Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 11

**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.”

**Mav** · 06-17-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

This is who we are and what we do.

At this point I don't even know why I let myself get angry about it...

Im addressing you because I actually have a healthy respect for your posting, but the fact that people cant even let these guys get to camp, before having this same ol bullshit here we go again routine, is just silly to me.

I understand the frustration of not having a qb to call your own, but lets be real, there is already talks that Mark Sanchez is going to be the starting qb in NY, and we wont know much else about Ej Manuel until preseason, so there really weren't that many options. All the chiefs front office knew for sure, is that what you had, was not working, so they had to go a different direction.

I don't know, for me, I would at least wait to start abusing my liver until I saw some games.....

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Bleeding Vagina because I hate a 30 year old broke dick injury prone noodle arm game manager QB we gave up two draft picks for?

by all means.

Why are you still a fan? Why are you here? Do you and others think you are Holier than Thou?
Is it your agenda you are trying to push? Are you try to make sure everyone hate Alex Smith? If so, do you realize how ****ing stupid that is? I'm always a wait and see guy.

**Mav** · 06-17-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Your argument is, let me get this straight:

That 8 years, it has never been the #1 overall draft picks fault, it was every single circumstance around him. Owners, coaches, players, schemes. Everything. 8 years that a franchise spent on a #1 overall pick to rely on carrying them, and it was NEVER his fault. So that nice inflated #1 draft slot contract he had and everything else. Not him.

So hes not a bust in your eyes? Cause everything around him for his career has held poor Alex back

that's your argument then? The coaches, systems and players around him sucked and he couldnt turn the franchise around being a #1 overall pick playing the most important position in the sport.

That's your defense of him.

Well, no. I have never been one to soley dismiss alex smith from the blame of anything. But, to take your point of view with it, is RIDICULOUS. Like situation, and stability, and talent around your first overall pick doesn't matter.

Look at the Elite qbs. What do they all have in common? Stability?

Look at Drew Brees, his stability, the way they are constantly upgrading the talent around him, how about Aaron Rodgers? He has been driving a Ferrari from the word go in Green Bay, compared to the talent he has had since becoming a starter, to what Alex Smith has had collectively at any time, from front office to the last player on the roster, is a Ford Pinto. Can you even attempt to argue that?

Are you telling me that there is no correlation to the entire team around Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees? Can you honestly tell me that with the constant coaching changes, the poorly run management the lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball, that someone like Alex Smith was supposed to over come that? I know the reason that Alex Smith went first overall. And it wasn't Talent. Aaron Rodgers was MORE talented than Alex Smith. The experts knew it, the 49ers knew it, but the head coach, Mike Nolan, didn't like Aaron Rodgers attitude, and the 49ers front office, IE JOHN YORK, didn't want to pay Aaron Rodgers what Aaron Rodgers agents were wanting, which significantly more than Alex Smith. No, Alex Smith is not a franchise qb, no Alex Smith can not win on his own. But, you can not show me ONE single qb who can, and if Alex Smith is not on the qb level of the elite qbs, how could he ever even remotely be successful without the other pieces in place?

Now, if you can disagree with anything I have said right there, you are doing nothing more than trolling, and your mind is made up completely about Alex Smith, which is fine. Im not going to try to change your mind, but as an "alex homer" as you put it, im at least going to try to state the obvious.

mcaj22 · 06-17-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Well, no. I have never been one to soley dismiss alex smith from the blame of anything. But, to take your point of view with it, is RIDICULOUS. Like situation, and stability, and talent around your first overall pick doesn't matter.

Look at the Elite qbs. What do they all have in common? Stability?

Look at Drew Brees, his stability, the way they are constantly upgrading the talent around him, how about Aaron Rodgers? He has been driving a Ferrari from the word go in Green Bay, compared to the talent he has had since becoming a starter, to what Alex Smith has had collectively at any time, from front office to the last player on the roster, is a Ford Pinto. Can you even attempt to argue that?

Are you telling me that there is no correlation to the entire team around Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees? Can you honestly tell me that with the constant coaching changes, the poorly run management the lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball, that someone like Alex Smith was supposed to over come that? I know the reason that Alex Smith went first overall. And it wasn't Talent. Aaron Rodgers was MORE talented than Alex Smith. The experts knew it, the 49ers knew it, but the head coach, Mike Nolan, didn't like Aaron Rodgers attitude, and the 49ers front office, IE JOHN YORK, didn't want to pay Aaron Rodgers what Aaron Rodgers agents were wanting, which significantly more than Alex Smith. No, Alex Smith is not a franchise qb, no Alex Smith can not win on his own. But, you can not show me ONE single qb who can, and if Alex Smith is not on the qb level of the elite qbs, how could he ever even remotely be successful without the other pieces in place?

Now, if you can disagree with anything I have said right there, you are doing nothing more than trolling, and your mind is made up completely about Alex Smith, which is fine. Im not going to try to change your mind, but as an "alex homer" as you put it, im at least going to try to state the obvious.

Then my question to you is what are your expectations of Alex Smith in the Andy Reid system?

2010 Michael Vick? Some poor man's version of McNabb's numbers? A 30 year old Trent Green/Rich Gannon late career resurgence where hes really, really good in a 3 or 4 year window?

Is that the type of lightning in a bottle you hope to have caught with this player?

so what? 3500 yards and 20 touchdowns and 300 rush yards? Is that your projection?

BigBeauford · 06-17-2013, 01:44 PM

Most of us expressing the anti-Alex sentiment do so from this prospective: If we are right, there won't be much dissapointment, and if wrong, we can be pleasantly surprised. I know that never again will I be a victim of being so overoptimistic of our qb situation, and to look like a fool in front of my non Chief-fan friends.

