Patrick Mahomes Question Looms Large as Alex Smith Continues to Struggle

[RunKC]

Patrick Mahomes Question Looms Large as Alex Smith's Struggles Continue

Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Patrick Mahomes Question Looms Large as Alex Smith's Struggles Continue

BRENT SOBLESKI
NOVEMBER 19, 2017
Alex Smith has gone full Alex Smith over the last five weeks, and the Kansas City Chiefs need some type of spark to revert back to the squad that opened the year 5-0 with impressive victories over the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles.

Head coach Andy Reid must consider the possibility of making a change at quarterback after Sunday's 12-9 overtime loss to the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

A move of this magnitude isn't taken lightly, nor is it a knee-jerk reaction to the losses. Even the best teams struggle. Any given Sunday, right? But it's how the Chiefs continue to lose and Smith's role in their recent downturn that makes a switch at the game's most important position a legitimate possibility.

Patrick Mahomes is Smith's polar opposite, and the rookie's playmaking ability could send a charge throughout the entire organization.

For years, Smith earned the designation of the quintessential game manager. He was good enough to win games as part of a talented core, but he wasn't the type of quarterback who took over games. He made the expected plays and didn't turn the ball over, yet he lacked big-time throws.

His game began to evolve under Reid's supervision. The veteran signal-caller took on more responsibilities to create as both a passer and runner, especially after a knee injury cut Jamaal Charles' career in Kansas City short.

Smith started to look more like the quarterback once deemed an elite talent and drafted No. 1 overall coming out of Utah. His skill set evolved further this year with a vertical component added to the mix. Smith made deeps throws during his career, but his game was primarily built around precision passing and getting the ball out quickly. This is where he excelled.

The Chiefs found weapons in wide receiver Tyreek Hill, tight end Travis Kelce and rookie running back Kareem Hunt to help Smith become the ultimate distributor. The 33-year-old quarterback was an MVP candidate a month ago after catering to each of his dynamic weapons.

The Kansas City quarterback completed 76.6 percent of his passes for 1,391 yards, 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions during the team's 5-0 start.

Life came at Smith fast, though.

During the next five games, Smith's stats dovetailed to a 62.9 completion percentage, 1,283 passing yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions.

On the surface, those numbers aren't horrible. But he hasn't been nearly as efficient or dynamic. Smith has looked uncomfortable behind a reshuffled offensive line. He hasn't been nearly as accurate and made some terrible throws. The explosive plays just haven't been as prevalent, either.

Yes, Smith is willing to lay it on the line to win. On Sunday, he showed how much far he'll go during the final drive that led to the Chiefs' game-tying field goal and forced overtime, per NFL.com:

Aside from an ill-advised interception that would have killed Kansas City's final regulation drive if not for being called back due to pass interference, Smith completed five of six passes—including a 32-yard strike to Kelce.

Smith gave his team a chance to win, but it wasn't enough. The fact Kansas City had to battle for every yard is an indictment of the offense's current direction.

The Giants pass defense ranked 30th overall entering in the contest. The disappointing group surrendered 267.8 passing yards on average. Smith managed 230 yards and threw a pair of interceptions, which tripled his season total, per NFL Research:

Two factors make Smith's lackluster performance even more damning.

First, the Chiefs came off their bye week and provided a level of play bordering on lethargic. Second, Smith couldn't even replicate the success lesser quarterbacks experienced against the Giants in recent weeks, as Arrowhead Pride's Ryan Hall noted:

Not producing to the level of Jared Goff, Russell Wilson or even Philip Rivers isn't a crime. Not being able to play as well as Trevor Siemian or C.J. Beathard is a travesty.

Smith's regressed to his mean. Recent history shows it's not enough. In some ways, the organization has alluded to the fact it's preparing for life without Smith. The Chiefs made a bold decision in April by trading up 17 slots in the first round to acquire Mahomes.

The Texas Tech product is a pure gunslinger. Mahomes is everything Smith isn't. The 6'2" 225-pound quarterback displayed rare arm talent during his collegiate career. Scouts still viewed Mahomes as a project despite throwing for 5,052 yards and 41 touchdowns as a junior. His game isn't based on precision or efficiency. He's a big-play machine and can make throws other quarterbacks can't. WBIW-TV's Chris Lilly provided a preseason example:

The Chiefs may follow through on drafting Mahomes by moving past Smith this offseason. The franchise can save $17 million against the salary cap with his release, per Spotrac.

Why wait to make a move?

Kansas City isn't winning with Smith, and he's not playing well. Yes, Mahomes is going to make mistakes, but his penchant for big plays is exactly what the Chiefs lack.

A counter-argument is easily made: The Chiefs are 6-4, still lead the AFC West by two games and Mahomes isn't ready.

So what?

Reid and his offensive staff are counted among the league's most creative play-callers, and the group can build around the rookie's multifaceted skill set. Plus, the move wouldn't be made based just on this season. Mahomes is the face of the franchise; he just hasn't taken the field yet.

"I mean, you don't get any days off," Mahomes said on Nov. 9, per the Kansas City Star's Terez A. Paylor. "You do, but at quarterback, you don't. So you're watching film every single day, trying to make sure you're prepared and ready. That's something you hear about, you talk about, but until you're here, you don’t actually know what it’s like."

