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.”

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

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?

I agree, this team isn't getting a WC.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

he also had the best defense in the NFL in 2011

the Chiefs dont have close to a top 10 defense

No one knew the 49ers were that good going into 2011, no more than you know how good this defense is going to be under Sutton. So that, doesn't fly. The fact is, on paper, the defenses from the 49ers prior to 2011, and the chiefs defense this year going in, are comparable. Can we at least come to an agreement on that?

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

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.

It'll be interesting.

[BigBeauford]

I hope I eat crow and Smith excells. On the other hand, I hope he doesn't to overachieve against a weaker schedule, only to get extended and mire in mediocrity against a tougher schedule in the following years.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by qbsacker93

I hope I eat crow and Smith excells. On the other hand, I hope he doesn't to overachieve against a weaker schedule, only to get extended and mire in mediocrity against a tougher schedule in the following years.

That's an interesting philo. I can understand it.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

No one knew the 49ers were that good going into 2011, no more than you know how good this defense is going to be under Sutton. So that, doesn't fly. The fact is, on paper, the defenses from the 49ers prior to 2011, and the chiefs defense this year going in, are comparable. Can we at least come to an agreement on that?

yes you did, you had the defense. even in your 6-10 2010 year you had a top 15 defense. you were one of the best teams at stopping the run even with a crappy offense, crappy coaching and crappy QB, you had the defensive talent.

This Chiefs team showed no signs of anything last season except that Jamaal Charles can lead a good rush attack. The defense was bottom tier in the high twenties and the pass defense gave up scores at will.

They actually ARE NOT comparable statistically so get your facts straight.

[Coogs]

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.

Okay. Put those two in, and you have 12 teams listed. That's about an 8.5% chance for each one of those to win it all things being equal, and a 91.5 %chance the won't. Plus, their are 20 other teams. Some being pretty good... including us IMO.

So any given QB, the chances are much greater they won't win a Super Bowl anytime soon... Smith included. But someone is going to win won this year.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

he also had the best defense in the NFL in 2011

the Chiefs dont have close to a top 10 defense

See, I tend to agree more with Sac. (has he been around lately?) If the offense does control the ball and move the chains... something that didn't happen often enough with Cassel... then our defense could/should be much improved.

I think we are on the right track and are going to surprise this season. JMO.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by Coogs

See, I tend to agree more with Sac. (has he been around lately?) If the offense does control the ball and move the chains... something that didn't happen often enough with Cassel... then our defense could/should be much improved.

I think we are on the right track and are going to surprise this season. JMO.

Tough to evaluate last season's D.

That shitty Offense committed a shitton of turnovers.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Tough to evaluate last season's D.

That shitty Offense committed a shitton of turnovers.

Exactly!

[BigBeauford]

Originally Posted by TrueFanDave

Tough to evaluate last season's D.

That shitty Offense committed a shitton of turnovers.

The eye test showed the D really wasn't that bad, but it is tough to overcome shitty field position with the 3 and outs, and constant turnovers.

[mcaj22]

the defense was that bad, every safety and CB on half the field got picked on all game and the DL had no pass rush

if that changes is yet to be seen but it's not like theres been any significant upgrades to CB2, CB3, FS or the DL pass rush that show otherwise.

[Marcellus]

I amazed how little credit you fools give to coaching.

We had the worst coach in the NFL last year by a mile. Maybe 10 miles.

We just picked up a top 10 coach.

Basically every person in the NFL media thinks the Chiefs are talented.

We sent 6 people to Hawaii granted a few were questionable but still, somebody thought we had that level of talent.

Lets be a doom and gloom, that's way better.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

the defense was that bad, every safety and CB on half the field got picked on all game and the DL had no pass rush

if that changes is yet to be seen but it's not like theres been any significant upgrades to CB2, CB3, FS or the DL pass rush that show otherwise.

Bullshit

[Mav]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

yes you did, you had the defense. even in your 6-10 2010 year you had a top 15 defense. you were one of the best teams at stopping the run even with a crappy offense, crappy coaching and crappy QB, you had the defensive talent.

This Chiefs team showed no signs of anything last season except that Jamaal Charles can lead a good rush attack. The defense was bottom tier in the high twenties and the pass defense gave up scores at will.

They actually ARE NOT comparable statistically so get your facts straight.

See, I enjoy this. Now, I am going to keep this polite. I am going to say that you are wrong. Way wrong infact. First, we didn't have Donte Whitner in 2010, and because of that, Dashon Goldson, was absolutely terrible in 2010. We had Takeo Spikes, who was good, but going into 2011, no one KNEW anything about Navarro Bowman. We had cut Clements, and picked up washingtons trash in Carlos Rogers, who in his previous 6 years, had as many picks 6, as he earned in his first season in San Francisco. Do you remember 2010 at all? You talk about our top 15 defense, how did that look when we came to Kansas City and had our doors completely blown off?

There was nothing similar to the 2010 and 2011 teams. Nothing. The difference was the coaching. And that will apply here. The majority of successful teams in the NFL, excel, at putting their personnel in a position to succeed. And it will start with the pass rush for the Chiefs. It will help out players like Eric Berry who when healthy, is a top 10 safety in the league, it will help out Brandon Flowers, who is a top 10 corner in the league. Both positions, that the 49ers have no player of that caliber. The chiefs are poised defensively, to be a top 10 defense this year, the only difference between the 49ers, of 2011, and the Chiefs of 2013, are the fact that your pieces are KNOWN. The 49ers had an unproven Aldon Smith, who was a situational pass rusher, Justin Smith, and Patrick Willis, and a bunch of unknowns.........