Cleveland Browns and Alex Smith? A closer look -- Terry Pluto

[oaklandhater]

http://www.cleveland.com/pluto/index...x_smith_a.html




CLEVELAND, Ohio -- As if the Cleveland Browns needed another reason to go after Alex Smith, consider this from Profootballfocus:

"One of the surprises of the season, Smith became the league's most efficient deep thrower, finishing first in adjusted completion percentage and yards while tying for first with 12 touchdowns.

"After generally ranking near the bottom in deep passing attempts in years past, a more aggressive approach had Smith ranked 11th with 12.3 percent of his attempts going deep this season. All told, it helped to pay off as he posted a career-high PFF grade."

I've always considered Smith a "game manager" style quarterback who also has the ability to run for first downs.

At best, I thought his arm strength was average.

Maybe it's average -- but he's finding ways to get the ball downfield to open receivers.

Of course, the Browns would have to secure some better receivers -- another job for new general manager John Dorsey.

It's common knowledge Dorsey likes the 33-year-old Smith. Trading for the veteran quarterback was one of his first moves after taking over the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013.

The Chiefs season ended Saturday after they blew a 21-3 lead to the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wild Card game. The Titans came back to win, 22-21.

Had the Chiefs advanced deep into the playoffs, they probably would have been more likely to keep Smith.

Instead, they might turn to Patrick Mahomes. He was picked No. 10 in the 2017 draft ... by Dorsey. That was a month before he was fired as general manager of the Chiefs.

The Chiefs have Smith under contract for 2018 for $17 million. Kansas City also has some salary cap problems, another reason Smith could be traded.

Given the Browns have more than $100 million of salary cap room, that's no barrier for them.

The question would be what type of draft picks the Chiefs would want in return.

And Browns fans know, their favorite team has oodles of picks -- including three in the second round of 2018.

WHY SMITH?

Some things to consider about Smith:

1. He is the anti-DeShone Kizer. In the last three years covering 46 games, he has thrown 20 interceptions. Kizer threw 21 interceptions in 15 games this season.

2. Smith has lost six fumbles in the last four years. Kizer lost six fumbles in 15 games this season.

3. Smith has a 50-26 record in five years with the Chiefs. For his career, he is 88-62-1. Is he great? No. Can he win a lot of regular season games? Absolutely!

4. Besides the money, why would the Chiefs deal Smith? He's had problems in the playoffs. He is 1-4 in the postseason. He's not played that poorly: 65 percent completions, nine TDs compared to two interceptions in five games. But the could not make a real Super Bowl run.

5. Smith has become a victim of rising expectations in Kansas City. The Chiefs were 2-14 the season before he arrived. He helped turn them into a playoff team. But the goal is the Super Bowl, and January has been a cruel month for the Chiefs because of the playoffs.

6. Smith is very durable. He has missed only four games in five years with the Chiefs.

7. Smith would give the Browns an experienced, smart quarterback who is coming off the best season of his 12-year career. The Browns have not had a player like him since they returned in 1999.

8. Turnovers destroyed the Browns in several games last season. Adding Smith would cut them dramatically.

9. Several teams will be after Smith. Possible places for him include Denver, Arizona, the New York Jets and perhaps Jacksonville or Buffalo.

10. The more you look at Smith and how he fits with the Browns, the more attractive he becomes in an orange helmet.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Halea41

I don’t think you guys understand what’s gonna happen with smith in Cleveland. He will be asked to make deep throws on a consistent basis, without Hill. He’ll be asked to make anticipation throws. He will be asked to throw receivers open, which is leading a covered receiver to a spot where he’ll be moderately open. He’ll be asked to make tight-window throws. Alex smith will be asked throw more in general, for four quarters. That’s because the browns are bad and dysfunctional. Smith does not have the ability.

Alex will go back to being a game manager. He will have a good Gregg Williams defense and if they draft Barkley could have an outstanding running game. I always thought a big strength of his is that he does make bad teams look average. His supporting cast in 2013 and 2014 weren't great. That's what the browns need. The things you're talking about are things that take a team from average to great. I agree, but thats not what the browns are looking for.

