Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs QB Alex Smith hopes better footwork leads to longer throws

Published Jun. 4, 2015 2:55 p.m. ET

foxsports

Pundits blame Kansas City's poor long passing game squarely on Alex Smith's arm.

The Chiefs quarterback says his feet are more to blame for a horizontal air attack.

"Looking at the tape last year, I was a little bit all over the place, and footwork as a quarterback is so important," Smith told the Topeka Capital-Journal. "That can really be the foundation of throwing, and I’m trying to get to a point where I’m more consistent with that. I think with that you’re more balanced, and over the long haul you’re going to complete more throws and you’ll throw better balls."

Smith's deep-ball precision truly needs some work. He averaged only 7.04 yards per completion. By comparison, St. Louis Rams reserve Austin Davis posted a higher average.

Smith admitted he's trying to break more of his conservative habits. But his game has centered around -- and will continue to center around -- protecting the football.

“You play a long time as a QB, you get better at making kind of the weird throws and practicing them,” Smith said. “But for me, it’s still getting back to square one and then being efficient with the football.”

Kansas City could be efficient at throwing the football deep with new receivers like Jeremy Maclin on the team. But it's Smith's footwork, not his arm, that will decide whether or not K.C. airs it out more next season.

(h/t Topeka Capital-Journal)