**Rausch** · 06-17-2013, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Im addressing you because I actually have a healthy respect for your posting, but the fact that people cant even let these guys get to camp, before having this same ol bullshit here we go again routine, is just silly to me.

When you see your team do the same thing for 20 years you get real tired of it.

And it's not like we don't know what we're getting. This isn't a guy who was a b/u who never got a shot. He's been in the league for years. We know his upside and his drawbacks. You either like what you see or you don't.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I don't know, for me, I would at least wait to start abusing my liver until I saw some games.....

If only I could blame Alex Smith for my liver...

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qbsacker93

Most of us expressing the anti-Alex sentiment do so from this prospective: If we are right, there won't be much dissapointment, and if wrong, we can be pleasantly surprised. I know that never again will I be a victim of being so overoptimistic of our qb situation, and to look like a fool in front of my non Chief-fan friends.

I've been a fan for 30 years. I'm always prepared for disappointment. The anti-Alex group complains about the same shit every ****ing day. And posts the same stats every ****ing day. Why is that?

mcaj22 · 06-17-2013, 02:34 PM

because it's the NFL and the entire sport is built on statistics. So why wouldnt you use that sample size to argue for or against a player?

Coogs · 06-17-2013, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Then my question to you is what are your expectations of Alex Smith in the Andy Reid system?

2010 Michael Vick? Some poor man's version of McNabb's numbers? A 30 year old Trent Green/Rich Gannon late career resurgence where hes really, really good in a 3 or 4 year window?

Is that the type of lightning in a bottle you hope to have caught with this player?

so what? 3500 yards and 20 touchdowns and 300 rush yards? Is that your projection?

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...s/htx/2012.htm

Look at these numbers for the Texans last year. Is that too much to expect from this team? I don't think so. Nice balance between the run and the pass. That team was pretty good too... up to the last 4 games of the year.

mcaj22 · 06-17-2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...s/htx/2012.htm

Look at these numbers for the Texans last year. Is that too much to expect from this team? I don't think so. Nice balance between the run and the pass. That team was pretty good too... up to the last 4 games of the year.

I dont disagree with that balance, my argument was where are we getting a Matt Schaub-like QB from? Who is throwing for 4000 yards? Alex Smith?

What makes anyone think Alex Smith is capable of a 4000 yard season? Because he has Bowe now? That's literally ALL he has on this team in the passing game now until a bunch of borderline Pioli bust draft picks decide to wake up and produce.

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

because it's the NFL and the entire sport is built on statistics. So why wouldnt you use that sample size to argue for or against a player?

The same player?

EVERY DAMN DAY?

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-17-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

I dont disagree with that balance, my argument was where are we getting a Matt Schaub-like QB from? Who is throwing for 4000 yards? Alex Smith?

What makes anyone think Alex Smith is capable of a 4000 yard season? Because he has Bowe now? That's literally ALL he has on this team in the passing game now until a bunch of borderline ***** bust draft picks decide to wake up and produce.

Who knew Trent Green had 3 4000 yard seasons in him?

**Mav** · 06-17-2013, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

Then my question to you is what are your expectations of Alex Smith in the Andy Reid system?

2010 Michael Vick? Some poor man's version of McNabb's numbers? A 30 year old Trent Green/Rich Gannon late career resurgence where hes really, really good in a 3 or 4 year window?

Is that the type of lightning in a bottle you hope to have caught with this player?

so what? 3500 yards and 20 touchdowns and 300 rush yards? Is that your projection?

He will do what ever is asked of him to do, so, I guess if I had to put numbers on it, 25 tds, 12 ints, 3600 yards and he leads the chiefs to a 10-6 record. There is stability in place, a coach who believes in him, and talent around him. He has everything he needs to succeed, including a top notch o line.

Hammock Parties · 06-17-2013, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Who knew Trent Green had 3 4000 yard seasons in him?

Green had shown more ability as a passer to that point.

**Mav** · 06-17-2013, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

I dont disagree with that balance, my argument was where are we getting a Matt Schaub-like QB from? Who is throwing for 4000 yards? Alex Smith?

What makes anyone think Alex Smith is capable of a 4000 yard season? Because he has Bowe now? That's literally ALL he has on this team in the passing game now until a bunch of borderline ***** bust draft picks decide to wake up and produce.

No, that's not all he has on this team, not by a long shot. He also has Charles, and a plethora of tight ends. And, if as has been asked, he is more aggressive, that is going to increase his numbers. Now, 4000 yards? That too me is too ambitious for two reasons. I don't expect that the Chiefs are going to need 4000 yards from their qb, not with their oline running game, defense and special teams. Having a punter like Colquitt, cuts the field down a lot, and with what I expect to be a very turnover optimistic defense, you are going to play with the short field a lot. Very hard to get those kind of numbers when you are winning the field position, and turnover battles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Who knew Trent Green had 3 4000 yard seasons in him?

Dick Vermeil did. He believed in him in St Louis, and he believed in him here when no one else really did. Whoa.......MIND TRIP.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2997187	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: 43,454

06-17-2013, 01:44 PM	#155
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $1446717	Most of us expressing the anti-Alex sentiment do so from this prospective: If we are right, there won't be much dissapointment, and if wrong, we can be pleasantly surprised. I know that never again will I be a victim of being so overoptimistic of our qb situation, and to look like a fool in front of my non Chief-fan friends.
Posts: 14,411

06-17-2013, 02:34 PM	#158
mcaj22 MVP Join Date: Feb 2010 Casino cash: $10014454	because it's the NFL and the entire sport is built on statistics. So why wouldnt you use that sample size to argue for or against a player?
Posts: 11,886