Aug 27, 2022·edited Aug 27, 2022Liked by Seaside Joe
Now that Lock received a fair audition, I'm satisfies with whichever choice Carroll makes. Might not be the same choice I would make but it would not be unreasonable to choose an ineffectual Geno Smith over an erratic Drew Lock.
All through the preseason, I've been expressing a view that I think the Seahawks likely to win 2 to 6 games and I placed the under-over at 4.5. A lot of folks, including many in the media, were far more optimistic. Many had them at 5 or 6 to 9 wins with an outside shot at the playoffs. Ken has been warning us for some time that this season is likely to be ugly. He's quite good at remaining realistic even in the preseason, when optimism typically reigns supreme.
I point out my prior prediction not to say that I was right. To the extent I was, it was largely luck anyway. But, rather, to say it now seems that I too may have been overly optimistic. After watching the dumpster fire that is the 2022 Seahawk preseason, I'd now reduce my range to 1 to 5 games with an under-over of 3. Presuming we stay with Geno and Lock at QB. If we sign Garappolo, we'll all reevaluate.
At this point, I can reconcile myself to a truly boring Geno Smith led Seahawks who have a terrible season. I'll be excited to watch the development of our young guys and hope for good results in the 2023 draft. We've not had a really high (top 5) pick in a long time. I could definitely see us having one next year. Hopefully we use it more wisely on a QB than we did when we selected Rick Mirer.
In case one needed a reminder that the draft, particularly for QBs, is a craps shoot.
I have little interest in Geno. If I could sit down with him, maybe I'd find Geno the person interesting and engaging. But knowing him only as a QB, it feels like we know what there is to know.
With Lock, it's different. Was interesting to watch him even as he struggled. He knew, well before the preseason began, what his job was. He spoke of how a QB doesn't just throw the ball but manages the plays and the flow of the game. It had no doubt been explained to him, and not by just our coaches, that he had to change his evil gun-slinging ways.
It was hard to watch him fail. The look on his face each time he was intercepted. Then he'd try to adjust his style, not try to do too much. But he had to do more, to win the job, and he was capable of doing more and he knew it. At least that's what I imagine he was wrestling with.
Perhaps Pete got it backwards. For him to succeed, maybe he needed to know he was the starter unless he blew it. Then, he wouldn't have felt the need to press. He could have relaxed and taken what the defense gave. But then that's not the NFL. One has to be good under pressure. Even if it had worked in the preseason, at some point he'd have faced pressure filled situations in the season. One needs to be able to operate under the stress of it. It's possible he would have developed the confidence to do so under the big lights but maybe not. In any event, we'll never know unless he somehow manages to unseat Smith and deliver the goods.
Alas, all of this speculation is unfair to Carroll. A head coach doesn't get the benefit of hindsight, doesn't get to watch from a distance, and has to deal with the consequences of what happens on the field. I'm coming around to your view, that there's not much more to be said about the QB position, at least for now. Wake me when Garappolo gets cut.
I'd agree if I thought the difference between drafting 2nd and 7th was all that meaningful. Look how we took Cross after other linemen had already been taken and, so far, Charles seems the best of the bunch. The draft is far from an exact science.
Realistically, it's hard to find a great QB. We may get lucky. But even if we have the first pick in the draft, there's no guarantee. Far from it in fact. Think of all the QBs picked at the top of the first round who haven't panned out.
Only one team wins the Superbowl each year. Not an easy thing to accomplish. Wilson was probably never the best QB in the league. At his best, he may have been one of the top five. He's the best QB this team has ever had.
Fortunately, it's not all about the QB. It's about the entire team. Even more fortunately, in my view, is that it doesn't all have to be about winning the Superbowl. If that happens, great. But football is most fundamentally entertainment. That's a big part of why many of us are frustrated with the idea of Geno starting over Lock. It's not that we expect to win more games with Drew at center. We just expect the games would be more compelling.
Please, Pete, entertain us. Don't bore us to death.
