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

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

That he got in practice, dude. Him playing in no way resulted in an injury...unless you're going to argue that simply participating as an NFL player can lead to injury, therefore...enshrine Mahomes in a protective bubble and shelf him for 20 years until his value goes up?

guess I missed that part, I don't pay attention to other teams for the most part.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by mikeyis4dcats.

guess I missed that part, I don't pay attention to other teams for the most part.

Heh me either.

Maybe that's why NFL ratings are down...

[Hammock Parties]

Trent Green is calling the Buffalo game.

Call out the cuck, Trent.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Otter

Do you ever shut the **** up or at least find something new to spew?

It's kind of franchise-defining at this point, Otter.

Originally Posted by Detoxing

My only concern with Mahomes at this point is injury. He has the tendency to leave the pocket to make big plays ala Aaron Rodgers.

And like Aaron Rodgers he leaves himself open to get sidewalk slammed.

He seemed uncomfortable in the pocket in the preseason and at times would roll out when it wasn't needed.

With that said, start him.

Originally Posted by Marcellus

He is going to play that way regardless of when he starts. He may learn after taking some hits, or maybe not. Either way week 11 this year or week 1 next year likely wont change that risk. Hell you could argue if he gets hurt this year we still have Smith and maybe he learns something from it. Next year we wont have Smith.

Cant make decisions based on fear of injury.

This. At some point, our boy has to become a man and we're not going to get there with Mahomes riding the pine.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

It's kind of franchise-defining at this point, Otter.

Dude, no one is more excited about Pat than I am but making 60 posts a day on a message board and ruining every thread on a message board that isn't even associated with the Chiefs Franchise gets kind of old. Arrow wants Pat to start. We get it.

If you're that passionate about it look up the coaches mailing address and write them a letter or send them an email. Pissing on a bunch of people just trying to have a conversation gets kinda old.

What exactly is Arrow accomplishing outside of being a broken record?

[ARROW2]

I accomplish pissing only you off cuck. Every thread IS about the chiefs. Get over it.

[Otter]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

I accomplish pissing only you off cuck. Every thread IS about the chiefs. Get over it.

You couldn't piss me off if tried boy. Enjoy being the newest village idiot and congrats!

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Otter

Dude, no one is more excited about Pat than I am but making 60 posts a day on a message board and ruining every thread on a message board that isn't even associated with the Chiefs Franchise gets kind of old. Arrow wants Pat to start. We get it.

If you're that passionate about it look up the coaches mailing address and write them a letter or send them an email. Pissing on a bunch of people just trying to have a conversation gets kinda old.

What exactly is Arrow accomplishing outside of being a broken record?

Well, everyone else is pretty much weighing in on a regular basis, but I get your point. If you're going to say the same thing over and over, at least find new and creative ways to say it.
I think we're all pretty passionate and excited, and I'm personally very excited about being able to put a lot of trash in the fire and get back to being engaged about the team again.
I won't speak for ARROW, but I know that his politics and mine rarely ever mesh, but I won't bring that in to the football forum. We can hate each other's politics and still love Mahomes. That's a great thing about football and hopefully the owners and players will reach an agreement to keep that shit off the field so that we can ALL get a break from that garbage on Sundays and concentrate on the love of the game itself.

Originally Posted by ARROW2

I accomplish pissing only you off cuck. Every thread IS about the chiefs. Get over it.

I respect your passion and I'm fairly sure that you and Otter don't see eye to eye on much in other areas of the board, but we have to accept that Andy is going to do what he is going to do, and there's not much we can do about it. The good news is that Smith's "performance" will no doubt ASSURE that we get Mahomes in 2018, and that this is the last wasted season and endless dumbshittery from Smith Bitches that we will have to endure.
Let's keep it together, man. Glass half full!

