Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 117

**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.”

Marcellus · 06-30-2013, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'm not sure why the 25 pass number is being brought up. Andy Reid isn't going to ask him to throw it more than 25 times a game. He's going to ask him to throw it more than 35 times a game.

How does anyone know what Andy is going to ask Alex to do?

**SAUTO** · 06-30-2013, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

How does anyone know what Andy is going to ask Alex to do?

Past tendencies
Posted via Mobile Device

keg in kc · 06-30-2013, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

How does anyone know what Andy is going to ask Alex to do?

Deductive reasoning?

Donovan McNabb

1999 18 attempts/game
2000 36 attempts/game
2001 31 attempts/game
2002 36 attempts/game
2003 30 attempts/game
2004 31 attempts/game
2005 40 attempts/game
2006 32 attempts/game
2007 34 attempts/game
2008 36 attempts/game
2009 32 attempts/game

Michael Vick

2010 31 attempts/game
2011 32 attempts/game
2012 35 attempts/game

milkman · 06-30-2013, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Deductive reasoning?

Donovan McNabb

1999 18 attempts/game
2000 36 attempts/game
2001 31 attempts/game
2002 36 attempts/game
2003 30 attempts/game
2004 31 attempts/game
2005 40 attempts/game
2006 32 attempts/game
2007 34 attempts/game
2008 36 attempts/game
2009 32 attempts/game

Michael Vick

2010 31 attempts/game
2011 32 attempts/game
2012 35 attempts/game

What about AJ Feely and Jeff Garcia?

**BossChief** · 06-30-2013, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And for the record, SNR had the decency to apologize for all of the rhetoric, make a "truce" and act like a normal guy again.

I know that it's far too much to ask that of SweetDaddyDUMB****, because well, he's a dumb**** and there isn't a soul on Chiefsplanet (or probably planet earth) that thinks otherwise.

But for ****'s sake, I really thought that BossChief and GoChiefs would at least say "Oops, I was wrong. He wasn't a first rounder".

You're both real character guys.

Kinda like that apology for what you said...oops.

Character...yeah, sure Dane.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coogs

I'll buy most of that.

Even though the Saints defense was not the best in the NFL, Smith made huge plays when he needed to, both throwing and running.

He opened 6-2 following the loss in the NFC Championship game. I'm not sure if I saw any of those 8 games, so I really can't comment on his performances early last season. Stats seem to indicate he was performing pretty well.

Since he seemed to be getting it... at about the same stage Brees did and where Sanchez is... I'm counting on the change of scenery... and all that goes with that... to put him over the top.

JMO

Sure would be nice.

It's been years since I've been excited about this team and wTching Chiefs football.

**BossChief** · 06-30-2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'm not sure why the 25 pass number is being brought up. Andy Reid isn't going to ask him to throw it more than 25 times a game. He's going to ask him to throw it more than 35 times a game.

I doubt that...but it's very possible.

Vick and Foles combined for 616 pass attempts last year.

That breaks down to 38.5 per game

milkman · 06-30-2013, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

What about AJ Feely and Jeff Garcia?

Then you'd have to find how far the ball traveled through air on average to really get a true idea.

I don't believe that Reid is going to ask the same of Smith that he asked of McNabb or Vick, or Kolb, or Garcia.

I'm fairly certain he'll ask for 30 or 35 attempts.

They just won't be the same passes.

**SAUTO** · 06-30-2013, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

What about AJ Feely and Jeff Garcia?

23.5 for Garcia, who was only there one season and started only eight games.

Couldn't find the stats for feely
Posted via Mobile Device

**BossChief** · 06-30-2013, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

I'm not going back to qoute all of the posts I'll be adressing here.
I'm going to try to touch on the things I've read and want to respond to.

First, let's talk about Mark Sanchez.
As many, if not most, may know, I really liked him coming out.
I said at the time, however, that he was a guy that needed to sit for a year, at the least, and ideally should sit for two.
Unlike some (keg then, Dane now), I believe you still invest high first round picks on the guys that you believe have the potential to be outstanding QBs even if you don't believe they can be first year starters.
Passing on them is short sighted, IMO.
Sanchez is at a cross roads now.
He is either going to continue down the path to complete bust, or he will begin to live up to his potential.
Most are giving up on him.
But it was at this same point in his career that Drew Brees began to emerge.

