KCKingdom
Fansided

KC Chiefs: Is Alex Smith The Leader Of This Team

By Greg Florkowski

Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) reacts during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) reacts during the fourth quarter against the New England Patriots in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Alex Smith has been labeled a game manager for the KC Chiefs. Will he ever be able to change that label to team leader?

After watching Super Bowl 50, I learned how close the Chiefs actually are to being a Super Bowl team. Is quarterback Alex Smith the leader that the KC Chiefs need to get there?

Peyton Manning showed during Super Bowl 50, that you can play a very sub-par game, and lean on your defense to win the big game.

Manning recorded the worst quarterback rating by a winning quarterback in Superbowl history at 9.9. That stat has only been around for ten years, but it’s still significant.

He completed 13 of 23 passes for 141 yards and one interception along with two fumbles. He lost one of those fumbles while recovering the other.  Despite these horrible numbers, his defense held the number one ranked offense to ten points.

More from Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City has a defense that can get to the quarterback, and also cover the best receivers in the league. They need to lock up their key free agents to ensure they’re still capable of this.

They didn’t look like themselves in the Divisional Round loss to the Patriots. Their ability to create pressure looked non-existent and they gave up chunk plays in bulk. They gave up more than 20 points for only the sixth time on the season.

Of the games they allowed less than 21 points they only lost two of them. Had the Chiefs’ defense held their own against the Patriots, who knows what the rest of the postseason could’ve looked like.

Alex Smith is considered by most analysts to be a “game manager“. In 2015, he showed that he is more than that, and he is the leader that the Chiefs need.Kansas City needs to use him while we can.

In my opinion, he is one of the better quarterbacks that has played for the Chiefs in recent years. Trent Green is probably the last quarterback to give Kansas City a chance to win on a weekly basis.

In my opinion he is one of the better quarterbacks that has played for the Chiefs in recent years.

Smith’s leadership showed in a big way this season. When the game was on the line or there was a crucial third and long, almost like magic, Smith would get the first down with his arm or with his legs. I believe that he at many times this season put the team on his back, and was a key cog in the victories.

More from KC Kingdom

It can be seen when he starts running. When he needs to, he will not slide feet first for the safe gain, he will put a shoulder down and get the extra yard.

Alex Smith is also one of the smartest quarterbacks in the NFL. He knows how to read a defense and the best way to get the ball to his playmakers.

With Jamaal Charles coming back next season, as well as playmakers Travis Kelce, De’Anthony Thomas, and WR Jeremy Maclin . Smith will have a lot of choices of who he can get the ball to, and it is looking like they can all have a key role in another great season.

Next: Will Smith's Name Ever Be On This List?

I believe that the tools are there for Alex Smith as long as the offensive line can continue improving. So is Alex Smith the leader the Chiefs need? I say yes, but what do you think?

Home/Kansas City Chiefs