The Las Vegas Raiders started the season with a huge victory in Week 1. Pete Carroll and Geno Smith were the two big additions for the Raiders this offseason. The impact of the two was on display immediately. Pete Carroll is building a winner; his energy is bringing this team back to life. Geno Smith, one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the NFL, is providing the Raiders a legitimate passing attack.
Usually it takes time for changes on a team especially at pivotal positions like coach and quarterback to reach their footing. That has not been the case for the Raiders. Already from Week 1 it is looking like the Raiders are the biggest winners from the offseason; they have drastically gotten better.
Justin Melo with Raiders Wire goes in depth on the impact of the Raiders’ most important additions this offseason in his latest piece. Here are his thoughts on Geno Smith and Pete Carroll:
“After the final whistle, it was revealed Smith made franchise history in his first Raiders start. Smith became the sixth quarterback in Raiders history to throw for 350-plus yards while maintaining a 70 percent-or-better completion percentage, per The Associated Press. He did it in his first start, whereas quarterbacks like Derek Carr did it once in 142 starts. The Raiders acquired Smith via trade during the offseason because they believed in his ability to make them postseason contenders this year. Reuniting him with head coach Pete Carroll is looking like a great decision so far. Smith was the biggest reason the Raiders were victorious in Week 1. Smith was his true gunslinging self, completing passes to seven different receivers. Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, the Raiders’ two best pass catchers, combined for 13 receptions and 200 receiving yards. Smith was slinging the ball around all over the field, taking him precisely one game to make Raiders franchise history by joining an exclusive club of quarterbacks.”
Geno Smith was stellar in his first performance reminding the Raiders exactly what it felt like to have elite quarterback play once again. Geno Smith was confident, he got the ball to all of his playmakers. Smith consistently made the right play minus his interception. The Raiders are not a perfect team but with a quarterback like Geno Smith he can hide the holes they have and elevate the strengths they have.
Unlike the Seahawks, the Raiders are reaping the benefits from their trade with Seattle. The AFC West is a tough division, but if Geno Smith can play like this, the Raiders will have more of a chance than in quite some time to make a playoff push.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Geno Smith and Pete Carroll give Raiders fresh optimism
Reporting by Micah Huff, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
