A school good friend of mine has lived in a home in Venice, California for almost 20 years and customarily has had at the least three roommates. However tenant turnover was excessive, and to take care of his lease he was typically tasked with discovering new occupants.
At some point after I was visiting a possible renter seemed on the place and informed my good friend he was in and would get the examine tomorrow.
I mentioned “Okay, this drawback is solved”.
My good friend replied, “No.” “Till this examine is in my arms, none of this implies something.”
Folks say numerous various things for various causes. It is true of charters, it is true of actual highschool athletes who make verbal commitments—and, for the sake of this column, it may be true of NFL coaches, normal managers, and quarterbacks.
The speak is that Geno Smith would be the beginning sign caller for the Seahawks subsequent yr. Ask Coach Pete Carroll, Normal Supervisor John Schneider, or the QB himself about it, and the solutions level Comeback Participant of the Yr Will certainly return to Seattle.
Till this contract is signed, I will likely be skeptical. Though Geno proves to be definitely worth the good cash – he does not do sufficient to earn it wonderful cash.
The Seahawks have been one of the vital shocking groups within the league final season in that they drastically exceeded the cellar degree expectations generated by the Russell Wilson commerce. To go 9-8 and slip into the playoffs with 5 starters is the epitome of accomplishment.
A key consider that sudden surge was Smith, a seven-year reserve who was pushed into the beginning function earlier than main the NFL in completion proportion (69.8) and ending fifth in passer ranking (100.9).
Phenomenal story…for the primary half of the season.
One thing occurred over the past eight video games of the schedule as Seattle went from 6-3 to 9-8. There have been losses to the Bucs, Panthers, and Raiders—none of which resulted in profitable information—that just about value the Seahawks what as soon as appeared like a assured playoff spot.
Geno was not distasteful on this stretch. He produced passer rankings of at the least 103 in 4 of the final eight video games he performed. However there have been seven interceptions throughout that span, too—two of which got here within the Seahawks’ first offensive recreation—and a stark lack of the allure that was so acquainted within the Wilson period.
It was as if the screenwriters went on strike earlier than they even wrote the third act of his script, leaving the remainder of Smith’s story within the arms of the scab. And you must marvel if Gino’s theatrical grace final season will show to be a burden transferring ahead.
If he will be forgotten, the Seahawks’ linebackers are confronted with a straightforward determination: bolster this group by means of the draft and use the wage cap area to shore up as many weak factors as attainable. And there are numerous them. From the cross rusher (or the ahead seven on the whole) to the offensive line to the receiving corps – areas for enchancment abound on this group.
In the event you have a look at the 4 groups which are nonetheless alive within the postseason, three of them are in rookie offers (49ers, Eagles and Bengals), whereas the Chiefs have consensus on the most effective quarterback within the league in Patrick Mahomes. That is often the way you win within the NFL. Construct round a younger sign caller or signal a high three in soccer.
Overpaying Smith – (his market worth to sportrac.com is $39.3 million a yr) would hinder the Seahawks greater than it might assist.
Smith’s postgame interview after shedding the playoffs to the Niners was as actual because it was poignant. When requested about his future with the Seahawks, he mentioned, “They embraced me at a time when not many individuals did. I really feel prefer it means loads to me. I’ve numerous loyalty in me, and I need to reward these guys for doing that.”
Carroll and Schneider spoke with equal need for Smith’s return. However let’s be actual: what else have been they purported to say?
The reality is, 2022 has been the most effective season he has produced since he was drafted in 2013. That is not a lot to go on.
Geno’s return will undoubtedly be heat. But when he’s asking for an excessive amount of – he could also be asking for an excessive amount of.