Chiefs Teicher:Prodded by Andy Reid, Chiefs QB Alex Smith learning to be more aggressive - Page 61

**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.”

Sorter · 06-27-2013, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

It wins games in the NFL.

Period.

Here is a guy on our team who would benefit from a QB who can go deep.

You won't see Alex Smith hit Avery deep once this year.

Ita really depressing when you realize Baldwin's catch against SD two years ago is yhe closes t thing to those gifs.

Hammock Parties · 06-27-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

You know whats funny Clay. In the other thread, you made gifs of Alex Smiths bad throws, but, yet, didn't include the one of his 55 yard bomb to Moss.

I don't give a shit. The only QB who sucks more at throwing down the field is Christian Ponder.

**Mav** · 06-27-2013, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I don't give a shit. The only QB who sucks more at throwing down the field is Christian Ponder.

The problem is, you don't know shit. You haven't watched enough of Alex Smith to know what he can and cant do. Go make gifs of Alex Smith vs the buffalo Bills last year, and tell me that he cant push the ball down the field. Do something USEFUL with your life instead of trying to take a few samples that support your stupid ass ideals. They aren't even theories at this point. Its just you trying to spew your poison all over everyone, so that everyone has to bathe in your filth. And, dude, I refuse to go there. Is Alex Smiths strengths the deep ball. No, but you make it sound like the guy cant throw a pass over 20 yards, and that's just bullshit.

ChiefsCountry · 06-27-2013, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Brees wasn't selected until the second round. Yes taking him at 12 was a huge reach. Trent Green was a top 10 possibly top 5 for most his time here. I know Chiefsplanet loves revisoonist history though. If yall want to bitch about not taking an elite QB Aaron Rogers makes the most sense. Again there was nothing wrong with the Green trade. If the Chiefs drafted Rogers or Croyle would have panned out we aren't even having this discussion.

Up until the day Green was traded for Brees was slotted in our spot. The Chiefs draft board was leaked and Brees was slotted for our pick. If we took him at #12, it wouldn't have been a reach at all. Besides everybody in the NFL thought him sliding to #32 was crazy at the time.

crazycoffey · 06-27-2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

It wins games in the NFL.

Period.

Here is a guy on our team who would benefit from a QB who can go deep.

You won't see Alex Smith hit Avery deep once this year.

Not once? Deep over 40 yards?

**Mav** · 06-27-2013, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Smith HATER

I don't give a shit. The only QB who sucks more at throwing down the field is Christian Ponder.

Seeing as how you are looking so forward to Alex Smith failing, which also means the Chiefs fail, you are clearly not a Chiefs fan, so why do you even give a shit?

RunKC · 06-27-2013, 03:58 PM

Just because Alex Smith didn't throw downfield very much doesn't mean he sucks at it.

Seeing a lot of solid downfield throws from him in this video.

Sorter · 06-27-2013, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Seeing as how you are looking so forward to Alex Smith failing, which also means the Chiefs fail, you are clearly not a Chiefs fan, so why do you even give a shit?

While I'm not rooting for Smith to fail(at this point), I can undrratand why someone would root for the Chiefs/Smith to fail for the gteater good ( think Suck for luck).

**Mav** · 06-27-2013, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Just because Alex Smith didn't throw downfield very much doesn't mean he sucks at it.

Seeing a lot of solid downfield throws from him in this video.

there is no way in the hell, Clay will ever watch this video. But if you do troll master. :39 seconds in is the Pass to moss.

**Mav** · 06-27-2013, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorter

While I'm not rooting for Smith to fail(at this point), I can undrratand why someone would root for the Chiefs/Smith to fail for the gteater good ( think Suck for luck).

You know, when we were going into 2011, I was one of the 49ers fans that was on the Suck for Luck train. I felt that same way, so I do understand it. But, I was not upset that Alex Smith, and the 49ers succeeded. Its one thing to think that your season is going to be a disaster. But its another, to see so many positive things and still root for someone to fail.

**DaneMcCloud** · 06-27-2013, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Up until the day Green was traded for Brees was slotted in our spot. The Chiefs draft board was leaked and Brees was slotted for our pick. If we took him at #12, it wouldn't have been a reach at all. Besides everybody in the NFL thought him sliding to #32 was crazy at the time.

Vermeil and Saunders spoke very highly of him on Keitzman's show before (and after) the Trent Green trade.

Sorter · 06-27-2013, 04:08 PM

3:15 in that video is the best throw IMO.

Coogs · 06-27-2013, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Just because Alex Smith didn't throw downfield very much doesn't mean he sucks at it.

Seeing a lot of solid downfield throws from him in this video.

Nice!

Not many 3rd down plays though. You know he sux on 3rd down, right?

/jk

crazycoffey · 06-27-2013, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunKC

Just because Alex Smith didn't throw downfield very much doesn't mean he sucks at it.

Seeing a lot of solid downfield throws from him in this video.

There is a lot of trick photography and photoshop going on in that video. I have only heard that smith cannot make those throws.

Rasputin · 06-27-2013, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sorter

While I'm not rooting for Smith to fail(at this point), I can undrratand why someone would root for the Chiefs/Smith to fail for the gteater good ( think Suck for luck).

I'm rooting for Alex Smith to win the Super Bowl with the Chiefs.

Do I think it's going to happen, no.

So I'm not giving him the benefit of the doubt. I want them to prove me wrong.

Just getting to the playoffs isn't good enough.

06-05-2013, 06:26 PM
Tribal Warfare Man of Culture Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Far Beyond Comprehension Casino cash: $-2997187	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.”
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06-27-2013, 03:58 PM	#907
RunKC Andy Reid Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Casino cash: $-1640389	Just because Alex Smith didn't throw downfield very much doesn't mean he sucks at it. Seeing a lot of solid downfield throws from him in this video. __________________ Mike Greenberg@Espngreeny I can’t fathom what it must be like to be a fan of the #Chiefs. Adopt a Chief: Jared Wiley
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