Teicher:Chiefs like what they’ve seen so far from QB Alex Smith

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs like what they’ve seen so far from QB Alex Smith
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The trade for quarterback Alex Smith might take another year or more to adequately assess, but at least from their part, the Chiefs may not feel the need to wait. Quarterbacks coach Matt Nagy came close to calling it a success after practice Thursday.

“He’s been everything that we thought he was,’’ Nagy said of Smith. “He’s a true professional. He’s in his (playbook) every day. He’s always asking questions, trying to get better. He’s being a leader for the other (quarterbacks) as well.’’

Smith, like the other Chiefs quarterbacks, has had his successes and failures on the practice field. He is learning a new offensive system under a new set of coaches and throwing to a new set of receivers.

Smith and his teammates are prohibited under NFL rules from working in pads, so at this time of year, practice is conducted at something less than full speed, and a better quarterback evaluation is generally done at training camp, when teams are allowed to hold padded practice sessions.

Most teams are generally pleased with their quarterbacks at this stage, when there is no defensive pressure for them to worry about. The Chiefs, for instance, were content with Matt Cassel at a similar point after trading for him in 2009. Once the games began, Cassel never developed into the player they thought he could become, and in March he was released.

The Chiefs believe they already have an accurate grasp of what Smith is capable of in a physical regard, having watched on tape all of his games as a starter with the San Francisco 49ers. But none of their key offensive figures, including Nagy, coordinator Doug Pederson or coach Andy Reid, who will call the plays, had any experience with Smith, so they weren’t certain what they would get from their new starting quarterback in terms of preparation and work habits.

That part of Smith’s game has provided them with some relief.

“He’s comfortable with what we’re doing,’’ Pederson said. “He’s understanding the terminology, and he’s orchestrating that at the line of scrimmage. We’re really pleased with where he’s at right now.’’

Those intangibles were the unknown.

“I’m with him every single day,’’ Nagy said. “Just talking X’s and O’s and past experiences he’s had, he brings some good things to our attention as a staff. He has a lot of valuable experience. He’s been through a lot. Having those experiences and coming in here to a team with a new staff, it’s been an awesome experience. Throughout this process, we’re taking in what he has, he’s taking in what we have, and we’re putting it all together and trying to make this work.

“When he’s out here on the practice field, he’s a leader. The guys look to him. The quarterback position is so important to be that leader, whether it’s vocally or by your play. He does both of that. Having him be able to do that and have some of these younger guys look up to him, that’s what we need, and that’s what we expected he’d have and he does have that.’’

In return for Smith, the Chiefs sent their second-round pick in this year’s draft plus a third-rounder next year that converts to a second if they win eight or more games this season. Smith would be worth any price if he becomes the long-term solution at a position that has been most elusive for the Chiefs.

“It’s been great,’’ Smith said of his first few practices with the Chiefs. “It’s been football. I’ve been itching for this for a long time. I was sitting there watching a lot of football at the end of last year. I’ve said this before: This is what I wanted, and now it’s here. I’m just trying to make the most of it.’’

The Chiefs also signed former Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel to be Smith’s backup, even though he’s thrown only nine passes in four seasons behind Drew Brees for New Orleans.

“It’s evident he’s been with such a great quarterback in Drew,’’ Nagy said. “He comes in and he’s very cerebral with the protections. He understands the game and he’s a competitor. He pushed Drew Brees every day in practice, and that’s what he’s going to do here with Alex.’’

Ricky Stanzi and rookie Tyler Bray are the other quarterbacks. Stanzi, who has been with the Chiefs for two seasons without getting into a regular-season game, began the offseason as the third quarterback, a significant fact this time of year only because he will get more snaps in practice.

Bray and Stanzi have since flipped spots, with Bray getting more practice snaps.

“I want to see each guy every day getting better,’’ Nagy said. “If one is a little bit behind the other, I want to see who that is and I want to see if he’s going to improve. Is he getting better? If he’s going backwards, that’s not what we want. Let’s see him improve.

“Let’s not put them against each other right now. Let’s just see where they’re at individually, and if you get better, that’s great. We’ll go from there.’’

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

If that's the only reason he's here to troll Alex Smith propaganda then he/she are going to receive heat.If it's a rival fan that truly wants to talk football I'm cool with that, but this is similar to a "Tebow" following like other 49er fans have stated.

