Alex Smith’s mission: prove everybody wrong

[Hammock Parties]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...e97854932.html

The football spun through the cool night air for maybe a second and a half, and Andy Reid stared upward for the duration.

His expression did not change when it finally settled into a receiver’s grasp — the Chiefs’ head coach still had a football game to win — but the spectacular play he’d just witnessed from his quarterback, Alex Smith, would stick with him for months.

This was Jan. 16, during the Chiefs’ divisional-round playoff game at New England, and Reid’s team faced a third and 7 midway through the third quarter. Trailing the Patriots by 15, they were in danger of being blown out; the defense had barely touched Tom Brady all game, and could not be relied upon to stop him if the offense was again forced to punt.

“It was, a little bit, of a got-to-have-it moment,” Smith recalled.

With three defenders bearing down on him, Smith pulled a Fran Tarkenton and spun out of the pocket. He then shook one defender, ducked under the next and ran past a third before uncorking a 26-yard spiral down the left sideline to Jason Avant, who made a leaping grab over a defender.

The play-by-play man excitedly called Smith a “magician.” The Patriots’ crowd groaned. And the Chiefs, who went on to score a touchdown, remained in the 27-20 loss until the bitter end.

Much of that had to do with the performance of Smith, who completed 29 of 50 passes for 246 yards and a touchdown while making those kinds of plays.

“We all went, ‘Wow’ — that was a ‘wow’ moment,” Reid recently recalled. “And at that position, you have to be able to do those, especially in big games like that.”

Granted, that Smith-to-Avant pass was just one play, but the quarterback’s magic act required moxie that Smith had rarely shown before on a stage like that.

Reid believes Smith possesses at least two Super Bowl-worthy traits — his brains and his athleticism. And that play represented a positive step toward proving his detractors wrong. Those are the same people who dog Smith with the “game manager” tag, citing his conservative nature and inability to drive the ball downfield like other quarterbacks.

Overall, Smith showed enough improvement last year to inspire the notion that the same 32-year-old once benched for Colin Kaepernick could indeed be good enough to take the Chiefs to the promised land.

“He’s a really good quarterback and a guy you’d definitely like to have,” an NFC personnel man recently told The Star. “I think you can win a Super Bowl with him. Definitely.”


When Reid makes his oft-repeated joke that Smith “doesn’t run out of gigabytes,” he’s not kidding.

Smith might be, quite literally, a genius, a guy who scored a 40 on the Wonderlic test and once received an offer for membership in Mensa, the exclusive high-IQ society.

Those smarts help Smith in two ways on the field. The first is that he can be counted on to spit out the play calls clearly. Reid’s wordy offense can cause a less-sure quarterback to stumble over his words and lose precious time at the line of scrimmage.

“Our verbiage tells a lot of people what to do,” co-offensive coordinator Brad Childress explained. “Sometimes our call can be ‘red left switch tight close a-right sprint right G-U corner halfback flat’ … and he has to be able to articulate it, he has to know when to take a breath; he has to know the right people to look at.

“That’s how he’s like a computer; you can tell it to him once in his ear. He’s one of the best.”

Smith’s on-field intelligence, honed through hours of laborious preparation, made Reid comfortable enough that he ceded more preplay control to his quarterback last season.

“I started off small, and the checks he was making, I’m going, ‘You know what? This guy is so comfortable at the line of scrimmage, it’s ridiculous,’ ” Reid said. “And so, I just have full trust in him seeing and changing something to a better play.”

That’s a big step for Reid, who generally prefers his quarterbacks to run the play he’s given them. He altered course after a season-ending injury to star running back Jamaal Charles during last year’s 1-5 start.

“We attempt to maximize (Smith’s) aptitude, and it shows on game day,” Reid said. “Every play we have, he has the option to get in and out of that play, so there’s nothing that he doesn’t have the keys to the car on, and he uses that wisely.”

The Chiefs ranked second in the NFL in red-zone rushing touchdowns in 2015, and while much of that had to do with the bulldozing style of Spencer Ware, it also spoke to Smith’s ability to get his teammates into the right play.

But when Charles got hurt, Smith’s brain wasn’t the only trait the Chiefs relied upon.

Smith never says anything incendiary about his time in San Francisco under coach Jim Harbaugh, although the small smirk that sometimes creeps across his face makes you wonder how he really feels about being cast aside by the 49ers.

Yet when asked what led to using his legs more last year — his career-high 498 rushing yards ranked fourth in the league among quarterbacks — he credits Harbaugh, the man who benched him.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say Harbaugh had an effect on me there, on pushing it, on using it,” Smith said of his running ability. “His deal is ‘by any means necessary.’ You got the tools, why wouldn’t you use it?”

Smith especially embraced Harbaugh’s mentality during the Chiefs’ dismal start to last season, asking his coaches for more running responsibility.

That not only meant more zone-read plays — he excels at making the proper read on those — but also using his athleticism on third downs. Free to abort his progressions at the first sign of daylight, Smith became an added weapon, rushing for 30 first downs, third-most in the league among quarterbacks.

