Is Geno Smith starting to wear out his welcome with the Raiders?
Some of the fan base has probably seen enough of Smith, but the veteran quarterback is still one of Pete Carroll’s favorite players and there is reason to believe the offensive coordinator is holding back the offensive situation in Las Vegas, too.
What we have known for the first nine weeks is the locker room has been behind Smith, but on Thursday night in Denver, the body language wasn’t great between Smith and Raheem Mostert in the second quarter.
Mostert appeared to miss a blocking assignment in the second quarter that led to a sack and turnover on downs. After the play, Smith approached Mostert on the sideline and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett had to get between the two.
It wasn’t the emotion that was concerning, but the body language between Smith and his teammates on the sideline was a little uninspiring (to be kind).
Without reading too much into an exchange between players after a frustrating play, it’s fair to wonder if Smith is a player the locker room is still responding to.
When Smith walked down the bench to get everyone back in a good head space, it didn’t look like anyone was particularly responsive.
Maybe that was a product of a frustrating game in general… or maybe there’s more going on.
Whatever the case, it will be interesting to see how long the coaching staff sticks with Smith if his play doesn’t improve. Whether it’s fault of the quarterback or someone else, Carroll and company need to try to jumpstart the team sooner than later – because Geno’s pep talk on the sideline certainly didn’t do the trick.
For what it’s worth, the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Vinny Bonsignore said earlier this week that he thinks Smith will remain the QB1 in Las Vegas for at least one more year.
“I think Geno Smith’s still going to be the quarterback next year,” Bonsignore said on the Vegas Nation podcast. “You’ve got to get him comfortable, you got to get him in a right headspace, because this is probably going to be a two-year deal, even if they draft a quarterback next offseason.”
Those comments from Bonsignore were before Thursday’s 10-7 loss to the Broncos, and it’s possible he’ll revisit those thoughts if Smith and the Raiders’ offense isn’t able to turn the corner soon.
x: @raidersbeat
The team is finally realizing what the Nation already knows, he sucks. He’s a liability on the field, we are not going to win with him and unfortunately it looks like he’s here to stay for another year and a half. Not only that in Carrol’s eyes he can do no wrong it’s always someone else’s fault. I don’t know how in a 60 minute game you complete one pass to Bowers, the man is open on every play. Genos got to go and take the coaching staff and management with him.
There shouldn’t be a big deal made of him voicing his displeasure for Mosert blowing a blocking assignment. Come on now, Brady made a living out of chastising his teammates when they missed assignments. The QB is the leader and Smith calling out teammates is to be expected. Is it only ok for certain QBs to voice displeasure of teammates play?
The poor talent along the OL is the main issue, here. Jeanty, Bowers, and even Smith will remain ineffective until the OL is upgraded. The blame needs to go to whoever decided not to make changes to the OL during the offseason. Carroll, Spytek, and Brady should share the blame. We may win a couple more games this season.