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

[Tribal Warfare]

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.”

[NinerDoug]

Originally Posted by milkman

Here, let me help you out.

Harbaugh saw that CK is a much more dynamic playmaker than Smith, and that gives the team a better chance to win, short and long term.

He wants to win.

That's pretty much it.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Sorter

Forgot them. I'd add them to my list as well.


Given our schedule, I really don't see this team doing better than 6-10.

We have a very easy schedule...

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Rausch

We have a very easy schedule...

@Jacksonville
Cowboys
@Eagles
Giants
@Titans
Raiders
Texans
Browns
@Bills
@Broncos
Chargers
Broncos
@Raiders
Colts
@Chargers

Wins are bolded. Italics=Tossups.
We'll probably be swept by Denver and split with the Raiders and Chargers.

[Sorter]

You're counting on this team winning 3 games on the road against one team that has destroyed KC the past 2 years.

I do like our chances against the Eagles/Titans but winning on the road is always something that makes it hard to pencil in as a win for a lower/mid-tier time like KC.

[mcaj22]

hasnt that crappy Bills team been beating us the last couple years? We have the same players plus a couple new rookies and a game manager QB. What is the difference maker this time that says we will beat them? They actually beat us with their crappy QB, now they have a drafted first round QB to groom. Something us Chiefs fan dream of doing

[mcaj22]

pretty much it's who can Alex Smith out duel in a QB battle. If a good QB gets in front of him score wise, he's not catching up or bringing this team from behind.

So guys like Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and maybe Mike Vick can absolutely air it out and beat him in a race. He has no chance against those guys

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Sorter

@Jacksonville
Cowboys
@Eagles
Giants
@Titans
Raiders
Texans
Browns
@Bills
@Broncos
Chargers
Broncos
@Raiders
Colts
@Chargers

Wins are bolded. Italics=Tossups.
We'll probably be swept by Denver and split with the Raiders and Chargers.

I Don't see you losing to the eagles. Other than history I don't understand why anyone or what anyone sees in the raiders. The chargers have gotten progressively worse, and with a new head coach, no one knows how they are going to do. And by new, as in first time, not new, as in Andyr reid. I find if funny, that one of the games you have bolded is the Cleveland game.

[mcaj22]

well the Browns are ****ing terrible. So yes they should be bolded

[Sorter]

I really expect us to be drafting in the top 8-13 again.

Pats,49ers,SH,Ravens, Steelers, Bengals, Saints, Falcons, Giants, Texans, Colts, Broncos, Bears, Packers, Lions will all likely have a better record than us. Add in mid level teams like Miami, Carolina, Vikings, Rams, Bucs, Cowboys, and you end up with something like this. Now, KC could end up as high as 15-19 but I'm not counting on it.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I Don't see you losing to the eagles. Other than history I don't understand why anyone or what anyone sees in the raiders. The chargers have gotten progressively worse, and with a new head coach, no one knows how they are going to do. And by new, as in first time, not new, as in Andyr reid. I find if funny, that one of the games you have bolded is the Cleveland game.

I agree. However, given that they are divisional games and our recent history, I'm thinking we split.

I think the Cleveland game is going to be close. However, it's hard for me to think Weeden pulls of a win at this point.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

pretty much it's who can Alex Smith out duel in a QB battle. If a good QB gets in front of him score wise, he's not catching up or bringing this team from behind.

So guys like Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck and maybe Mike Vick can absolutely air it out and beat him in a race. He has no chance against those guys

Really? In 2011, he went toe to toe with Tony Romo, beat Eli Manning, and beat Mike Vick. So he has absolutely proven that he can win shoot outs. Im not sure where these absolutes come from. The truth is, no one knows how mike vick is going to be in that system, or if he can stay healthy. Not many people can win shoot outs with Peyton Manning, so I really don't find it that discouraging if a team that went 13-3 last year, and added Wes Welker, were able to beat the Chiefs. But Schaub? When was the last time this game won a close game? Eli, depends on which giants team is playing that week. One week, they can beat anyone, the next, they cant beat anyone. So who knows.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by Sorter

I really expect us to be drafting in the top 8-13 again.

Pats,49ers,SH,Ravens, Steelers, Bengals, Saints, Falcons, Giants, Texans, Colts, Broncos, Bears, Packers, Lions will all likely have a better record than us. Add in mid level teams like Miami, Carolina, Vikings, Rams, Bucs, Cowboys, and you end up with something like this. Now, KC could end up as high as 15-19 but I'm not counting on it.

the only chance we have is leap frogging Denver for the division and thats not gonna happen until Peyton retires or gets hurt.

We arent taking a wildcard spot from any of the teams with proven consistency; Colts, Texans, Steelers, Bengals, Ravens and then you have a stacked team like the Dolphins that hinges on breaking out thanks to their 2nd year first round pick QB where their progression is.

So really who are we jumping out of those teams?

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Sorter

I agree. However, given that they are divisional games and our recent history, I'm thinking we split.

I think the Cleveland game is going to be close. However, it's hard for me to think Weeden pulls of a win at this point.

I understand the skepticism on Weeden. My hope much like with Alex Smith here, is that Norv Turner will help him. Also being in a down field passing system, should help him as well. Provided Josh Gordon can stop trying to channel his inner Jamarcus Russell.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Really? In 2011, he went toe to toe with Tony Romo, beat Eli Manning, and beat Mike Vick. So he has absolutely proven that he can win shoot outs. Im not sure where these absolutes come from. The truth is, no one knows how mike vick is going to be in that system, or if he can stay healthy. Not many people can win shoot outs with Peyton Manning, so I really don't find it that discouraging if a team that went 13-3 last year, and added Wes Welker, were able to beat the Chiefs. But Schaub? When was the last time this game won a close game? Eli, depends on which giants team is playing that week. One week, they can beat anyone, the next, they cant beat anyone. So who knows.

he also had the best defense in the NFL in 2011

the Chiefs dont have close to a top 10 defense

[Mav]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

the only chance we have is leap frogging Denver and thats not gonna happen until Peyton retires or gets hurt.

We arent taking a wildcard spot from any of the teams with proven consistency; Colts, Texans, Steelers, Bengals, Ravens and then you have a stacked team like the Dolphins that hinges on breaking out thanks to their 2nd year first round pick QB where their progression is.

So really who are we jumping out of those teams?

You mean the ravens team that lost almost all of its key defense? And Anquan Boldin? Or the steelers team that didn't even make the playoffs last year, and now on top of that, lost Mike Wallace? Those teams you don't think you can jump ahead of? Even though you play in the easiest division in football, and the ravens and steelers play in the toughest?