Alex Smith Is Clutch

A Sandwich Defense by Deghasio

Sandwich pairing: Chicken Barbecue, because Kansas City.

On Monday at home, the Kansas City Regressions Chiefs beat Tom Brady and the Patriots 41-14, based largely on the strength of their defense and offensive line. Quarterback Alex Smith, the man who was picked 23 spots ahead of Aaron Rodgers, had just walloped Tom Brady behind a crowd that broke the record for loudest outdoor stadium. As with any Alex Smith victory, he was penned as a “game manager” who did “just enough” to ride a dominant line and defense to a victory.

The narrative of Alex Smith goes something like this: Alex Smith was drafted by a “no-nonsense” coach who wanted, essentially, the blandest quarterback possible, thus eschewing the more talented and homegrown Rodgers in favor of the guy with the last name “Smith.” In his first season, he threw exactly one touchdown pass despite playing in nine games. Throughout the next five years (and a paycut), Smith was subject to multiple coordinators and head coaches who were under pressure to win immediately. It too until 2011, when genius coach and notorious khaki-wearer Jim Harbough took over, for Smith to play good, albeit safe, football. He went to an NFC Championship game before being replaced by Colin Kaepernick at the earliest opportunity. When he was traded to Kansas City, Smith helmed a 9-0 start based on: 1) having an easy schedule, and 2) not being Brady Quinn. He then blew a big lead in the playoffs to Andrew Luck—the ultimate winner, the clutch quarterback.

For the most part, it is hard to disagree with these assertions. Smith has had the benefit of playing with Jim Harbough, probably the best coach in the league, and Andy Reid, probably the best coach with the worst ability to manage the clock. (As an Eagles fan, this article still hurts.) Both coaches, especially Reid, are known for getting the maximum performance from average quarterbacks. Smith is a one-time Pro Bowler (2013), meaning he was generally perceived as one of the six best quarterbacks only once in his career. Managing a monster 49ers team for ten games in 2012, Smith posted a Quarterback Rating of 104.1; his next highest is 90.7, with an average of 81.6, per NFL.com. His completion percentage is less than 60%, which is frightening considering the number of checkdowns, screens, and easy passes he gets. The list of underwhelming stats go on and on.

However it is because of these stats that Alex Smith is so clutch. He’s routinely mediocre in regular season games. He’s the master of the handoff, checkdown, and throw-it-away-and-send-it-the-punter. Once playoff time comes, though, Smith magically gets not just better, but a lot better. That’s what clutch is: playing above your typical level of play in big games. Take the 2011 season: Smith was the ultimate game manager during the regular season. Then, in his first playoff game ever, he outplayed Drew freaking Brees in the final four minutes of the Divisional Round. Brees is supposed to march his team down the field to score. Smith is supposed to hand it off to Gore and let the defense do the work. But in this spectacular game, Smith had a rushing and two passing touchdowns to win the game for the 49ers. It took not one but two Kyle Williams’ fumbles to prevent the Niners from going to the Superbowl.

In Smith’s next playoff game, he blew a huge lead to Andrew Clutch, right? Only it’s not that simple. Jamaal Charles was “the guy [the Colts] needed to stop.”  Turns out they didn’t—he left the game in the first four minutes with a concussion. Playing with a backup running back the entire game, Smith scored 44 points, including a gorgeous shovel pass to Anthony Sherman. And yeah, he missed a game-icing pass to Dwayne Bowe, but then again he was also down to his third running back. He’d already scored 44 despite only averaging 26 a game in the regular season despite playing the likes of the Jaguars and Raiders. Oh, and Andrew Luck? He dominated Smi—oh wait, had three picks to Smith’s zero and only threw for 73 more yards.

So the next time you’re watching Alex Smith and one of your friends calls him mediocre—well, they’re probably right. Unless it’s the playoffs, in which case you count him out at your own risk.