Marvez: No 'awkwardness' for Chiefs thanks to bonding of Alex Smith, Patrick Mahomes

[Quesadilla Joe]

Spoiler!

Alex Smith's final preseason as Kansas City's starting quarterback began in the same locale that the Pony Express originated.

Only in his case, the ride has not been nearly as bumpy as the ride experienced by those pioneering mailmen. Thanks to the attitude of Smith's heir apparent, the bumpiness Smith thought could transpire this summer has been absent.

One of the ancillary benefits to the Chiefs holding training camp away from club headquarters is greater opportunity for teammates to connect while on the road. Smith says that bonding has occurred between him and Patrick Mahomes, the big-armed rookie Kansas City drafted in the first round to ultimately take his place.

"You get to know each other on a real level," Smith told co-host Gil Brandt and me Tuesday on SiriusXM NFL Radio before the Chiefs broke camp. “Through OTAs and stuff, you’re still kind of working through it. You don't really know each other that well.

"It’s been nice to come to camp and just (having) no B.S. He and I can get to know the real one another. That's been good. You kind of get back to football and being players. You get through all that — any awkwardness or anything else that might be there — and you just have fun."

Smith's approach stands in stark contrast to how some other lame-duck quarterbacks handled themselves once a successor was tabbed. For example, Green Bay’s Brett Favre had an instant dislike for Aaron Rodgers after the latter was drafted in 2005. Sam Bradford also asked Philadelphia management for a trade — which was ultimately granted (to Minnesota) even after the request was rescinded — once it was clear the Eagles were selecting Carson Wentz in last year’s draft.

It would be hard to criticize Smith for taking a similar stance, especially considering he was given the Wally Pipp treatment by San Francisco in 2012, when he was benched in-season for Colin Kaepernick.

About the only viable scenario in which Smith will return to Kansas City next season is if he leads the Chiefs to their first Super Bowl appearance in almost 50 years. Kansas City would clear $17 million in much-needed salary cap space by releasing Smith in the 2018 offseason before he enters the final year of his contract. Plus, the Chiefs obviously believe Mahomes has more upside after sending their 2018 first-round pick to Buffalo to leap 17 spots in the draft and selecting him at No. 10 overall.

It's in Smith's best personal interest to get as many snaps as possible this season to bolster his free-agent stock. Doing the bare minimum to help Mahomes adjust to the NFL — which is a huge leap since he’s a 21-year-old underclassman coming from a spread system at Texas Tech — would increase the chances he remains on the bench while Smith plays.

Taking that stance also isn't in Smith’s nature.

MORE: Chiefs' worst-ever starting QB is ...

"He’s been great with the young kid coming in," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “They all handle it differently. He's not here to be that kid's mentor. That's not what we're asking him to do. We’re asking him to go win games. But at the same time, he's done that. He’s a good human being and he treats that kid well."

For that, the "kid" is appreciative.

"Having a guy like Alex in front of you is awesome,” said Mahomes, who was promoted to the backup role earlier this week following his performance in Kansas City’s preseason opener against San Francisco. "He's a guy that really has control of the entire offense and is the true leader of the team. And he's a guy who has no hurtfulness or anything."

At least none that will be displayed publically, which is the same tact Smith has taken toward public knocks on his play. The fact that Smith has averaged 10 wins in the four seasons since he was traded from San Francisco to Kansas City and his efficiency in avoiding big mistakes (i.e. turnovers) is often overshadowed by two other factors: his failure to consistently produce dynamic plays in the passing game and the team's inability to advance past the second round of the playoffs despite having championship-caliber defenses.

Smith allows that being a lightning rod for criticism is part of the quarterback “lifestyle." He also learned to ignore much of it during his first six seasons with the 49ers when he was regularly skewered for failing to live up to what was expected of the 2005 draft's top overall pick.

MORE: NFL QB rankings for 2017

Smith hasn't changed that tact during a far more successful stretch with the Chiefs despite the outside clamoring for Mahomes that will continue to grow if Smith hits a rough patch, which is entirely possible this season considering the youth on Kansas City’s wide receiving corps. Not to mention a running game that has dipped ever since the now-departed Jamaal Charles suffered a major knee injury early in the 2015 campaign.

"Certainly, it does get in here and there, but I think you just get older and accept it for what it is," said Smith, 33. “You get the draft, you get the new guys in, and that’s a good thing. Fans should be excited about that. I don’t think I need to necessarily make it about me or take offense to anything. I still need to go about doing my job and to not lose that focus."

He has done that so far this preseason, even as Mahomes makes the kind of throws in practice that have wowed teammates and Smith himself.

"Seeing some of the throws he’s making and ability to get out of the pocket and still put these throws right on a dime, it’s pretty impressive," Chiefs left tackle Eric Fisher said of Mahomes. “I think everyone is looking forward to see him progress over the years."

Such excitement, though, is tempered by the fact that Mahomes will someday be under center at Smith’s expense.

"Alex is such a professional," Fisher said. “He’s one of the most consistent guys I know. Every day, he doesn’t miss a beat. Just blocking for him going on five years now, it’s been a privilege.

"I hope to block for him as long as he's doing this thing. He's doing an awesome job again. I don’t think he always gets the credit he deserves, but he’s my guy."

