Training camp is here, so to round out our training camp profiles, let’s take one last in-depth look at the Redskins new starting quarterback, Alex Smith.
Jt’s been a whirlwind year for Redskins quarterback Alex Smith. Last May, Smith was joined in the quarterback room by a first-round pick whom the Chiefs traded up for. They made it clear that they were grooming him to be the starter, and soon.
But that didn’t stop Alex Smith from keeping his job.
Smith didn’t play like he was on a team who gave him an obvious vote of mistrust by drafting Patrick Mahomes. Instead, in 2017, Smith was calm, he was precise, as he’s always been, and he showed a newfound willingness to take the deep shot and spread the field.
Smith’s increased efforts led him to a career season, notching career-high totals in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and passer rating. His touchdown percentage was the second-highest its ever been, and conversely, his interception percentage was the lowest in his career.
Before 2017, we knew who Smith was; an efficient game manager with a penchant for avoiding the interception, but a reputation for being limited as a passer. In 2017, however, he not only exceeded those expectations; he transcended them, and put forth a new list of expectations for 2018.
Make no mistake: Alex Smith was borderline elite in 2017; the stats back it up. Now, in 2018, the question is this: Will he carry on this new normal with the Washington Redskins, or did the old normal never truly leave him? Training camp gives us our first glimpse.
What Redskins QB Alex Smith must show in camp
After joining the Redskins in a trade earlier this offseason, Alex Smith has proven to be the right leader for the team, encapsulating the image of the consummate professional.
Now, in his first training camp with his third NFL team, expectations are very real, but also plentiful. Smith simply needs to be that guy that players gravitate to, and players look up to. He needs to lead by example at camp, just like he did for Patrick Mahomes last year in Kansas City.
Furthermore, Smith needs to show that he’s forming chemistry with his new receivers. He should have a full, healthy cast in training camp; Josh Doctson has an MRI scare, but should be fine, and Paul Richardson and Jamison Crowder both have skill sets that will fit Smith well.
Progress and comfort will be the biggest things from Smith. Does he look comfortable where he is? Is he progressing, in terms of chemistry with his players? Smith is a veteran. At this point, transitions don’t bear as heavy weights. If Smith can nail this transition, and come away from it as the same player he was last year, then the Redskins will have gotten all they needed from him.
Redskins QB Alex Smith’s main competition
The Redskins traded a third-round pick and a top-notch cornerback to the midwest for a reason. Alex Smith doesn’t have any competition.
While Smith had a first-round rookie quarterback on his heels last year, in Washington’s quarterback room, he’s joined by a career backup in Colt McCoy and a journeyman depth quarterback in Kevin Hogan.
Smith won’t be asked to beat those guys out. If things go right, he should a couple steps ahead of both throughout training camp by default, with his immense starting experience and his draft pedigree.
In the unlikely event that Colt McCoy sees the field, Alex Smith will have likely been injured. However, with Smith at 34 years old, a premature regression can’t be ruled out of the realm of possibilities. It’s very unlikely to happen, but sometimes, career walls hit unexpectedly, and without warning. If Smith doesn’t play well down the stretch, the Redskins could look for a change. But with the money they paid him, and the stage of his career he’s at, that seems like a worst-case scenario, at best.
Redskins QB Alex Smith’s 2018 outlook
Among current NFL starting quarterbacks, Alex Smith is third in cover spread percentage. 56.3 percent of the time, he covers the game spread. That number puts him at 12th all-time in the Super Bowl era, per David Purdum of ESPN. Among active quarterbacks, he sits behind only Andrew Luck and Tom Brady. Purdum had more to say about Smith: “Everywhere he’s been, Smith has won, covered [the spread], and then been shipped off”.
Everywhere he goes, Smith wins. Now the question is this: In Washington, will this trend continue? Or will the Redskins be the exception?
With the roster and dense supporting cast at his disposal, Smith can maintain his winning ways in Washington. He has a running back combo that has the potential to be truly electric. He has a vast allotment of receiving weapons, and an offensive line that, when healthy, is a top-twelve unit in the NFL.
And last but not least, Smith has a coach who’s done well with a lot less in recent years. At this stage of the offseason, everything is still on paper. Nothing is set in stone. But the Redskins have the pieces to be players in the postseason race. With his winning history, Alex Smith will be a big part of that.