[Otter]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Well, everyone else is pretty much weighing in on a regular basis, but I get your point. If you're going to say the same thing over and over, at least find new and creative ways to say it.
I think we're all pretty passionate and excited, and I'm personally very excited about being able to put a lot of trash in the fire and get back to being engaged about the team again.
I won't speak for ARROW, but I know that his politics and mine rarely ever mesh, but I won't bring that in to the football forum. We can hate each other's politics and still love Mahomes. That's a great thing about football and hopefully the owners and players will reach an agreement to keep that shit off the field so that we can ALL get a break from that garbage on Sundays and concentrate on the love of the game itself.



I respect your passion and I'm fairly sure that you and Otter don't see eye to eye on much in other areas of the board, but we have to accept that Andy is going to do what he is going to do, and there's not much we can do about it. The good news is that Smith's "performance" will no doubt ASSURE that we get Mahomes in 2018, and that this is the last wasted season and endless dumbshittery from Smith Bitches that we will have to endure.
Let's keep it together, man. Glass half full!

Well said. Thank you brother!

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Danguardace

Reid wont play him because it would mean he couldn't call all of his bull shit plays.

So if it takes 6 years to get this offense down, imagine how good Wentz is going to be 4 years from now.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

It really does piss me off that there's not very many passing plays under center. They telegraph running plays because practically all of the Chiefs passing plays are in the shotgun

This is true. We threw on 75% of our plays out of the shotgun, and it would have been over 80% but Smith scrambled on 4 of them. We ran on 60% of the plays from under center.

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Well, everyone else is pretty much weighing in on a regular basis, but I get your point. If you're going to say the same thing over and over, at least find new and creative ways to say it.
I think we're all pretty passionate and excited, and I'm personally very excited about being able to put a lot of trash in the fire and get back to being engaged about the team again.
I won't speak for ARROW, but I know that his politics and mine rarely ever mesh, but I won't bring that in to the football forum. We can hate each other's politics and still love Mahomes. That's a great thing about football and hopefully the owners and players will reach an agreement to keep that shit off the field so that we can ALL get a break from that garbage on Sundays and concentrate on the love of the game itself.



I respect your passion and I'm fairly sure that you and Otter don't see eye to eye on much in other areas of the board, but we have to accept that Andy is going to do what he is going to do, and there's not much we can do about it. The good news is that Smith's "performance" will no doubt ASSURE that we get Mahomes in 2018, and that this is the last wasted season and endless dumbshittery from Smith Bitches that we will have to endure.
Let's keep it together, man. Glass half full!

My shit is together, I don't need a ****ing keyboard lashing from you. I'm a grown ass man. You don't say shit about the endless gifs that we all love so leave me the **** alone. I will post what I damn well please.. as you said, everybody is weighing in regularly. Don't be influenced by one bitch who has beef with me for whatever reason. I like you but I ain't your child

[Otter]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

My shit is together, I don't need a ****ing keyboard lashing from you. I'm a grown ass man. You don't say shit about the endless gifs that we all love so leave me the **** alone. I will post what I damn well please.. as you said, everybody is weighing in regularly. Don't be influenced by one bitch who has beef with me for whatever reason. I like you but I ain't your child

You could just change your signature to something like "I'm mad and want Pat to start and hate Alex Smith" and save us all a lot of bandwidth and server space.

Just a thought champ!

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

My shit is together, I don't need a ****ing keyboard lashing from you. I'm a grown ass man. You don't say shit about the endless gifs that we all love so leave me the **** alone. I will post what I damn well please.. as you said, everybody is weighing in regularly. Don't be influenced by one bitch who has beef with me for whatever reason. I like you but I ain't your child

I was respectful to you, and that was hardly a "lashing".

You must not be very familiar with my work.

Anywho, rage on...

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by Otter

You could just change your signature to something like "I'm mad and want Pat to start and hate Alex Smith" and save us all a lot of bandwidth and server space.

Just a thought champ!

You may as well say that about a lot of posters as,well. Most of the time, I am just agreeing or elaborating on a post. My posts are not all identical so **** off