I wasn't able to watch the game due to a previous commitment, so I obviously have no comment regarding the performance of the team or any player.
I just wanted to chime in to say how much I appreciate your "just the facts" take on things. Even with the team's obvious struggles, and boy are they obvious, your reporting style is very refreshing. But, you don't sugarcoat anything, either. That's a tough line to walk, and I think you do a very good job of it.
Maybe Young makes it because of Teams but yeesh, those drops were ugggggly.
Adams was everywhere and making plays--he is a keeper.
Lock is definitely a better option than Geno. We still have not see Lock with the 1s but he just brings so much more to the position--athleticism to escape sacks, ability to create on the run, quick release. He just needs to not throw the stupid passes.
Hi first drive in the second half--he pulled the ball down and scrambled for a couple of yards, then later dumped the ball off for a short gain instead of forcing a throw. If he can just do THAT he will so much more successful.
DeeJay looked really sharp tonight, as did the run blocking overall. But DeeJay was making the most of what was in front of him for sure. Good to see.
The offense moves with Lock who is younger, faster and has much more arm talent and upside than Gino. Unless Pete is blind, Lock is QB1. If they get Jimmy G, Lock is QB2 and Gino is gone. And if a yo
ung QB that shows upside is cut Gino is traded or cut.
Homer and Dallas look like starting RBs. Lucas looks like a 1st round pick that slid. Plays mean.
Almost impossible to rate the D, because Michael " Hall of Fame Motor Mouth," Irvin can't shut up.!
Still need another LB.
Kick coverage team need to stay in their lanes. Place kicker seems back in his 2020 form.
I have faith that Pete and John will.pick up some help from cut down day. A reliable veteran 3rd receiver is a must.
Lock's 3.picks look bad on a stat sheet, but 2 of them were on the receiver.
I appreciate this perspective. Burn us; just PLEASE don't bore us. I can also appreciate why a coach might not agree. After all, his job might be on the line with a 2-15 season but not if we came in at 5-12. (That is, if one believes we have a better chance of getting 5 wins with Geno Smith than Drew Lock. Personally, I'm not seeing it.)
Aug 27, 2022·edited Aug 27, 2022Liked by Seaside Joe
It would be very hard for a coach that says the things Pete says, putting a strong emphasis on protecting the ball, to give the job to Lock in week 1. I completely understand the need to role with Geno for now, particularly if the players are behind him and he's shown more leadership at camp (which seems likely). I doubt we've seen the last of Lock for the season, and at least now we've got a little more time to get in shape for the Laps for Lock challenge. Sorry Geno, no laps for you.
Good point. I'm sure Pete can get most of the team go along with either guy, as they have so much riding on their own success. But I agree that there must be challenges and considerations that most fans don't see or understand.
I write this having an advantage. My wife and I are visiting my Mum 150 miles north of my home in Victoria. By the time I had finished watching the video recording of the game Geno Smith had been named the starter for the Seahawks, which in my opinion makes no sense what's so ever. I guess Pete thinks with our starting 22 on the field Geno gives them a better chance of not losing. I shouldn't question Pete but that is the wrong way to look at it. What he's said is Drew simply ran out of time after missing all of the second game due to covid. I will admit every interception Drew threw made me pucker just a little bit. The 1st int was caused by my guy Dee Eskridge. There is no way you should allow that corner to get in front of you. Even after the ball had been picked it seemed like Eskridge was only beginning to understand what had happened. The second pick all on Drew. The third I believe was Aaron Fuller who dove for a ball that he didn't need to, that's here nor there. Fuller miss judged it so badly it didn't bounce of his hands, it bounced off his arm. I could be wrong as I only noticed that on the 2nd replay. That should have been a catch. Drew has far more talent than Geno, and you are going to see defenders squating on every pass. Lock can flick it 40 yards off his back foot. The change has been made so for now I am 100% behind Geno. The so called experts have been calling Geno's name to start, for two months. I disagree but maybe Geno can write a good story
Lock would be my choice. I don’t find myself nearly as annoyed with his interceptions as I always was with Russell’s sacks & interceptions. Russell’s 3rd year and 2nd NFC Championship game he had 5 sacks and 4 interceptions. We never won or played in another Championship after that. While I don’t expect Lock would give us a winning season I didn’t find his interceptions in preseason anything to get upset over.
