While the Raiders continue to pay Geno Smith the big bucks, the veteran quarterback’s play has not lived up to the contract he signed in the offseason that includes a little more than $66 million in guaranteed money.
On Sunday, Smith mixed a disappointing performance against the Cleveland Browns with an obscene gesture to, presumably, a Raider fan as he walked off the field at Allegiant Stadium.
It was the second time this year that Smith has waved his middle finger, but his first incident didn’t cause as much of a stir because it was directed at a rowdy Seahawks fan.
This time it was different.
It’s not a good look when players are flipping off their owns fans, and it’s even more consequential considering Smith was brought to the Raiders to be one of the faces of the organization.
Pete Carroll has not yet addressed the incident, but the team issued a statement on Sunday night.
“The Raiders are aware of an obscene gesture made by Geno Smith towards fans following Sunday’s game at Allegiant Stadium,” the organization said in a statement following Sunday’s game. “We are disappointed in his actions and have discussed the incident with Geno. We hold the Raider Nation in the highest regard and take this matter seriously.”
The question many fans are asking, though, is did the organization do enough in their response to Smith’s postgame antics?
Furthermore, will Carroll defend his quarterback the way he did in August?
Mean things (and a sign comparing him to Jamarcus Russell) were said to Geno in Seattle and Carroll seemed to justify his quarterback’s reaction.
Does it matter that this week’s mean message came from the hometown crowd?
For his part, it sounds like Smith will have the opportunity to address the situation on Wednesday.
x: @raidersbeat
Obviously somebody said something crappy to Gino or gestured it. I have no problem with his response back… The man should be able to respond.. Before anyone says there are kids in the stands let me remind you tons of drunks in the stand shouting profanities regularly is much worse than what Gino did
Geno’s actions were deplorable. Ya, kids are seeing drunks in the stands (as Vince said above). However, they are not looking up to them as they are the quarterback (so called “leader” of the team). He clearly has no composure on or off the field. After past week’s presser, he said it all. Most good QB’s take on the responsibility, not actung like a cry baby mess. This guy has NO business doning that jersey. Embarrassing. If we were still in Oakland (as we should be, but that’s a diff conversation), he would have had something thrown hard at him.
Agreed 100% on all that.
This Average Journeyman QB gets a $66 MILLION Guarantee. His career average PFF grade puts him @ a Backup QB. The point is when you are getting paid like that you should have the Integrity and Huevos enough to handle the Fan Pressure when You Stink it up. And he continues to Stink it up. After all of these years he Still does not have the tough mentality it takes to succeed in the NFL!!! Another HUGE Pete Carroll Mistake…
Before the Browns game, I decided that I will not watch another game that Geno Smith is starting & this solidifies my decision… I am a long time Raiders fan & was a season ticket holder in Oakland for many years & had a great time going to those games with my family & friends. I don’t get paid the kind of money he is getting paid & would not get offended by a sign like that… Everyone is entitled to their opinion & you may not agree with it, but at the end of the day, he is getting paid a lot of money & is not playing very good at all & is making some bad decisions…
Geno should be a healthy scratch against the Chargers.