Chiefs Let's do the Alex Smith thing again. - Page 8

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.

temper11 · 10-23-2014, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

How dare there be a football conversation. How dare you not bow down to Alex Smith and kiss his feet.

This is just absolute bull shit.

O.city · 10-23-2014, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temper11

Again, I have no idea where this is coming from. I haven't seen anyone come even close to saying anything like this. This is where the conversation goes off the rails and into "Smith-baters suck" and back and forth. Let's not do that.

You want to talk about that play for 2 more days? Great, let's do that. But lets not let this spiral down into Count Zarth / Inmen level of discourse.

Because you've been here like 8 months.

temper11 · 10-23-2014, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

Because you've been here like 8 months.

Yes. What does that have to do with this particular discussion we are having now?

O.city · 10-23-2014, 03:24 PM

And for the record, thats just 1 still shot. Are we to believe that doesn't happen multiple times throughout a football game?

**The Franchise** · 10-23-2014, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by temper11

This is just absolute bull shit.

? Go look up Alex Smith threads before you got here. Go look at the likes of Mav, Sandy Cheeks and JenkinsDouche. These ****s have been shoving Alex Smith down our throats since he got here. Alex Smith is God....and if you have anything bad to say about him...you can **** off. Oh...and Bowe sucks and we know everything about your team.

O.city · 10-23-2014, 03:26 PM

OTWP has always been one to bring this up, but just because said QB made plays to win games late doesn't excuse him not making plays earlier. I'd imagine said Qb would tell you the same.

"If I were better early, we wouldn't have had to had a game winning drive".

RunKC · 10-23-2014, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JENKINSWINS

Ok you guys are right he's a journeymen and should be utilizing all the all star weapons he has around him on the outside. His WRs are up there with the best of them and he should be ashamed of his production on the field.

He needs to learn to play to make plays.

Incredible how much a good OL and capable WR's will help a QB as seen here.

Don't think it's true? Look at the Cowboys this year. They are living proof.

temper11 · 10-23-2014, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

? Go look up Alex Smith threads before you got here. Go look at the likes of Mav, Sandy Cheeks and JenkinsDouche. These ****s have been shoving Alex Smith down our throats since he got here. Alex Smith is God....and if you have anything bad to say about him...you can **** off. Oh...and Bowe sucks and we know everything about your team.

I can't speak to that, but I haven't seen anything like this in this recent thread.

**Rausch** · 10-23-2014, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

And for the record, thats just 1 still shot. Are we to believe that doesn't happen multiple times throughout a football game?

You're just complaining to complain...

temper11 · 10-23-2014, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O.city

OTWP has always been one to bring this up, but just because said QB made plays to win games late doesn't excuse him not making plays earlier. I'd imagine said Qb would tell you the same.

"If I were better early, we wouldn't have had to had a game winning drive".

Yes, he would have. Everyone always expects themselves to play perfectly. I on the other hand don't expect perfect games from anyone. As a fan, I don't expect perfect play, I just expect perfect effort.

Sandy Vagina · 10-23-2014, 03:48 PM

O.City

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Reality is, people can nit-pick 5-10 plays at minimum per game where the QB does something underwhelming. Agree with that?

Why not just address this instead of going on another "people are trying to shut down our innocent discussion!" tantrum?

No need for the drama of e-conflict...

O.city · 10-23-2014, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

O.City

Why not just address this instead of going on another "people are trying to shut down our innocent discussion!" tantrum?

No need for the drama of e-conflict...

When it's the same ****ing player, making the same ****ing mistake that many times every game, yeah.

But it was Alex Smith. So lets just pass it off lightly because he is...whatever he is.

**** it. You guys have at it.

DRU · 10-23-2014, 03:53 PM

All I know is the WR group has consistently let him down. 3 glaring opportunities in the SD game would have changed the entire scope of the game and we would have won big with great numbers out of the QB had they simply caught the ball or stayed in bounds.

I also know Smith has been watching opposing team's receivers leap high in the air and beat defenders to make big plays at big moments in the game, and our receivers simply don't do that. Why should he have any confidence in his WR to take a shot like that?

O.city · 10-23-2014, 03:55 PM

So those plays where Smith has thrown ball behind WR's where they've made plays to catch the ball and gain YAC don't instill confidence?

Sandy Vagina · 10-23-2014, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRU

All I know is the WR group has consistently let him down. 3 glaring opportunities in the SD game would have changed the entire scope of the game and we would have won big with great numbers out of the QB had they simply caught the ball or stayed in bounds.

I also know Smith has been watching opposing team's receivers leap high in the air and beat defenders to make big plays at big moments in the game, and our receivers simply don't do that. Why should he have any confidence in his WR to take a shot like that?

QFT ..

10-22-2014, 03:16 AM
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4183447	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: 59,314

10-23-2014, 03:24 PM	#109
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2504064	And for the record, thats just 1 still shot. Are we to believe that doesn't happen multiple times throughout a football game?
Posts: 81,434

10-23-2014, 03:26 PM	#111
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2504064	OTWP has always been one to bring this up, but just because said QB made plays to win games late doesn't excuse him not making plays earlier. I'd imagine said Qb would tell you the same. "If I were better early, we wouldn't have had to had a game winning drive".
Posts: 81,434

10-23-2014, 03:53 PM	#118
DRU To the Game Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $7243516	All I know is the WR group has consistently let him down. 3 glaring opportunities in the SD game would have changed the entire scope of the game and we would have won big with great numbers out of the QB had they simply caught the ball or stayed in bounds. I also know Smith has been watching opposing team's receivers leap high in the air and beat defenders to make big plays at big moments in the game, and our receivers simply don't do that. Why should he have any confidence in his WR to take a shot like that?
Posts: 2,124

10-23-2014, 03:55 PM	#119
O.city In Search of a Life Join Date: Jul 2009 Casino cash: $2504064	So those plays where Smith has thrown ball behind WR's where they've made plays to catch the ball and gain YAC don't instill confidence?
Posts: 81,434