Now, whoever snapped the ball way over Eason’s head got the biggest thumbs down of the game from me!
Did any QB target the left where DK will be?
The team needs the 12s no matter what!
If it were up to me, I would make sure the game against Denver was strictly a ground game. With Dallas, Homer, (hopefully) Walker III, Penny we stand a good chance of scoring a couple TDs.
He'd avoid them if he could. Poor guy lacks the tools needed to succeed at this level. Could I be wrong? Could we all be wrong about Geno? Maybe. But I doubt it, having seen his weaknesses -- his propensity to get sacked among them. In any event, I'll believe it when and if I see it. Two and fifteen, here we come!
Great. I did not read that Pete named Geno the starter. Guess I will be travelling to Seattle from Calgary for every game and going home feeling like I kissed my sister. Certainly not entertained. I get kissing this season goodbye from a QB perspective and waiting to draft a potentially very good QB, but come on Pete, I pay a lot of hard earned retirement dollars to come watch the Seahawks and I want good entertainment value, regardless if I complain or cheer.
This is a very accurate, objective commentary Kenneth. As a season ticket holder that travels from Calgary for every home game, I want to be entertained at every game. Will Lock provide this, yes. Will I be able to cheer AND complain about his play, YES. But I will go home after every game feeling that I was entertained. Will Geno do this, not bloody likely. Thanks for the good article. Stu
1. Where are all of those TE targets we were going to see?
2. What do you all think of Tanner Muse and Joe DuBlanko? Muse's pedigree is as as a Clemson alum picked 100th in the 2020 draft. Good school, fairly high pick. He had a good combine and was coveted by some scouts as a cover linebacker. DuBlanko seems to be around the ball a lot. He missed several tackles against the Bears and one by the goal line agaisnt Dallas but you have to get there to miss a tackle. His instincts seem good. Are either of them adequate backups at mlb? Remember, Brooks might be the one who gets injured. Do you feel comfortable with Cody Barton and Tanner Muse as your starting linebackers?
Let's just say everything you said about Pete's intentions were true, from offseason to 3rd pre-season game. The problem is this: that strategy involved having Geno start off as the number 1 with Drew having the (good) chance (and everyone would hope bc of the upside) to beat him out. But in that scenario, he has to actually beat him out. A "tie" goes to the incumbent if that's how it's set up. And Drew wasn't available to take his start in Chicago, and he was (sorry) putrid vs Dallas. He didn't win the job. He might be better, but that is based on nothing real (the mock game just doesn't cut it), only projection. How would the team feel if that performance elevated him over Geno? I can't imagine very good. Also, we can't dismiss Drew's shiite performance against Dallas bc it's the same thing he has always been accused of, probably the same thing he's been exhibiting this entire month, and it's the same thing that will not win games in this league, no matter how live his arm is. And who knows how many games each will start this year, but right now it has to be GS. And yeah - 2023.
It's pretty amazing that someone would be willing to pay $25 million to stop Jimmy G from playing for the Seahawks. I know there are some other factors in play, but that seems to be the gist of it. I can think of a lot of better ways to spend $25 million and none of them include Jimmy Garappolo (as a football player at least).
Now that Lock received a fair audition, I'm satisfies with whichever choice Carroll makes. Might not be the same choice I would make but it would not be unreasonable to choose an ineffectual Geno Smith over an erratic Drew Lock.
