It's time.....

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https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=kansas%20city%20chiefs%20schedule&sh=0

 

If you are concerned about this idiot rating the Chiefs low, and making lame statements about Alex Smith, then get over it. Looking at this marginally fit human being you immediately know he has never stepped a foot in a locker room of any kind. The guy was the pasty kid who got picked on in gym class. He probably still wears the marks of a  7 inch red Mikasa dodge ball permanently stamped on his forehead. 

 

This guy is a loser, who never played the game. This is who the networks hire to tell us about teams, and players. There should be a rule in sports journalism that you have to have played a sport to write about it. It will never happen. This is one more validation that the country is going to Hell in a handbasket. In better times, people like this would have been eaten by wolves, and disappeared from the face of the earth. They would not have been given a nice job. They would not have survived childhood. The survival of the fittest would insure their genetics did not replicate. 

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Oh, by the way, this comes up when I try to correspond to Rosenthal on twitter. You are blocked from following @greggrosenthal and viewing @greggrosenthal's Tweets.Learn more

[PhataLerror 370]

I do find it interesting that when people talk about Alex's arm strength, their conclusions most frequently derive from the rarity of his long ball through the years. A lack of arm strength can be exposed when a quarterback makes an exceptional number of throws in a game, or it may be exposed in the frequency of interceptions on short- or medium-range pass attempts that are the result of a ball with inadequate velocity that is easier for defenses to react and respond to.

 

During the past four seasons, Alex Smith has had a total 2-5 record in games where he attempted 40 or more passes. His worst loss was his game against the Steelers, the game in which he lacerated his spleen. In the loss against the Colts in the 2013 AFC Wild Card Playoff, his offense scored 44 points. In the remaining three losses, all against the Broncos, his offense never scored less than 17 points, his offense always led in time of possession, and he was characteristically careful with the football in giving up only one turnover.

 

During the past four seasons, Alex Smith's interception rate has continued to be one of the lowest in the league.

 

Smith doesn't have the ball velocity that may other quarterbacks are reputed to have, but there doesn't seem to be any logical tie to that reputation and his production. Anyone who suggests that Smith isn't a good quarterback because of his ball arm strength needs to acknowledge that most of the players in the league that are well known for arm strength have had less success in the regular season and less success in the post-season. Therefore, if arm strength means little when it comes to titles, why is it a big deal to pundits and to so many fans as well?

[Bilyous2 884]

I do find it interesting that when people talk about Alex's arm strength, their conclusions most frequently derive from the rarity of his long ball through the years. A lack of arm strength can be exposed when a quarterback makes an exceptional number of throws in a game, or it may be exposed in the frequency of interceptions on short- or medium-range pass attempts that are the result of a ball with inadequate velocity that is easier for defenses to react and respond to.

 

During the past four seasons, Alex Smith has had a total 2-5 record in games where he attempted 40 or more passes. His worst loss was his game against the Steelers, the game in which he lacerated his spleen. In the loss against the Colts in the 2013 AFC Wild Card Playoff, his offense scored 44 points. In the remaining three losses, all against the Broncos, his offense never scored less than 17 points, his offense always led in time of possession, and he was characteristically careful with the football in giving up only one turnover.

 

During the past four seasons, Alex Smith's interception rate has continued to be one of the lowest in the league.

 

Smith doesn't have the ball velocity that may other quarterbacks are reputed to have, but there doesn't seem to be any logical tie to that reputation and his production. Anyone who suggests that Smith isn't a good quarterback because of his ball arm strength needs to acknowledge that most of the players in the league that are well known for arm strength have had less success in the regular season and less success in the post-season. Therefore, if arm strength means little when it comes to titles, why is it a big deal to pundits and to so many fans as well?

No doubt, he is a finesse passer who cannot stand throwing interceptions.  Maclin seems to love his touch and accuracy.  He has been plagued here with receivers who didn't run routes well and/or could not get separation due to slowness (like Avant).  He needs great route runners he is on the same page with in order to have the confidence that it won't be intercepted.  One of the reasons the defense looked so good is because they didn't have a short field to defend, because of the rarity of interceptions.  Smith's value is as much the points he doesn't give up as it is the points he produces.

 

As a change of pace, though, when Daniels goes in, he likes to zip that ball into tight spaces, and it really catches defenses off guard or unprepared, sometimes for entire games.  Over the course of a season, I'll take a QB like Smith, though.

[Calichief 3,016]

No doubt, he is a finesse passer who cannot stand throwing interceptions. Maclin seems to love his touch and accuracy. He has been plagued here with receivers who didn't run routes well and/or could not get separation due to slowness (like Avant). He needs great route runners he is on the same page with in order to have the confidence that it won't be intercepted. One of the reasons the defense looked so good is because they didn't have a short field to defend, because of the rarity of interceptions. Smith's value is as much the points he doesn't give up as it is the points he produces.

