Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 44

**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.”

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-25-2013, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

No thanks.

And for the record, whether or not RunKC is a "homer" is inconsequential to the fact that you are a know-nothing loudmouth with awful takes on Chiefs football, especially player personnel.

Inconsequential.

Go produce another shitty record.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-25-2013, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

Go produce another shitty record.

My sperm are smarter than you.

Chief Roundup · 06-25-2013, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

I roam the board like a Lion on the hunt while Dummy3 cowers in the shadows; who owns who, mother****er?

You are a legend in your own mind.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 06-25-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

My sperm are smarter than you.

I see your catchphrase is just about as popular as "Lil' Chiefy". Well, not really.

But maybe someday!

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-25-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Daddy Hate

I see your catchphrase is just about as popular as "Lil' Chiefy". Well, not really.

But maybe someday!

It's not a "catchphrase". You have just proven, time and time again, that you are completely without a thought in your brain, hence my responses.

Rasputin · 06-25-2013, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Dane.

I read all of your posts in this thread.

And then I was like...

holy shit, he LITERALLY took the words out of my mouth.

Like whoa. You have to realize you are arguing with KC Tattoo and ROR, though. They are literally two of the dumbest people on this board. And that's not a mean comment. I mean they are just dumb.

**** you asshole. I'm not dumb for wanting the Chiefs to take a chance on a quarterback after not doing it for 30 ****ing years.

**** you. You are a piece of shit.

Rasputin · 06-25-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Dane.

I read all of your posts in this thread.

And then I was like...

holy shit, he LITERALLY took the words out of my mouth.

Like whoa. You have to realize you are arguing with KC Tattoo and ROR, though. They are literally two of the dumbest people on this board. And that's not a mean comment. I mean they are just dumb.

At least I don't sleep on pissed stain mattresses you sick ****.

Marcellus · 06-25-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

At least I don't sleep on pissed stain mattresses you sick ****.

Well shit I guess we all better pay attention to your football knowledge then. Who could argue with that pedigree.

Rasputin · 06-25-2013, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcellus

Well shit I guess we all better pay attention to your football knowledge then. Who could argue with that pedigree.

Don't agree with me I don't give a ****. Doesn't make me dumb to have a different opinion on a subject just for wanting the Chiefs to draft a ****ing quarterback for a change.

I'm not going be happy until the Chiefs draft a QBotf and go with him. I think it would be super cool & give hope that finally we did something different than Carl Peterson would do.

I can understand why they passed on Geno Smith for the perspective of like Dane said dopy eyes. I get why we got Alex Smith but I think we gave up too much to get him and he wasn't worth the compensation.

We will see what next year brings but highly doubtful we draft a quarterback early & another disappoint season is going to follow.

Tombstone RJ · 06-25-2013, 07:13 PM

lulz, I see the Alex Smith phenomena is uniting posters on the planet... is this is an omen of how he's gonna unite the team too?

winning

Sandy Vagina · 06-25-2013, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

It's useless to talk to Sweet daddy.

He's the worst poster on this site.

So true!

( good for you, DaneMcCloud.. put sweet pussy hate in his place, you did! )

**BossChief** · 06-25-2013, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Dumber.

You wanted Smith at 1.1. The guy wasn't viewed as a first rounder, let alone 1.1 and was drafted at 39 by the most dysfunctional team in the league.

You were wrong. Plain and simple.

He may become a great QB but it's much more likely that he will not. And finally, there's no room in today's NFL to take a QB at 1.1, only to sit him for a year.

With no risk, there is no chance at a big reward.

I guess I would much rather have kept Eric Winston and drafted two quarterbacks high than use the first pick in the draft on an upgrade at right tackle and trading for Alex Smith, but I also recognize Andy Reids ability with quarterbacks.

But whats done is done...no sense rehashing old debates that were dead months ago.

At this point, I'm trying my best to hope they made the right decision on this one and i get to see Arrowhead rockin again and can actually enjoy watching the Chiefs play football again.

Tombstone RJ · 06-25-2013, 09:16 PM

lol at peeps still weeping over not drafting that ass clown Geno Smith...

**BossChief** · 06-25-2013, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tombstone RJ

lol at peeps still weeping over not drafting that ass clown Geno Smith...

Geno was just the "most likely" guy in that role of "a guy we might actually use a first round pick on" for the first time in...well...ever.

There were probably 5 quarterbacks in this class that I would have been happy with us taking a chance on.

I mean, seriously, we have had 4 top 5 picks in the last 6 drafts and, still, no quarterback we can view as our own.

Tyson
Glenn
Fisher
Berry

It's disappointing.

RunKC · 06-25-2013, 09:34 PM

The thing I love about Reid is that he isn't afraid to make bold moves, especially when he drafted McNabb.

He's done a great job of putting QB's in a great position to succeed and I'm very interested to see how he does with Alex Smith.

The best thing you should like about it Reid is that if Alex Smith does fail, he'll have no problem replacing him. Unlike Pioli, Reid doesn't have tunnel vision for a certain way and didn't extend him before he proved himself.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2987187	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: 43,452

06-25-2013, 07:13 PM	#655
Tombstone RJ Broncos' Fan Extraordinaire! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver Casino cash: $10012184	lulz, I see the Alex Smith phenomena is uniting posters on the planet... is this is an omen of how he's gonna unite the team too? winning __________________ ORANGE COLORED GLASSES ARE ALWAYS ON!
Posts: 6,151

06-25-2013, 09:16 PM	#658
Tombstone RJ Broncos' Fan Extraordinaire! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Denver Casino cash: $10012184	lol at peeps still weeping over not drafting that ass clown Geno Smith... __________________ ORANGE COLORED GLASSES ARE ALWAYS ON!
Posts: 6,151

06-25-2013, 09:34 PM	#660
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1630389	The thing I love about Reid is that he isn't afraid to make bold moves, especially when he drafted McNabb. He's done a great job of putting QB's in a great position to succeed and I'm very interested to see how he does with Alex Smith. The best thing you should like about it Reid is that if Alex Smith does fail, he'll have no problem replacing him. Unlike Pioli, Reid doesn't have tunnel vision for a certain way and didn't extend him before he proved himself. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Jared Wiley
Posts: 52,219