“That stuff just eats at those guys (on defense),” Smith said with a satisfied grin. “There’s nothing like a third-down conversion with your legs, when they had everybody covered and they still couldn’t get it done.”

With Smith unchained, the Chiefs started winning games again — they reeled off 11 straight victories before their playoff loss to the Patriots. In the process, some — like former Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden — began dismissing the game manager moniker that have been bestowed on Smith.

“He’s a hell of a lot of more than that,” Gruden said. “What’s a game manager? He’s a game changer, man. You just don’t know all the ways that he changes the games unless you really watch carefully. How many yards did he rush for last year? You think that’s a game manager? That’s a game saver.”

Still, others with a keen football eye will find weaknesses in Smith’s game.

Greg Cosell, a senior producer at NFL Films, pores over countless hours of video each year.

And while he generally likes Smith, and stops short of saying you can’t win a Super Bowl with him — “You’ll probably have a hard time saying (Russell Wilson) was way better” when the Seahawks won in 2013, he noted — Cosell believes that leopards Smith’s age don’t often change their spots.

In this case, an overly cautious nature and lack of elite arm strength.

“I think he has a pretty defined track record,” Cosell said.

About Smith’s delivery, which is quick enough, Cosell says he’s a locked-front-leg thrower, which prevents him from generating the velocity that enables other quarterbacks to hit guys in tight windows.

“He’s been throwing his way his whole life,” Cosell said. “When you lock your front leg when you throw, you can’t truly drive the football … he’s not going to sit in the pocket like the Joe Flaccos of the world and stand tall in the pocket and just drive the ball with people around him on deep digs at 22 yards.”

This also speaks to Smith’s other issue: his cautious nature. Only the Patriots have posted fewer turnovers than the Chiefs since 2013, Cosell acknowledged, but there’s “no statistic for throws that should be made that aren’t.”

And while Smith does a nice job of throwing with anticipation, Cosell says Reid and his finely designed play calls, plus better personnel, deserve some of the credit for that.

“I remember a touchdown against Cleveland where they shifted to an empty set and (Jeremy) Maclin was, I believe, on an inside slot on the left and they got him matched up on a safety,” Cosell said, referring to a touchdown throw that Smith rocketed between three defenders in the end zone. “You can create more when you have better receivers.”

Reid knows all of Smith’s flaws, Cosell added, and no coach in his right mind is going to discuss his own player’s weaknesses in the media. This is true: For years, Chiefs brass has sidestepped questions of Smith’s spotty record in the come-from-behind, fourth-quarter situations that help define elite quarterbacks.

Rather, general manager John Dorsey recently hinted at Smith’s competitive fire, a trait the Chiefs believe helps offset his weaknesses.

“I love the kid — all he does is win games and guys believe in him,” Dorsey said.

Teammates and coaches say Smith — whose passer rating of 95.4 ranked 10th in the league last year — is pushing himself even harder this year, his fourth in Reid’s offense.

Veteran inside linebacker Derrick Johnson said Smith gets visibly irritated whenever he throws an interception in practice — “he’s very, very hard on himself,” Johnson said. Reid said Smith is striving to be perfect in terms of ball placement on all throws.

“Quarterbacks are constantly working on the small things, especially when you get to his age,” Reid said. “We’re talking about inches on throws.”

This summer in camp, Smith impressed spectators such as Sirius Radio host and former NFL scout Pat Kirwan, who predicts Smith will have a “home-run year,” and his broadcast partner, former NFL quarterback Jim Miller.

“At quarterback, you’ve got to be Teflon,” said Miller, who played 12 years in the league. “And I think with all the tough love that he got in San Francisco … he’s very comfortable with where he is.”

But Smith is not satisfied with his reputation as a Brad Johnson- or Russell Wilson-type of quarterback — someone who needs a good running game and stout defense to win. And with the status of stellar Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston uncertain, and the run defense looking shaky throughout the preseason, the time has never been better for Smith to prove people wrong.

This brings us back to the playoff game in New England, and the amazing throw that will be remembered as either the genesis of a better, more dynamic Smith, or a simple fluke.

Asked if he could’ve made that play even three years ago, it’s telling that Smith — the Mensa candidate — paused for a few seconds, stared at the ground and thought.

Hard.

“That’s a good question,” Smith said, his eyes not blinking once. “Yeah, I don’t know … I certainly feel like I’ve embraced more and more of this and just the system and letting me be creative and do my thing. …“(The) biggest thing to me is you want to win. Losing (stinks), and I’ve played long enough that I don’t really care anymore how we (win). Winning is winning.”

***ALERT: ALEX SMITH APPROVED POSTING ZONE, PROCEED AT OWN RISK***

[MahiMike]

Originally Posted by MahiMike

I'm drafting him in the 1st round this year.

I'm serious. And I'm STILL gonna win!

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Dagnabit

No, it's not.

