-
Ryan McFadden
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders are within the second week of OTAs, and quarterback Geno Smith has already made a powerful impression.
Simply ask vast receiver Jakobi Meyers, whose face lit up with pleasure when speaking about his new teammate after Thursday’s apply.
Since Meyers entered the league in 2019, he has performed with 9 beginning quarterbacks, together with 5 in two seasons in Las Vegas.
But the presence of Smith has given Meyers one thing he hasn’t felt since being teammates with former quarterback Tom Brady as a rookie in New England: stability.
“I actually imply that,” stated Meyers, who’s coming off his first 12 months with 1,000 receiving yards. “He is aware of what he’s doing [and] he exhibits up the identical day-after-day. I have not seen him have a foul day.”
Smith was acquired in a commerce with the Seahawks in March with the expectation that he would offer the soundness Las Vegas has hunted for within the quarterback place since Derek Carr left in 2022. Granted, the Raiders should wait till the common season to see if Smith was actually value buying and selling a third-round choose and giving the two-time Professional Bowler a two-year, $75 million extension.
However he has made strides up to now.
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly known as Smith a “blessing” for coaches, saying Smith offers a wealth of expertise resulting from taking part in for a number of coordinators all through his 11-year profession.
Kelly stated he has picked Smith’s mind, asking the 34-year-old how his former Seattle offensive coordinators, Shane Waldron and Ryan Grubb, would deal with sure conditions or name performs.
Kelly talked about that Smith would name him within the night after apply to debate what occurred through the day.
“He is nice. Geno is actually like a second coach,” stated Kelly, who joined Las Vegas after serving to Ohio State win a nationwide championship as its offensive coordinator. “While you’re in that room with him and [quarterbacks coach] Greg Olson, there [are] a number of concepts going round.
“His soccer acumen is actually off the charts, and it is spectacular to be round him.”
Smith additionally expressed his sentiment for enjoying below Kelly, who tried to recruit him whereas teaching Oregon. Smith stated that he has at all times revered Kelly and that it is a “dream come true” that each of them are collectively in Las Vegas.
Kelly stated that he admires how Smith can get the ball out of his palms rapidly and that he believes the quarterback’s operating means is underrated. Smith had 17 carries that resulted in a primary down final season.
“I believe he runs higher than folks give him credit score for,” Kelly stated. “I believe he can beat you together with his toes [and] preserve performs alive.”
Smith has already established himself as a revered chief within the locker room — one of many causes coach Pete Carroll wished to reunite with the veteran signal-caller after six seasons in Seattle.
Kelly stated one purpose Smith has been an excellent chief is that he’s relatable to different gamers. Smith understands what it is like being a extremely touted prospect popping out of faculty after which turning into a backup within the NFL and having to struggle his method again to the highest.
After Smith’s 4 seasons with the New York Jets — who drafted him within the second spherical in 2013 — did not go as deliberate, he was a backup for the Giants and Chargers. He then joined the Seahawks in 2019, serving as a backup for 2 seasons earlier than rising because the workforce’s starter after Russell Wilson was traded to the Denver Broncos in 2022.
Smith accomplished 68.5% of his cross makes an attempt whereas throwing for 12,961 yards, 76 touchdowns and 36 picks in 54 video games (52 begins) in Seattle.
“There’s not a number of guys which have proven that resiliency,” Kelly stated. “He could be so relatable to everyone, as a result of he is sort of lived that life. He is been a excessive draft choose, [but] he is additionally been a man that has been advised {that a} workforce does not need him.
“The truth that he is achieved it and are available out to be the best way he’s now’s a testomony to him. He is particular.”
Smith expressed his pleasure about serving to the Raiders construct below Carroll and the remainder of the teaching employees.
He believes he is surrounded by proficient gamers in Meyers, tight finish Brock Bowers and rookie operating again Ashton Jeanty, whom he known as “clever past his years.”
“I am unable to wait to see the way it all comes collectively,” Smith stated.