And will be until Mahomes is ready.

MORE: When should rookie QBs start?

"The kid is a lot like (Smith) in that he's competitive as all get-out," Reid said. "I think Alex appreciates that part of him — that he wants to be good.

"Alex knows like we all know we’re not getting any younger. That's part of this game. It keeps going."

Giddy up.

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/news...medium=twitter

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

It's not entertaining to watch the Chiefs tread water for four years with a guy who isn't just "not elite" but who wasn't even average last year.

So I get my entertainment by shitting on him.

Hope you're entertained.

I am.. Classless scumbags such as yourself and rico tend to be entertaining. Their lack of morals and willingness to embarrass themselves fascinates me.

Continue on man.. I could use a laugh.

[rico]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

I am.. Classless scumbags such as yourself and rico tend to be entertaining. Their lack of morals and willingness to embarrass themselves fascinates me.

Continue on man.. I could use a laugh.

Thinking that Chief Mahomey can reel in some beautiful women that I subjectively believe are better looking than Alex's wife is classless and scummy?!?!?

Your Alex-only glasses have made you a bitter, angry person.

[NJChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

I am.. Classless scumbags such as yourself and rico tend to be entertaining. Their lack of morals and willingness to embarrass themselves fascinates me.

Continue on man.. I could use a laugh.

For a man with class and morals you sure do put down a lot of people the second they disagree with you.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by rico

You're right...it's not funny. Alex's wife isn't really all that hot. I'm sure Chief Mahomey could rake in way hotter women than her. Very low shot at Mahomes there by Clay, IMO.

You gotta slay some of them hoodrats before you work your way up to the news anchors around town and stuff.

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by rico

Thinking that Chief Mahomey can reel in some beautiful women that I subjectively believe are better looking than Alex's wife is classless and scummy?!?!?

Your Alex-only glasses have made you a bitter, angry person.

I didn't mean that post in particular. I meant in general there's been some comments that I felt were inappropriate and classless by you.

If you are in denial you might want to go back and reread some of your posts.

Originally Posted by NJChiefsFan

For a man with class and morals you sure do put down a lot of people the second they disagree with you.

I've been insulted more here than a bullied geeky kid in HS has in a year. I have a right to defend my objective Alex 'All I Do Is Win' Smith's posts.

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

I've been insulted more here than a bullied geeky kid in HS has in a year. I have a right to defend my objective Alex 'All I Do Is Win' Smith's posts.

I want you to read this paragraph and ask yourself if you deserve what's coming to you.

[rico]

Originally Posted by PAChiefsGuy

I didn't mean that post in particular. I meant in general there's been some comments that I felt were inappropriate and classless by you.

If you are in denial you might want to go back and reread some of your posts.



I've been insulted more here than a bullied geeky kid in HS has in a year. I have a right to defend my objective Alex 'All I Do Is Win' Smith's posts.

Yeah, I know one off the top of my head that was pretty classless...I am sorry for calling you and Tiger cousins due to his uncle and your "pa" presumably being the same guy. I know that you and Tiger are the same guy and I shouldn't have implied any differently. That was classless of me and I am ashamed of that. I'm sorry about how things went down with your uncle...no wait, I am sorry that you went down on your uncle, Pennsyltucky Tiger Bob. That shouldn't be a laughing matter.

[rico]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

You gotta slay some of them hoodrats before you work your way up to the news anchors around town and stuff.

That's true...it's a process. Gotta groom him for the big time hoes!!!

[-King-]

Oh the same posters who have ruined every other chiefs thread are ruining this one? What a surprise
Posted via Mobile Device

[Best22]

[rico]

Originally Posted by -King-

Oh the same posters who have ruined every other chiefs thread are ruining this one? What a surprise
Posted via Mobile Device

Yeah that PAChiefsGuy is something else, man!!! I feel your pain!!!!

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by -King-

Oh the same posters who have ruined every other chiefs thread are ruining this one? What a surprise
Posted via Mobile Device

I apologize man. I simply don't think talking about having sex with one of our players wives is funny (rico apparently thinks it is hilarious but that's easy to predict). I had to say something.

We'll get back to talking football now.

I think Alex 'All I Do Is Win' Smith is a really classy guy and he is going to help Mahomes out in anyway he can which is great. Not all veteran QBs are like that.

In 2014 Kaepernick actually talked about Alex 'All I Do Is Win' Smith being a great mentor in SF.

“I don’t think I would be at this point so quickly if (Alex Smith) hadn’t been such a great mentor to me and helped me along with things,” Kaepernick said. “I’m very grateful for my teammates as well. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

[-King-]

Originally Posted by rico

Yeah that PAChiefsGuy is something else, man!!! I feel your pain!!!!

You, PAChief, Clay, Pablo, Tigger and Sandy need your own subforum. Each thread it's the same thing with you guys.
Posted via Mobile Device

[PAChiefsGuy]

Originally Posted by -King-

You, PAChief, Clay, Pablo, Tigger and Sandy need your own subforum. Each thread it's the same thing with you guys.
Posted via Mobile Device

Way to call them out -King-!

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by -King-

PAChief, Tigger, 3douchebag and Sandy need your own subforum. Each thread it's the same thing with you guys.
Posted via Mobile Device

fyp