Here are my thoughts...
..Smith isn't really the problem. He tries to throw the ball within the design of the play, and if that isn't there, he checks, or starts moving. That is totally fine. I'd rather have that then a guy who tries to laser beam the ball into tight spaces all the time like Jay Cutler.
BUT...in order for that to work the WRs need to gain separation. So far, only Reed does that with any regularity.
Why?
Well, there are only two guys on the roster with the speed to stretch a defense along the vertical. Richardson and Quinn. Quinn won't come off IR for another two weeks, and Richardson isn't 100%.
Crowder and Thompson are masters at sitting between zones, but when those zones are compressed, there isn't much of that available...and, of course both have been injured.
Without that, with less space underneath, you either need quicker breaks (Crowder or Quinn), or big bodies that can box out to make the catch. Doctson has the body, but doesn't use his body in that way. He is only good at skinny posts and flys where his big catch radius and vertical come into play. Floyd can box out, but he only knows a handful of Gruden's concepts so far. Harris can do it, but he is stuck in the slot because nobody else is available. As it is, everybody is having to play roles within the scheme that doesn't fit their abilities as a player.
The pass catching options are just missing key pieces, that once they can be fit back together, will allow the play design to be more effective.
All these guys will be back before the year ends, and then Gruden's concepts will create space for Smith to throw. Richardson and/or Quinn will be pushing the safeties back, which will open crossers, digs, slants, and sits for Crowder, Thompson, and Quinn, which will in-turn create one-v-one situations for Doctson or Reed....just be patient...it will all come together.
