Chiefs Let's do the Alex Smith thing again.

Direckshun · 10-22-2014, 03:16 AM

Shall we.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-...a-game-manager

The Week in Overreactions: Alex Smith is more than a game manager
By Ryan Wilson | CBSSports.com
October 21, 2014 8:16 am ET

Alex Smith isn't a game manager

It's easy -- and, frankly, lazy -- to categorize Alex Smith as a game manager because that appeared to be his ceiling early in his career. Some of those growing pains can be attributed to youth (he came into the league as a fresh-faced 20-year-old), expectations that come with being the first-overall pick in the 2005 draft, and landing on a bad 49ers team that had six different offensive coordinators in Smith's first six seasons.

That's the definition of setting someone up to fail. And while the perception of Smith didn't change once coach Jim Harbaugh arrived in 2011, the reality was that he became a more complete player.

• In 54 games (50 starts) from 2005-2010, Smith completed 57 percent of his passes (6.2 YPA) with 51 touchdowns and 53 interceptions.

• In 2011-2012 under Harbaugh, Smith played in 26 games (25 starts) completed 64 percent of his passes (7.4 YPA) with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

• And in a season and a half with the Chiefs and Andy Reid, Smith has started all 21 games, completing 62 percent of his passes (6.6 YPA) with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

We've been as guilty as anyone as taking Smith's accomplishments for granted, even regularly referring to him as "a bridge quarterback" to whomever is pegged as the next face of the franchise in Kansas City. But he's proven to be much, much more than that. We saw it in last season's playoff loss to the Colts, when he was 30 of 46 for 378 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions.

We saw it again in Week 4 when Smith completed 20 of 26 passes for 248 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Chiefs throttled the Patriots, 41-14. And we were reminded once again on Sunday in San Diego when Smith, who has long been criticized for his inability to play from behind, did just that.

He led the Chiefs on a late-fourth-quarter, eight-play, 62-yard drive that began on their 8-yard line, and included a nine-yard scramble and passes of 19, 16 and eight yards to set up Cairo Santos' 48-yard field goal.

It wasn't spectacular but that's not Smith's game. (And when did spectacular equate to franchise savior, anyway? Jay Cutler has plenty of "spectacular" plays on his highlight reel but he's regularly played some truly awful football.)

According to Football Outsiders, Smith ranks 15th among all quarterbacks this season, ahead of Tom Brady, Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger, but his steady-as-she-goes approach fits nicely with what Reid wants to do offensively. And even if it means fewer big plays down the field, it's hard to argue with the results; the Chiefs started 9-0 last season before finishing 11-5. And after an 0-2 start this season, they have won three of four, their only loss an eminently winnable game in San Francisco in Week 5. And this all comes after the Chiefs, prior to Reid and Smith's arrival, won a grand total of two games in 2012.

When Smith signed a four-year, $68 million extension just before the season, our only reservation was that it would mean the Chiefs would put off finding their next young quarterback. But at 30 years old, he's entering his NFL prime; there's no reason to rush him off the field. In fact, he could be the key to helping the Chiefs to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2005-2006.

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-22-2014, 04:57 AM

Let's not.

Ugh.

**007** · 10-22-2014, 04:59 AM

oh for all that is holy.....

BigBeauford · 10-22-2014, 06:24 AM

I see where it says to stop calling him a game manager. I couldn't find the statistics to back that claim up, especially when it takes him 21 games to put up Andy Dalton numbers.

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-22-2014, 07:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

I see where it says to stop calling him a game manager. I couldn't find the statistics to back that claim up, especially when it takes him 21 games to put up Andy Dalton numbers.

You mean like Sunday's Dalton numbers?

Dalton is shit without Green.

dj56dt58 · 10-22-2014, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

I see where it says to stop calling him a game manager. I couldn't find the statistics to back that claim up, especially when it takes him 21 games to put up Andy Dalton numbers.

The Andy dalton that had like 21 yards at halftime and got shut out without AJ green against the colts defense that Alex put 370+ yards and 4 tds on?

ThaVirus · 10-22-2014, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

The Andy dalton that had like 21 yards at halftime and got shut out without AJ green against the colts defense that Alex put 370+ yards and 4 tds on?

That's not the same defense we played in the playoff game. If that unit keeps playing the way it is, that team will be a legit Super Bowl contender.

Dalton's been putting up 4,000 yard 30 TD seasons since he came in the league. He's not getting all that production out of one guy.

dj56dt58 · 10-22-2014, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

That's not the same defense we played in the playoff game. If that unit keeps playing the way it is, that team will be a legit Super Bowl contender.

