Alex Smith wants to show Washington Redskins what he can do

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Alex Smith wants to show Washington Redskins what he can do Published: Aug 28 Curtis Joseph Kids Jersey , 2018 at 04:53 AM NFL.com Columnist ASHBURN, Va. -- quarterback has changed his team, his home and the perception that he couldn't ever be a dangerous downfield pa ser. However, one obvious thing that hasn't been altered over this past year is his attitude. Sure, he's well known for his humility and his penchant for delivering bland quotes. Just don't make the mistake of thinking that he's come this far in his NFL career without a little bit of edge. The are plenty excited about the po sibilities in their offense after with the in March. Smith is just as thrilled about this new opportunity, in large part because he's leading a new team after producing the best season of his 13-year career. "I feel like I have something to prove because of all that," said the 34-year-old Smith, who signed . "To play like that and be on to a new opportunity -- you want to prove that you're worth it." To be clear, Smith isn't dwelling on the past. He loves everything about Washington -- the town, the team and his new teammates -- and he's grateful for the five seasons he spent with the . Smith knew full well that Kansas City was prepared to make , the 10th overall pick in the 2017 , its franchise quarterback as soon as po sible. As far as Smith was concerned, the best way he could help Mahomes develop was by making the most of his own opportunities. Smith did what he had to do last season. Often derided as a cautious game manager, he set career highs in pa sing yards (4,042) and touchdown throws (26) and finished as the highest-rated pa ser in the league (with a rating of 104.7). Now the challenge is for him to keep playing at that same level for a team that has been riddled with drama at the quarterback position and has mi sed the postseason in each of the last two seasons. When the team couldn't reach a long-term contract with former starter (who eventually as a free agent), Smith became the best option as his succe sor. The clearly want the same things Smith gave the Chiefs: consistency, reliability and a calming presence that would do wonders for a franchise that has wallowed in dysfunction for far too long. "What I like is his unselfish demeanor," said head coach Jay Gruden. "His desire to work, learn and take criticism. He's even-keeled, and the guys all like him. For a quarterback, my two most important qualities are being mentally tough and having poise. That's how he's been able to last 13 years in this league." Smith makes the a dangerous team for the same reasons he helped the reach the postseason in four of his five seasons in Kansas City: He knows how to win. Even though his weapons won't be as accomplished as they were with the , he will have plenty of options in Washington. Smith loves throwing to tight ends, and the have two athletic targets ( and , who played with Smith in San Francisco). There is a shifty slot receiver to Frans Nielsen Men Jersey utilize (Jamison Crowder), a couple of young wideouts with big-play potential ( and Jr.) and a sturdy offensive line to protect the quarterback. Yes, the suffered a huge blow when rookie running back in his left knee during the team's first preseason game. That just means Smith will have to rely on his mobility a little more, as the team leans on 12th-year veteran and a committee of others to pick up the slack in the backfield. In fact, Smith's biggest challenge hasn't been dealing with personnel lo ses. It's been learning how to be the new kid on the block. "When I went to , when coach Andy Reid and then-general manager John Dorsey took over in Kansas City. "Everybody (on the coaching staff and in the front office) was new. Here, things have been in place, so I have to be able to get up to speed with everybody else. I'm the one playing catch-up. But I'm obviously in a much different place than I was six years ago. I'm more prepared." Smith has made a point of being as authentic as he po sibly can around his teammates. It doesn't matter if he's grinding on the practice field, fooling around in the locker room or relaxing in a cold tub. He wants his teammates to see that he isn't trying to lead them with big talk and bravado. He's trying to do it by letting them see that he's one of them. That can go a long way on a team that has spent years trying to stabilize the quarterback position. Within the last decade, the have watched Donovan McNabb's collapse, 's implosion and the long-running soap opera that was the failed contract negotiation between Cousins and the franchise. If you're a fan, it's nice to know your quarterback's major focus today revolves around just getting settled. That welcome circumstance -- along with Smith's versatility -- should suggest better fortunes for this team once the regular season begins. Said offensive coordinator Matt Cavanaugh: "When we were evaluating Alex after the season was over -- and we knew Kirk wouldn't be back -- we watched all of his games. We knew what he was capable of. We saw a lot of the things the Chiefs did with him in the run game, what kind of concepts they used in the pa s game, quarterback runs, reads. We Kris Draper Kids Jersey thought there were a few more things we could do with this offense, with him in there running it." Smith has been thinking along the same lines. He spent last season preparing himself for the end of his time in Kansas City, as well as the challenge that would come with starting a new chapter in his life. The man who arrived in Washington knew he'd shown people a new dimension of his game. The man who will be under center this fall understands there's plenty more left for him to reveal. This article has been reproduced in a new format and may be mi sing content or contain faulty links. Please use the Contact Us link in our site footer to report an i sue.
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