Alex Smith will be the Chiefs’ QB in 2017, but he knows the pressure is on

[Hammock Parties]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...#storylink=cpy

ORLANDO, Fla.

More than anybody, Alex Smith knew what was at stake this postseason, and how the Chiefs’ performance would shape the perception of his ceiling as a quarterback.

So when Smith posted his fourth-lowest passer rating of the season in the Chiefs’ 18-16 divisional-round home loss to Pittsburgh — and his coach, Andy Reid didn’t offer a strong, immediate vote of confidence the day after the game — the 32-year old wasn’t surprised when chatter started increasing about finding a replacement.

“Do you hear it a little bit? Without a doubt,” Smith said at the Pro Bowl this week. “The nice thing is I don’t have social media, so that helps.”

But here’s what most didn’t know: Shortly after the season came to an end, Reid conducted his customary exit interview with Smith, and the impression Smith got in that conversation is that he would be Reid’s quarterback again in 2017.

And after Smith was added to the Pro Bowl roster as a replacement, he and Reid — who is coaching the AFC squad along with the rest of the Chiefs’ coaching staff — had multiple discussions about 2017, and where they both need to improve.

“We’ve talked a lot, and for sure, the talk was just the sense of urgency — (him saying) ‘let’s go get it, you and me,’ ” Smith said. “For both of us, I think you realize the opportunities are less and less. You can’t take them all for granted. We all felt like we had an awesome opportunity and we didn’t get it done. So even more so, let’s press on the gas and let’s go.”

And if you needed any further proof Smith will be the Chiefs’ signal-caller in 2017, Reid told reinforced that message to The Star over the weekend.

“Alex is our quarterback — there’s no question about that or anything else,” Reid said. “I surely didn’t want to insinuate that (was not the case) at all.”

Reid said Smith — who completed 67.1 percent of his passes with 20 total touchdowns and eight interceptions — did “a good job” this year, and that he expects him to continue to make small improvements in his game next year.

“The work’s never done — he’ll continue to improve,” Reid said. “There won’t be the huge jumps, but there will be little things he’ll continue to get better at.

“But he’s pretty good right now, though.”

One of the areas in which Smith wants to continue to improve is in throwing receivers open. That’s what the best — such as Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers — do, and it lifts the play of their teammates, because they can fit balls into tight spaces and increase their team’s margin for error.

“You have to, I think,” Smith said. “You’re not going to complete a lot of balls if you’re just waiting all the time.”

Smith did have some missed shots he wanted to have back in the Steelers loss. One, in particular, stood out, when Tyreek Hill broke open down the left sideline and Smith failed to see him, though it turns out there was a good reason for that.

“I knew all week the way (the Steelers) play, they’d lose guys here and there,” Smith said. “And the hard part, as a quarterback, is when a guy that’s not in your progression blows open because you’re not looking. Sometimes you fall into those and sometimes you miss them and you’re like ‘God if I would have just seen Tyreek over there.’ ”

Smith also regrets the first-half interception he threw when he got hit by a free blitzer. Had he had a split-second longer, it could have gone for a huge gain to Chris Conley, who broke open after the defensive back fell down.

“It’s such a big swing there — you hit that, it’s a huge dagger,” Smith said. “I knew exactly what that safety was doing. He bit up on (tight end Travis) Kelce, we had Chris on the outside and I was taking a shot. I felt good about that all week.”

The play was actually a good example of the way some of Smith’s downfield chances are schemed by Reid, often due to play calls that create advantageous matchups.

Still, Reid thinks his quarterback has actually gotten better when it comes to throwing people open in his four years in Kansas City.

“I think that’s one area where he’s gotten better at,” Reid said. “Remember, the emphasis we put on the pass game might be a little bit more than where he came from; the run stuff and the things he did at the line of scrimmage with the 49ers is something they really put a concentrated effort on.