Dalton's been putting up 4,000 yard 30 TD seasons since he came in the league. He's not getting all that production out of one guy.

they have a good defense, you make it sound like they are the 2000 Ravens. Chiefs would put up 27+ on them. Dalton put up absolutely nothing. They are superbowl contenders because of Andrew luck, not their D

Sandy Vagina · 10-22-2014, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

That's not the same defense we played in the playoff game. If that unit keeps playing the way it is, that team will be a legit Super Bowl contender.

Dalton's been putting up 4,000 yard 30 TD seasons since he came in the league. He's not getting all that production out of one guy.

Yeah, not the same defense.

They lost their stud pass rusher that amassed 19.5 sacks last year.

So to suggest that their middling defense is somehow better now? Get real.

I don't condemn Dalton for one game... but making excuses like this for him is ironic and weak at best. Other than Corey Redding and CB Davis, that Colts defense has nothing for offenses to fear.

Dalton doesn't just get production out of Green. You are of course right about that. Thing is.. just having a talent like Green on the field opens up everyone else... so directly or indirectly... Green is a huge presence for Cincy.

dls6501 · 10-22-2014, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Yeah, not the same defense.

They lost their stud pass rusher that amassed 19.5 sacks last year.

So to suggest that their middling defense is somehow better now? Get real.

I don't condemn Dalton for one game... but making excuses like this for him is ironic and weak at best. Other than Corey Redding and CB Davis, that Colts defense has nothing for offenses to fear.

This is your standard MO, Sandy. Downplay everything else in the NFL in a feeble attempt to prop Alex up.

By every measurable statistic or standard, the Colts defense is one of the best in the NFL so far this season. Last year, the Colts defense was not very good.

But keep twisting things around to make your boy look better than he is.

**BigMeatballDave** · 10-22-2014, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

That's not the same defense we played in the playoff game. If that unit keeps playing the way it is, that team will be a legit Super Bowl contender.

Dalton's been putting up 4,000 yard 30 TD seasons since he came in the league. He's not getting all that production out of one guy.

Bullshit. It's one ****ing season.

ThaVirus · 10-22-2014, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj56dt58

they have a good defense, you make it sound like they are the 2000 Ravens. Chiefs would put up 27+ on them. Dalton put up absolutely nothing. They are superbowl contenders because of Andrew luck, not their D

I'm not making it sound like anything. I wrote what I wrote and you made your own assumptions from there.

Of course the heart and soul of the team is Luck. But they've had him for 2 seasons prior to this one and were never considered legit Super Bowl contenders. Now they are. Why? Because their defense is playing extremely ****ing well. Do you understand?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Yeah, not the same defense.

They lost their stud pass rusher that amassed 19.5 sacks last year.

So to suggest that their middling defense is somehow better now? Get real.

I don't condemn Dalton for one game... but making excuses like this for him is ironic and weak at best. Other than Corey Redding and CB Davis, that Colts defense has nothing for offenses to fear.

Dalton doesn't just get production out of Green. You are of course right about that. Thing is.. just having a talent like Green on the field opens up everyone else... so directly or indirectly... Green is a huge presence for Cincy.

To act like a defense that is missing a player can't be somehow different and/or play better? Get real.

Shit changes from year to year..

Our defense looks better while missing 4 starters.

The Seahawks defense looks worse with basically the exact same squad as last year.

The Saints added Jairus Byrd and a healthy Vaccaro and they look like ass compared to last year.

The Lions didn't add anyone of note and they're playing like one of the best in the league. Last year they were horrible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Bullshit. It's one ****ing season.

What's one season? Dalton's been putting up pretty good numbers in the regular season for quite some time.

**Lzen** · 10-23-2014, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBeauford

I see where it says to stop calling him a game manager. I couldn't find the statistics to back that claim up, especially when it takes him 21 games to put up Andy Dalton numbers.

Passing	Cmp	Att	Yds	TDs
A. Dalton	18	38	126	0

Sandy Vagina · 10-22-2014, 06:50 AM

Most of the time, I think the friction between people about Smith comes down to misunderstandings. Most agree that he is a good QB.. but the "sides" see criticism as extreme hate... and any applause as extreme adoration.

There is a large, grey area. Just about everyone is in this.. but somehow, get pushed further to one end or the other by the misunderstandings and overreactions from others.

I think Smith is every bit in that "2nd tier" of all QBs. Anywhere in the 7-15 range, and it fluctuates, as all QB's performances do each week. (except maybe Forehead)

Some feel he has hit his ceiling... that's fair enough.. but I don't agree. Another year in the system... an upgrade at OL here and there... and an upgrade at one WR spot... and I believe Smith can evolve even more.

He is NOT flawless... he is NOT without blame...
He is NOT a shitbag... he is NOT teh suxxorz...

