Kansas City Chiefs: An airing of grievances

Oct 4, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith (11) looks on from the sidelines in the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 36-21. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Okay Alex, it’s your turn.

I know that you’re already taking a beating in the media and from fans and I don’t want to beat a dead horse here, but when you’re the quarterback, the face of the franchise, and are getting paid what you are you have to know you’re going to hear about it when things aren’t going well.

And in case you haven’t noticed, things aren’t going well.

I know, you threw for 386 yards despite the fact that your offensive line let the Bengals treat you like their own personal tackling dummy for four quarters. It doesn’t matter. You’re the quarterback, you lead the offense and the offense didn’t get the ball in the end zone once despite all the yards you racked up. Yes, the play calling is partially to blame and of course the offensive line is partially to blame, but ultimately when an offense doesn’t score touchdowns that’s on the quarterback too.

I get that you don’t want to cost the team the game by making a mistake but at some point when the chips are all on the table and its do or die time, not going for it IS THE MISTAKE. Could you have thrown an interception late in the game that would have sealed the win for the Bengals? Sure, and then you might have lost 36-18 instead of 36-21. THE HORROR!!!!!!! At some point the leader of the team has to try to win. Despite the play calling. Despite the offensive line play. In the words of former Chiefs coach Herm Edwards:

“YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!”

You don’t play to “not lose” the game, you play to “WIN” the game. I’m not saying to go all “Brett Favre” on every play but when you need a score it would be nice to see you go for the score and not play it safe. And while the decision to kick field goal after field goal after field goal was Andy Reid’s call it would be nice to see the quarterback pleading his case to go for the win. That’s what leaders do. That’s what winners do. Along the same lines, while I respect you never showing your teammates up, like I told Andy people respect leaders that hold them accountable. So if your offensive line is getting you killed, get a little fired up about it. If Chris Conley runs the wrong route, get a little fired up about it.

Somebody has to step up and be the leader right now and if Andy won’t do it then you have to. Right now the entire team looks like a directionless unmotivated mess. You have the experience. You know the offense. Take the reigns and get the job done. Otherwise, what are we paying you for? Meaningless garbage time yards and not throwing interceptions? That’s not going to cut it Alex. Sorry.

Whew!

You know what? I feel a little better now. This airing of grievances thing does help.

So what do you think Addicts? Was I off base with my grievances? Did I miss something major? If so, post your own grievances in the comments below, it really is therapeutic.

Here’s to hoping a home game against the Bears next week gives us less grievances to air.

As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!!!