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.”

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

You had me until you got here, I need clarification.

Do you mean a Chiefs high draft pick? When you say KC will move on a QB in the first next year, do you mean they will trade their first for one, or actually pick one in the first?

Good point. I actually think they will, for really real, draft a QB in the first.

Which means they'll take one in the second after trading down. It will be smart, prudent, and genius, and I'll hate it.

The wait continues. Le sigh.

[Mr. Laz]

TJ Carpenter ‏@TJCarpenterWHB 7m
Reid spends all his time with the offense, in particular the QBs RBs and WRs... that's it. Did 1 drill with DL this offseason. #Chiefs

[penbrook]

Per Dave Skretta

Jamaal Charles says Alex Smith is fast. "He reminds me of Vince Young when I was in college."#Chiefs

[penbrook]

Per Tj Carpenter

It's been this way since day 1, but it should be noted, Tysyn Hartman has been the Chiefs starting nickle safety this offseason.*#Chiefs

[mcaj22]

thats because everyone else at safety is ****ing god damn terrible

he should just be the starting FS. he has the height and potential, and hes not brokedick Kendrick Lewis.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Good point. I actually think they will, for really real, draft a QB in the first.

Which means they'll take one in the second after trading down. It will be smart, prudent, and genius, and I'll hate it.

The wait continues. Le sigh.

One point I brought up a few times but haven't heard anyone else respond to is... If Reid is able to make a more read option oriented offense work, then drafting a QB becomes much eeasier . in fact, the right QB could easily slip to the second or third round because he's a terrible fit for say a west coast offense but an excellent fit for the spread.

[-King-]

Originally Posted by mcaj22

thats because everyone else at safety is ****ing god damn terrible

he should just be the starting FS. he has the height and potential, and hes not brokedick Kendrick Lewis.

You need to change your tampon. You're leaving a trail.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

when game managers try to get more aggressive it usually leads to implosions.

Alex Smith will do whatever is asked of him. that's just the way he is.

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

Awesome!

I don't know how any Chiefs' fan would be upset by this. If true, it means Alex Smith will sink or swim. He's not going to game manage his way into keeping his starting job.

Whatever the game plan is, is what he will do. its always been that way. hes a perfect soldier. There is no general in him though.

Originally Posted by Garcia Bronco

low probablity for success with a 9 year vet. He'll be who he is when he is who he is on Sundays.

Really? Jim Harbaugh changed Alex Smith in a lockout shortened offseason. Taught him to protect the ball, and to make sure that every drive ended in a kick.

Alex has a brilliant mind, and he will do whatever Andy, and Doug want him to do. That is the problem with people assume that they know Alex Smith, and then get pissed when people WHO DO know Alex Smith, try to tell you what to expect. If Andy wants Alex throwing more down field, then Alex will do that.

[mcaj22]

Originally Posted by -King-

You need to change your tampon. You're leaving a trail.

who do we have on this team that's good at safety besides Berry. Enlighten me oh wise one, and then explain how an UDFA nobody is the starting safety on passing downs beating them all out

[Sandy Vagina]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/93...unces-back-nfl

The Chiefs will be the most improved team in the NFL this season, primarily because Alex Smith will be their starting QB. It's difficult for some people to see that today because this team won two games in 2012. It's hard for others to understand because Smith lost his job with the 49ers midway through last year. But the change will come. Alex has a lot to teach his new teammates about comebacks. When the Chiefs traded for Smith in February, they picked up exactly the kind of QB necessary to help them dig out of the wreckage that was last season. Smith wasn't solely valuable because he'd been an integral part of the 49ers' success over the previous two years. He was important because he understands how to turn miserable experiences into masterful play. No QB in the NFL has been as beaten down as this man since he became the top pick in the 2005 draft. The fact that he's still standing and starting says something about his heart.

[Ace Gunner]

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

My best guess, my absolute best guess (or maybe just deepest hope), is that KC will move on a QB in the first next year and let him sit for a year behind Smith. And that will be just fine with me. I don't care if he won't contribute in time for Tamba Hali to still be in his prime. I'll take Hali and Charles retiring TODAY if it means getting our franchise QB.

This is the greatest post in DAYS. If Lil' Chiefy has an Antichrist, this is it.
WIN.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by DoucheMcCloud

Good God.



Being "aggressive" also refers to putting the ball into much tighter spots. Instead of dumping the ball off for a modest gain, Smith needs to trust himself and his receivers more and put the ball into tighter windows if the offensive is going to consistently move the ball downfield.

That doesn't mean stepping back, opening himself up to the pass rush and heaving it 60 yards down the field.

Reid is correct: Alex needs to work on this NOW and develop a rapport with his receivers NOW, as opposed to having the game on the line and not knowing where to the put the ball where only his receivers can catch it.

Furthermore, Smith isn't likely to see a better secondary than the unit he faces in practice every day, so now is the time.

Le sigh...he used to have the arm to do such things but fact is he doesn't, meaning more INTs and also when you stop looking for that safety valve checkdown, you have to read defenses better and faster and I have zero confidence he will, QED he will get sacked more. I'm right and you need to facepalm yourself....infinity^infinity.

[mdchiefsfan]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

I can't believe people here are acting mad because Reid is trying to expand Smith's approach.

I mean are we really taking the 'How DARE Andy Reid ask Alex Smith to be more aggressive!" road? Is it a bad thing for the coach to see the limits of the QB's abilities?

Jesus people. Get a grip. I'm no Alex Smith fan, but this is an area almost everyone here has blasted Smith for. Why are you pissed? Yeah, it likely won't work. It's not a BAD thing for a coach to attempt to make a QB better though. It's called coaching.

Game day bucket go BOOM!

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Setsuna

he used to have the arm to do such things but fact is he doesn't, meaning more INTs and also when you stop looking for that safety valve checkdown, you have to read defenses better and faster and I have zero confidence he will, QED he will get sacked more.

Not at all forcing you to believe this, but just saying, this post is inaccurate.

Smith's arm strength isn't that of the most elite, but it's been much better since he worked with pitching guru Tom House in recent years. So whatever he "used to have" as you say? He has that back, and it is probably even better, now that he's fine-tuned his mechanics.

His "lack of arm strength" won't get him into any more trouble than any other good quarterback that doesn't have a true cannon.