I have to say this has been an outstanding thread
This has been a great thread. I mean fantastic. Most, if not all of us, I'm sure had our minds made up when Jerhawk created this poll. Though he didn't get many "yes or no" answers per his request. lol. But that's a good thing. My mind was made up when I answered his question, in my typical long winded fashion, NO.
But that didn't stop me from entertaining the many excellent YES answers to his question. With that, I am now less confident with my initial response. This was Geno's first year starting in almost 35 years. And overall he did pretty well...especially when many felt he had big shoes to fill. Seattle just goes gaga over our beloved athletes and I'm sure Geno felt a ton of pressure replacing Wilson. And then he beat him and a very good Denver D (at that time). That deserves mad props, IMO.
So thanks to this thread, I am no longer 100% sure about jettisoning Geno Smith. Maybe 80% and that number will go up or down depending on his asking price. 20 -25 per over 3? I'd lean towards keeping him. BUt more than that...I just think we have too many other areas of need to justify such a contract. Yes, he "led the league in"...etc etc, but using the eye test, I still feel he's a middling QB. But even the middle is making serious bank these days...and to me, that is a bigger problem than any one individual. Either put a cap on these bloated numbers or raise the salary cap. Roger wants parity and quality play. I just don't see that happening in the confines and restrictions currently set in place.
Thank you for your thoughtful response Chuckwow. And thank you to all of you who have participated and given such well thought out and meaningful responses.
Even though the poll was created with a simple two answer limit, and done just after the season came to an end against our bitter rivals, I figured this would be more difficult than a yes or no to some, myself included. Especially since there were bound to be some knee jerk responses and there's so many other factors that will be going into whatever decision the team makes.
As important as last year's off-season was for the Seahawks, this one is even more important imo. The decisions Pete and John make over the next several weeks will impact this team for the next decade. Whether or not they keep Geno, depending on a multitude of factors, will have an impact on what they do with the #5 pick. Those are two huge dominos yet to fall that will determine this team's future.
Here's where my mind is at: While I initially voted no, I'm still on the fence. Even back at the beginning of the season, I had wanted, and fully expected the team to do poorly this season so that they would get a high draft pick. I wanted them to draft Young or Stroud, as I firmly believed either of those two were going to be (and still believe) are going to be the real deal.
What I didn't see coming was the team get off to a 6-3 start, thanks to some great QB play, which other teams weren't prepared for how Seattle would attack offensively. On top of that I didn't see Denver imploding so quickly and gifting Seattle with such a high pick.
So while it's great that we made the playoffs and still get a high draft pick, I can't help but wonder what's going through Pete and John's mind. Will Geno give us a good deal? I don't want the team to break the bank and pay Geno. I feel that they may be reluctant to do so after their recent history of paying Wilson and not reaching the Superbowl. But if Geno looks at the team and says "You guys did me a favor and gave me a 2nd chance, I want to stay here and win" then the best situation for both parties would be to sign him to a team friendly deal and build the defense through the draft.
But will Geno take less money to stay here? That will be the first and potentially most important domino to fall, as that will then modify the team's mindset heading into the draft.
Anyways thank you all for your contributions in this thread, for all of your great responses in other threads, and I'm looking forward to being on this ride with all of you. Go Seahawks