Alex Smith did, does, and will always suck.

[Hammock Parties]

[GoChargers]

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Fair enough. Done and done.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

If McCluster was his first read, you're probably right. But at the back of his drop, his eyes may not have been focused on McCluster. And as you noted, even if they were, he'd have gotten Dexter absolutely demolished.

But you're presuming that McCluster was his first read. If he wasn't, then he wouldn't have been looking that way at the top of his drop. At that point we get back to him really only having that narrow window when the GIF pauses that I think throwing that ball is a good idea.

EDIT: Boy, as I watch the GIF, either Smith is damn clever with his eyes or McCluster wasn't his first read. He looks to be the third option in this play, to be honest. I don't think Smith did anything wrong by not firing that in right at the top of his drop - McCluster doesn't appear to have been his first read so expecting him to hit him right as he gets to the top of his drop ignores those progressionsn.

Yeah, progression wise I have no idea. It looks as if Fasano is running a flag route and Charles is running some kind of underneath route. I wouldn't be shocked if Fasano weren't the 1st read there.


However, just speaking to the dexter part of it, he's "NFL" open there with a well timed throw. He gets hit, but as we all know, things get really tight down on that part of the field so your going to have to just take the hit most likely if that's where you are gonna throw it

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Could you imagine the outrage and furor if he had thrown that ball and it was intercepted?

That said, I'm in agreement with the overall notion but I have to admit that after last season (and actually, the past 8 seasons), it was nice to see competent QB play on the first drive.

Regardless of how far the ball was in the air.

Could you imagine if it were possible for a week thrown pass to be intercepted there?

There is ZERO chance for #50 to intercept the ball if Alex leads Mccluster. Zero. As for the db I'm the top right of the gif, he is never within 5 yards of McCluster. He won't get there.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

Fine by me. Kaepernick is just really crazy good.

Better?

Nah I didn't want you to praise Kaepernick, I just don't want there to be double standards because you like a player better than another. So I'm saying don't reference any games where AS played well if the opposing team defense was in the bottom 12 in the league in pass defense since you believe that's significant. Don't change your stance to make Alex look good. Stick to your guns but do it on both sides.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by L.A. Chieffan

Smith just needed a system and a coach that believed in him. Now he has both. Finishing in the top five QBS this year isn't out of the question.

I see you have a new subpar QB to champion. Awesome.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by O.city

Yeah, progression wise I have no idea. It looks as if Fasano is running a flag route and Charles is running some kind of underneath route. I wouldn't be shocked if Fasano weren't the 1st read there.


However, just speaking to the dexter part of it, he's "NFL" open there with a well timed throw. He gets hit, but as we all know, things get really tight down on that part of the field so your going to have to just take the hit most likely if that's where you are gonna throw it

Ultimately I think I agree - if McClusters his first read there, the ball has to come out right at the break. Sorry Dex - dem's the breaks, kid; it's the NFL. That said, if you're going to throw a ball into that maelstrom that close to end-zone, you have to realize that if he gets hit hard enough or the defender is a half a heartbeat faster than you expected, that becomes a jump ball with a bunch of defenders nearby.

In the end, I think throw or hold, either argument is defensible even if McCluster is the first read. 50 clearly keyed on him and a smart QB doesn't go full Cassel there and get his WR murdered unless we're talking game on the line time. Even in a regular season game, is it really a good idea to unload that ball on first down in the first quarter? Man - I don't think it's that clear cut. The ball would've had to come in hot because of the small window and McCluster's not exactly known for taking hits well or holding onto the ball.

After he clears 50's outside shoulder and he's in pursuit, I think you have a legit beef; Smith probably needs to have the stones to try that flip (and no, it wouldn't be across his body - he'd have to lead McCluster). But right at the break? There's a hell of a lot of harm that could come from that and it's just as likely as the good, IMO. I don't think you can criticize him too harshly for not taking that shot there.

I've told the story a few times about the guy I talked to that knew Donald Washington and listened to him tell stories about Bowe. Bowe was done giving himself up for Matt Cassel. He was getting hung out to dry and it was effecting his effort. Winning games often goes beyond an individual play and if Smith gets Dexter detonated a few times, that's the kind of thing that can linger well beyond a single drive. Like I said, if it's the game on the line you throw it anyway, but a good QB and good team leader also knows when discretion is the better part of valor.

[KC native]

Originally Posted by Clayton Bibsby

We are being overrun by these trolls. This is unbearable. Only D.C. and Media is safe now.

says the jagoff troll

[O.city]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Ultimately I think I agree - if McClusters his first read there, the ball has to come out right at the break. Sorry Dex - dem's the breaks, kid; it's the NFL. That said, if you're going to throw a ball into that maelstrom that close to end-zone, you have to realize that if he gets hit hard enough or the defender is a half a heartbeat faster than you expected, that becomes a jump ball with a bunch of defenders nearby.

In the end, I think throw or hold, either argument is defensible even if McCluster is the first read. 50 clearly keyed on him and a smart QB doesn't go full Cassel there and get his WR murdered unless we're talking game on the line time. Even in a regular season game, is it really a good idea to unload that ball on first down in the first quarter? Man - I don't think it's that clear cut. The ball would've had to come in hot because of the small window and McCluster's not exactly known for taking hits well or holding onto the ball.

