Football See how Alex Smith performs in the red zone compared to rest of AFC West - Page 5

beach tribe · 07-16-2017, 09:33 AM

It was a breezy, borderline chilly, Sunday afternoon in mid-November last season. The 7-2 Kansas City Chiefs were at home against the five-loss Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rolling with a five-game winning streak that included victories over the New Orleans Saints at home and the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers on the road.

It was also ... confession time ... my first visit to Arrowhead Stadium.

I will say, it was an experience I’ll never forget. The atmosphere, the tailgating, the fans ... it was all amazing. But, at the same time, it was just about as frustrating a game as you’ll ever see.

The funny thing is, though, Alex Smith had your typical, average Alex Smith performance. The Chiefs QB threw for 261 yards, had one touchdown and one rushing touchdown, along with one interception. Pretty so-so, but that seems to be then norm for No. 11. Spencer Ware rushed for 69 yards on 17 attempts, a stat line that pretty much was his average performance on the ground in 2016.

I did some digging and found the postgame column of The Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger. You don’t have to read too much to remind yourself of how that game panned out.

What could’ve been another ugly Chiefs win turned into an ugly-as-vomit 19-17 loss to the mediocre Buccaneers at home on Sunday the moment quarterback Alex Smith executed a bad throw, poorly leading to an interception in the end zone when even a field goal would’ve probably been enough to win.

The biggest frustration, aside from the inability of the offense to score, was the red zone performance by Smith. Most notably, Smith threw a crucial interception from Tampa Bay’s six-yard line (the one referenced by Sam above) with KC trailing 12-10 early in the fourth quarter.

I won’t spend too much time dwelling on the Smith interception, but it appeared to be a predetermined read, where Smith failed to notice Chris Conte waiting in the middle of the end zone.

And as a Chiefs fan, you probably feel that this missed throw in the tweet below by Smith is one you see every Sunday.

Click here to see Tigerupyourbutt's lover boy make one of the throws that led to his AFCW ranking:
https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2017/...red-zone-stats

The Chiefs scored in the red zone 46 percent of the time in 2016, which was 26th-best in the league. That’s about 10 percent worse than Kansas City’s red zone conversion rate in 2015.

Plus, what really makes the red zone inefficiency by Smith & Co. so frustrating is that the offensive line for the Chiefs did a pretty good job in 2016. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs offensive line allowed the fewest pressures in 2016 (they tied with the Raiders) and Smith saw the lowest percentage of pressures on third down.

For an offense that operates like the Chiefs, scoring in the red zone has to be one of the most important parts of their game. Minus Tyreek Hill running wild throughout the field, there isn’t a big-play threat out there. It’s reasonable to contribute the lack of a play maker to Smith’s inability or unwillingness to take shots down the field.

So, if you were asked a trivia question on where Smith ranked in red zone passing performance in the AFC West in 2016, you’d be a winner if you answered with ... “dead last.”
2016 AFC West Red Zone QB Stats
Quarterback Passing Completion % Passing Yards TD INT Passer Rating Yards/Attempt Rushing Yards
Derek Carr 44/90 47% 306 19 1 91.9 3.4 -7
Philip Rivers 45/96 47% 333 22 2 86.5 3.5 1
Trevor Siemian 28/55 51% 164 10 1 89 3 5
Alex Smith 29/63 46% 167 11 3 72.7 2.7 51
Statistics via Pro Football Reference

The only real edge that Smith has over the other three quarterbacks actually has nothing to do with his passing game. He has 51 rushing yards; the other three have -6 combined rushing yards. Congratulations.

Trevor Siemian threw for one less touchdown than Smith did in the red zone in 2016 but had eight less pass attempts. Smith’s passer rating was 16.3 percentage points worse than the next-best rating, owned by Siemian (89).

The Chiefs are at the point now where no one reasonably expects them to be any better than an average offense so long as Smith is behind center. The AFC West won’t be an easy division to play in in 2017 by any means, and if the Chiefs want to compete for a playoff run, improvement in the red zone should be one of their highest priorities.

Pablo · 07-16-2017, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

So, please, who is the idiot?

The one that did actually provide the link, or the one that clearly didn't read the article, thereby missing said link?

Idiots usually have their rep turned off. The know that the red strip under their name says everything about their takes.

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-16-2017, 05:46 PM

"Perform" is not a word that should be associated with Smith.

Ever.

cmdrzman · 07-16-2017, 05:50 PM

Derek Carr is awesome-

Franchise QB

Sandy Vagina · 07-16-2017, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmdrzman

Derek Carr is awesome-

Franchise QB

Maybe someday. Let's see him actually beat good teams.. or play well when his great OL doesn't block well.. or win a division.. or win a playoff game. I think he's an above average QB for a long time in Oakland. Awesome? meh. He has much work yet undone for that.

Game of Thrones time... whoooooooo!!!!! **** the Faid!