[BryanBusby]

Originally Posted by Halea41

Smih’s Interception will skyrocket when he’s asked to compensate for the 31st ranked defense in the league. No more screen passes and conservative attacks. He’ll be asked to sling it, especially in hue’s system.

He was already playing for a bottom range ranked D.

[Halea41]

We’ve seen Alex smith on a bad team, it’s called the 2004-2010 49ers.

[BryanBusby]

The Browns aren't that bad of a team. They mostly suffer from dog shit QB play.

The last time they had decent play, they went 10-6.

[Halea41]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

He was already playing for a bottom range ranked D.

Chiefs’ defense ranks 15, with 21 ppg. And defense’s stats are marred by three games: patriots, Texans and raiders. They were actually pretty good.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

The Browns aren't that bad of a team. They mostly suffer from dog shit QB play.

The last time they had decent play, they went 10-6.

At minimum especially with a ton of money in the offseason, I can't imagine the team being much worse than what we had in 2013 and 2014. Agreed. Browns aren't terrible. Excellent defensive coordinator, very good offensive line, some good weapons in the running and passing game. I don't see why they couldn't put up a 6-8 win season with Alex Smith as their qb, even if they make minimal changes.

[Halea41]

10 games, the chiefs’ defense gave up 20 points or less.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Halea41

10 games, the chiefs’ defense gave up 20 points or less.

The browns don't need him to win the division or win 10 games. I don't want Smith on the Chiefs next year. Believe me, this is not a defense of Alex Smith. He is not as good as his apologists want him to be, and he's certainly not as bad as his critics want him to be. If the mark is to get the browns 6-8 games, which browns fans would do cartwheels over, he is more than capable of doing that. If I was the jags or the bills, would I be excited about him? I wouldn't be.

[BryanBusby]

The Browns D will improve a lot once they realize Peppers sucks dick as a Defender and convert him to Returner/RB.

Replace him with Fitzpatrick with the #4 pick, draft some better linebackers and suddenly they will be in business.

Peppers is one of the worst first round defenders I've seen on tape in awhile.

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by BryanBusby

The Browns aren't that bad of a team. They mostly suffer from dog shit QB play.

The last time they had decent play, they went 10-6.

This

The talent is already there to be better than they are, you need better coaching and a new field general... we're seriously rooting for you, Cleveland

Quit waiting for Montana, and embrace a solid winner while things unfold

Chiefs fans have been there, we're with you... patience

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Bugsby is right...they could have been a 8 win team if Mariota was their QB. That defense needs a purpose to play. Plus, Josh Gordon didn't come back until the end of the season.

They have an absurd amount of money and draft picks to use these next couple of years. It's pretty much a General Manager's dream.

Veach vs. Dorsey -- If you give Smith to Dorsey and they miraculously win 9 games and tie or beat out the Chiefs in wins imagine how dumb that makes us look.

[oaklandhater]

Originally Posted by TigeRRUppeRRcut

Bugsby is right...they could have been a 8 win team if Mariota was their QB. That defense needs a purpose to play. Plus, Josh Gordon didn't come back until the end of the season.

They have an absurd amount of money and draft picks to use these next couple of years. It's pretty much a General Manager's dream.

Veach vs. Dorsey -- If you give Smith to Dorsey and they miraculously win 9 games and tie or beat out the Chiefs in wins imagine how dumb that makes us look.

We could go 0-16 with mahomes and I would still love the trade.

Smith has proven he will never get it done over and over.

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

He will have a good Gregg Williams defense and if they draft Barkley could have an outstanding running game.

I don't understand this hiring by Dorsey tbh. He hasn't been able to do much these last few years after serving his punishment then being discarded with Jeff Fisher off the Rams

[TigeRRUppeRRcut]

Originally Posted by oaklandhater

We could go 0-16 with mahomes and I would still love the trade.

Smith has proven he will never get it done over and over.

And Romo. And Stafford. And Cutler. And Dalton. List goes on.


Defense. Wins. Championships.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by TigeRRUppeRRcut

I don't understand this hiring by Dorsey tbh. He hasn't been able to do much these last few years after serving his punishment then being discarded with Jeff Fisher off the Rams

He wasn't hired by Dorsey. He built a good D in STL. They were held back by the usual Jeff fisher shitshow of an offense.