Smith is simply a good, 2nd tier QB that can have a whole lot of success for a team that doesn't completely suck.

temper11 · 10-22-2014, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Most of the time, I think the friction between people about Smith comes down to misunderstandings. Most agree that he is a good QB.. but the "sides" see criticism as extreme hate... and any applause as extreme adoration.

There is a large, grey area. Just about everyone is in this.. but somehow, get pushed further to one end or the other by the misunderstandings and overreactions from others.

I think Smith is every bit in that "2nd tier" of all QBs. Anywhere in the 7-15 range, and it fluctuates, as all QB's performances do each week. (except maybe Forehead)

Some feel he has hit his ceiling... that's fair enough.. but I don't agree. Another year in the system... an upgrade at OL here and there... and an upgrade at one WR spot... and I believe Smith can evolve even more.

He is NOT flawless... he is NOT without blame...
He is NOT a shitbag... he is NOT teh suxxorz...

Smith is simply a good, 2nd tier QB that can have a whole lot of success for a team that doesn't completely suck.

Perfectly stated. Exactly this. Well done sandy.

10-22-2014, 03:16 AM	Topic Starter
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4093447	Let's do the Alex Smith thing again. Shall we. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-...a-game-manager The Week in Overreactions: Alex Smith is more than a game manager By Ryan Wilson \| CBSSports.com October 21, 2014 8:16 am ET Alex Smith isn't a game manager It's easy -- and, frankly, lazy -- to categorize Alex Smith as a game manager because that appeared to be his ceiling early in his career. Some of those growing pains can be attributed to youth (he came into the league as a fresh-faced 20-year-old), expectations that come with being the first-overall pick in the 2005 draft, and landing on a bad 49ers team that had six different offensive coordinators in Smith's first six seasons. That's the definition of setting someone up to fail. And while the perception of Smith didn't change once coach Jim Harbaugh arrived in 2011, the reality was that he became a more complete player. • In 54 games (50 starts) from 2005-2010, Smith completed 57 percent of his passes (6.2 YPA) with 51 touchdowns and 53 interceptions. • In 2011-2012 under Harbaugh, Smith played in 26 games (25 starts) completed 64 percent of his passes (7.4 YPA) with 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. • And in a season and a half with the Chiefs and Andy Reid, Smith has started all 21 games, completing 62 percent of his passes (6.6 YPA) with 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. We've been as guilty as anyone as taking Smith's accomplishments for granted, even regularly referring to him as "a bridge quarterback" to whomever is pegged as the next face of the franchise in Kansas City. But he's proven to be much, much more than that. We saw it in last season's playoff loss to the Colts, when he was 30 of 46 for 378 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions. We saw it again in Week 4 when Smith completed 20 of 26 passes for 248 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions as the Chiefs throttled the Patriots, 41-14. And we were reminded once again on Sunday in San Diego when Smith, who has long been criticized for his inability to play from behind, did just that. He led the Chiefs on a late-fourth-quarter, eight-play, 62-yard drive that began on their 8-yard line, and included a nine-yard scramble and passes of 19, 16 and eight yards to set up Cairo Santos' 48-yard field goal. It wasn't spectacular but that's not Smith's game. (And when did spectacular equate to franchise savior, anyway? Jay Cutler has plenty of "spectacular" plays on his highlight reel but he's regularly played some truly awful football.) According to Football Outsiders, Smith ranks 15th among all quarterbacks this season, ahead of Tom Brady, Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger, but his steady-as-she-goes approach fits nicely with what Reid wants to do offensively. And even if it means fewer big plays down the field, it's hard to argue with the results; the Chiefs started 9-0 last season before finishing 11-5. And after an 0-2 start this season, they have won three of four, their only loss an eminently winnable game in San Francisco in Week 5. And this all comes after the Chiefs, prior to Reid and Smith's arrival, won a grand total of two games in 2012. When Smith signed a four-year, $68 million extension just before the season, our only reservation was that it would mean the Chiefs would put off finding their next young quarterback. But at 30 years old, he's entering his NFL prime; there's no reason to rush him off the field. In fact, he could be the key to helping the Chiefs to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2005-2006.
Posts: 59,327

10-22-2014, 04:57 AM	#2
BigMeatballDave GBM 8-12-15 Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Dayton, Oh. Casino cash: $10052154	Let's not. Ugh.
Posts: 59,997

10-22-2014, 04:59 AM	#3
007 Shaken. Not stirred. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: London Casino cash: $13810126 VARSITY	oh for all that is holy..... __________________ My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.
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10-22-2014, 06:24 AM	#4
BigBeauford MVP Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Lenexa, KS Casino cash: $1896717	I see where it says to stop calling him a game manager. I couldn't find the statistics to back that claim up, especially when it takes him 21 games to put up Andy Dalton numbers.
Posts: 14,404