*****The Brashard Smith Thread*****

[fuzzy]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

You can probably count on one hand the number of blocking assignments that McKinnon missed here.

I think that's where the difference is. For now.

In space and/or with the ball in his hands, they're very similar. But it's gonna be a bit before we're willing to send him out there in passing situations because I'm not sure this team trusts that he can make the right read.

I don't see any reason to think he won't be willing/able to put his nose in there. But if he's looking for someone on the right to hit and someone comes blasting through a gap on the left that he missed...well it's gonna be cold comfort to Patrick's spleen that Brashard would've hit that guy if he saw him coming...

We'll wanna have a little patience with him. Maybe he's a savant and it's second nature. Maybe he's seeing this stuff unfold in week 1 and making key pickups. But we need some time yet.

He has serious and I mean serious work to do. A 3rd down back who is a poor pass blocker is not NFL ready.

[Wallymo]

Originally Posted by fuzzy

He has serious and I mean serious work to do. A 3rd down back who is a poor pass blocker is not NFL ready.

I don't think he's going to be a third-down back. At least not initially. Instead, I see him spelling Pops on first or second down until Andy thinks he's more competent to pass protect.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by fuzzy

He has serious and I mean serious work to do. A 3rd down back who is a poor pass blocker is not NFL ready.

He has work to do but no more than any other average rookie RB.

Pass-blocking for a RB is three components:
1) willingness
2) technique
3) size

If you don’t have 1, 2 doesn’t matter. If you have 1 and 2, size matters less. If you have 1 and 3, you have a little more leeway on 2.

We know Smith is small but willing as a pass blocker and needs to improve his technique. Reports are consistent and that’s what you see in his reps, too. I’m not sure what you mean by “serious” work to do but that’s OK.

If he stays healthy for rookie camp and training camp, we’ll see how quickly he can absorb better technique and incorporate it. He’s a little bigger than McKinnon, who had 1 and 2 in spades.

Knowing the playbook is important, too. But I’ll take someone with the willingness to be good at it first and foremost.

I don’t expect him to be the regular 3rd down back to start the year (unless he’s a freakishly quick study) but they can find ways to work him in as a receiving threat in packages, too.

Two back sets with Hunt or Pacheco as a second back and responsible for pass blocking responsibilities so you can isolate Smith for a shot against a LB… two TE sets where one of the TE comes into the backfield and has pass blocking responsibilities. Etc.

The Chiefs also often like to release a RB to the flat as a blitz counter instead of having them pick up a blocker in a lot of instances, too, which might be something he can handle early.

For example, that game the Chargers like to run, where they pressure/crash from the left and have a LB or DB or fast DL ready to get in Mahomes’ face if he rolls to the right? A quick flat release to the left might be a great way to handle that, as long as the LT isn’t getting shoved into Mahomes’ lap.

[Easy 6]

I'm so stoked for this kid, we needed his skillset and speed SO bad... can't wait to see him in action