For those for slept on Geno Smith, you better wake up now.
And yes, we’re talking about that Geno Smith.
The Geno Smith from Miramar High School in Florida who was a four-star recruit, first-team All-State in Class 6A, a Parade All-American and Mr. Florida runner-up.
The Geno Smith who attended West Virginia after turning down offers from Alabama, Florida State and South Florida.
The Geno Smith who, as a junior with the Mountaineers, threw for 4,379 yards, 31 TDs and 7 INTs, broke the Big East single-season passing record and was named All-Big East Conference First-team.
And the same Geno Smith who threw for 4,205 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 6 INTs as a senior and was selected with the 39th overall pick in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the New York Jets.
I remember watching Smith, a projected first-round pick, become disgruntled after being abandoned in the green room. He bristled as he watched the Bills select EJ Manuel, the only quarterback selected in the first round.
The disappointment and anger at not being selected almost prevented him from returning the next day for round two.
But Geno relented and was the seventh name called on Day 2 of the Draft.
The only thing more infuriating than that was the criticism that hampered his draft position.
That year, Albert Breer wrote that teams he spoke with ranked Manuel ahead of Smith. Those “experts” even had the nerve to rank Matt Barkley ahead of both of them (he went in the fourth round to the Eagles).
Breer wrote that Smith’s “demeanor and handling of the pre-draft process” were critiqued by teams. They also expressed concern that the Mountaineers QB regressed toward the end of his senior year.
“..scouts found that the quarterback’s vision, accuracy, poise and decision-making declined sharply,” wrote Breer. “He remained steady and efficient when the pocket was clean and he had time — flashing outstanding ability as a passer — but he scuffled otherwise.”
Apparently, 174 fewer yards and 12 more TDs is a regression.
In his first year under center for the Jets, he went 8-8 with 3,046 yards, 12 TDs and 21 INTs. In year two the team was horrible and he was taken out after going 3-10 as the starter.
After that, Geno was relegated to the journeyman backup role with the Jets, Giants, Chargers, and Seahawks, the latter of which he’s been with for the past three seasons.
Last year, he made three starts for Seattle, going 1-2 while throwing for 702 yards, 5 TDs and 1 INT.
After Seattle traded Russell Wilson to the Broncos, Seahawks fans wondered who the starter would be. Pretty much everyone overlooked Geno and assumed the team would turn to Drew Lock because Smith couldn’t possibly fill the void left by Wilson’s trade to Denver.
In all honesty, Geno Smith was most likely the lone believer in Geno Smith becoming and succeeding as the team’s starter.
After suffering three losses in their first five games, some questioned whether the team could rely on the nine-year veteran.
But after eight weeks, a huge win over the Giants on Sunday, and a 5-3 record, any doubts about Smith’s abilities should be erased.
“He’s the real deal,” said head coach Pete Carroll after their 27-13 victory over New York. “He knows exactly what he’s doing and he shows you, week in and week out, throw after throw after throw.
“What a thrilling story for the kid.”
Thrilling, inspirational and heartwarming. Adjectives that all describe Geno Smith’s journey from starter to backup to starter.
All football fans know that you cannot win with a good quarterback. Fortunately for Seattle, they have one in Geno Smith.
Last week, he ranked in the top 5 overall for NFL quarterbacks, pacing ahead of stars like Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson and Tom Brady. As a matter of fact, the only ones he was looking up at were Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts and Joe Burrow.
And he has the stats to back it up.
In 8 games, Geno has thrown for 1,924 yards, 13 TDs and 3 INTs. He’s completed 72.7% of his passes and has rushed for 158 yards and 1 TD.
That means he’s first overall in completion percentage, third in QBR (107.2), sixth in passing TDs and eighth in passing yards.
But most importantly, the Seahawks are winning and Geno Smith has finally found a home and is thriving.
“I’m happy to be here in Seattle,” Smith told reporters Sunday. “It’s like a family here. Feels like home. I’m just enjoying my time here and continuing to work hard with these guys and just trying to be the best we can be.”
While the season is still young and the Seahawks are still doubted as playoff/Super Bowl contenders, there is no more doubting Geno Smith for he’s finally arrived.
Or maybe we’re all just nine years late.
