Tag: Alex Smith

Alex Smith on Terry McLaurin: ‘One of my favorite teammates’

Alex Smith has fond memories of Terry McLaurin and offers the ultimate praise.

Alex Smith only spent three seasons in the burgundy and gold due to the gruesome leg injury he suffered in Nov. 2018. Washington was off to a fantastic start that season before Smith was lost for the rest of that season and in 2019.

In 2019, Washington spent a third-round draft pick on Ohio State wide receiver Terry McLaurin. It didn’t take long for former head coach Jay Gruden to realize McLaurin was a legit No. 1 NFL wide receiver.

The following season, in Ron Rivera’s first season as head coach, Dwayne Haskins began the season at quarterback. He was benched. Kyle Allen entered and was lost for the year due to injury. That opened the door for one of the most inspirational and improbable comebacks in NFL history when Smith was back as Washington’s starting quarterback.

Smith ended up starting six games for Washington that season until an injury kept him out at the end of the season, including the playoffs. Smith went 5-1 as the starter that season, developing a strong rapport with McLaurin in helping lead the team to a surprising NFC East title.

Smith retired after that season and now works as an analyst for ESPN. In an episode of the “ESPN Daily” podcast this week, Smith discussed Washington’s win over the Packers last week and how terrific of a player McLaurin is.

“In the second half of this game, he single-handedly, I think, won this ball game for Washington,” Smith said of McLaurin. McLaurin caught five passes for 73 yards, and a touchdown in the win, including multiple clutch catches to put the game away.

Smith would go on to explain why McLaurin was such a fantastic player before also praising him as a teammate.

“He’s one of my favorite teammates, kind of ever,” Smith said. “He never had the persona that comes with being a No. 1 receiver, like, ‘Get me the ball. I got this.’ I did like that he didn’t scream at me, but on the flip side, there were times I wanted him, like, you almost had to push his buttons during his rookie year and second year. He didn’t know how good he was, that he was a monster. Just incredibly physically gifted.”

Smith played 16 seasons in the NFL, and for Smith to call him one of his favorite teammates ever, despite only being on the same roster for two seasons, says all you need to know about McLaurin.

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Why Commanders Coach Ron Rivera is so upset

Breaking down exactly why Ron Rivera was upset this week.

Ron Rivera was visibly upset Thursday night.

With the press following the 12-7 win over Chicago, Rivera was asked concerning the ESPN report Thursday morning that Commanders owner Daniel Snyder had forced Rivera to trade for Carson Wentz.

Rivera responded, “Honestly? I am going to speak my mind for a second.” He then proceeded to inform those present that report was “bull—-.”  While the Washington staff was attending the 2022 NFL scouting combine, it was Rivera himself who was also studying stats and analytics on Carson Wentz.

Why is Rivera so upset?

For starters, Washington had lost four consecutive games, and showed up unprepared to play in two games being embarrassed 46-0 in the first halves.

Secondly, Monday afternoon when asked about the Eagles, Cowboys and Giants playing very well and why Washington was not, Rivera had initially replied, “Quarterback.”

Quite frankly, what transpired illustrated something that I learned about 30 years ago when a very wise man said, “What happens on Sunday mornings all over the world is a preacher speaks before an audience. There is first what the preacher ACTUALLY said, and secondly, there is what the people actually THINK the preacher said.”

I have found this to be true again and again over the decades. A listener listens with his or her own grid, their own personal history, their own worldview, their own opinions of a given situation. Though the best of us may think we are, none of us are entirely objective. We hear words and then interpret them according to our own personal grid through which we define reality.

When Rivera actually said, “Quarterback” many (including myself) actually assumed he meant Carson Wentz. We assumed he was talking only about Washington being 1-4 this 2022 season.

However, his explanation that followed unveiled Rivera making references to last season as well. It was then I was reminded of another truth I learned decades ago, “Context is king”. Humans speak and write in language, yet the context determines the nuance and specificity of how those words are intended to be understood.