“So it’s a challenge to him in other areas, and I keep seeing improvements. You see throws like that where you kind of go ‘Whoa, was that a good one.’ The more he does, the better he gets at it.’”

Lost in Smith’s roller-coaster ride of a season was the fact the Chiefs went deep a bit more this year, and were also much better in four-minute and come-from-behind situations — areas in which they struggled in Smith’s first three years.

Comeback wins over San Diego and Denver registered as near-unprecedented high-water marks for Smith, who completed some clutch throws in both games. He also guided the Chiefs down the field on a late touchdown march against Pittsburgh, only to have the ensuing, game-tying two-point conversion — a completion to tight end Demetrius Harris — get wiped out due to a hold.

“That was something we hadn’t done in the past — we did play better in clutch situations,” Smith said. “Down the line, end of games, we played better in those big moments and it showed up with our record. I think we need to continue to build on that and be more prolific a little bit all over.”

The Chiefs’ were far more explosive in 2016 — the big-play ability of Pro Bowl rookie Tyreek Hill had a lot to do with that — but they were more inconsistent, too, which led to frustrating inefficiency in losses to Tampa Bay, Tennessee and Pittsburgh.

But Smith’s season, while ultimately unfulfilling, certainly wasn’t bad. The Chiefs went 12-4 and the won the AFC West for the first time since 2010.

Smith also started Sunday’s game, adding to an already-meaningful experience of making the second Pro Bowl of his 12-year career.

“It does (matter), because for a long time, you’re on the outside looking in, right?” Smith said. “You grow from things like this, too. They can be positive things, positive experiences.”

And now that Smith knows he’ll be the guy in 2017, he’ll be taking in as many of those as possible, even against the backdrop of the team potentially taking a quarterback early in the draft — something he wouldn’t take personally, by the way.

“If I were running a team, of course you would continue to bring in young talent — are you kidding me, the quarterback touches the ball every single play,” Smith said. “It’s hard to develop guys, it’s hard to find guys. Every year, you want to be taking a shot — that’s just smart football.”

But no matter what the Chiefs do in the draft, Smith will feel the responsibility of taking the Chiefs to the Super Bowl, and he knows what people will say if they again fall short.

“My trajectory and where I’m going really has nothing to do with whoever they bring in, because I’ve got to handle my business and take care of my business,” Smith said. “I’m gonna determine my own deal, right, and just kind of take that on, and that’s what it is, anywhere — if you don’t get it done, they’re gonna find somebody else.”

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

For all of the shit I've talked on Alex the past few weeks.... I enjoyed this article. Even knowing he is coming back in 2017.

Obviously we won't know until the draft, but to me it felt like he was saying, 'I've got maybe one more chance at this and its time to push the chips in.' And he should be right. Because whether you draft a QB and groom him for a year, or you end up taking one of the 2018 studs that could be game-ready, this is likely Alex's last year as the starter.

My expectations will be conservative next season. Barring the defense becoming elite, and/or having a top 3-5 running game, I will not get my hopes up for a Super Bowl bid. But, I do like the idea of Smith seeing the writing on the wall and just letting it hang loose. After all, his time is almost up and even he knows it now.

Andy must have had a really interesting talk with Alex after the Steelers game.

It's pretty clear that Andy told Alex that he's still the guy for now but it's time to get the next guy in the building and prepare him for the transition.

He probably told him that to reaffirm that he's the guy next year but it's about over.

[oldman]

It's not quite clear to me that he saw Hill break free before he started rolling out. I'm not sure he could have made that throw to Hill once he took off. He would have had to stop, turn, and throw or throw across his body. Not many QBs can throw across their body.
I'm not defending him, I'm just saying that play shouldn't be the only nail in his coffin.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by oldman

It's not quite clear to me that he saw Hill break free before he started rolling out. I'm not sure he could have made that throw to Hill once he took off. He would have had to stop, turn, and throw or throw across his body. Not many QBs can throw across their body.
I'm not defending him, I'm just saying that play shouldn't be the only nail in his coffin.

