Patrick Mahomes Question Looms Large as Alex Smith Continues to Struggle

[RunKC]

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

Jamie Squire/Getty Images
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

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Here's the video of Mahomes beating cover 2 with a great ball to Chesson. Go to 2:28.

https://youtu.be/6ilh_Z7NEl8

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Here's the video of Mahomes beating cover 2 with a great ball to Chesson. Go to 2:28.

https://youtu.be/6ilh_Z7NEl8

Throwing to a nobody with nobody blocking blocking.

Not a great play, but it's definitely one Smith doesn't make.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by thegame214

Same here.

People think the gimmick plays are just Andy being crazy.

Its because he has to hide Alex's flaws.

Watch McNabb/Vick/ Garcia hell even Kolb and you'll see an entirely different offense

Well to some degree yes but even to a bigger degree is our horrific o-line rush and pass blocking. Pass blocking wasn't bad yesterday but we still can't open up any holes. When you can't run the ball it makes it that much easier to defense us and especially with a QB who has PTSD in pocket who gets happy feet if the primary is covered you can totally put the onus on AS if your the defense to beat you and your seeing the result.

Shut KH down and challenge AS to beat you. We are seeing more gimmick plays because we can't run the ball. You don't need gimmick plays hardly at all IF you are shoving the ball down the defense's throat in the run game.

You are correct about a totally different offense with McNabb/Vick/Garcia/Kolb BUT the reason is because they had very good offensive lines and could run the ball.

A shell shocked QB with a below average o-line is a recipe for losing. When you can't run the ball you are soooooo limited as an offense and become predictable.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

If Smith continues to play like he has been and Reid refuses to bench him.....then I hope they lose every ****ing game the rest of the season.

We just got embarrassed by one of the worst teams in the NFL this year. There is no guarantee that we win any more games this year.

This.


All day long this.

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

This.


All day long this.

Yep. Hope they lose if Smith starts. Totally fed up and I bet the players are too.

[iDeaL]

Hey guys, life long Chiefs fan. I have lurked these forums for a while but never made an account until now. I have been active on the Chiefs Reddit page, and it turns out advocating for Mahomes is very unpopular over there.. who would have thought? Figured I would make an account here so I can hang out with the cool kids. Some of you on here are pretty brutal tho so be gentle at first or use lube or something.

I've never been a Smith dickrider but tried to give him the benefit of the doubt pretty much the whole time he has been a Chief up until now. With the people who ride or die with him its never his fault and always this, that, or the third excuse that he doesn't get it done. Poor line play, no WRs, the wind, poor play calling, poor coaching, or anything else under the sun to deflect blame. I'm all aboard the Mahomes train now. I was at the game this Sunday and got to witness Smith shit the bed in real time and it was the last straw for me. It was excruciating. Bottom line is a QB is rarely ever going to have a perfect or ideal situation around him, and while Smith is not the worst, he is one of those guys that would literally need everything around him to be absolutely perfect and have a #1 defense on the other side of the ball if he was ever going to win anything, sort of like a Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson type. Also, I think a lot of the play calling that people harp on is a result of the way the offense is run to live within Smith's limited skill set. We shouldn't HAVE to be running gimmick plays to try and make things happen.

Look, nothing against Smith personally, he seems like a great person and I do appreciate his contributions to helping get us out of the mess we were in prior to 2013, but this is a business and when its time, its time. Everyone always mentions what a "true professional" he is, so he should understand, right? He will likely be a starter somewhere else after KC. He'll get another shot, but we moved up to draft the kid for a reason.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Welcome to CP, iDeal

You're probably going to absolutely love and hate this place simultaneously for a long time.

[KChiefs1]

I agree with the Brit Chief!

https://youtu.be/PG9GtSpBuNY

[Red Dawg]

Everyone thinks that starting Mahomes means we are mailing it in. I think keeping Smith at QB is doing the same. Andy will not change QBs. He respects Smith and will let him play out his last KC season
.

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by iDeaL

Hey guys, life long Chiefs fan. I have lurked these forums for a while but never made an account until now. I have been active on the Chiefs Reddit page, and it turns out advocating for Mahomes is very unpopular over there.. who would have thought? Figured I would make an account here so I can hang out with the cool kids. Some of you on here are pretty brutal tho so be gentle at first or use lube or something.

I've never been a Smith dickrider but tried to give him the benefit of the doubt pretty much the whole time he has been a Chief up until now. With the people who ride or die with him its never his fault and always this, that, or the third excuse that he doesn't get it done. Poor line play, no WRs, the wind, poor play calling, poor coaching, or anything else under the sun to deflect blame. I'm all aboard the Mahomes train now. I was at the game this Sunday and got to witness Smith shit the bed in real time and it was the last straw for me. It was excruciating. Bottom line is a QB is rarely ever going to have a perfect or ideal situation around him, and while Smith is not the worst, he is one of those guys that would literally need everything around him to be absolutely perfect and have a #1 defense on the other side of the ball if he was ever going to win anything, sort of like a Trent Dilfer or Brad Johnson type. Also, I think a lot of the play calling that people harp on is a result of the way the offense is run to live within Smith's limited skill set. We shouldn't HAVE to be running gimmick plays to try and make things happen.

Look, nothing against Smith personally, he seems like a great person and I do appreciate his contributions to helping get us out of the mess we were in prior to 2013, but this is a business and when its time, its time. Everyone always mentions what a "true professional" he is, so he should understand, right? He will likely be a starter somewhere else after KC. He'll get another shot, but we moved up to draft the kid for a reason.

Welcome to the board. You'll like it here sometimes.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by Red Dawg

Everyone thinks that starting Mahomes means we are mailing it in. I think keeping Smith at QB is doing the same. Andy will not change QBs. He respects Smith and will let him play out his last KC season
.

Exactly. I view it more as a Smith/Kaepernick situation.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by iDeaL

I have been active on the Chiefs Reddit page, and it turns out advocating for Mahomes is very unpopular over there.. who would have thought?

Those guys are dumb homers.

Welcome to THE place on the internet for Chiefs talk that actually tells it like it is.

[MMXcalibur]

My body is ready for Mahomes. We all know how this ends with Alex in the playoffs.
I've sat through enough of those offensive shitshows for a lifetime.

[iDeaL]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

Welcome to the board. You'll like it here sometimes.

Sometimes is good enough for me. Reminds me of how I like being a Chiefs fan sometimes.

[iDeaL]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

Those guys are dumb homers.

Welcome to THE place on the internet for Chiefs talk that actually tells it like it is.

I would be willing to bet that those very same people would forget all about Smith if PMII came in and lit it up.. Then they would say they were for it the whole time..