RippedmyFlesh · 07-16-2017, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Maybe someday. Let's see him actually beat good teams.. or play well when his great OL doesn't block well.. or win a division.. or win a playoff game. I think he's an above average QB for a long time in Oakland. Awesome? meh. He has much work yet undone for that.

Game of Thrones time... whoooooooo!!!!! **** the Faid!

You and tiger always saying Great oline like the chiefs line isnt good. They both allowed 126 pressures last year. That the oakland line is way better than the chiefs is just alex delusional justification.

Sandy Vagina · 07-16-2017, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

You and tiger always saying Great oline like the chiefs line isnt good. They both allowed 126 pressures last year. That the oakland line is way better than the chiefs is just alex delusional justification.

Hard to quantify HOW MUCH better, but I think most Chiefs fans would agree on three things when discussing this.

(1) Last season's KC OL was good at pass pro... even if the quick pass scheme assisted.
(2) Not good in run blocking.
(3) Oakland's OL is >>>> KC's.

Ultimately, your post has nothing to do with mine. I can legitimately feel that Carr is being overrated, and that there's no genuine motive behind that assessment. You can spin and dance it, if you must though.

**New World Order** · 07-16-2017, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Hard to quantify HOW MUCH better, but I think most Chiefs fans would agree on three things when discussing this.

(1) Last season's KC OL was good at pass pro... even if the quick pass scheme assisted.
(2) Not good in run blocking.
(3) Oakland's OL is >>>> KC's.

Ultimately, your post has nothing to do with mine. I can legitimately feel that Carr is being overrated, and that there's no genuine motive behind that assessment. You can spin and dance it, if you must though.

Here's another breakdown of the offensive line, not allowing Alex to deliver the ball

stumppy · 07-16-2017, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Hard to quantify HOW MUCH better, but I think most Chiefs fans would agree on three things when discussing this.

(1) Last season's KC OL was good at pass pro... even if the quick pass scheme assisted.
(2) Not good in run blocking.
(3) Oakland's OL is >>>> KC's.

Ultimately, your post has nothing to do with mine. I can legitimately feel that Carr is being overrated, and that there's no genuine motive behind that assessment. You can spin and dance it, if you must though.

Good ? just good huh. They allowed the FEWEST QB PRESSURE'S in the entire league.

Sandy Vagina · 07-16-2017, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stumppy

Good ? just good huh. They allowed the FEWEST QB PRESSURE'S in the entire league.

Nope. Sorry. Just good. The Alex and Andy scheme of getting the ball out quicker than shit was a nice yet painful way to disguise it.

Nothing wrong with good, though. Good is far better than they have been in years. (of course just pass pro.. their run prowess was the worst it has been since Andy Reid took over)

stumppy · 07-16-2017, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Nope. Sorry. Just good. The Alex and Andy scheme of getting the ball out quicker than shit was a nice yet painful way to disguise it.

Nothing wrong with good, though. Good is far better than they have been in years. (of course just pass pro.. their run prowess was the worst it has been since Andy Reid took over)

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-16-2017, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Nope. Sorry. Just good. The Alex and Andy scheme of getting the ball out quicker than shit was a nice yet painful way to disguise it.

Nothing wrong with good, though. Good is far better than they have been in years. (of course just pass pro.. their run prowess was the worst it has been since Andy Reid took over)

Oh for ****s sake; dear God just drop him dead on the field so we can end this nonsense once and for all.

**New World Order** · 07-16-2017, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

Nope. Sorry. Just good. The Alex and Andy scheme of getting the ball out quicker than shit was a nice yet painful way to disguise it.

Nothing wrong with good, though. Good is far better than they have been in years. (of course just pass pro.. their run prowess was the worst it has been since Andy Reid took over)

What will the excuse be this season?

Sandy Vagina · 07-16-2017, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

What will the excuse be this season?

There are no ****ing excuses, assholes! Alex Smith has not been.. nor is likely ever to be... good enough.. to carry a team like the Chiefs through a SB.

You gettin' that?

That's right, He can help better your team from a 2-14 one to a top 4 AFC one... but he needs more than a team 20th ranked run game, top 5 in drop efficiency, and a coach that takes his foot off the gas when they get ahead.

You got better than that? Pat Mahomes? yeah? throw him in then! IDGAF.. Smith had his small measure of career redemption and is getting paid. Throw that unsigned rookie in there... NO MATTER WUT.. that shit will be entertaining!

**New World Order** · 07-16-2017, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks

There are no ****ing excuses, assholes! Alex Smith has not been.. nor is likely ever to be... good enough.. to carry a team like the Chiefs through a SB.

You gettin' that?

That's right, He can help better your team from a 2-14 one to a top 4 AFC one... but he needs more than a team 20th ranked run game, top 5 in drop efficiency, and a coach that takes his foot off the gas when they get ahead.

You got better than that? Pat Mahomes? yeah? throw him in then! IDGAF.. Smith had his small measure of career redemption and is getting paid. Throw that unsigned rookie in there... NO MATTER WUT.. that shit will be entertaining!

