michael Vick, who has completed 26 of 56 passes this season, will start instead. Think the Jets would like that pick back? Alex Smith was the top overall pick in the 2005 draft, but generally lacks the type of elite, obvious, natural ability that fans and scouts like in brand name quarterbacks. The story about the Chiefs’ Smith is often the story about what he isn’t. He’s a good athlete with a great feel for the pocket, but can’t really be called elusive. He reads defenses well and is usually quite accurate, but has occasional lapses and doesn’t throw the best deep ball. The Chiefs lost at the goal line as time expired in Denver, and with an interception on their final drive in San Francisco. The quarterback is the one who gets the most credit when things go well (like the two-minute drill that won a game in San Diego) and the one with the most blame when things fail. That’s part of the job description. But in Smith’s case, it misses the point that the Chiefs are 11th in the league in scoring with a flimsy group of receivers and an offensive line that struggles in pass protection. Jamaal Charles is the star of the offense, obviously, the one defenses plan for every week. But Smith makes enough good decisions, and is reliable enough with short and medium-range passes, to keep the offense moving and — through a season and a half in Kansas City — the Chiefs winning. Now, clearly, the Chiefs would love to draft and develop their own quarterback. That has proven to be the most successful way to find a top passer and win Super Bowls. But the Chiefs picked first overall the year after Andrew Luck. They went boring, and traded for a guy who led them to the playoffs. The Jets reached, and drafted a guy they just benched. Boring is better, sometimes.
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10-31-2014, 05:28 PM	#156
Quesadilla Joe Abolish The Salary Cap! Join Date: Mar 2008 Casino cash: $3408675	SNR truly believes he could run an NFL franchise.
Posts: 19,907

10-31-2014, 08:36 PM	#163
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	Remember when Mellinger used to have balls? __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135

11-02-2014, 02:59 PM	#164
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $64454	Geno fan tears..... They're delicious! __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
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