Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith made some personal history this past week when he threw his first touchdown pass to a designated wide receiver for the first time since January 2014.He liked the feeling.
The addition of receiver Jeremy Maclin to the roster this offseason, to whom Smith threw that pass against the Seahawks, can be what the Chiefs were looking for all this time.
The presence of Albert Wilson and De'Anthony Thomas, Smith also feels, can help open up the passing game, a unit that was better than only three other teams last season.
"I think two things: For one, the deep ball for sure is something that gets a lot of attention," Smith said, via ESPN. "It's a matter of time and striking when it's right and being able to take advantage of those opportunities that are few and far between -- and when you get them, you've got to be able to hit them. That's kind of the nature of it."
Smith said the veteran versatility Maclin brings to the offense is his best trait.
"I think as far as Jeremy goes, I think he's the type of receiver that excels in all the areas," he said. "I think that's his biggest strength is just watching from afar. I don't think you can kind of pigeon-hole him as just a speed guy or over-the-top guy. His game is way more complex than that, and he can do a lot of different things."
Maclin led the Eagles last season in receptions, yards gained, and touchdowns after returning from sitting the 2013 season with an ACL torn in that summer's practice. Philadelphia would let him walk back to his native Missouri, though, when Andy Reid, his former coach with the Eagles, waved $55 million in front of him to come hither.
Their brief showing has been inspiring, but the key now, as it is for most teams, is to translate preseason theory into regular season practice. Having good ideas and plans are one thing, but doing them and doing them consistently is another.
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