Alex Smith is finally the true starting quarterback for a team and he is ready to prove some folks wrong. The Kansas City Chiefs are a much different team than the one on the field in 2012. Some say they are better while other football critics say they could be the same as always. Smith, along with new head coach Andy Reid are using all of those negative reports as motivation and it is already paying off on the field.
Smith is tired of the critics. 2012 was supposed to be his breakout season. He was brought into San Francisco to be the newest starting quarterback and instead a concussion led to Colin Kaepernick's breakout season and Smith seeing the bench the rest of the year. It closed the door on what was supposed to be Smith's year.
Now with the Chiefs, the quarterback is using 2012 and all the negativity as motivation for the coming season. Many people are wondering if he and Reid can make it work.
"We'd love to stick it to everybody who thought we couldn't do it, he and I included," Smith said to the New York Times.
After going 2-14 last season, expectations are surprisingly high in Kansas City. The Chiefs are starting fresh with a revamped roster that hosts six Pro Bowlers along with a solid quarterback in Smith. Reid brings 14+ years of experience to the Chiefs and a strong endorsement for Smith. The trade to acquire the quarterback after his falling out with the 49ers, proves that Reid believes he is the guy to get it done in Kansas City.
"It's a fresh starter for him. He loves to play, and he's tough," Reid said of the quarterback.
In training camp, Smith and Reid are working to build a new West Coast offense for the Chiefs to run. Reid's experience rebuilding offenses and quarterbacks is extensive and Smith recognizes the potential for success.
"When you're trying to change a culture, and it's a new coaching staff and a lot of new faces, it's a young, hungry team," Smith said. "And it's a hungry community. We got to win that first game."
Things are starting off well for the duo. In the Chief's first preseason game, Smith and the rest of the first-team offense went 65 yards on 14 plays for a touchdown. It was their only series of the night, but was still enough to show hope and progress in Kansas City. Smith knows the team has a long ways to go, but the start is positive.