There's no reason to keep an ace off the mound in favor of a long-term reliever. Since the Chiefs do have some wiggle room in the AFC West, the option to bring the veteran off the bench exists if the first-year signal-caller struggles.

Smith is who he is. The Chiefs knew what they had at the position and chose to make a big move and acquire Mahomes. Being bold to acquire a special talent doesn't stop once the draft is complete.

After four losses in five games, there's no reason for the Chiefs to remain conservative. It's time to unleash Mahomes.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/syndica...tinue.amp.html

[RunKC]

I don't like that the KC media is automatically going to the "he'd be a senior in college right now" bullshit. "He just graduated high school 3 years ago!".

Mitch Trubisky only played 13 games in college.
Last year at this time, Jared Goff was younger than Pat Mahomes and he played.

Pat has been here for 7 months now. He should be ready to play.

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

He definitely can, but he won't have to... this offensive line is actually pretty damn good in pass protection. Probably a top 12 unit, if not top 10. Alex just makes them look way, way worse with his pocket presence.

correct again.

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I don't like that the KC media is automatically going to the "he'd be a senior in college right now" bullshit. "He just graduated high school 3 years ago!".

Mitch Trubisky only played 13 games in college.
Last year at this time, Jared Goff was younger than Pat Mahomes and he played.

Pat has been here for 7 months now. He should be ready to play.

This is pissing me off! I thought Terez knew what he is talking about. I respect his takes. I am surprised.

[pugsnotdrugs19]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I don't like that the KC media is automatically going to the "he'd be a senior in college right now" bullshit. "He just graduated high school 3 years ago!".

Mitch Trubisky only played 13 games in college.
Last year at this time, Jared Goff was younger than Pat Mahomes and he played.

Pat has been here for 7 months now. He should be ready to play.

Yeah I thought that whole deal was pretty ignorant myself. He's 22. What's the difference next year when he's still 22 to start the season?

[Fish]

Originally Posted by KCtotheSB

My body is ready for Mahomes.

He told you he doesn't like you like that...

[ARROW2]

We have lost 4 out of 5 with SD and Oakland with easy games coming up and people are like "Well, if this continues....then you bench him....." I'M GONNA BLOW A GASKET!!!!!


I'll be back, I have to go cool off. The stupidity is mystifying to me..

[Danguardace]

Reid wont play him because it would mean he couldn't call all of his bull shit plays.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by ARROW2

We have lost 4 out of 5 with SD and Oakland with easy games coming up and people are like "Well, if this continues....then you bench him....." I'M GONNA BLOW A GASKET!!!!!


I'll be back, I have to go cool off. The stupidity is mystifying to me..

Well, bye

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by Danguardace

Reid wont play him because it would mean he couldn't call all of his bull shit plays.

I'm sure Andy would be soooooo upset that he would have to go back and call a regular ****ing offense.

Which brings up a good point?

Maybe Reid won't bench Smith because he's already installed this gimmick college offense and doesn't want the rest of the offense to have to switch courses in the middle of the season. Thoughts?

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Pestilence

I'm sure Andy would be soooooo upset that he would have to go back and call a regular ****ing offense.

Which brings up a good point?

Maybe Reid won't bench Smith because he's already installed this gimmick college offense and doesn't want the rest of the offense to have to switch courses in the middle of the season. Thoughts?

If you're hypothesizing about that, i would say it's a touch more likely that he's keeping it uber vanilla to try and coast through as many games as possible to keep certain set pieces in his pocket for the playoffs.

[ARROW2]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

If you're hypothesizing about that, i would say it's a touch more likely that he's keeping it uber vanilla to try and coast through as many games as possible to keep certain set pieces in his pocket for the playoffs.

Bullshit. You mean like last year's 13 point explosion against pitt? Stack the line, play zone. Check mate.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

If you're hypothesizing about that, i would say it's a touch more likely that he's keeping it uber vanilla to try and coast through as many games as possible to keep certain set pieces in his pocket for the playoffs.

It really does piss me off that there's not very many passing plays under center. They telegraph running plays because practically all of the Chiefs passing plays are in the shotgun

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I don't like that the KC media is automatically going to the "he'd be a senior in college right now" bullshit. "He just graduated high school 3 years ago!".

Based on the way Paylor and co are acting about this, it would seem like they were told in one way or another that if they pushed controversy and division... their access would be severely limited

Reid will be damned if he has to deal with a bunch of Sal Paolantonios in KC, IMO

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Danguardace

Reid wont play him because it would mean he couldn't call all of his bull shit plays.

He will still call plenty of bullshit plays.

But one way out of bullshit plays is a guy who knows how to create. First of all, actually throwing to your receivers instead of the checkdown. Secondly, getting creative by throwing on the run.

McNabb was a big time freelancer. Anyone who thinks Andy's style doesn't mesh with mahomes needs to look at what made McNabb and Favre successful. They will be very similar qbs.

[Danguardace]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

He will still call plenty of bullshit plays.

But one way out of bullshit plays is a guy who knows how to create. First of all, actually throwing to your receivers instead of the checkdown. Secondly, getting creative by throwing on the run.

McNabb was a big time freelancer. Anyone who thinks Andy's style doesn't mesh with mahomes needs to look at what made McNabb and Favre successful. They will be very similar qbs.

My point was that I am confident Alex knows more of the offense at this point. He would have to slow down for a Rookie.

I agree that Mahomes suits Reid.