The Raiders went into the offseason with an unsettled situation at quarterback and after coming up short in their efforts to trade for Matthew Stafford, it was only a matter of days before the team was able to work out to a deal with the Seattle Seahawks for Geno Smith.
On the outside, many viewed Smith as a short-term answer at quarterback, but based on the way free agency and the draft played out, the decision makers in Las Vegas don’t seem to view Geno Smith as a stopgap quarterback.
Head coach Pete Carroll has an extensive history with Smith from their time together in Seattle and it sounds like Smith was the quarterback Carroll wanted from the start.
”I was trying to get that done from the moment this thing happened. I was hoping we could do something [to get Geno Smith],” Carroll said on Brock and Salk.
“Geno was a backup for all those years… so there was a lot of times where we had to do stuff together to keep him going and he was keeping me going , but I was keeping him going. What he demonstrated to me [was] this remarkable connection in spirit to be ready knowing that the very next play he may be in the game. He never forgot that. His resolve about that I thought was so exceptional that when he got his turn I was thrilled for him…”
Additionally, Carroll said Smith’s presence in Las Vegas has already begun to change the culture.
“This opportunity [came] up and we needed a quarterback. Really, it was a classic opportunity for us to really transition to a quarterback and a coach that see eye to eye on everything. Geno has killed it here. He’s been such a factor. The leadership he brings, his work ethic, the mentality his brings, it’s been a fantastic assistance to turning this thing over.”
The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar was one of those covering Carroll in Seattle and he shared a couple of interesting insights in March about Carroll’s coaching methods and his affinity for Geno Smith.
“Pete knows Geno and probably believes in Geno more than anyone outside of Geno’s immediate family. The way Pete talks about Geno is the way I talk about my daughter. Pete really loves this dude,” Dugar said on the Just Win podcast.
“At some point last year, he was like, ‘Geno is one of my favorite stories. He’s one of my favorite players I’ve ever coached.’ Pete has been coaching since the 70s. For Geno to rank that high, that means a lot. I think if anything, it doesn’t stop him from drafting a quarterback, but it may tip the scale in Geno’s favor more than like making it a full-on open competition…”
x: @raidersbeat
Rip it up Geno! Bech,Meyers, Thornton, Tucker, Mayer and let’s not forget about Bowers and Geanty. Yah baby!!!!!