Teicher: Geno Smith makes his case as top QB in NFL draft

[Tribal Warfare]

Geno Smith makes his case as top QB in NFL draft
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
The push to convince the NFL that he’s the top quarterback available in the draft — and the Chiefs that he’s worth the No. 1 overall pick — has started for West Virginia’s Geno Smith.

Without even a hint of cockiness, Smith suggested Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine that he will meet that challenge.

“I don’t feel any pressure,” Smith said. “I’m totally confident in my abilities. I’m not cocky or trying to say I’m this all-world player right now because I have many areas where I need to grow. But I do feel like I have a great, tremendous skill set and that I have an opportunity to showcase that and it’s something I look forward to.

“You can watch the tape and see all the throws I’m making. There still needs to be improvement. Inconsistency is something I’ve struggled with, I believe. Overall, I put up good statistics. But there are some situations where I could have made a better throw and I’ll be the first person to say that. I’m athletic, I’m a very smart guy. I understand defense, I have a good knowledge of the game and I also put the work in necessary.”

Smith’s combine work, including the throwing he will do for scouts on Sunday, might have to be dazzling to interest the Chiefs, at least with the top overall pick. General manager John Dorsey said recently the Chiefs and other teams were having a difficult time ranking the quarterbacks in the draft because so many, Smith included, were inconsistent last season.

That’s in line with what a lot of NFL scouts and draft analysts are thinking about this year’s group of quarterbacks, Smith in particular.

“He’s a good prospect with a strong arm,” said Bill Polian, the long-time Colts general manager. “He’s pretty accurate. He’s going to have a learning curve to get into a non-shotgun offense. He’s athletic enough. He’s not (Colin) Kaepernick but he’s athletic enough. What you don’t know is how good he is in terms of processing information and stuff like that. That’s what this predraft process is for.”

Polian said he wasn’t certain Smith is the best of this year’s draft-eligible quarterbacks.

“I wouldn’t say that,” he said. “I think there’s a group, all of whom are draft-worthy. I said last year (Robert Griffin III) and Andrew (Luck) were can’t miss. This year, I can’t say that (about a quarterback). Is there somebody who’s Russell Wilson? I haven’t seen him. Are these guys a lot like Miami’s (Ryan Tannehill)? I wouldn’t say a lot. But somebody’s going to play. They always do. Who is it going to be? I can’t say.”

Smith can make a statement that he should be the top quarterback in the draft with a strong showing at the combine and West Virginia’s pro day workout in March.

“I’m dedicated to the game, I have a zeal and a passion for the game,” Smith said. “And I’m going to work extremely hard to hone in on my skills and be the best I can be from day one.”

Many scouts believe Smith has the skills to eventually become a franchise NFL quarterback. Smith completed 71 percent of his passes as a senior with 42 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Scouts are troubled by his inconsistent throws. He missed open receivers at times for no apparent reason.

West Virginia also had an uneven season, their first in the Big 12. The Mountaineers won their first five games and were ranked as high as fifth in the country before losing six of their last eight.

“We came into a new league,” Smith said. “We came out real hot, we were fired up and ready to really prove ourselves. Inconsistency set in. When we went through that tough stretch, I was the first one to stand up in front of the team and let them know we’re going to work even harder and we’re not going to put our heads down.

“More and more (opponents) just sold out to stop the pass. We had pretty much some good rushing lanes. We had some running backs, we had a back who wasn’t healthy. We had to put (wide receiver) Tavon (Austin) back there at times. That really hurt us. We kind of struggled to move the chains and we weren’t as consistent on third downs. So all of that and the combination was just what it was, not to make any excuses, coming into a new league, it was hard for us to rebound and get back on track.”

Smith missed his initial chance to prove himself to scouts by skipping the Senior Bowl all-star game in January.

“I love competition,” he said. “I didn’t shy away from it. I have people in my corner who give me some very sound advice, who I hold dearly to, who advised me to not go.

“There will be plenty of time for me to answer those questions or any questions about me. Being here now is one of those times. I think it was a good decision and overall it worked out.”

That decision doesn’t have to be fatal to Smith’s chances to be drafted in the first round, or even with the first pick, as long as he makes the most of things this weekend.

“I can’t expect to prove any of those people wrong without even playing a down in the NFL,” Smith said. “My only expectation is to become as polished as I possibly can when I enter into the NFL and compete and be a competitor, that’s all I know how to do.

“Once I set foot on a team and I’m drafted, I’m going to come in with the same mentality. It’s not going to change. I’m going to continue to grow as an athlete and a person.”

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by chiefscafan

Gotta be honest from what I've seen from combine today and being a Bama fan I'd shock the system. Why not take chance warmack. A guard at one is unheard of?

Let me ask u this of you had a chance to take a will shields player that will play for thirteen plus seasons would u do it?

I want geno don't get me wrong but if not him why not warmack?

I wouldn't draft Will Shields AND Brian Waters with the top pick over a QB that has "all the tools to be a franchise guy"

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by BossChief

I wouldn't draft Will Shields AND Brian Waters with the top pick over a QB that has "all the tools to be a franchise guy"

This comment makes all the true fans cry. And then they point to their playoff victories as reasoning.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Sorter

What the **** is this post trying to say?

