Kansas City Chiefs Are in Good Hands with Alex Smith Under Center in 2014

It is obvious that coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey have faith in Alex Smith. The team traded a pair of second-round picks to the San Francisco 49ers and recently signed him to a new deal through the 2018 system.

But can the Chiefs win with Smith? There shouldn’t be a doubt in anyone’s mind that Smith can lead the Chiefs to wins. We know he is a proven winner. His recent track record shows it.

He owns a 31-11-1 record, including postseason games, as a starter over the past three years. He’s responsible for 56 touchdowns — 53 passing and three rushing — and 23 turnovers — 17 interceptions and six lost fumbles — throughout the last three regular seasons. In addition, he’s thrown eight touchdown passes, run in two, thrown no interceptions and committed just two fumbles in his last three playoff appearances.

As the statistics show, especially in his postseason performances, his biggest strength is taking care of the football. He limits his turnovers, which is the biggest thing coaches ask from their starting quarterback.

During his first year with the Chiefs, Smith struggled early on despite the team’s 9-0 start.

There were four games in which Smith did not have a touchdown during the hot start. He was getting used to Reid’s offense while establishing chemistry with new teammates. Even so, he continued to keep his turnovers to a minimum, throwing only four interceptions.

Even though the Chiefs struggled after the bye week, Smith picked up the intensity with the offense. He threw 14 touchdowns, three interceptions and lost three fumbles in six games, not playing in the season finale as Reid rested all of the team’s starters.

While the fanbase held its breath when Jamaal Charles suffered an injury early against the Colts in the postseason game, Smith stepped up and threw four touchdowns, his only turnover being a sole fumble. The only thing missing was a strong finish to secure the 28-point lead in that game.

But the bottom line is, Smith is a good quarterback, and better than some people give him credit for.

What else is there for Smith to prove?

Regardless of his roller-coaster career through his first six years, he’s shown now that not only is he a reliable quarterback, but he can lead an offense and take his team to the playoffs.

This preseason was not an encouraging one for Smith, as he led the first-team offense to no touchdown scores with the offensive line doing him little favors, allowing six sacks.

A lot is expected from Smith this year, if the offensive line can keep his jersey clean for most of the year.

With right tackle Donald Stephenson absent for four games due to a suspension, the Chiefs were forced to make some unexpected shifts at the offensive line.

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Smith’s biggest challenge going into the 2014 season is having a viable line to protect him. If the line does its job, Smith will reach his potential, as he has promising talent around him. With Charles coming off a career year and Dwayne Bowe looking to rebound, Smith has a couple of other players whom he is looking forward to working with.

In addition, Smith will have rookie running back De’Anthony Thomas and tight end Travis Kelce, both of whom had an impressive preseason. Running back Knile Davis, who is known to make plays with his legs and use his speed to the team's advantage, returns for his second year.

Smith has a chance to prove that he can make everyone around him better, hence why Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees are highly praised and tabbed as elite.

It all starts up front with the offensive line. If that line comes through, Smith and the offense will reach a high ceiling, and Smith will have a legitimate chance to be included as a candidate for the league’s Most Valuable Player.

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