kccrow |
12-25-2016 02:24 PM |
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandy Cheeks
(Post 12639332)
We are not talking about "the exact same"... we are speaking in generalities about excuses vs legit reasons. Of course, a rookie gets more latitude... but reality is... an excuse is still an excuse.. and a legit reason is a legit reason.
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Difference is you might expect a rookie to miss some wide-open reads. You might expect a rookie to be a bit conservative and not take the tight shots a veteran would. There are differences, but the leash given for those excuses tightens rather quickly.
That's where the "Alex bashing" comes into play. People expect Alex to play with a bit more confidence in himself and the players around him, players that are very good at their positions. He doesn't trust his O-line enough, for sure. If Alex ever took the handcuffs off himself, he'd be a very good QB. He certainly has the abilities, but doesn't use them with any regularity. He's so self-constricting that he misses quite a few opn shots down the field and doesn't take those tight-windowed shots that would result in big plays. That doesn't mean he doesn't make those plays sometimes, and that isn't to mean that those who criticize Smith are saying he never does it.
Alex actually reminds me of Matt Hasselbeck, but a little better at avoiding turnovers. He really doesn't go out and win you games with strong statistical showings, he just doesn't do enough damage to make his team lose very often. It's a boring brand of football. After watching horrendous play at the position, fans get to watch boring. That's a recipe for some disgruntled fans. They want to be entertained and have some excitement. They want their turn to have a Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady.
All this makes it a tough out for Alex. He isn't bad. He just isn't good enough in many fan's eyes, especially those that have watched this same thing for decades. His style, with the defense the Chiefs have had the past few years, has been enough to win games. Many don't see that as adequate to beat the elite teams in the league in the playoffs. The Chiefs' defense isn't on par with the 2000 Ravens, 2011 Giants, or the 2014 Seahawks. Is Alex enough without that type of defense? Can Alex get a little Brett Favre in his system come playoff time, which starts tonight in my opinion, and just try to make some plays sometimes?
The real problem is that neither side of this concedes anything. Those that cheer him seem to do so just as blindly as those that criticize him. Alex has flaws. He also has some decent traits.
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