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.”

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by Buzz_TinBalls

weren't you one of the "tyler bray is going in the first" advocators ?

A lot of NFL pundits think the Jets made a poor choice taking GS that early. I was one of the guys on this board calling for the team to go with BA and take GS 1.1, BUT I also acknowledged this was going to be a big reach because I felt GS was no better than a 2nd round QB talent and since the Chiefs had no 2nd, I'd be okay with getting him 1.1... The lacking talent at the top of this draft was another reason I was for it.

I'd still like to see Reid paired with GS here, it can still happen -- I have little faith he will stick in jetsville. the fans/media are going to roast him and the team will either trade or cut sometime after a season or two.

I had never said anything about Tyler Bray. I'm not that familiar with him so I try not talk about him much. I can't tell you if he is better than Stanzi or not, but I am looking forward to preseason to find out.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Geno Smith isn't Drew Brees.

You're making an assumption based on a personal bias. You can't possibly know at this point what Geno Smith will be. As big a fan as I was, I don't know what Geno Smith will be at this point, either.

The rest of what you said...

Brees fell because of his height and that he came from the spread (and if you'll recall, I was a very vocal proponent of Brees).

Smith had no such concerns. His questions stemmed from his lack of maturity and decision making on the field. To date, he hasn't done anything to squelch those concerns.

... is irrelevant because the point I was making is that a player's value will ultimately stem from what he does on the field, not because of what you, me or anybody else thinks about him before, during or the summer after the draft.

And the point remains, that regardless of why he fell, Drew Brees fell. So the NFL was wrong.

(Personally, I think Geno Smith will end up doing nothing because he went to what I believe was the worst possible place for him to go. But in the end, only time will tell...)

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

How the **** is that dumb, you asshat? It's the truth. Alex Smith isn't going to do a GODDAMN THING in terms of getting this franchise to a Super Bowl.
I swear, you live in a ****ing fantasy world where Alex Smith is a legit first-rounder and Reid is still a top coach in this league. It's ****ing embarrasing, Dane.

Please....STOP.

Ah, ah, ah......STOP.

Please point out where I advocated for Alex Smith or stated he'd win a Super Bowl.

Asshat.

Oh, and my sperm are smarter than you.

[bsp4444]

I see the girls are still arguing over who is prettier.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by bsp4444

I see the girls are still arguing over who is prettier.

That would actually be the Fitness thread

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Please point out where I advocated for Alex Smith or stated he'd win a Super Bowl.

Asshat.

Oh, and my sperm are smarter than you.

Who did you want the Chiefs to get for our QBotf?

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Who did you want the Chiefs to get for our QBotf?

No one in this draft.

I mentioned on several occasions that Tyler Bray had the best upside but that he wouldn't be around in the later rounds.

I was wrong. He went undratfed. And signed with the Chiefs.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

No one in this draft.

I mentioned on several occasions that Tyler Bray had the best upside but that he wouldn't be around in the later rounds.

I was wrong. He went undratfed. And signed with the Chiefs.

Then who? That is what I am asking. Who could we have got you wanted other than Alex Smith or draft pick?

[BossChief]

Let me say this about the Alex Smith trade...

Players arent signed or traded for based on what they have done rather what they can do for you in the future. Andy Reid knows more about QBs than ANYONE ON THIS SITE and sees SOMETHING in Alex that he thinks he can work with.

Alexs 2011 season was ok and last year he was on pace for over 25 touchdown passes before the concussion...while not turning the ball over and completing 70% of his passes.

If Andy can keep Alex progressing at a similar rate as he has the last two seasons, we may have gotten a steal.

If he cant, we will be in position to draft his replacement in the next two drafts.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Let me say this about the Alex Smith trade...

Players arent signed or traded for based on what they have done rather what they can do for you in the future. Andy Reid knows more about QBs than ANYONE ON THIS SITE and sees SOMETHING in Alex that he thinks he can work with.

Alexs 2011 season was ok and last year he was on pace for over 25 touchdown passes before the concussion...while not turning the ball over and completing 70% of his passes.

If Andy can keep Alex progressing at a similar rate as he has the last two seasons, we may have gotten a steal.

If he cant, we will be in position to draft his replacement in the next two drafts.

If they brought in Alex Smith as a stop gap QB I wouldn't be near as upset. They gave up a second round and could give up a second round in next years draft. That is not a stop gap quarterback. I don't give a shit what Andy Reid sees in Alex Smith, he couldn't keep Mike Vick from being turnover machine or healthy & on the field. The only great success Andy Reid has had was with Donovan McNabb.

