Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Quotes: Andy Reid, Jamaal Charles, Alex Smith, Dontari Poe, And Derrick Johnson

Oct 20, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) hands off during the first half of the game against the Houston Texans at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

ALEX SMITH

Q: Talk about this being your second training camp in this system and working on different things.

SMITH: “Yeah, in a different place. We actually even went back and looked at a little bit of the film from last year.  It’s funny to look back watching and compare where we are because it isn’t very close, and we have gone in some different directions. Great to be back out here. It’s a great set up here. You get that time off, and then you start that itch to come back and be around the guys. First day today, kind of a getting back into the rhythm of things and kind of get after it tomorrow.”

Q: Coach mentions it and others have too, how can you work on finishing or can you?

SMITH: “Yes and no. I feel like you can practice a lot of that stuff. We can practice. We can simulate a lot of situations. Certainly I think when you look at last year, the games that we did lose there were a lot of them that we had the chance to whether we were coming from behind or had the lead, a chance to finish and didn’t do that. Certainly I think that this is the time. You can create a lot of different scenarios out here. The time to get competitive, offense versus defense. We can do two minute, we can do four minute both ways. I’m sure we will. We did it all last year and I’m sure it’ll be done all this year. We’re working on finishing.”

Q: Jamaal Charles got his contract, are you any closer to getting yours?

SMITH: “I’m happy for Jamaal. The guy is one of the most special players in the league and deserved it. I’m glad to see that get done. For me, you guys know how I feel about this. This is no longer the time to be talking and speculating and certainly the people talking to my agent in the front office I’ve told them the same thing. When something gets finalized let me know, but until then, don’t bother me. That’s the way I want it.”

Q: They are still talking, they haven’t stopped just because the season is starting?

SMITH: “Once again, I wouldn’t even know. They can talk to me if something happens. If not, I’ve got a year left and I’m planning on playing it. It doesn’t change anything either way for me. I’ve got some football ahead of me. I’m focused on that and I’m trying to get ready for the Titans. That’s just the way I feel about things and that’s the way it needs to be done. There’s no more time to be bothered by distractions like that.”

Q: How can you guys push the offense even further this year?

SMITH: “I don’t think you can even name it one facet or one thing as an offense. Really trying to get better at everything. You’re trying to refine everything. Yeah you look at some weaknesses and you try to improve on those. Just the same as strengths, you’re fine tuning as well. As a team, I certainly think that that finish that we talked about is an area of focus, and as an offense, we are a part of that on both ends. When we have the lead, it’s about holding onto the football and making first downs and finishing out a game. When we don’t and we’re in a two minute situation, it’s about finding a way to get first downs and get points. Those are two great examples and scenarios that we will get a lot of practice at this coming month.”

Q: Does your passing carry over from season to season? What’s your experience with that?

SMITH: “I think so. That’s certainly the plan. I think you take a look and a lot of those pieces are, and I think all of them back into place and even getting some help. Certainly that’s the goal and that’s what we work towards all offseason. Felt like we did that during OTAs and minicamp and now to bring it back out here with the pads on and all the guys.”

Q: How long does it take to get accustom to some of the new pieces of your offensive line?

SMITH: “It’s a constant. It’ll be faster, I think, in the sense that a lot of guys have been in it a year. There are a few guys that this is their first camp with us, but I think it’ll be easier for these guys next to them that have played to be able to help them out. Myself included. To be able to be out there and help communicate. It’s constantly a work in progress. It never ends. You could be in December or January. With those five guys, it’s always going.”

Q: Is that something you want to incorporate a little bit more?

SMITH: “I mean even during OTAs I felt like we did a really great job of really spreading the ball around and spreading the field, vertical as well as horizontal. That’s always the goal. I think that’s always the measure of a good passing team. You really can’t be constricted, you can’t throw the ball vertical, you can throw it underneath, you can spread teams out how you want to, I certainly think that’s a good sign of a good passing team. That’s the goal we’re getting at. That is part of the focus.”