Understood. But I guess I'm a little more diplomatic on this board than most.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Marcellus

I am fairly tired of the entire Alex Smith debate and we have yet to play a snap in a preseason game.

I will say all coaches at times make mistakes but I am fairly certain Andy Reid knows more about QB's and his offense than the entire CP collective.

Mos of the same people who praised the Andy Reid hire now suddenly know that Reid's hand picked Qb cannot win a SB.

Its laughable.

He can not, and will not. Is what it is.

[lcarus]

Originally Posted by Chiefs Pantalones

Same here. I want him to succeed but like I mentioned earlier...we've all seen this movie before and we know how it ends. We're due though. My God we're so due.

Yes we're due lol. I'm just praying the team can rally around Charles, Bowe and the defense and find a way to get to the playoffs. I just want Alex Smith to convert a good enough % on third downs and not turn the ball over.

[Know1]

Niner fan here, this is my first post.

I hated Alex Smith for years. When Harbaugh kept him I was P*ssed. The thing is though, for years he played on a team that had minimal talent and just plain bad coaching.

Talent improved and it's obvious now that the missing link was a good coach. I watch every 49ers game and I can honestly say that Alex has become a damn good QB. He makes very few mistakes and he's accurate. If he has a glaring weakness it's his deep ball.

I expect Smith to have a good season. He's a vet, he can read a defense with the best of em. He's an expert at changing plays at the line of scrimmage.

So long as he has decent protection and isn't asked to throw too many deep balls, I think most chiefs fans will be happy.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Mac-NinersChiefs

yes indeed. Takes a big man to act tough and lash out behind his keyboard!

... but to the point (for internet tough guy), how many have given up? Too many. Don't act like there are not some that have openly admitted to quitting. That they already know what will takeplace, so all is lost for at least another season.

Unfortunately, the point of this forum for some is to cry gloom and doom every day to let out their frustration of being a loser for so long. You wish to deny that as well, tough guy? well... that is your right.. bury your head in the sand and wait for your f***ing prom. You are only lashing out because I hit a nerve and you know I am speaking truth here..

I'm not sure you understand what a "Keyboard Warrior" actually is. I'd recommend you visit sherdog.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Jersey49chief

Wow, I just joined not too long ago, and are some of you guys chiefs fans at all???? I'm being real, my wife has been a chiefs fan for over 15 years, and even she is like i dont like the fans now.
I told her it cant be that bad. You guys had non playing Cassell, and how long did he last for you guys. Smith helped lead the 49ers to 13-3. With almost the same thing we have over here. Good defense, good running game. Now a QB that has proven that he can not only come from behind and win. But has proven you can put the team on his back and he can help lead us to victories.
I could see if he was Tebow, or had no success. But like Harbaugh, Reid and company are catering the offense to Smith's strengths. And honestly it doesnt matter what they are, or are not.

Fact, he can get the ball down the field. He can make all the throws. He can read defenses, he can audible at the line, and he knows almost every position that the line and recievers should be in, in the huddle. I mean damn, pretty good Qb to look forward to having.

I've been in a few zones and i have to say, i sure hope the fanbase supports their players other than knock them. When whether u want to believe it or not. Smith is not Cassell, and Cassell isn't Smith. But oh yeah, now some wanna see how good Chase Daniel is, and he has only played in what like 11 games over 4 years.


Here's to hoping the true objective fans continue to post. cuz i hope it doesnt get too ridiculous in here

Regarding the parts I bolded.

1. Every QB does this. Geno Smith for example, was doing this his second day in OTAs, IIRC.
2. Every single QB should know that. Quite a few D1 QBs are able to accomplish this task.
3. I'm not sure what you mean by "in the huddle". Forming your huddle is typically the first thing installed.
4. If you're going to come lecture Chiefs fans on their players, it would help if you could spell former, well-known players names correctly.

[bevischief]

So when does the banning for posting KC Star articles start?

[DaveNull]

Winning the offseason.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Wanted a QBotF
Had the #1 overall pick
Got gangbenched AS

The end.

[Marcellus]

Originally Posted by lcarus

My perception of "the answer" is someone who can get us to the playoffs and win. It's probably not unlike most fans definition of this answer.

You nailed it on the head right here.

