Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid has long coveted Alex Smith

The Kansas City Chiefs significantly shored up their offense when they acquired quarterback Alex Smith. According to the Kansas City Star, head coach Andy Reid has “long coveted” Smith going back to his days in Philadelphia with the Eagles. The Chiefs’ offense coordinator, Doug Pederson, who called Smith the NFL’s best quarterback, made some comments that seem to support the paper’s claim.

“There are some great quarterbacks in the National Football League,’’ said Pederson, in his first season with the Chiefs after being the quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles. “Don’t get me wrong. We just felt like Alex Smith is best for our team and can lead us this season and into the future.”

“I’ve had a chance to study Alex Smith the last couple of seasons, even back (when Pederson coached for) Philadelphia. We just felt like as an organization and as an offense … we wanted to go find the best one out there.’’

Reid is pleased with Smith’s performance in camp so far.

“I just appreciate him and his work ethic and the way he goes about business,’’ Reid said. “He’s very diligent and he gives his receivers an opportunity to catch the football. When he’s doing that and when we’re controlling the line of scrimmage with the different blocks we’re putting in, whether it’s pass protection or changing runs for the run game, he’s capable of that. So he does a nice job there.”

The Chiefs success lies squarely on Alex Smith’s shoulders. After leading his team to an NFC Championship game and being replaced the following season, Smith is motivated to succeed and prove his detractors wrong.

“I think he did come here with a little bit of a chip on his shoulder,’’ Pederson said. “He’s our guy and we’re going to (play) with him. He’s come in here and he’s led this football team on and off the football field. He’s studied and prepared himself and he’s improving every day.”