Thus, when Coach Ron said, “Quarterback” we all assumed he meant solely Carson Wentz. Closer listening to the explanation should have revealed to more of us Ron was answering from his own personal history as Washington’s coach.

Ron became coach in 2020 and who was his “quarterback?” Dwayne Haskins, whom he benched, then Kyle Allen who became injured, then Alex Smith who bless his heart, his leg couldn’t hold up. So he went back to Haskins, benched, and cut Haskins, going with Taylor Heinicke.

In 2021, Rivera started Ryan Fitzpatrick. Fitz lasted all of six pass attempts before a hip injury sidelined him for the season. Six pass attempts from his starter! Thus he went to Heinicke before a positive COVID test sidelined Heinicke. Garrett Gilbert started at Philadelphia. Heinicke returned to start and was pulled two games for Allen, hoping for more success.

This season, yes, Carson Wentz had started and played all five games, and Rivera honestly admitted Wentz had struggled in a few games. But that wasn’t enough; most of us ASSUMED he could only mean Wentz when in his explanation pointed elsewhere as well.

Why is Rivera so upset?

Because when he initially responded with one word, “quarterback” we assumed he meant one person. In actuality he meant ONE POSITION and several people.

Rivera is also upset with himself for choosing to initially answer with one word. Regardless of how well he has later explained himself, his explanation is not accepted. Add to that an ESPN report challenging Rivera’s manhood, presenting him as Snyder’s puppet, and you bet I understand why Coach Ron is upset.

Even more, sports analysts including former Washington quarterback Alex Smith went on television Monday night, waxing eloquently on Rivera’s one-word initial answer, “quarterback.” They proceeded to pile on Rivera, all the while apparently blind to the irony; they were revealing they simplistically focused on one word, entirely ignoring his explanation. They were guilty of equating their interpretation with the truth of what Rivera had actually said.

Welcome to the human race.

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Ron Rivera apologizes to Carson Wentz, team over ‘quarterback’ comments

Ron Rivera spoke to Carson Wentz, and they had a “nice conversation” and are “ready to roll.”

The day after Ron Rivera made national headlines for comments he said were misconstrued, the head coach apologized to quarterback Carson Wentz and the entire team Tuesday.

On his weekly Monday presser, Rivera was asked why Washington’s rebuilding process was coming along a lot slower than the rest of the NFC East, and the head coach gave a one-word response.

“Quarterback,” Rivera responded.

Rivera was then asked about the Cowboys, who’ve won four in a row with a backup quarterback.

” They started with [QB] Dak [Prescott],” Rivera said. “They build around Dak, and the offense is built around Dak. Their backup is a guy that is very solid inside of what they do. The truth is that this is a quarterback-driven league, and if you look at the teams that have been able to sustain success, they’ve been able to build it around a specific quarterback.”

Of course, the big highlight played on social media clips was when Rivera answered the initial question. It prompted many to criticize Rivera, including former Washington quarterback and current ESPN analyst Alex Smith.

Rivera opened his Tuesday meeting with the media by discussing his comments from Monday, taking full accountability for what he said and the distraction it caused.

“I do, but you know, at the end of the day, I spoke to my team this morning,” Rivera said. “I basically told them that I said some things that were misconstrued. I didn’t present it properly, and that’s on me. So I took accountability, told the guys that I should know better. Shit, I had a bad day. I figured, you know, I’m feeling better today; let’s move forward. So, to me, as far as I’m concerned, it’s really now about the most important thing that’s getting ready for football.”

He also mentioned specifically speaking to Wentz.

“Very much so,” Rivera answered when someone asked if he was worried about the comments becoming a distraction. “And that’s why I apologize to the guys. It’s been good. The players have been really positive about it, and Carson [Wentz] and I had a nice conversation. So I think we’re ready to roll.”

