Barring major change, Raiders made costly mistake at quarterback with Geno Smith
The biggest reason for the Raiders’ poor start is the performance of quarterback Geno Smith, whom coach Pete Carroll and new general manager John Spytek chose to build their hopes on. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith listens to coach Pete Carroll before a game against the Chicago Bears at Allegiant Stadium.
During Las Vegas’ 2-5 season start, marked by the league's second-worst point differential with the Raiders outscored by an average of 11 points per game, Smith’s frustration was clear. The 35-year-old veteran experienced a dip in accountability, often attributing his league-leading 10 interceptions to bad luck and blaming the youth of the team for the offensive struggles.
However, Smith showed a more positive mindset after the Raiders’ bye week. Speaking at a news conference at the team’s Henderson headquarters, he appeared refreshed and renewed his commitment to turning the Raiders into a winning team.
“It starts with me,” Smith said of sparking the offense. “It starts with me getting the ball out of my hands and playing efficiently, playing the right way.”
As a 13-year NFL veteran, Smith acknowledged he must lead the change if the Raiders want to improve their season.
Author's summary: The Raiders’ gamble on Geno Smith at quarterback has hurt their season start, but the veteran expresses renewed focus and accountability to revive the team’s offense.
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