Trolling is not a bannable offense. However, you can be banned at discretion if you have received a perma-ban in the past.



Make him "stop" what?

He posted a Smith article, people talked about it, the conversation swung in the direction of Smith improving season to season, Clay posted some numbers to show that wasn't necessarily the case.

Personally, I'll buy that your TEAM has improved from season to season.

Then came the "won a playoff game"-joker card.

That's great, mang.

You won a ****ing play off game after Eleventy Billion years. You wild-carded your way to glory on the ass-sweat of a shit-o-rendous Houston team. Congratulations to you.

Now, go do that shit again, year after year, and THEN you'll have something to ****ing pound a chest over.

Goddamnit.

Well in fairness my good buddy, that is something folks like yourself claimed he would never do. Now that he did win a playoff game, you dismiss the opponent and move your goal post. That's weak.


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[Pasta Little Brioni]

Mav owns Smellway

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Halfcan

There are teams that have not even sniffed the playoffs in a decade-so winning a playoff game is a good marker of success. Chiefs fans were tired of the "joker card" - well they are a good team but have not won a playoff game since Montana. Sorry if that does impress you, but fans were glad to get that off our backs-so yeah it was a big deal.

And Houston was not a shit team. We had a big advantage at QB for once in the playoffs and it paid off. Other than that-they were pretty even talent wise. Texans were favored and playing at home. Road playoff wins are hard to come by-as we found out having to travel to the Pats the following week. To try and discount that win by saying Houston was some shit team is inaccurate.

indeed.

Originally Posted by Mav

Well in fairness my good buddy, that is something folks like yourself claimed he would never do. Now that he did win a playoff game, you dismiss the opponent and move your goal post. That's weak.


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When everyone is firing on all cylinders, I will tell you straight-up that you have as good a chance as anyone. But if one fuel-injector goes out, your engine is ****ed, good buddy.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by Mav

Now that he did win a playoff game, you dismiss the opponent and move your goal post. That's weak.


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Guess I didn't pay attention to those five Brian Hoyer interceptions he forced.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Guess I didn't pay attention to those five Brian Hoyer interceptions he forced.

So does Brady's last SB not count because of Malcolm Butler?

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Guess I didn't pay attention to those five Brian Hoyer interceptions he forced.

Keep moving those goal posts bro. Not that I was talking to you or anything.


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[BossChief]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Let's make another bet.

I'm pretty damn sure that if Alex Smith stays healthy, he bests his career highs in passing yards, rushing yards, passing and rushing TDs, YPA, QBR, yards from scrimmage, passes that travel 20+ yards in the air...

...Basically, everything.

Out of those 8 standards, I'm willing to bet he tops his career best in at least 4 of them. (If he stays healthy)

Care to bet against that?

.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Mav

Keep moving those goal posts bro. Not that I was talking to you or anything.


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he has a point, though

any QB that wasn't a total disaster could have won that game for the Chiefs

probably even Cassel

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Dagnabit

indeed.


When everyone is firing on all cylinders, I will tell you straight-up that you have as good a chance as anyone. But if one fuel-injector goes out, your engine is ****ed, good buddy.

That could happen with a lot of teams though. Just look at Aaron Rodgers without Jordy Nelson.


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[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by BossChief

Let's make another bet.

I'm pretty damn sure that if Alex Smith stays healthy, he bests his career highs in passing yards, rushing yards, passing and rushing TDs, YPA, QBR, yards from scrimmage, passes that travel 20+ yards in the air...

...Basically, everything.

Out of those 8 standards, I'm willing to bet he tops his career best in at least 4 of them. (If he stays healthy)

Care to bet against that?

Actually I'm not willing to bet against that, because our defense is going to take a step backwards, and Alex's garbage time production is going to go up.

It's a sucker's bet.

I will bet you this team doesn't win 11+ games again, though.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Smellway

he has a point, though



any QB that wasn't a total disaster could have won that game for the Chiefs



probably even Cassel

Well while he has a point it's not Alex's fault that Hoyer threw those picks. Can you hold that against him?


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[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Mav

Well while he has a point it's not Alex's fault that Hoyer threw those picks. Can you hold that against him?


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No, but I think, in general, a playoff game with Alex Smith as our QB is going to go a lot more like the following week.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by Smellway

No, but I think, in general, a playoff game with Alex Smith as our QB is going to go a lot more like the following week.

No Maclin, no Charles, no Ware? You're probably right. Alex Smith won't be able to single handedly win that game. Alex didn't make enough plays.


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[RunKC]

What you're seeing is a QB that finally has a favorable circumstance. Alex had shit it in SF until Harbaugh showed up, then had 1 decent WR in Crabtree.

The OL was poor last in 2014 and the first month (19 sacks in 4 games) of last season. In the 2nd half of 2013, the OL was solid and Alex looked really good. We'll see more of that but with 2 WR's and a TE that Alex can trust.

Alex is a middle of the pack QB, but if you put most QB's in a situation with great surrounding talent, they'll play much better (insert capt obvious gif).