Rivera deserves credit for acknowledging his mistake. Regardless of how he meant it, the comments came across badly. In fairness, Rivera has defended Wentz at every turn, so he’s believable when he says he meant the comments were in reference to every other NFC East team having a quarterback in place and building around them.

Whether you agree with that or not is one thing, but if Wentz and Washington’s players are ready to move forward, so should everyone else.

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Alex Smith takes issue with Ron Rivera’s comments regarding Carson Wentz

Alex Smith said Ron Rivera was “driving the bus over his quarterback” with his comments Monday.

Alex Smith spent his final NFL season playing for Ron Rivera and the then-Washington Football Team. Quarterback issues plagued Washington that season until Smith returned to the lineup after a gruesome injury in Nov. 2018 to lead his team to a 5-1 record during his starts and to a surprising NFC East division title.

Smith retired after that season and now works for ESPN.

Ahead of Monday night’s game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders, the “Monday Night Countdown” crew were discussing the happenings from around the NFL and Rivera’s comments from Monday’s press conference.

When asked why the other NFC East teams were ahead of Washington in their respective rebuilds, Rivera answered, “quarterback.”

Rivera did delve into his answer, providing full context.

However, Smith saw the comments, and they didn’t sit well with the longtime NFL quarterback.

“I’m not going to lie; I had a really hard time watching that,” Smith said. “When I heard it, I couldn’t believe it. I’m not here to defend Carson Wentz. He’s had a tumultuous career and ups and downs. But this is a defensive head coach that’s absolutely driving the bus over his quarterback.”

Smith was just getting started.

“I just want to read some stats there for everybody, just to realize.,” Smith said. “Carson Wentz is fourth in the NFL in passing. The only guys ahead of him are Josh Allen, Justin Herbert and Tom Brady. This is a defense that is 26th in the NFL in scoring, oh and they are also 28th in rushing offense. The blame has got to be spread around. This is a team sport. It is the ultimate team sport. How can a head coach stand up there in front of the media and utter one word, and it’s ‘quarterback’?”

It sounded like Smith had been waiting for that moment.

Anyhow, Smith is right. He’s 100% correct. This team has many issues. By the way, Rivera is the one who traded for Wentz. And in Rivera’s defense, he said he has “no regrets” trading for Wentz. But the offensive line has problems. The defense, despite all of the investments on the defensive line, still isn’t very good.

Guess who picked all of these players?

Rivera must understand that criticism comes with the territory. Fans are tired of hearing “we are close” or “this doesn’t happen overnight.” It’s past time to win. Unfortunately for the fans, this team doesn’t appear close to turning any kind of corner.

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When they last met: Washington and Detroit

Washington hasn’t been good in Detroit over the last decade.

“When they last met” is an ongoing series during the NFL season, recalling the preceding game between Washington and the next opponent on the Commanders’ schedule.

Detroit 30, Washington 27 – Week 10, November 15, 2020

Matt Prater’s 59-yard field goal on the game’s final play provided the Lions their 30-27 victory over the Washington Football Team at Ford Field in Detroit.

When Lions quarterback Matt Stafford connected with running back D’Andre Swift for a 15-yard touchdown, the Lions led comfortably 24-3 with 7:58 remaining in the third quarter.

Washington suddenly responded, scoring 21 consecutive points. J.D. McKissic’s 2-yard run with 2:30 remaining in the third gave Washington hope. Then Antonio Gibson scored from the 2 with 11:21 remaining to bring Washington to within 24-17. Another Washington drive resulted in Gibson scoring from the 5-yard line, tying the game with 6:09 showing on the game clock.

The Lions responded with Prater’s 37-yard field goal. But with 2:37 remaining in the game, it was time for Alex Smith to drive Washington to tie the game with 16 seconds remaining on Dustin Hopkins’ 41-yard field goal.

