Alex Smith and Andy Reid Are Like ‘Two Peas in a Pod’ Per Peter King

Sports Illustrated’s Peter King told B.J. Kissel of the Kansas City Chiefs’ official website on Oct. 16 that Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith and his head coach, Andy Reid, are like “two peas in a pod.”

In Peter King‘s eyes, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith are like “two peas in a pod.” 

This was what King, the editor-in-chief of Sports Illustrated’s Monday Morning Quarterback, told B.J. Kissel of the Chiefs’ official website on Oct. 16:

“On Wednesday, one of the most respected NFL writers out there, Monday Morning Quarterback’s Peter King, made his way to the Chiefs offices.

“King took some time to share his thoughts on Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

“‘He’s a really, really nice person,’ King explained. ‘People that are close to him will tell you that he’d (do) anything for them — just like a good-hearted human being.’

“Through five games in 2014, Reid is 13-9 as the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. He, along with second-year general manager John Dorsey, orchestrated the biggest turnaround in franchise history last year, helping the Chiefs go from just two wins in 2012 to 11 in 2013, a nine-win improvement.

“Much of that success is due to the faith put in quarterback Alex Smith, whom the Chiefs traded for from the San Francisco 49ers soon after Reid’s arrival in Kansas City.

“Along with the two second-round draft picks given up for Smith in that trade, the Chiefs made an even bigger commitment to him before the season, signing him to a contract extensiont that will keep him in Kansas City for the foreseeable future.

“‘Alex Smith is the guy,’ King said about Reid. ‘He’s his kind of person. He just shuts up (and) does his job. When he makes a mistake, he admits it. They’re two peas in pod.

“‘When Bill Belichick ended up trading Drew Bledsoe to Buffalo, it was much more because of his belief in Tom Brady because he knew that Tom Brady could be his extension on the field. Andy Reid knows that Alex Smith is his extension on the field.’ 

“While the Chiefs’ 2014 season hasn’t begun like anyone had hoped, King knows Reid well enough to honestly say that when Reid says injuries aren’t an excuse, he genuinely means it. 

“After losing linebackers Derrick Johnson and Joe Mays, defensive lineman Mike DeVito and offensive lineman Jeff Allen, along with the absence for parts of the first five games of running back Jamaal Charles, safety Eric Berry, receiver Dwayne Bowe, offensive lineman Donald Stephenson and receiver Donny Avery, the Chiefs still keep moving forward. 

“King explains the characteristics he sees in successful NFL coaches.

“‘The one thing I think about successful NFL coaches is that some might say, ‘We’re not going to allow injuries to be a factor,’ and then behind the scenes, they’ll say, ‘We’re all beat up this week’ and all this, and they’ll really make excuses without making excuses.

“‘Andy (Reid) will never do that. He’ll never do that off the record. He’ll just say, ‘Hey, we have to do it — this guy’s on our team.’ So he’s serious and he lives and breathes injuries not being a factor.'”

“Alex Smith is his guy, he’s his kind of person.”

More on Andy Reid and Alex Smith: http://t.co/hKQheLpHb4 pic.twitter.com/kInvnwmA9V— Kansas City Chiefs (@KCChiefs) October 16, 2014

On the other hand, ESPN Kansas City Chiefs reporter Adam Teicher points out the Reid-Smith combo hasn’t been very successful in crunch time:

“Since Andy Reid arrived as the head coach and Alex Smith as quarterback last year, the Kansas City Chiefs are 0-4 when they needed a late touchdown to win a game. They are 0-2 in those situations this season, failing to score late in last month’s game in Denver and then again in their most recent game at San Francisco. 

“The solution on the surface might seem obvious. The Chiefs need to find a new coach and a new quarterback. 

“While that’s a bit drastic, both Reid and Smith share some blame in the matter. Reid, as the play-calller, can do better than that when he dialed up in the loss to the (Denver) Broncos. The Chiefs had gotten the ball for the last time at their 34 with 3:20 remaining, down 24-17. They quickly moved to the Denver 9, where they had a first and goal with 1:45 left. 

“So far, so good. The situation at this point becomes tricky for Reid and the Chiefs because there is danger in getting the touchdown too quickly and leaving ample time for Peyton Manning and the Broncos to counter.

“But the Chiefs were still far too conversative, as if not scoring the touchdown at all was an acceptable outcome. Their next three plays consisted of a short pass to Donnie Avery and two Knile Davis runs. The only time the Chiefs took a shot in the end zone was on fourth down and then Smith’s rushed throw for Dwayne Bowe was deflected at the line and never had a chance.

“‘I’ve got to make sure I’m dialing up better plays there,’ Reid said. ‘The bottom line is we’ve got to finish when we’re put in those positions. We can obviously do better.'”

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