Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 30

**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.”

**Rausch** · 06-22-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Yes, a top qb, who doesn't have a top shelf defense, and the number one running game in the league. Both of which the 49ers had with Alex Smith at qb.

He won't have a top 10 D this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Ill say his max ints will be about 13......

That's far too many. He's here to protect the football and stop-gap the Andy WCO.

Period.

That number is way above his average for the last 2 years (which is really all the pro-Alex guys want to look at.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I don't think that Alex Smith has that in him. He is too ingrained in doing whats best for the team. Hes never going to become that guy. He may become more aggressive under Reid, but Brett Farve lite? Never going to happen, and if it does, it means that things have gone complete to shit for the Chiefs. And that isn't going to happen.

THat's my point. Alex found his gold zone his last two years.

Phat Andy wants him to top 30 passes per game...

mcaj22 · 06-22-2013, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Sacks Happen. They happen to everyone, even the great Aaron Rodgers. He takes sacks too.

well yea if Alex Smith could throw for 300 yards and had the arm strength of Rodgers I dont care if he takes 10 sacks a game

the fact that the averages are like 4 sacks a game @ 170 yards is the difference of converting a key third down in a 10-7 game in my opinion

and that's a sick way to watch your team piss away a win cause of your limp dick noodle arm QB

**Rausch** · 06-22-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

well yea if Alex Smith could throw for 300 yards and had the arm strength of Rodgers I dont care if he takes 10 sacks a game

the fact that the averages are like 4 sacks a game @ 170 yards is the difference of converting a key third down in a 10-7 game in my opinion

and that's a sick way to watch your team piss away a win cause of your limp dick noodle arm QB

His arm is fine. He can make all the throws...

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

He won't have a top 10 D this year.

That's far too many. He's here to protect the football and stop-gap the Andy WCO.

Period.

That number is way above his average for the last 2 years (which is really all the pro-Alex guys want to look at.)

No, that's not all that I look at. I look at a myriad of things. The first thing being that he with few exceptions the past two years, always gives your team a chance to win, and gives playmakers a chance to make plays. Which with this team is fine. There aren't really any home run hitters at receiver. Bowe is going to flourish under Alex Smith, because Alex will give him the ball in space to make plays. So, the personnel on this team at the moment, really benefit Alex Smith. Having Jamaal Charles is also going to benefit him as well, especially if they are going to use him more in the passing game. Look for the screen play to be alive and well.

THat's my point. Alex found his gold zone his last two years.

Phat Andy wants him to top 30 passes per game...

You could be right, I think that it is going to be a give and take. Or at least for the best for the Chiefs, I believe that if Alex, and Andy can come to a middle ground on this, where Alex has some say so, and freedom to check down to a run, or to audible freely when he sees fit, that that could work. I am of the belief, and some of it naïve more than likely, that part of Alex Smiths cautious approach the past two years, had more to do with who was looking over his shoulder, and knowing that too many crucial mistakes could cost him his job by the chosen one. That is my hope, and that with no such worries here, and a coach that is 100 % behind him, perhaps he will open up a little more. I unlike many here, remember 2009, the end of it, where Alex Smith was let loose by Jimmy Raye, in the Raye-Gun, and played VERY WELL throwing the ball multiple times a game. Of course, he felt he had nothing to lose, and played like it. I am hoping he gets back to that Alex Smith.

mcaj22 · 06-22-2013, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

His arm is fine. He can make all the throws...

yea 10 yards or less

**Rausch** · 06-22-2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I unlike many here, remember 2009, the end of it, where Alex Smith was let loose by Jimmy Raye, in the Raye-Gun, and played VERY WELL throwing the ball multiple times a game. Of course, he felt he had nothing to lose, and played like it. I am hoping he gets back to that Alex Smith.

His numbers and record were not good under the "Raye-Gun."

**Rausch** · 06-22-2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcaj22

yea 10 yards or less

He's a pansy that chooses to go that route.

He has the arm to throw anything...

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

His numbers and record were not good under the "Raye-Gun."

I am only talking about, from when he took over for Shaun Hill in 2009. At halftime of the Houston game, from that point, to the end of the season. He played very well. Then in 2010, after they drafted Iupati, and Anthony Davis, Mike Dingletary, forced Alex Smith, and the 49ers offense back to ground and Pound ball. And that's when Alex Smith sucked again. But in 2009, those last 7, 8 games, was the closest that Alex Smith has looked to being a competent qb who could actually lead the team, instead of being a part of it.

**Rausch** · 06-22-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I am only talking about, from when he took over for Shaun Hill in 2009. At halftime of the Houston game, from that point, to the end of the season. He played very well. Then in 2010, after they drafted Iupati, and Anthony Davis, Mike Dingletary, forced Alex Smith, and the 49ers offense back to ground and Pound ball. And that's when Alex Smith sucked again.

The Harbaugh version of martyball is exactly what made him a respectable QB...

**Mav** · 06-22-2013, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

The Harbaugh version of martyball is exactly what made him a respectable QB...

I am not disagreeing with you at all. Not one bit. Harbaugh salvaged anything that could be construed as a career for the guy. No doubt about it. Good thing the Chiefs on paper have a very good oline, and great running game, and plenty of pass catching tight ends.

Ace Gunner · 06-22-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rausch

His arm is fine. He can make all the throws...

not a big arm, but ya, good enough for pro football. he did not have WR's that could even get down the field fast enough until the last few seasons. He and Jamaal plus Bowe should be a pretty good trio this season. Jamaal is a great WR in this offense because his footing is so good and he is a master at setting defenders to run seams.

**Rausch** · 06-22-2013, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

not a big arm, but ya, good enough for pro football. he did not have WR's that could even get down the field fast enough until the last few seasons. He and Jamaal plus Bowe should be a pretty good trio this season. Jamaal is a great WR in this offense because his footing is so good and he is a master at setting defenders to run seams.

...

Ace Gunner · 06-22-2013, 11:18 AM

Coogs · 06-22-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

I am only talking about, from when he took over for Shaun Hill in 2009. At halftime of the Houston game, from that point, to the end of the season. He played very well. Then in 2010, after they drafted Iupati, and Anthony Davis, Mike Dingletary, forced Alex Smith, and the 49ers offense back to ground and Pound ball. And that's when Alex Smith sucked again. But in 2009, those last 7, 8 games, was the closest that Alex Smith has looked to being a competent qb who could actually lead the team, instead of being a part of it.

Last 7 games that season...

146 - 253, 58%, 1542 yards, 12 TD's, 6 INT's

That's averages of 36 passes per game for 220 yard per game average with 2:1 TD/INT.

Season would be over 3500 yards with roughly 32 TD's and 16 INT's.

http://www.pro-football-reference.co...Al03/gamelog//

**BigMeatballDave** · 06-22-2013, 11:32 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oakl...e_gdata_player

Someone made a video about Clay.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-3027187	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: 43,455

06-22-2013, 11:18 AM	#448
Ace Gunner First Overall Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: kcmo Casino cash: $10007271	__________________ The Greatest
Posts: 10,580

06-22-2013, 11:32 AM	#450
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oakl...e_gdata_player Someone made a video about Clay.
Posts: 59,997