Astonishingly, the Washington defense could not keep the Lions from driving, setting up Prater’s 59-yard kick. From the 25, the defense surrendered a 10-yard pass. The next play was a Stafford incompletion leaving Detroit with only 6 seconds from their own 35.

However, rookie Chase Young had taken a cheap-shot shove into the back of Stafford, clearly late after Stafford’s incompletion, moving the ball 15 yards to the midfield stripe.

Washington defenders stood 10 yards off of Detroit receivers, so Stafford quickly connected with Marvin Jones for 9 yards to the Washington 41, in time for Prater to nail the game-winning field goal.

The Lions have won the last four games played in Detroit (2020, 2016, 2010, 2009).

Don’t count out Cam Sims in 2022

Washington has a potentially outstanding group of wide receivers. You shouldn’t forget about Cam Sims, either.

There is a lot of hype surrounding the Washington Commanders’ wide receivers in 2022. Top wide receiver Terry McLaurin got paid, the Commanders spent a first-round pick on Jahan Dotson and Curtis Samuel is finally healthy.

That’s a potentially outstanding trio. Then, you have Dyami Brown, who is quietly having a terrific training camp in year two of his career.

Then, there is Cam Sims. Did you forget about him?

Sims is entering his fifth NFL season in 2022 — all with Washington. Every offseason, we’ve been promised more of Sims. Unfortunately, something happens, whether it’s an injury or quarterback issues, and the expected breakout from Sims never happens.

Sims appeared on the verge of that breakout in 2020 when Alex Smith was under center. Sims had his first career 100-yard game in the regular season and came up big in Washington’s playoff loss to Tampa Bay, going over 100 yards again and leading Washington in receiving.

The Commanders placed a tender on Sims in 2021, retaining his services for another season. There was hope he’d be Washington’s third receiver in 2021 behind McLaurin and Samuel. Nothing worked out as planned for Washington’s wide receivers in 2021, including Sims, who missed three games and battled a nagging hamstring injury for several weeks.

What should we expect in 2022?

There is no question the Commanders have their top three wideouts. And Brown is likely also in that mix, but Sims is showing everyone in training camp why you shouldn’t forget about him.

Sims catches everything. And at 6-foot-5, he has the size none of Washington’s other receivers possess. Check out this catch from Wednesday:

New quarterback Carson Wentz loves throwing to big targets. While Sims will not start in 2022, barring injury, there is a role for him. Sims would be outstanding in the red zone, paired with McLaurin, Logan Thomas and Cole Turner in some big sub-packages.

The point is that you find a role for him outside of special teams, where he is outstanding. That is the good news for Sims. Due to his work on special teams, he is always active. So even if he isn’t among the team’s top receivers on game day, he will always be active, meaning the Commanders don’t have to sit someone else for Sims to be active.

On Wednesday, Sims reminded everyone why he’s still around.

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Alex Smith details daughter Sloane’s emergency brain surgery

Alex Smith’s daughter underwent a 10-hour surgery to remove a brain tumor

Alex Smith revealed in an Instagram post that his daughter Sloane underwent emergency surgery to remove a brain tumor in May.

The former NFL quarterback, who almost lost a leg after being injured during a game when with Washington, said the 10-hour surgery was a success.

“On May 10th, Sloane was rushed to the ER with stroke-like symptoms,” Smith wrote. “She had an MRI and the doctors quickly informed us that she had a large brain tumor and needed an emergency craniotomy. … The incredible neurosurgeons @stanforchildrens did a miraculous job and were able to remove 100% of the tumor.

… “Sloane — in her true form — bounced back from brain surgery like a rockstar! She didn’t skip a beat. After weeks of waiting on pathology, we learned that Sloane’s tumor is a very rare malignant tumor with very few documented cases — without a clear road map for treatment. We are currently awaiting more tests and gathering as many opinions as we can from doctors across the country to decide the best path forward.”