 

As a change of pace, though, when Daniels goes in, he likes to zip that ball into tight spaces, and it really catches defenses off guard or unprepared, sometimes for entire games. Over the course of a season, I'll take a QB like Smith, though.

Exactly why we shouldn't have wasted a spot for avant. Complete waste of a spot.

[DieHard 2,061]

You do realize Avant walked in and was the leading WR in his first two weeks. This is basically the same group as last year with the exception of Maclin for Bowe and a rook.

 

He is important against zone defenses and as a mentor.

 

Again, he was one of the better WRs last year and not much has changed. Still Hammond, Wilson, DAT that we are trying to throw to.

[Bilyous2 884]

You do realize Avant walked in and was the leading WR in his first two weeks. This is basically the same group as last year with the exception of Maclin for Bowe and a rook.

 

He is important against zone defenses and as a mentor.

 

Again, he was one of the better WRs last year and not much has changed. Still Hammond, Wilson, DAT that we are trying to throw to.

Because they are the future.

[Calichief 3,016]

You do realize Avant walked in and was the leading WR in his first two weeks. This is basically the same group as last year with the exception of Maclin for Bowe and a rook.

 

He is important against zone defenses and as a mentor.

 

Again, he was one of the better WRs last year and not much has changed. Still Hammond, Wilson, DAT that we are trying to throw to.

That's not saying much. He's slow, he doesn't Seperate and that makes him a non factor for Alex. We have a youth movement. Wilson, Hammond, Williams, dat and maclin. Kelce is going to be the target in the situations you speak of.

[FANATIC 852]

Exactly why we shouldn't have wasted a spot for avant. Complete waste of a spot.

Who is so awesome that you would put in place on Avant?

[ATLchief 3,126]

You do realize Avant walked in and was the leading WR in his first two weeks. This is basically the same group as last year with the exception of Maclin for Bowe and a rook.

 

He is important against zone defenses and as a mentor.

 

Again, he was one of the better WRs last year and not much has changed. Still Hammond, Wilson, DAT that we are trying to throw to.

 

 

Speaking of D-Bo, you see where he's listed as 3rd string in Cleveland?

[ATLchief 3,126]

Oh yeah...

 

 

It's time...for the Chiefs to hoist the fucking trophy named after their original owner!!!

[Guest okiechief1]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article34916460.html

 

Good article that covers both sides the Alex debate.

[omahacolt 208]

i like alex smith

 

i think the chiefs adding maclin will be huge.  they really haven't had talent at wr. 

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i like alex smith

 

i think the chiefs adding maclin will be huge.  they really haven't had talent at wr. 

Good comment. I agree. Maclin may not be a true #1, but he is perfect for this offense. Conway could develop into a #1 WR with some experience. He has the size, intelligence, and speed. Until then Wilson seems to be a very good compliment. 

[PhataLerror 370]

Exactly why we shouldn't have wasted a spot for avant. Complete waste of a spot.

The people making these comments really don't understand what a veteran can do for a team. What good is an elite physical specimen when they aren't where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there? What good is an elite physical specimen who can't anticipate how not just one defender, but an entire defensive scheme will affect the assignment he is about to execute. Avant can do these things. What he may not produce in the way of yards after the catch he may make up for in receptions the younger players would fail to make if in the same scenario.

 

When you take Avant's 2014 production as a rate, he ranked as the second-best wide receiver in receptions per game (behind Bowe), and fourth-best in receptions per game across all positions (behind Kelce and then Charles). He also ranked third in yards per game, behind Kelce and Bowe. Avant was fourth-best on the team in yards per target by Alex Smith, behind Wilson, Kelce, and Bowe, and being less than 0.3 yards behind Bowe per target. Finally, compared with Frankie Hammond, Avant's reception rate by targets from Alex Smith was about 75% better. He was a mid-season release that the Chiefs picked up and then placed in a complex passing offense that had struggled due to a lack of talent, and he produced immediately.

 

So the bottom line is this: Jason Avant is a professional football player on the tail end of his career, but his smarts presently more than make up for any lack in his physical ability. He's the team's WR3/4 and rightly ahead of Conley and Hammond when you project their likely production. You can make an argument for youth when an aging player is barely clinging to the roster, but that description doesn't fit Avant. He's got plenty left in the tank, and he's going to help the young'uns along the way. 

[Calichief 3,016]

The people making these comments really don't understand what a veteran can do for a team. What good is an elite physical specimen when they aren't where they are supposed to be when they are supposed to be there? What good is an elite physical specimen who can't anticipate how not just one defender, but an entire defensive scheme will affect the assignment he is about to execute. Avant can do these things. What he may not produce in the way of yards after the catch he may make up for in receptions the younger players would fail to make if in the same scenario.

