Chiefs vs. Saints: The Expectations Of Alex Smith

The Kansas City Chiefs take the field Friday night in their first preseason match-up against the New Orleans Saints. It’s a lot of other first things for the Chiefs. New head coach, Andy Reid will run the sidelines for the first time, and Alex Smith will take the field for the first time in red and gold.

Jul 28, 2013; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) drops back to pass during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Fair or not, Alex Smith will be under a microscope Friday night. Fans would like to see Smith give a good performance, which could mean a number of things. No interceptions, move the ball, certainly a touchdown drive. The list goes on. Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star, asked Smith about the importance of the Chiefs getting off to a good start.

"“It’s important,” Smith said. “We want to play well and we want to get off to a good start. But is this the end-all? No. It’s the first preseason game.“The big thing for us is on offense. Let’s move the ball, let’s go down and get some points. That’s the goal. On an individual level, we just need to do our jobs. For me, that’s making good decisions and hitting the targets when they’re there.”"

I agree with Smith. I would just like to see the starting offense execute plays and move the ball. If they have to settle for just a field goal, that’s okay with me. The Chiefs will certainly be calling a very “vanilla” game on offense and defense, so I don’t expect to see a lot of shifting and motions in all of their formations.

Chiefs fans are always going to be hard on quarterbacks. We haven’t had a decent one since Trent Green, and before him Joe Montana. You can argue Rich Gannon, but that will just make you sick because everyone saw it in him, but we let him go to the Raiders and become a league MVP. My point is, we haven’t had much luck in the QB department, and Chiefs fans are starving for quality quarterback play.

If Smith can put together an efficient first quarter, Chiefs fans will be confident. Andy Reid and new general manager, John Dorsey, have put a lot of faith in Smith. Which in turn has created expectations for him. Smith is no rookie to expectations and pressure, being the former number one overall pick back in 2005.

Reid and Dorsey have done a good job of building the offense to Smith’s strengths. They’ve become deep at the tight end position, a favorite of Smith’s to throw at. Re-signed WR, Dwayne Bowe, and drafted a tackle with the number one overall pick. Not to mention an elite running back to help take some pressure off. The set up is perfect for Smith. Another reason why he has some high expectations for this up coming season.

Smith has had an excellent camp so far, and he definitely has come to Kansas City confident in his abilities. Same goes for his new offensive coordinator, Doug Pederson, when he claimed Smith to be the best quarterback in the league. Smith was asked about his new coordinators confidence.

"“Yeah.” Smith said. He then asked the reporter, “you don’t think so?” with a grin on his face. “It’s something that you prove every week. You go out there to be the best, and I’m working to be the best.” Smith continued, “In the end it’s all about who’s holding up that trophy.”"

Smith is confident, and seems to have come with a chip on his shoulders. Hopefully, he can turn that chip and confidence into wins and ultimately a championship.

Smith is expected to play the first quarter of Friday nights game. Look for him to complete some passes and play smart. That’s all we should ask for right now. I look forward more to the 2nd and 3rd games in the next few weeks. The play book will be more open and the offense will game plan more like a regular season game. Either way, I’m extremely happy that it’s football season.