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CfPAy_4lmu7/

Wishing Sloane and the Smith family the best of everything,

Former Chiefs Derrick Johnson, Alex Smith on College Football Hall of Fame ballot for first time

Former #Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson and QB Alex Smith are on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame for the first time.

The National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Football Hall of Fame have announced players on the ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

There are several former Chiefs players up for selection including Pro Football Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez, DB Eric Berry, WR Jeremy Maclin and GM John Dorsey (former LB with UConn) who were all up for selection in 2022 as well. There are, however, a pair of newly-added former Chiefs players on the ballot this year.

Here are a few criteria that these newcomers had to meet in order to receive consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023:

  1. You must have been named a First-Team All-American during your playing days.
  2. A minimum of 10 years must have passed since your final season of college football. No more than 50 years can have passed since your last college football game.
  3. Post-football records and academic record matters.
  4. Coaches can become nominated three years after retirement, but active coaches can be nominated if they reach 75 years of age.

One of the first-time players up for selection into the College Football Hall of Fame is former Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson, who was a standout at the University of Texas. Johnson joined Kansas City as a first-round pick out of the 2005 NFL draft and retired as the franchise leader in tackles with 1,151 over the course of 13 seasons in Kansas City.

“Two-time First Team All-American (consensus-2003, unanimous-2004) and recipient of the 2004 Butkus Award and Nagurski Trophy…2004 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and three-time First Team All-Big 12 performer…Led Horns to three 11-win seasons and ranks third all-time at UT with 458 career tackles.”

Next up is former Chiefs QB Alex Smith, who was a standout at Utah. Smith joined Kansas City via trade ahead of the 2013 NFL season and helped usher in a new era of football with the Chiefs under head coach Andy Reid, boasting a 50-26 record during five years with the team. He’s also credited with having helped Patrick Mahomes develop as a rookie in 2017.

2004 First Team All-American who finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting…2004 SI National Player of the Year, leading Utah to its first-ever 12-0 season, a BCS bowl victory (2005 Fiesta) and a No. 4 final national ranking…2004 MWC Offensive Player of the Year boasted two league titles and multiple school records.

Now that the ballot has been released, votes will be submitted to the NFF’s Honors Courts. They’ll deliberate and decide on the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame class, with an announcement slated for early 2023.

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Former Chiefs QB Alex Smith weighs in on Tyreek Hill trade

Alex Smith shared his thoughts on the Tyreek Hill trade and what it means for the #Chiefs on the Rich Eisen Show.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be without one of their most dynamic weapons in 2022 and former starting QB Alex Smith expects some big changes as a result.

Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday, Smith weighed in on the Chiefs’ recent trade of Tyreek Hill. Smith played with Hill for two seasons, connecting on 136 passes for 1,776 yards and 13 touchdowns. He knows better than anyone not named Patrick Mahomes exactly what Kansas City is losing in Hill and how it won’t be so easy to replace him.

“Flatout, you’re not going to replace him,” Smith told Eisen. “There is literally only one Tyreek Hill in the whole NFL. He is that kind of difference-maker. I was fortunate enough to play my last two years there in Kansas City with him. Honestly, when he’s on the field, defenses play differently. He opens up so many other players around him because everybody is so fearful.”

The thing that makes Hill so dangerous, in Smith’s opinion, is that he’s more than just a speed threat. His ability to change the game in so many different ways makes him very difficult to prepare for and it forces teams into mistakes.

“There are a lot of fast guys in the league, who are, in the end, they’re kind of one-dimensional,” Smith continued. “Tyreek is not that. We saw it throughout the playoffs, catch-and-run, deep ball, put him back there for punt and kickoff return, hand him the ball in the backfield. I mean, he’s an incredible weapon, incredibly unique. You’re just not going to fill those shoes.”

So what does the absence of Hill mean for the Chiefs moving forward? Smith sees his absence as a trade-off. The team is sacrificing being as dynamic on offense to perhaps make some moves that will make the team more well-rounded on both offense and defense.