These are also things that Alex Smith has done I believe he can still do and with Reid as his coach, maybe better than ever.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by NinerDoug

Anyone who saw the divisional playoff game with the Saints in 2011 knows that Alex contributed big time to getting to the NFC Championship game. He was clutch in the 4th quarter. The Catch III.

Hats off to Alex Smith for making plays against a crappy defense that almost any NFL QB should be able to make plays against.

Originally Posted by Maverick91579

Yes, Jim Harbaughs hand picked qb replaced his hand picked place holder. Stunning. Never seen that before in the NFL. Like when Brady Replaced Bledsoe, or when Rodgers, replaced Favre, or when Luck Replaced Manning. never seen it, except, the rule maintains. When your back up qb, is your new leaderships hand picked successor, your starter is on a short leash. Its the golden rule......

Neither Brady nor Rodgers were handpicked to replace their respective incumbents.

Originally Posted by Jersey49chief

Wow, I just joined not too long ago, and are some of you guys chiefs fans at all???? I'm being real, my wife has been a chiefs fan for over 15 years, and even she is like i dont like the fans now.
I told her it cant be that bad. You guys had non playing Cassell, and how long did he last for you guys. Smith helped lead the 49ers to 13-3. With almost the same thing we have over here. Good defense, good running game. Now a QB that has proven that he can not only come from behind and win. But has proven you can put the team on his back and he can help lead us to victories.
I could see if he was Tebow, or had no success. But like Harbaugh, Reid and company are catering the offense to Smith's strengths. And honestly it doesnt matter what they are, or are not.

Fact, he can get the ball down the field. He can make all the throws. He can read defenses, he can audible at the line, and he knows almost every position that the line and recievers should be in, in the huddle. I mean damn, pretty good Qb to look forward to having.

I've been in a few zones and i have to say, i sure hope the fanbase supports their players other than knock them. When whether u want to believe it or not. Smith is not Cassell, and Cassell isn't Smith. But oh yeah, now some wanna see how good Chase Daniel is, and he has only played in what like 11 games over 4 years.

Here's to hoping the true objective fans continue to post. cuz i hope it doesnt get too ridiculous in here

I hope to hell your wife knows more about football than your dumb ass.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by OrtonsPiercedTaint

Wanted a QBotF
Had the #1 overall pick
Got gangbenched AS

The end.

AS is still better than Geno Smith or any other QB that was in this years draft.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by lcarus

In my worthless opinion, being a fan just requires keeping up with your team 100% and never denying you're a fan of said team or claiming you're a big fan of another team. I don't give a shit about any other NFL team unless they're playing someone I don't like or playing someone the Chiefs need to lose.

Even the "true fans" as CP likes to call them are real Chiefs fans in my book. The only thing they're guilty of is either not being as well educated about the game or being overly optimistic all the time. I'm not gonna convict anyone of anything for that.

Exactly how I feel as well. I don't even pay attention to football when The Chiefs are terrible ( the last 3 years in paticular) cuz it's depressing. And no way would I ever wear another teams colors. Just no ****ing way!

[milkman]

Originally Posted by jlw62987

That doesn't make any sense. Alex Smith was a fumble away from making the Super Bowl two years ago. He should have started over Kaepernick this year as well. I can't wait until teams figure out Kaepernick and the 49ers collapse from Harbaugh's dumb decision. Smith was a number 1 pick! He had AWFUL coaching and AWFUL teams until Harbaugh came into town. The guy has tremendous talent and will thrive under Reid's coaching.

Let me see here. Trust the CP internet coaches on here or Andy Reid? Hmm....tough one! I think I'll trust Andy Reid over you guys on here any day.

The kid who muffed the two punts is the scapegoat.

What most dumbasses can't wrap their minds around is the fact that if Alex Smith steps up and makes just a couple of plays to convert 3rd downs and extend drives, that kid, who was filling in for an injured player, likely never sees the chance to muff that second punt.

1 meaningless end of the first half 3rd down conversion.

12 other failed opportunities.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Carlota69

Exactly how I feel as well. I don't even pay attention to football when The Chiefs are terrible ( the last 3 years in paticular) cuz it's depressing. And no way would I ever wear another teams colors. Just no ****ing way!

This is the destructive relationship that I just can't break off.