After he clears 50's outside shoulder and he's in pursuit, I think you have a legit beef; Smith probably needs to have the stones to try that flip (and no, it wouldn't be across his body - he'd have to lead McCluster). But right at the break? There's a hell of a lot of harm that could come from that and it's just as likely as the good, IMO. I don't think you can criticize him too harshly for not taking that shot there.

I've told the story a few times about the guy I talked to that knew Donald Washington and listened to him tell stories about Bowe. Bowe was done giving himself up for Matt Cassel. He was getting hung out to dry and it was effecting his effort. Winning games often goes beyond an individual play and if Smith gets Dexter detonated a few times, that's the kind of thing that can linger well beyond a single drive. Like I said, if it's the game on the line you throw it anyway, but a good QB and good team leader also knows when discretion is the better part of valor.

Probably so. If we're talking 4 quarter in December with the broncos in town and were trailing, yeah, you make that throw. In this situation, I don't mind it. I think the rollout is actually a pretty basic throw that a qb of smiths caliber should make 9 times out of 10.

There also could be a beef with Dexter there in that he could have sat his route down harder instead of squaring in towards 50 in that situation but that could lead to a bevy of other problems

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by 9er guy

Pretty sure he shredded the Pats in New England for 4 TD passes.

This is why they moved on from Alex.

They knew he could never provide those kinds of performances.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

There was still risk in that throw.

Agreed. Alex hates any throw with risk.

[Ace Gunner]

Originally Posted by Kaepernick

I'll buy that, but again, look at Alex's play.

Makes me wonder if he even saw the reciever in midfield or just locked in on the receiver in the end zone all the way.

well, that play is designed to hit dex if he's in single cover, but he wasn't and so the next design read in this play is to hit Baldwin and get some upfield blocking help.

but what happened here is the NT just came right through before the play could develop. he not only came up for the pressure, he completely shut down the lane for this entire play -- no way to even step into the throw.

and then when smiff rolled out, Dex didn't go full sail to beat smiffy to the sideline -- no way to throw over a defender chasing behind on a rollout.

[Kaepernick]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Ultimately I think I agree - if McClusters his first read there, the ball has to come out right at the break. Sorry Dex - dem's the breaks, kid; it's the NFL. That said, if you're going to throw a ball into that maelstrom that close to end-zone, you have to realize that if he gets hit hard enough or the defender is a half a heartbeat faster than you expected, that becomes a jump ball with a bunch of defenders nearby.

In the end, I think throw or hold, either argument is defensible even if McCluster is the first read. 50 clearly keyed on him and a smart QB doesn't go full Cassel there and get his WR murdered unless we're talking game on the line time. Even in a regular season game, is it really a good idea to unload that ball on first down in the first quarter? Man - I don't think it's that clear cut. The ball would've had to come in hot because of the small window and McCluster's not exactly known for taking hits well or holding onto the ball.

After he clears 50's outside shoulder and he's in pursuit, I think you have a legit beef; Smith probably needs to have the stones to try that flip (and no, it wouldn't be across his body - he'd have to lead McCluster). But right at the break? There's a hell of a lot of harm that could come from that and it's just as likely as the good, IMO. I don't think you can criticize him too harshly for not taking that shot there.

I've told the story a few times about the guy I talked to that knew Donald Washington and listened to him tell stories about Bowe. Bowe was done giving himself up for Matt Cassel. He was getting hung out to dry and it was effecting his effort. Winning games often goes beyond an individual play and if Smith gets Dexter detonated a few times, that's the kind of thing that can linger well beyond a single drive. Like I said, if it's the game on the line you throw it anyway, but a good QB and good team leader also knows when discretion is the better part of valor.

You make a lot of solid points in that post. Rep.

[Kaepernick]

Originally Posted by gochiefs(exceptQB)

Agreed. Alex hates any throw with risk.

Alex is risk averse, pure and simple. The Saints game is the exception that proves the rule.

[Setsuna]

Originally Posted by KC native

says the jagoff troll

Ok red stripe.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Kaepernick

NO.

It is a clear illustration of Alex's success with the check downs and dump offs vs. he weakness being unwilling to pull the trigger on some passes. It illustrates perfectly what Alex can do -- putting the ball in the hands of his receiving backs to sustain drives, and what he can't do -- show willingness to throw into a window, to throw receivers open, to throw into coverage as needed.

I don't care if he went 49 for 50. The play stands on its own as a topic for discussion, when that topic is Alex's inability to see the open receiver, or unwillingness to throw the ball.

Alex is risk averse.

Here is a perfect example.

That is the difference between Alex and a guy like Eli Manning. Eli is in no way elite, but he is NOT risk averse. In clutch play, Eli still ATTACKS the defense. Often it ends in interceptions, but it also brought him 2 super bowl rings from the wild-card slot.

Alex is too cautious. No guts, no glory. We have seen that for years and years. Now the Chiefs fans will be seeing it.

Alex is risk averse. And that only takes you so far...

http://youtu.be/SSST23SGp04