All through the preseason, I've been expressing a view that I think the Seahawks likely to win 2 to 6 games and I placed the under-over at 4.5. A lot of folks, including many in the media, were far more optimistic. Many had them at 5 or 6 to 9 wins with an outside shot at the playoffs. Ken has been warning us for some time that this season is likely to be ugly. He's quite good at remaining realistic even in the preseason, when optimism typically reigns supreme.
I point out my prior prediction not to say that I was right. To the extent I was, it was largely luck anyway. But, rather, to say it now seems that I too may have been overly optimistic. After watching the dumpster fire that is the 2022 Seahawk preseason, I'd now reduce my range to 1 to 5 games with an under-over of 3. Presuming we stay with Geno and Lock at QB. If we sign Garappolo, we'll all reevaluate.
At this point, I can reconcile myself to a truly boring Geno Smith led Seahawks who have a terrible season. I'll be excited to watch the development of our young guys and hope for good results in the 2023 draft. We've not had a really high (top 5) pick in a long time. I could definitely see us having one next year. Hopefully we use it more wisely on a QB than we did when we selected Rick Mirer.
In case one needed a reminder that the draft, particularly for QBs, is a craps shoot.
Can't help myself but to have moved onto the 2023 draft for QBs at this point. I have nothing left to say about Geno Smith.
I have little interest in Geno. If I could sit down with him, maybe I'd find Geno the person interesting and engaging. But knowing him only as a QB, it feels like we know what there is to know.
With Lock, it's different. Was interesting to watch him even as he struggled. He knew, well before the preseason began, what his job was. He spoke of how a QB doesn't just throw the ball but manages the plays and the flow of the game. It had no doubt been explained to him, and not by just our coaches, that he had to change his evil gun-slinging ways.
It was hard to watch him fail. The look on his face each time he was intercepted. Then he'd try to adjust his style, not try to do too much. But he had to do more, to win the job, and he was capable of doing more and he knew it. At least that's what I imagine he was wrestling with.
Perhaps Pete got it backwards. For him to succeed, maybe he needed to know he was the starter unless he blew it. Then, he wouldn't have felt the need to press. He could have relaxed and taken what the defense gave. But then that's not the NFL. One has to be good under pressure. Even if it had worked in the preseason, at some point he'd have faced pressure filled situations in the season. One needs to be able to operate under the stress of it. It's possible he would have developed the confidence to do so under the big lights but maybe not. In any event, we'll never know unless he somehow manages to unseat Smith and deliver the goods.
Alas, all of this speculation is unfair to Carroll. A head coach doesn't get the benefit of hindsight, doesn't get to watch from a distance, and has to deal with the consequences of what happens on the field. I'm coming around to your view, that there's not much more to be said about the QB position, at least for now. Wake me when Garappolo gets cut.
I'd agree if I thought the difference between drafting 2nd and 7th was all that meaningful. Look how we took Cross after other linemen had already been taken and, so far, Charles seems the best of the bunch. The draft is far from an exact science.
Realistically, it's hard to find a great QB. We may get lucky. But even if we have the first pick in the draft, there's no guarantee. Far from it in fact. Think of all the QBs picked at the top of the first round who haven't panned out.
Only one team wins the Superbowl each year. Not an easy thing to accomplish. Wilson was probably never the best QB in the league. At his best, he may have been one of the top five. He's the best QB this team has ever had.
Fortunately, it's not all about the QB. It's about the entire team. Even more fortunately, in my view, is that it doesn't all have to be about winning the Superbowl. If that happens, great. But football is most fundamentally entertainment. That's a big part of why many of us are frustrated with the idea of Geno starting over Lock. It's not that we expect to win more games with Drew at center. We just expect the games would be more compelling.
Please, Pete, entertain us. Don't bore us to death.
I'd still rather see Lock with the first team receivers. Smith got three plays with Lockett and you saw the difference.
I wasn't able to watch the game due to a previous commitment, so I obviously have no comment regarding the performance of the team or any player.