“I do think they won’t be as dynamic on offense. This is the trade-off that I think Andy is thinking about and Brett Veach as well — for that salary that they were going to potentially get (Hill) at and the draft picks they got in return — can they potentially go be better on the defensive side of the ball? I think they look back to a few years ago and maybe they’re going to be a bit more balanced on offense and defense.”

Smith is plenty familiar with Andy Reid making an executive decision to get value for a player at the right time. After all, the Chiefs did it with Smith back in 2017.

“And I think this has been Andy’s (modus operandi) his entire coaching career,” Smith explained. “Rather than letting you play out your contract and walk away for nothing, he’s certainly going to try and get value for you while he can. I was even a product of that, right? I mean, how many quarterbacks have we seen him do this with over the years, where he does trade them and he gets value back. They do a great job of developing talent.”

If the Chiefs can hit on some draft picks, fill out the offensive and defensive roster, Smith thinks the move can be a win for Kansas City. However, he doesn’t expect the team to find a “replacement” for Hill. Maybe they’ll find some players to help replace the production lost, but finding a player as special as Hill, that’s a hard task.

“So they decided to make this move and it’s bold,” Smith said. “And again, they’re not going to replace him on offense. You’re just not going to find anybody in the draft or out there in free agency that is going to fill those shoes. They’re going to have to adjust offensively, but again, I think the big question is: Can they be better as a team? That cap space, can they go get some other players, maybe on the defensive side of the ball. With those draft picks, can they get some role players to come in and help them this next year? I think that’s the equation they’re trying to make. They will not be as explosive as they have been on offense with Tyreek gone. He’s just that type of player.”

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Alex Smith discusses Washington football dysfunction

Alex Smith opens up regarding some of the dysfunction in Washington.

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Only 24 hours after Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said he was “tired of it,” one of his former quarterbacks, Alex Smith wasn’t shy to declare some off-the-field distractions around Ashburn.

Smith appearing as a phone guest on the Rich Eisen Show Wednesday, opened up when Eisen inquired what advice might Smith have for new quarterback Carson Wentz heading to the Commanders?

Smith (laughter) “Oh man, that’s tough. I think you have to try to eliminate the noise there. You know, there is a lot of noise. There are a lot of distractions. That entire organization, everything surrounding it, and obviously deservedly. It’s been flawed for the last 20 years. There is a lot of stuff going on there, a lot of distractions. It makes it difficult to focus in on football.

But I think that is where Carson is at this stage in his career. This is kinda his make or break. He is getting one more chance to kinda be the guy. This is a team (Commanders) which has been almost desperate to get a franchise quarterback these last few years.

So, can he be that? He has got to lock in and not get distracted. Like I said, this is an opportunity; he’s got to go and make the most of it. I think it is going to be telling. Can he do that?

The Cowboys kinda ran away with that division. The Eagles are going to continue to be better and we will see what happens up in New York. But yes, can he make the most of this last opportunity to be the guy here with all of that going on?

…They have had a ton of turmoil there. I know they are trying to settle it down. It still remains to be seen if that is going to happen.”

Eisen asked if what was going on in the front office impacted Smith’s ability to play football. Smith replied, “How could it not? How could it not? All the stuff there in the organization from ownership down, head coaching and GM. There has historically been a lot of drama there.

It is a big market; obviously the capital. That organization is a really storied franchise. Yes, there is a lot of turmoil and a lot of distractions. To say the stuff going on in the building doesn’t infiltrate the locker room or out on the field would be crazy. That happens everywhere. I think that is what great organizations eliminate and the bad ones have a hard time with it.

All that noise creeps into the building. Yes, it does affect the product out on the field. The great organizations and coaches have a knack of keeping that out of the building, to quiet the noise, to decrease distractions and focus on football. But that is easier said than done.”

Here is a shorter video for Washington Commanders fans.