The problem with that play is that Smith should have stood tall in the pocket. Harrison was 7 yards away, take the hit and make the throw that will win you a playoff game. Hell, if he anticipates Reek's break, he wouldn't have taken a hit at all.

[threebag]

We need to scrub this mult

[Nickhead]

Originally Posted by Spider2YBanana

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl...#storylink=cpy

when your coach trusts you as the qb, you get to touch the ball 100% of the time. when your coach calls plays where a d lineman makes the pass, i would say it's an indication he does not trust you

[Nickhead]

Originally Posted by RunKC

Andy must have had a really interesting talk with Alex after the Steelers game.

It's pretty clear that Andy told Alex that he's still the guy for now but it's time to get the next guy in the building and prepare him for the transition.

He probably told him that to reaffirm that he's the guy next year but it's about over.

alex saying 'its dumb not to draft a qb', means he has no plans to play football past the age of 35

[Nickhead]

Originally Posted by BossChief

They are going to move up in the first for somebody, I bet.

Get the 5th year option and let the kid sit for a year or 2 before taking over a very talented team.

I doubt they are able to sit at 27 and wait...somebody will trade up in front of us.

Again.

at 27 you will be drafting a fourth round qb in the first round.

[Nickhead]

Originally Posted by Spider2YBanana

This was written in September. OF 2015.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...e34916460.html

Alex Smith is out of excuses, and he needs to deliver the best season of his career





No more ****ing chances. This dillweed either blows up next season or blows the **** OUT.

he could blow up this year and i would still want him gone the year after. you only get lucky once in this scenario

[rico]

Something gives me the feeling that he has seen the gif and the discussion regarding it. He doesn't have social media, but that just gives him more time to read the message boards! I bet he's reading CP right now!!! Hi Alex! Hey, there is this guy on here named Sandy Cheeks who really admires you for some reason (possibly sexual)!!! You should drop him a line!!!

I just did you a solid, Sandy. I'm your Alex wing man!!!!

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by pugsnotdrugs19

Painting a scenario where the Chiefs can win a Super Bowl in 2017 with Alex Smith...

Houston and Ford combine for 28+ sacks. Berry returns and picks up where he, Mitchell, Peters and Parker left off. The run defense becomes respectable again. The run game becomes a top unit again, and the weapons stay healthy on offense....

In other words, we need A LOT to go right.

We just need to play our game. Our run game took a giant step back. Maclin took a huge step back. Our total sack numbers were pitiful in comparison to the previous year. The only thing that remained constant was our INT numbers. Biggest improvement obviously was on STs.

If Smith lets it rip like he started to at the end of last year and Ehinger provides that push we need in the run game, look out!

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by rico

Something gives me the feeling that he has seen the gif and the discussion regarding it. He doesn't have social media, but that just gives him more time to read the message boards! I bet he's reading CP right now!!! Hi Alex! Hey, there is this guy on here named Sandy Cheeks who really admires you for some reason (possibly sexual)!!! You should drop him a line!!!

I just did you a solid, Sandy. I'm your Alex wing man!!!!

But no mention of me?!

[Pasta Little Brioni]

The lack of pass rush was a killer. Just absolutely pathetic

[Bigdaddy]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

The lack of pass rush was a killer. Just absolutely pathetic

That was Alex's fault.[COLOR="Blue"][/COLOR]

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by Pasta Giant Meatball

The lack of pass rush was a killer. Just absolutely pathetic

Houston is another overpaid player who needs to put up or shut up.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

“I knew all week the way (the Steelers) play, they’d lose guys here and there,” Smith said. “And the hard part, as a quarterback, is when a guy that’s not in your progression blows open because you’re not looking. Sometimes you fall into those and sometimes you miss them and you’re like ‘God if I would have just seen Tyreek over there.’


At least he's aware of his biggest weakness. Finding receivers downfield.