Reid is fat.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by chiefscafan

Gotta be honest from what I've seen from combine today and being a Bama fan I'd shock the system. Why not take chance warmack. A guard at one is unheard of?

Let me ask u this of you had a chance to take a will shields player that will play for thirteen plus seasons would u do it?

I want geno don't get me wrong but if not him why not warmack?

If you could put a number on it, how many extra wins per year does that guard get you?

The Chiefs are going to win more than two games this year simply through the coaching change. That's not what I asked, though. What didn't they have on the roster last year at the guard position that Warmack can do for us this year and beyond that will generate more wins?

Frankly, I see that number as 0. MAYBE it shaves off 4 or 5 sacks per year, which extends about 2 or 3 drives, generating probably around... an extra 6 points? The entire year? If we draft him, how can we guarantee we'll re-sign him? Right now we're having issues retaining our good players we've drafted at the ends of their contracts. Will Warmack be the same problem? Will we be overpaying a ****ing ton in 4 years when he needs a new deal?

And that's IF he becomes the next John Hannah, which I actually doubt. The dude has some question marks still about him.

That's what BPA doesn't account for. It doesn't think sabremetrically. It doesn't think about wins, which is all that ****ing matters to a team that is picking at #1 overall. And that's a serious flaw in its logic when you get in situations like the Chiefs are in.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Reid is fat.

Well...

ok then.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by MagicHef

Reid is fat.

Shut up, meanie

[melbar]

Originally Posted by Sorter

Clearly, as it took one hit from my rep stick to put you in the red.

I got 2 hits from you and I've never been in the red before now. Its not about the rep. Disagree. Don't call me a racist especially when you have yet to give a counterpoint. Weak way to hide your lack of an intelligent response.

The points I've made and prospects I've backed in the past have for the most part panned out. A lot of the so called gurus on the board have been proven wrong.

[MagicHef]

Originally Posted by Sorter

Well...

ok then.

Originally Posted by SNR

Shut up, meanie

That's what everyone means when they say he hates running, right?

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by melbar

I got 2 hits from you and I've never been in the red before now. Its not about the rep. Disagree. Don't call me a racist especially when you have yet to give a counterpoint. Weak way to hide your lack of an intelligent response.

You're right, I did neg you twice. It only took one to put you in the red.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by melbar

I got 2 hits from you and I've never been in the red before now. Its not about the rep. Disagree. Don't call me a racist especially when you have yet to give a counterpoint. Weak way to hide your lack of an intelligent response.

The points I've made and prospects I've backed in the past have for the most part panned out. A lot of the so called gurus on the board have been proven wrong.

[melbar]

Another picture post. Brilliant and insightful.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by melbar

Another picture post. Brilliant and insightful.

You really don't understand how moronic you're making yourself look, do you?

[Ming the Merciless]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

And to think there's still people out there that would rather have Alex ****ing Smith.

I will have a very difficult time rooting for the Chiefs should we go that route.....Being in Nor CaL, Ive watched Alex Smith pretty closely, and basically he is about the same as Cassel......he passes for like 150 yards a game, check down master, shits his pants under slight pressure, had one decent season that everyone points to....etc....

I felt bad when SF benched him when Kapernick had the ONE awesome game, but I mean come on.....

Basically I do not believe we can do significantly better with Alex smith than Matty C. AND, I think Smith is 9 million this season, IIRC, so he would be more expensive than Cassel if I understand the situation correctly.....

In any case, Alex Smith is not the way to go lads......I'd much rather see us do almost anything else......

I guess I'm kind of on the Geno bandwagon, but mainly because so many people here are hyped on him....Truthfully my college football knowledge is shit........so I'll have to take all of your words for who the better QB's are...

But I do Know that Alex Smith is not a solution here.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by melbar

I did give my reasons for believing he had a bad interview. Feel free to make an intelligent response with a little more depth than "are you serious?", "racist", or you misspelled something. You seriously think calling someone racist is a viable response to a criticism of his interview. I do realize in the 10 years here and 2 on the old star board that criticism of this years sacred cow will get you thrown on the "aids tree", but I can at least back my opinion up with some substance. I've never had negative rep on this board and I get 2 negatives because someone state why they disagree with a statement. Great you've posted a lot in the last year and a half, but I have made valid points and have proven themselves for a long time.

I didn't see a well thought out critisism.

[melbar]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

You know, I think Geno is the kind of introverted leader who would rather lead by example (as he stated in his press conference many times) rather than get up in front of people and talk. I get the sense that when he is put in front of the press, he is uncomfortable. You can tell he doesn't like responding to vague and ridiculous questions. I don't think that makes him any less of a leader, but it is certainly part of being a starting QB in the NFL.

Ah thank you! A thoughtful response! I watched and listened to a lot of other interviews and he came across a lot better. Like I said maybe he was tired. Who knows? Still hope we draft him, just didn't think it was an inspiring interview is all. Nice to actually talk a little football.