Huard: Grading out Geno Smith’s performance for Seahawks vs Falcons
Sep 27, 2022, 10:10 AM
The Seahawks ended a Week 3 clash against the Atlanta Falcons with a 27-23 loss to drop them to 1-2 on the year, but the offense did get on track after being shutout for the previous six quarters entering the contest.
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Quarterback Geno Smith completed more than 80% of his passes between Week 1 and Week 2, but he threw for under 200 yards in each game as Seattle ran a fairly conservative offense.
The Seahawks opened things up on Sunday, though, and Smith put in a very good performance, completing 72.7% of his passes for 325 yards and two touchdowns while throwing a late pick on fourth-and-long.
What did former NFL quarterback Brock Huard think of Smith’s Week 3 outing? He broke it down on Brock and Salk on Seattle Sports 710 AM.
“He was A-minus, B-plus, man. He was excellent. He did everything within that game plan, within eight possessions, to move the ball up and down the field,” Huard said.
Smith’s line could have been even better, Huard said.
“DK (Metcalf) had two big drops, two one-on-one opportunities in the red zone that he doesn’t win, he doesn’t separate. He makes one phenomenal play (for a touchdown), but that too was a plus-plus throw to the one spot that you (can go to) if you’re going to throw it and force it in there,” Huard said. “I thought Geno had maybe two (poor) passes – obviously the interception.”
Check off the first touchdown on the year for @dkm14. ☑️
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— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 25, 2022
Huard came away extremely impressed with how Smith handled the Seahawks’ offense against the Falcons.
“Geno did everything asked of him yesterday. He was a blacksmith-plus. He was a blacksmith in the operation,” Huard said. “(Rookie running back) Kenneth Walker went the wrong way in a run play and (Smith) didn’t panic, he didn’t flinch. He didn’t force the ball. He got cut in half on some of these throws where he stood in the pocket and just got sawed off, and still threw accurately. He threw a couple pinpoint deep out routes to his left, (which is) the hardest throw a QB can make … He puts it right on the dot and DK dots his feet.”
The Seahawks may have lost, but Smith’s performance was not at all the problem, Huard said.
“He gave you A-minus, B-plus ball. If he does that over the course of the season, you’re gonna be in a position to win a bunch of games,” he said. “If your defense could take it away, if your defense could stop the run game, if your defense could play complimentary and not give up 27 at home, you’re gonna win more than lose with that performance from Geno Smith.”
Listen to Monday’s Blue 88 segment at this link or in the player below.
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