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.’’

[Coogs]

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/playby...22025&period=0

From the looks of the game play-by-play, neither Manning or Smith converted many 3rd down situations. Some were 3rd and longs. Some were runs on 3rd down. Some were scrambles on 3rd down. Some came up a yard or so short on 3rd down. Doesn't really look like a game where the QB's just shit the bed on 3rd down, but where defense's made plays. Both ways. Which is kind of the way I remembered that game. Good defensive game.

EDIT: He also had 73 and 28 yard TD passes in the game. Not sure Alex Smith was the main reason for this loss.

[Sandy Vagina]

Originally Posted by Chiefs Pantalones

Being a fan of more than one team is like having more than one wife. It's f'ed up. I don't care if people do, I just don't take them seriously when it comes to sports. Loyalty and faithfulness for the win.

I easily disagree with this attitude... it severely limits what football and other sports can give. To each his own.. and the Niners are my top priority... but I am going to enjoy this coming season all the more because I will be very much watching and pulling for the Chiefs to change their direction.

Some folks have to spice up their football love with fantasy football... meh... whatever floats your boat. Me? I won't limit myself fully to only watching one team. I am a fan of the game, first and foremost.

So in the end, if that is "f'ed up" to you? well then no problem for me... think what you want, and strut like you are a better fan than I.

[Carlota69]

Originally Posted by milkman

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

Yep, me too.
I can't quit you babe!

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Coogs

http://scores.espn.go.com/nfl/playby...22025&period=0

From the looks of the game play-by-play, neither Manning or Smith converted many 3rd down situations. Some were 3rd and longs. Some were runs on 3rd down. Some were scrambles on 3rd down. Some came up a yard or so short on 3rd down. Doesn't really look like a game where the QB's just shit the bed on 3rd down, but where defense's made plays. Both ways. Which is kind of the way I remembered that game. Good defensive game.

EDIT: He also had 73 and 28 yard TD passes in the game. Not sure Alex Smith was the main reason for this loss.

Without looking at the log, I think that Manning only converted 3 or 4 3rd downs, tops.

But they were huge conversions when they needed them, and that was the difference in the game.

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by milkman

Without looking at the log, I think that Manning only converted 3 or 4 3rd downs, tops.

But they were huge conversions when they needed them, and that was the difference in the game.

He converted exactly one after the early 2nd quarter TD drive. One. And yes it was a big one, but it came right after the first fumbled punt.

3rd down conversions by QB's in this game was not the difference in the game.

EDIT: My bad. Two. The last TD came on 3rd down. But the punt return touch by Williams that gave the ball to the Giants at the 29 was the game changer. Not the 3rd down conversions. 49ers were up 14-10 at the time.

Smith followed that up with a game tying FG drive. Crabtree was stopped 2 yards short of a 1st down on 3rd and 5 at the Giants 7. Playcall or Smits's fault?

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by milkman

Without looking at the log, I think that Manning only converted 3 or 4 3rd downs, tops.

But they were huge conversions when they needed them, and that was the difference in the game.

I think the difference in the game was Kyle Williams. He not only turned it over in the worst possible moment, but he also fumbled earlier in the game and lost it.

When a player fumbles the ball twice in a big game like this and turns the ball over, a big part of the blame has got to be put on his shoulders.

[OrtonsPiercedTaint]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

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

The future Conan?/Andy Richter

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

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

Cool story bro

[Coogs]

The biggest two 3rd down plays that have come into question for the 49ers were the two before the mishandled punts. I believe the arguement is... "If Smith would have converted those, there would have been no need for the punt", or something like that.

The 1st one was a 3rd and 1. Running play behind the RG for no gain. Obviously the blame must go to Smith, correct?

The 2nd one was a 3rd and 12. Smith completed an 11 yard pass to Vernon Davis who was stopped in his tracks with no YAC on the play. Smith's fault again?

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by RunKC

I think the difference in the game was Kyle Williams. He not only turned it over in the worst possible moment, but he also fumbled earlier in the game and lost it.

When a player fumbles the ball twice in a big game like this and turns the ball over, a big part of the blame has got to be put on his shoulders.

If turnovers are the reason for losing games Manning OWNS failure.

He IS failure in the playoffs...

[keg in kc]

If you have to try so hard to convince yourself that a guy is adequate, that should probably tell you something.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

If you have to try so hard to convince yourself that a guy is adequate, that should probably tell you something.

This.

And what does Manning on third downs have to do with anything?

He converted two in the second half, one for a touchdown.

Posted via Mobile Device

[TheUte]

Originally Posted by Coogs

The biggest two 3rd down plays that have come into question for the 49ers were the two before the mishandled punts. I believe the arguement is... "If Smith would have converted those, there would have been no need for the punt", or something like that.

The 1st one was a 3rd and 1. Running play behind the RG for no gain. Obviously the blame must go to Smith, correct?

The 2nd one was a 3rd and 12. Smith completed an 11 yard pass to Vernon Davis who was stopped in his tracks with no YAC on the play. Smith's fault again?

So which would Harbaugh take no turnovers or 2 more 3rd down conversions?

[bowener]

AIR SMITH!!!
nocurrifQ

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

If you have to try so hard to convince yourself that a guy is adequate, that should probably tell you something.

I'm not trying to convince myself. I just fail to see where some of these arguements that Smith sux hold much water.

Saying the reason the 49ers didn't beat the G-men in the NFC Championship was because Smith sucked on 3rd down just does not appear to be correct.

Look, I'm not expecting to see Joe Montana in his prime out of Smith. But I am excited to see what he may bring to this team.