Why Panthers’ Ben McAdoo not surprised Seahawks’ QB Geno Smith is having career season
Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is a “Geno (Smith) guy.”
“He’s a worker. He’s a show-up early, stay-late guy. ... He’s an aggressive player. He’s a confident player. And that’s earned. He just has that confidence and that swagger,” McAdoo said. “He has a tremendous skill set and sees the game well. We got a tall order on Sunday.”
His belief in Smith first garnered national attention in December of the 2017 season when McAdoo (then head coach of the New York Giants) started Smith in place of Eli Manning, which ended the quarterback’s then active league-record of 210 consecutive starts.
The Giants lost 24-17 that Sunday in Oakland. McAdoo was fired the next day, and Smith went four years without another start. McAdoo and Smith did not work out in New York, but both are finding their second acts in Seattle and Carolina, respectively.
The Panthers (4-8) travel to the 12th man to face the Seahawks on Sunday in a game that will likely be decided by how well Smith plays. The Seahawks (7-5) will probably be without explosive rookie running back Kenneth Walker III, who suffered an ankle injury last Sunday and has not practiced this week. DeeJay Dallas, Seattle’s backup running back, is also battling an ankle injury and has not returned to practice.
Seattle is committed to running the football but without Walker, the bulk (if not all) of its explosive plays will come via Smith’s arm.
Smith is a lock to win Comeback Player of the Year. His 72.7 completion percentage leads the NFL. The Seahawks’ offense ranks fifth in points per game (26.5), ninth in EPA (expected points added) per play and seventh in points per drive according to Football Outsiders.
“I have a lot of respect for Geno. The way he carried himself in New York and the way he handled his business. He’s a pro,” McAdoo said. “So it’s outstanding to see him having the success that he’s having. I’m a big fan of Geno. I don’t know about on Sunday, but no, I’m a Geno guy.”
Last season Smith started three games in lieu of an injured Russell Wilson. Smith had just two starts in the prior five seasons playing for both New York franchises and the Chargers. The Jets selected Smith in the second round of the 2013 draft. He spent his first four years in New York, where he started 27 games but lost his starting job after two seasons.
It’s been a turbulent career for the 32-year-old journeyman, who entered Seahawks training camp in a quarterback battle with Drew Lock. But since earning the starting job, Smith has emerged as one of the league’s best quarterbacks.
Seattle started hot, winning six of its first nine games. Over the past three weeks, the Seahawks are 1-2, but Smith is playing extraordinarily well. Since Week 10, he is first in yards per attempt (8.9) and second in passing yards (323). Smith is riding a 12-game streak of completing at least 60% of his passes and posting an 80 or better quarterback rating. In the modern football era, only Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning have accomplished that feat.
Seahawks second-year offensive coordinator Shane Waldron has Smith playing with confidence. Seattle’s system is predicated on Smith throwing with anticipation, trusting what he sees and scrambling to create secondary throwing opportunities.
Defending the Seahawks’ passing attack will be the most challenging task the Panthers’ defense has faced yet. Defensive coordinator Al Holcomb will ask a lot of his secondary this week as Jaycee Horn, C.J. Henderson and Keith Taylor prepare for Pro Bowl receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.
“(Smith) has command of the offense. He’s very comfortable in the system. He’s got big-time arm strength and accuracy. He’s very confident in his ability to deliver the ball,” Holcomb said. “And then he’s got some weapons on the perimeter. He’s got really good skill players at the wide receiver position.”
Metcalf (6-foot-4, 235 pounds) is a unicorn talent, capable of turning any reception into a long touchdown. His 798 yards are the 17th most in the league. Since Week 10, Metcalf is averaging eight catches and 96 yards per game. Lockett (5-10, 180 pounds) can cause issues in the slot but is also capable of burning a defensive back deep. He ranks second in touchdowns (seven), sixth in receptions (66) and fifth in receiving yards (836).
“(Metcalf) has a great desire to get the football. He has a tremendous route tree. But his physical attributes, his mindset and how he plays the game, how he attacks the ball in the air, how physical he is with the ball in his hands, all of those things are what separates DK from a lot of guys,” Holcomb said. (Lockett) is a crafty veteran with tremendous hands and is a Pro Bowl-caliber player.”
Defensive end Brian Burns could help alleviate the pressure Metcalf and Lockett put on Carolina’s secondary. The Pro Bowl end is having a career season. He leads the league in pressures (13), and is second in tackles for loss (43). His career-high 10 sacks are tied for fifth.
Though he primarily lines up against opposing left tackles, Burns will have opportunities to rush against a rookie tackle on either side of the Seahawks offensive line. Left tackle Charles Cross (selected three spots after Carolina’s No. 6 pick Ikem Ekwonu) and right tackle Abraham Lucas (third-round pick) are having promising seasons but are susceptible against veteran pass rushers.
Burns will need help from linebacker Frankie Luvu, pass rusher Marquis Haynes and defensive tackle Derrick Brown when Smith drops back to pass.
Beating Seattle would bolster both the Panthers’ playoff chances and interim coach Steve Wilks’ case to remain the head coach. Carolina has yet to either win a road game or earn consecutive victories.
Both can become a reality Sunday in Seattle if the Panthers’ defense can contain Smith and his dynamic aerial attack.
This story was originally published December 8, 2022 at 5:28 PM.