I just wanted to chime in to say how much I appreciate your "just the facts" take on things. Even with the team's obvious struggles, and boy are they obvious, your reporting style is very refreshing. But, you don't sugarcoat anything, either. That's a tough line to walk, and I think you do a very good job of it.
Thanks very much.
Thanks Martin!
Maybe Young makes it because of Teams but yeesh, those drops were ugggggly.
Adams was everywhere and making plays--he is a keeper.
Lock is definitely a better option than Geno. We still have not see Lock with the 1s but he just brings so much more to the position--athleticism to escape sacks, ability to create on the run, quick release. He just needs to not throw the stupid passes.
Hi first drive in the second half--he pulled the ball down and scrambled for a couple of yards, then later dumped the ball off for a short gain instead of forcing a throw. If he can just do THAT he will so much more successful.
DeeJay looked really sharp tonight, as did the run blocking overall. But DeeJay was making the most of what was in front of him for sure. Good to see.
Hopefully drops are the easiest thing to clean up, Young hasn't been targeted that many times in football games over his career.
Excellent review.
The offense moves with Lock who is younger, faster and has much more arm talent and upside than Gino. Unless Pete is blind, Lock is QB1. If they get Jimmy G, Lock is QB2 and Gino is gone. And if a yo
ung QB that shows upside is cut Gino is traded or cut.
Homer and Dallas look like starting RBs. Lucas looks like a 1st round pick that slid. Plays mean.
Almost impossible to rate the D, because Michael " Hall of Fame Motor Mouth," Irvin can't shut up.!
Still need another LB.
Kick coverage team need to stay in their lanes. Place kicker seems back in his 2020 form.
I have faith that Pete and John will.pick up some help from cut down day. A reliable veteran 3rd receiver is a must.
Lock's 3.picks look bad on a stat sheet, but 2 of them were on the receiver.
Thanks for your excellent collumn.
Thank you!
It's just so disappointing because I want to be entertained, but Pete won't let Lock burn down the kitchen. I want to go down in flames!
I appreciate this perspective. Burn us; just PLEASE don't bore us. I can also appreciate why a coach might not agree. After all, his job might be on the line with a 2-15 season but not if we came in at 5-12. (That is, if one believes we have a better chance of getting 5 wins with Geno Smith than Drew Lock. Personally, I'm not seeing it.)
It would be very hard for a coach that says the things Pete says, putting a strong emphasis on protecting the ball, to give the job to Lock in week 1. I completely understand the need to role with Geno for now, particularly if the players are behind him and he's shown more leadership at camp (which seems likely). I doubt we've seen the last of Lock for the season, and at least now we've got a little more time to get in shape for the Laps for Lock challenge. Sorry Geno, no laps for you.
Good point. I'm sure Pete can get most of the team go along with either guy, as they have so much riding on their own success. But I agree that there must be challenges and considerations that most fans don't see or understand.
I write this having an advantage. My wife and I are visiting my Mum 150 miles north of my home in Victoria. By the time I had finished watching the video recording of the game Geno Smith had been named the starter for the Seahawks, which in my opinion makes no sense what's so ever. I guess Pete thinks with our starting 22 on the field Geno gives them a better chance of not losing. I shouldn't question Pete but that is the wrong way to look at it. What he's said is Drew simply ran out of time after missing all of the second game due to covid. I will admit every interception Drew threw made me pucker just a little bit. The 1st int was caused by my guy Dee Eskridge. There is no way you should allow that corner to get in front of you. Even after the ball had been picked it seemed like Eskridge was only beginning to understand what had happened. The second pick all on Drew. The third I believe was Aaron Fuller who dove for a ball that he didn't need to, that's here nor there. Fuller miss judged it so badly it didn't bounce of his hands, it bounced off his arm. I could be wrong as I only noticed that on the 2nd replay. That should have been a catch. Drew has far more talent than Geno, and you are going to see defenders squating on every pass. Lock can flick it 40 yards off his back foot. The change has been made so for now I am 100% behind Geno. The so called experts have been calling Geno's name to start, for two months. I disagree but maybe Geno can write a good story
Lock would be my choice. I don’t find myself nearly as annoyed with his interceptions as I always was with Russell’s sacks & interceptions. Russell’s 3rd year and 2nd NFC Championship game he had 5 sacks and 4 interceptions. We never won or played in another Championship after that. While I don’t expect Lock would give us a winning season I didn’t find his interceptions in preseason anything to get upset over.
