he Kansas City Chiefs continued work today with training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri without running back Jamaal Charles. Quarterback Alex Smith had a 
chance to comment, after practice Tuesday, about the absence of Charles and more
QB ALEX SMITH
Q: It looks like you’re going to be without Jamaal (Charles) for a short time. What’s this offense going to look like without him?
SMITH: “He’s a special player. That’s kind of stating the obvious. The next guy has to step up. We have to step up as an offense, and I will kind of pick it up. That’s the nature of this game and that’s why there’s 53 men on the roster. That’s what the good teams do. But no question that he will be missed.”
Q: Can you be as efficient with Knile Davis in there as you were with Jamaal?
SMITH: “We better. Jamaal is a special player but we’ll have to find a way.”
Q: What happened in that play earlier in practice today where you turned to hand off and no one was there?
SMITH: “Just a little miscommunication. We’re mixing up the tempo and doing some things and it was just a miscommunication with the back.”
Q: Did he not hear the play call?
SMITH: “Yeah, he thought he heard something different.”
Q: What kind of event will this be for you going against the 49ers?
SMITH: “A little different. I’m playing my old team and against guys that I’ve played with for a while now but it’s a preseason game. It’s just another step. The focus is on Jacksonville for us. That’s what it’s always been and this is just another step as we work towards that. We’re still in camp mode and still working. It’s another preseason game and then again it’s not.”
Q: You were quoted in the New York Times that you wanted to stick it to those who doubted you. I assume that you feel like the 49ers were among the people who doubted you?
SMITH: “No, it was not directed at them at all. I think just in general. Over the years some of the things you go through, doubters and things like that, it builds up. Those guys gave me an opportunity. They have given me a couple of opportunities over the years there, Coach (Jim) Harbaugh and that crew, especially over the last couple of years. Obviously, we disagreed with what happened last year, but you move on from it. So, no, that was not solely directed to them at all.”
Q: Andy Reid and Coach Doug Pederson both described you as an even tempered kind of guy and that you don’t get too riled up about stuff like this. Have you felt like you had to dial yourself back a little bit this week just to keep those emotions in check?
SMITH: “I think the biggest thing is that we’re still in camp mode and still installing. The other thing is that regardless that I used to play there, they are a good defensive unit. It will be a good test for us. They are a really good defensive unit. Not many weaknesses on that side of the ball, so it will be a good test for us.”
Q: So when you’re looking across the line of scrimmage, who are you looking for?
SMITH: “At that point you’re playing the game. You’re trying to execute plays and make good decisions out there and execute the offense.”
Q: But you won’t be wearing the yellow jersey this time. That has to be a little strange going against those guys, right?
SMITH: “Yeah, it’s another preseason game. I didn’t have one on last Friday, so it won’t be any different.”
Q: Talk about your anticipation of wearing a Chiefs uniform for the first time inside Arrowhead Stadium.
SMITH: “I’m looking forward to it. I haven’t had the opportunity to get out there. I mean we practice right by it with the facility, but it will be a first time for me getting in it as a member of this organization. I’m really excited. I’m excited about the whole atmosphere.”
Q: Brandon Flowers is a pretty decent player. Can you talk about how he got you today?
SMITH: “Yeah he’s a good player.”
Q: When you see him across here, what do you rate him? What makes him so effective?
SMITH: “He and Sean (Smith) are both really good players. It’s tough when you’re quarterback. You’re looking at matchups and then you look over and you have two really good guys on the upside of the ball. It makes it tough. They’re a great test every day. It makes us better. He (Flowers) definitely got the best of me today on that one. He’s played a long time and played a lot of football, so not only does he have the ability but he understands concepts and route recognizing and then he can take some chances. It’s tough.”
Q: A lot of times when people look at quarterbacks, they don’t take into account the ball handling aspect of what you do. When did it become known to you this is an important thing that you can gain time or gain seconds or gain an advantage?
SMITH: “Are you talking about the ball handling with the backs?”
Q: Yeah, the play action handoffs, the tucking the ball back.
SMITH: “The ball handling and the run game, it is our job. It’s not necessarily what we get known for or get recognized for, but obviously, it is a part of our job. No question, I think that the better you are, especially in the play action pass, the naked game, the better you are in that the more it looks your run game. You’re only helping yourself, and it’s kind of a no brainer. I think it’s one of those things that you learn as you go along. As you get older, you can start working on the little things that you craft. As a young player you don’t pay as much attention, but as you get older really try to make them look alike.”
Q: When you started to pay attention to it, were there any quarterbacks that you watched to try and gain a little knowledge?
SMITH: “Well yeah, you see the good ones, and they’re all pretty good in the play action pass. The guy in Denver is pretty good. Peyton (Manning) is pretty good. He’s been good at it a long time. The guy up in New England is in it as well. He’s probably one of the best. You look at those guys. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they pay attention to the little things. They’ve been playing at a high level for a long time.”