It's all going to ride on maturity and work ethic for him now.
He has the physical tools.

**BossChief** · 06-30-2013, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Then you'd have to find how far the ball traveled through air on average to really get a true idea.

I don't believe that Reid is going to ask the same of Smith that he asked of McNabb or Vick, or Kolb, or Garcia.

I'm fairly certain he'll ask for 30 or 35 attempts.

They just won't be the same passes.

ESPN splits breaks down a quarterbacks passes into distance traveled in the air.

Not sure how far back they started doing that, though.

mcaj22 · 06-30-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

How does anyone know what Andy is going to ask Alex to do?

are you going to ask a 30 year old injury prone QB to do something he's never done in his 8 seasons in the NFL?

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-30-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Unlike some (keg then, Dane now), I believe you still invest high first round picks on the guys that you believe have the potential to be outstanding QBs even if you don't believe they can be first year starters.
.

I agree that a potential Franchise QB is available in the first round, you take him. But sitting him for a year is absurd in this day and age.

And just to set the record straight, I lobbied for Brees in 2001. I lobbied taken Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez while guys like Cam Newton, RGIII and Luck would have been no-brainers. I would have been very happy with Ryan Tannehill. So let's not turn this into "Well, Dane doesn't believe in first round QB", because that's nonsense.

In 2013, none of the QB prospects where rated nearly as high as those I mentioned and the NFL draft reflected that notion. NFL teams cannot simply waste a draft choice on a QB, just because it's a QB and a position of need.

keg in kc · 06-30-2013, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BossChief

I doubt that...but it's very possible.

Vick and Foles combined for 616 pass attempts last year.

That breaks down to 38.5 per game

Make it 30. Either way, it won't be 25. So we're talking an additional 80-100 passes over a full season. Minimum.

Unless the theory is that they traded two 2nd round picks for a guy they don't believe can throw the ball the way that Reid teams traditionally do.

(As the argument goes, Reid must see something in Alex Smith on one hand, but on the other, Reid won't ask him to throw as much as he has in nearly every other year he's been a coach?

Can't have it both ways....)

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-30-2013, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

QBr is about as useful as a $50 monopoly bill in a cat housed.

With all due respect, you're entering GoChiefs territory in terms of creating a False Narrative.

1. Quarterback Rating is irrelevant.
2. Chiefs send six players to the Pro Bowl, you say "Worthless".
3. Alex Smith beat the Saints for a playoff win "Saints defense sucks".
4. Alex Smith led his team to the NFC Championship Game. "Why didn't he win it?".
5. Alex Smith was a fumble away from the Super Bowl: "He was terrible on 3rd downs".
6. Alex Smith was 18 of 19 in his last game: "QBR is worthless".
7. Alex Smith led his team to 18 victories in the past 18 months of play "Smith was along for the ride".

So, if QBR is worthless, Pro Bowls are worthless and wins are worthless, do you mind explaining how anyone can quantify a player's worthiness?

milkman · 06-30-2013, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I agree that a potential Franchise QB is available in the first round, you take him. But sitting him for a year is absurd in this day and age.

And just to set the record straight, I lobbied for Brees in 2001. I lobbied taken Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford and Mark Sanchez while guys like Cam Newton, RGIII and Luck would have been no-brainers. I would have been very happy with Ryan Tannehill. So let's not turn this into "Well, Dane doesn't believe in first round QB", because that's nonsense.

In 2013, none of the QB prospects where rated nearly as high as those I mentioned and the NFL draft reflected that notion. NFL teams cannot simply waste a draft choice on a QB, just because it's a QB and a position of need.

I really don't get into this debate about Geno, or Sanchez for that matter.

But I just can not let this go without comment.

I agee with Clayton (I believe he was the one that mentioned it) that QBs were looked at in a different light in this draft than they were before last year's draft.

There is no way in hell Sam Bradford goes #1 overall in this draft, after last year.

As to the question of sitting, we'll never agree.

As to the

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.”
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