I can get over this Alex Smith shit if we draft a QB with our first pick in next years draft. Reality is that we wont.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

You're making an assumption based on a personal bias. You can't possibly know at this point what Geno Smith will be. As big a fan as I was, I don't know what Geno Smith will be at this point, either.

The point is that Smith and Brees couldn't be more different in terms of personality.

I do not know what Geno Smith will become but other than sliding into the second round, the parallels end there for me.

Originally Posted by keginkc

The rest of what you said...... is irrelevant because the point I was making is that a player's value will ultimately stem from what he does on the field, not because of what you, me or anybody else thinks about him before, during or the summer after the draft.

I think it's relevant.

These guys have been more scrutinized than suspected terrorist are by the NSA. They undergo massive physical and psychological examinations. They are poked and prodded to see how they react.

I didn't see E.J. Manual at Florida State but I saw him in the Senior Bowl. I watched interviews with him pre and post draft. I have no idea how he'll perform in the NFL but what I saw and heard was a smart, confident young man and leader. He'd been tested in college and by his mother's illness. He made me a believer in his ability to lead.

Geno Smith was nearly the exact opposite. Mopey, dopey and lacking confidence and more importantly, charisma. His actions at the draft and post draft have proven that the red flags raised prior to the draft weren't far off the mark.

This isn't to say that he won't become a good starting NFL QB, but with all of his question marks, he wasn't deemed worthy of a first round draft choice, let alone 1.1.

And if he can't overcome the adversity in New York, he probably wouldn't survive anywhere. Being starting NFL QB is a difficult task in any city.

Just ask Brees, Rivers, Romo, Rothlisbeteger and even Flacco.

Originally Posted by keginkc

And the point remains, that regardless of why he fell, Drew Brees fell. So the NFL was wrong.

I'd have to go back to the 2001 draft but IIRC, there were very few teams in need of a starting QB. The most egregious mistake was of course made by the Chiefs. But talent evaluators definitely missed.

But those misses are becoming rarer with each year.

Originally Posted by keginkc

(Personally, I think Geno Smith will end up doing nothing because he went to what I believe was the worst possible place for him to go. But in the end, only time will tell...)

If you can make it in New York City, you can make it anywhere. But I agree that it's probably a worst-case scenario for him, which IMO, only further enhances the fact that he's not a bonafide Franchise QB that should have been selected #1 overall.

His best landing spot would have been cities like Tampa, Jacksonville and Phoenix, cities without a passionate, die hard fan base.

IMO, he would have been a disaster in KC, especially with the Jay-Z deal. The guy would have been talk show fodder for months before he even stepped on the field and sitting him would have only made matters worse.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Then who? That is what I am asking. Who could we have got you wanted other than Alex Smith or draft pick?

Alex Smith was the best QB available, period.

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Alex Smith was the best QB available, period.

In this case I disagree just because the potential in some draft prospects even in this weak class is > than Alex Smith. I would have been happy with getting Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, Tyler Wilson, or E.J. Manuel with a first or second round draft pick.

Still keep our picks for next year & take a close look at this years prospects to see if we can get another prospect that we can build a future around. Creating a real quarterback competition and see who can win out and go with. It sure the **** wouldn't hurt us any & have better chance for something long term.

[Chris Meck]

Carl Peterson did not believe in drafting a starting QB. Pioli believed he could turn Cassel into Tom Brady.

Both are gone.

Reid and Dorsey saw nobody that interested them in this draft and so took the best available fit for their offense.

That is all that has happened. To draw more conclusions from what has happened so far is silly.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

In this case I disagree just because the potential in some draft prospects even in this weak class is > than Alex Smith.

Based on what, exactly? For the record, EVERYONE that actually WORKS in the NFL or was a media member and on-air talent evaluator, disagreed.

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

I would have been happy with getting Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, Tyler Wilson, or E.J. Manuel with a first or second round draft pick.

Good God.



Matt Barkley fell to the fourth. Tyler Wilson fell to the Fourth. E.J. Manuel went in the first round. Your "happiness" would have meant overdrafting (and in the case of Manual, not even available).

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

Still keep our picks for next year & take a close look at this years prospects to see if we can get another prospect that we can build a future around. Creating a real quarterback competition and see who can win out and go with. It sure the **** wouldn't hurt us any & have better chance for something long term.

You cannot create a QB competition in which there is no competition. You have admitted repeatedly that Geno Smith, if he were to be drafted, should sit on the bench and "learn".

So, if he's sitting on the bench, what type of "competition" is he providing?