Now, whoever snapped the ball way over Eason’s head got the biggest thumbs down of the game from me!
Did any QB target the left where DK will be?
The team needs the 12s no matter what!
If it were up to me, I would make sure the game against Denver was strictly a ground game. With Dallas, Homer, (hopefully) Walker III, Penny we stand a good chance of scoring a couple TDs.
Geno Smith is going to annoy fans to no end if he keeps taking those sacks and killing drives.
He'd avoid them if he could. Poor guy lacks the tools needed to succeed at this level. Could I be wrong? Could we all be wrong about Geno? Maybe. But I doubt it, having seen his weaknesses -- his propensity to get sacked among them. In any event, I'll believe it when and if I see it. Two and fifteen, here we come!
Ugh. Preparing for a long season.
Stunning development to go this route, honestly.
Pete just announced Geno as the starting QB! Says “he earned it”!
I think he means "Lock blew it"
Yeah, Pete can't stand the interceptions and 2 of the 3 were on passes that should not have been thrown.
Great. I did not read that Pete named Geno the starter. Guess I will be travelling to Seattle from Calgary for every game and going home feeling like I kissed my sister. Certainly not entertained. I get kissing this season goodbye from a QB perspective and waiting to draft a potentially very good QB, but come on Pete, I pay a lot of hard earned retirement dollars to come watch the Seahawks and I want good entertainment value, regardless if I complain or cheer.
This is a very accurate, objective commentary Kenneth. As a season ticket holder that travels from Calgary for every home game, I want to be entertained at every game. Will Lock provide this, yes. Will I be able to cheer AND complain about his play, YES. But I will go home after every game feeling that I was entertained. Will Geno do this, not bloody likely. Thanks for the good article. Stu
1. Where are all of those TE targets we were going to see?
2. What do you all think of Tanner Muse and Joe DuBlanko? Muse's pedigree is as as a Clemson alum picked 100th in the 2020 draft. Good school, fairly high pick. He had a good combine and was coveted by some scouts as a cover linebacker. DuBlanko seems to be around the ball a lot. He missed several tackles against the Bears and one by the goal line agaisnt Dallas but you have to get there to miss a tackle. His instincts seem good. Are either of them adequate backups at mlb? Remember, Brooks might be the one who gets injured. Do you feel comfortable with Cody Barton and Tanner Muse as your starting linebackers?
Let's just say everything you said about Pete's intentions were true, from offseason to 3rd pre-season game. The problem is this: that strategy involved having Geno start off as the number 1 with Drew having the (good) chance (and everyone would hope bc of the upside) to beat him out. But in that scenario, he has to actually beat him out. A "tie" goes to the incumbent if that's how it's set up. And Drew wasn't available to take his start in Chicago, and he was (sorry) putrid vs Dallas. He didn't win the job. He might be better, but that is based on nothing real (the mock game just doesn't cut it), only projection. How would the team feel if that performance elevated him over Geno? I can't imagine very good. Also, we can't dismiss Drew's shiite performance against Dallas bc it's the same thing he has always been accused of, probably the same thing he's been exhibiting this entire month, and it's the same thing that will not win games in this league, no matter how live his arm is. And who knows how many games each will start this year, but right now it has to be GS. And yeah - 2023.
It's pretty amazing that someone would be willing to pay $25 million to stop Jimmy G from playing for the Seahawks. I know there are some other factors in play, but that seems to be the gist of it. I can think of a lot of better ways to spend $25 million and none of them include Jimmy Garappolo (as a football player at least).