'So Determined!' Seahawks QB Geno Smith 'Influence' Revealed by Coach Pete Carroll
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith is looking to build off his career-best season last year as he led the team to an unlikely postseason appearance. Smith broke several franchise records and ended the year with his first-ever Pro Bowl nod.
Heading into his first offseason as the bonafide starter, Smith doesn't have the weight of a quarterback battle on his shoulders ... and it's showing.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll is one who looks at Smith's demeanor this offseason and can't help but be impressed by it.
"He has been a really positive influence on the other guys," Carroll said. "He is so determined; he's got his eye on the ball the whole way now. He has been so consistent and available, and the messaging is so solid; it's like, everyone needs to come along with him; he's going. It has just been such a remarkable thing to watch the way he's taken over the opportunity and how he commanded it so well last year.
"Then he has handled the success and the Pro Bowl and the offseason and the hype and all of that, and how he has answered it is with great work. He's in great shape, he's as strong as he's ever been, throwing the ball a ton, you can't wear him down. He's everything you could ask for. He's doing it. But Geno's not sitting back and taking it easy right now; he's going for it. It's really been obvious."
Building on last season, by the numbers, promises to be a herculean task for Smith. He threw for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, along with rushing for 366 yards and a touchdown.
Still, even without any supposed "element of surprise,'' Geno plus a few new weapons on offense in receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Zach Charbonnet is raising the bar of expectations. Seattle might be loaded and ready to improve on what was accomplished last season.
With Smith not resting on his laurels with his messaging and command of the offense now at an all-time high, it is easy to see why many are bullish on the Seahawks next season.
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