 

When you take Avant's 2014 production as a rate, he ranked as the second-best wide receiver in receptions per game (behind Bowe), and fourth-best in receptions per game across all positions (behind Kelce and then Charles). He also ranked third in yards per game, behind Kelce and Bowe. Avant was fourth-best on the team in yards per target by Alex Smith, behind Wilson, Kelce, and Bowe, and being less than 0.3 yards behind Bowe per target. Finally, compared with Frankie Hammond, Avant's reception rate by targets from Alex Smith was about 75% better. He was a mid-season release that the Chiefs picked up and then placed in a complex passing offense that had struggled due to a lack of talent, and he produced immediately.

 

So the bottom line is this: Jason Avant is a professional football player on the tail end of his career, but his smarts presently more than make up for any lack in his physical ability. He's the team's WR3/4 and rightly ahead of Conley and Hammond when you project their likely production. You can make an argument for youth when an aging player is barely clinging to the roster, but that description doesn't fit Avant. He's got plenty left in the tank, and he's going to help the young'uns along the way.

How do you know so much about avant? If he has so many intangibles why was he released? Why was he the fourth option on a struggling offense and passing game?

We will certainly see what he brings over the year..

[Calichief 3,016]

2.6 catches a game. 13 catches in 5 games.

[PhataLerror 370]

How do you know so much about avant? If he has so many intangibles why was he released? Why was he the fourth option on a struggling offense and passing game?

We will certainly see what he brings over the year..

The Panthers' passing game struggled because of Cam Newton, not because of Jason Avant. Avant was miserable on a 3-7-1 Panthers team that utilized him poorly, and he went untargeted in a 17-19 week 11 loss. Remember that that was the Panthers team that had released Steve Smith, Sr., who went on to have a solid season with the Ravens, so this was hardly a team that recognized the value of its wide receivers. Little stock should be put into their decision-making. Had the Panthers not been in the NFC South, they would not have played in the post-season in 2014.

 

What I know about Jason Avant stems primarily from my knowledge of his usage as a receiver when he played for the Eagles, then the Panthers, and finally the Chiefs. After that, I consider Andy Reid's comments about him as a receiver. He's principally played a utility role as a receiver, getting spot starts in many games when one of the starting receivers were injured (see Eagles, 2013). He would not be an ideal WR1 or WR2, but he makes an excellent WR3, and especially so when the starting wide receivers and the tight end are worth their roster spot.

[Smoulder 89]

Good comment. I agree. Maclin may not be a true #1, but he is perfect for this offense.

... and this QB. I think it's destiny that Smith & Maclin unite the first time Alex has been in a system for 3 years. Alex Smith has never forged a connection with a receiver like we'll see with Smith-to-Maclin this year (it will be magical), the OC/QB connection is reaching it's prime, and the OC/WR connection is already there.

 

I have seen both Smith and Maclin downplayed, and Reid relegated to a nontopic. I am chomping at the bit to be 2-0 by Friday - we gonna change the conversation.

[FANATIC 852]

That's not saying much. He's slow, he doesn't Seperate and that makes him a non factor for Alex. We have a youth movement. Wilson, Hammond, Williams, dat and maclin. Kelce is going to be the target in the situations you speak of.

So again I ask. Who is the player out there as a free agent or that was cut that you would replace him with? 

 

Few players cut by NFL teams were picked up. That may indicate that the 51,52,53 player is not that great.

[PhataLerror 370]

One other thing I did forget in regards to Avant: Smith targeted him 19 times, and none of those passes were intercepted. Avery was targeted only 26 times, and three of those were picked off (of course, all of those happened in the 2014 season opener in which Dwayne Bowe was suspended). One of the best things about quality veteran receivers is that they recognize what they have to do if a pass targeting them may be intercepted. Avery was a veteran, but he never really demonstrated a lot of veteran savvy.

 

Remember, Avery started out as the Chiefs' WR2 last season. Albert Wilson was an upgrade to that position, and Jason Avant is also better than Avery.

[jetlord 10,209]

So again I ask. Who is the player out there as a free agent or that was cut that you would replace him with? 

 

Few players cut by NFL teams were picked up. That may indicate that the 51,52,53 player is not that great.

Williams, who is now on the practice squad.  He at least has an upside and showed some receiving talent in preseason.

[FANATIC 852]

Williams, who is now on the practice squad.  He at least has an upside and showed some receiving talent in preseason.

But Williams is still on the team. They can activate him from the practice squad. So Avant may have not passed through waivers and Williams did. I really dont care one way or the other. These are back end of the roster guys that no other team jumped on. Williams or Avant or? 

[DieHard 2,061]

Well said. It is good for the young guys developing to be around 2 vets that have played together for a while.