Sweet Daddy Hate · 07-16-2017, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by New World Order

Alex "More Weapons" Smith:

Loved by drooling ****tards the league over.

07-16-2017, 09:33 AM
beach tribe Keep doubting J MFing Houston Join Date: May 2007 Location: ft.lauderdale Casino cash: $4828036	See how Alex Smith performs in the red zone compared to rest of AFC West It was a breezy, borderline chilly, Sunday afternoon in mid-November last season. The 7-2 Kansas City Chiefs were at home against the five-loss Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rolling with a five-game winning streak that included victories over the New Orleans Saints at home and the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers on the road. It was also ... confession time ... my first visit to Arrowhead Stadium. I will say, it was an experience I’ll never forget. The atmosphere, the tailgating, the fans ... it was all amazing. But, at the same time, it was just about as frustrating a game as you’ll ever see. The funny thing is, though, Alex Smith had your typical, average Alex Smith performance. The Chiefs QB threw for 261 yards, had one touchdown and one rushing touchdown, along with one interception. Pretty so-so, but that seems to be then norm for No. 11. Spencer Ware rushed for 69 yards on 17 attempts, a stat line that pretty much was his average performance on the ground in 2016. I did some digging and found the postgame column of The Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger. You don’t have to read too much to remind yourself of how that game panned out. What could’ve been another ugly Chiefs win turned into an ugly-as-vomit 19-17 loss to the mediocre Buccaneers at home on Sunday the moment quarterback Alex Smith executed a bad throw, poorly leading to an interception in the end zone when even a field goal would’ve probably been enough to win. The biggest frustration, aside from the inability of the offense to score, was the red zone performance by Smith. Most notably, Smith threw a crucial interception from Tampa Bay’s six-yard line (the one referenced by Sam above) with KC trailing 12-10 early in the fourth quarter. I won’t spend too much time dwelling on the Smith interception, but it appeared to be a predetermined read, where Smith failed to notice Chris Conte waiting in the middle of the end zone. And as a Chiefs fan, you probably feel that this missed throw in the tweet below by Smith is one you see every Sunday. Click here to see Tigerupyourbutt's lover boy make one of the throws that led to his AFCW ranking: https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2017/...red-zone-stats The Chiefs scored in the red zone 46 percent of the time in 2016, which was 26th-best in the league. That’s about 10 percent worse than Kansas City’s red zone conversion rate in 2015. Plus, what really makes the red zone inefficiency by Smith & Co. so frustrating is that the offensive line for the Chiefs did a pretty good job in 2016. According to Pro Football Focus, the Chiefs offensive line allowed the fewest pressures in 2016 (they tied with the Raiders) and Smith saw the lowest percentage of pressures on third down. For an offense that operates like the Chiefs, scoring in the red zone has to be one of the most important parts of their game. Minus Tyreek Hill running wild throughout the field, there isn’t a big-play threat out there. It’s reasonable to contribute the lack of a play maker to Smith’s inability or unwillingness to take shots down the field. So, if you were asked a trivia question on where Smith ranked in red zone passing performance in the AFC West in 2016, you’d be a winner if you answered with ... “dead last.” 2016 AFC West Red Zone QB Stats Quarterback Passing Completion % Passing Yards TD INT Passer Rating Yards/Attempt Rushing Yards Derek Carr 44/90 47% 306 19 1 91.9 3.4 -7 Philip Rivers 45/96 47% 333 22 2 86.5 3.5 1 Trevor Siemian 28/55 51% 164 10 1 89 3 5 Alex Smith 29/63 46% 167 11 3 72.7 2.7 51 Statistics via Pro Football Reference The only real edge that Smith has over the other three quarterbacks actually has nothing to do with his passing game. He has 51 rushing yards; the other three have -6 combined rushing yards. Congratulations. Trevor Siemian threw for one less touchdown than Smith did in the red zone in 2016 but had eight less pass attempts. Smith’s passer rating was 16.3 percentage points worse than the next-best rating, owned by Siemian (89). The Chiefs are at the point now where no one reasonably expects them to be any better than an average offense so long as Smith is behind center. The AFC West won’t be an easy division to play in in 2017 by any means, and if the Chiefs want to compete for a playoff run, improvement in the red zone should be one of their highest priorities.
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07-16-2017, 05:46 PM	#62
Sweet Daddy Hate Unsparing Join Date: Aug 2008 Casino cash: $10004900	"Perform" is not a word that should be associated with Smith. Ever. __________________ 1. Merciless, severe. 2. Given freely and generously. 100% refusal to overrate 20 year Head Coaches with ZERO **ing rings as a Head Coach. CP's Official Professor of 'Dem Blues for 2019/2020!**
Posts: 77,135

07-16-2017, 05:50 PM	#63
cmdrzman Banned Join Date: Dec 2016 Casino cash: $10000400	Derek Carr is awesome- Franchise QB
Posts: 388