Geno Smith Doesn’t Mind People Counting the Raiders Out: “Let Them Sleep”

Geno Smith, the Las Vegas Raiders’ new starting quarterback, has ambitious dreams of competing in the tight and highly competitive AFC West.

Geno Smith Doesn’t Mind People Counting the Raiders Out: “Let Them Sleep”

Geno Smith (Image via Las Vegas Raiders)

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The Las Vegas Raiders are one of the most transformed teams coming into the new season. The Raiders, who finished dead last in the AFC West last season, have a new coach in Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly as the offensive coordinator.

The Raiders’ troubles in the past few seasons were also due to the inconsistencies from Derek Carr in the 2010s and early 2020s, followed by a revolving door of options. In the last two seasons, the Raiders employed five quarterbacks, including Aidan O’Connell and Jimmy Garoppolo. They have brought in one of the leading quarterbacks from last season, Geno Smith, who has a previous bond with the new man in charge.

However, the transformations haven’t done much to improve the perceptions about the team. The Sharp Football Analysis Power Rankings ahead of the preseason weekend have placed the Raiders in the 25th position. Meanwhile, their fellow divisional rivals are in the playoff spots. Nate Davis of USA Today placed the Las Vegas Raiders at 26th, dropping them five places from last year.

The undermining of the team hasn’t, however, fazed the new quarterback in tow. Geno Smith recently addressed the dismissal by the analysts and the naysayers. He admitted that he preferred the critics to keep underestimating them so that the upset would come as shocking as ever.

We’ve got a really, really good team. I don’t know if we’ll shock anyone inside of this building, but maybe shock some outsiders. But it’s good, like let them sleep. I don’t want them to see us coming. We’re just working in the shadows right now, getting our game right, and when it’s time to go in those bright lights, I think we’ll be ready.

Geno Smith said in conversation with NFL Network

Chip Kelly is one of the reasons behind the optimism from Geno Smith

Geno Smith’s admission meant that he has a clear understanding of how the Raiders are perceived. The team is not considered a strong contender (understandably so), and Smith is aware that many have counted them out. However, a major reason for his optimism is the addition of Chip Kelly as offensive coordinator.

Chip Kelly
Chip Kelly (Image via Autzen Zoo)

Kelly, who was brought in from Ohio State on a $6 million per year deal, has made a noticeable impact. Smith followed Kelly’s work closely last season, particularly through his cousin, Jeremiah Smith, who played a key role in Ohio State’s offense as a freshman.

I got a chance to scout Chip all last year, with Jeremiah there. And he’s a champion, man, as you can see. It was almost effortless the way that their offense just flowed.

Jeremiah Smith said according to Albert Breer of SI

Now working directly under Kelly, Geno Smith admitted that the system has made the game easier for him. He noted that it simplified the quarterback’s responsibilities without limiting options. According to Smith, the offense is built to get the ball out quickly and put playmakers in good positions, with built-in adjustments for most situations.

Albert Breer, in his NFL takeaways, also pointed out the difference between Kelly’s previous stint in the pros and the new system he has implemented in Vegas. At Ohio State, Kelly ran one of the slowest-paced offenses in college football, a contrast to his previous up-tempo “Blur” style.

The new technique and the evolution have also added a savoir-faire to the Raiders’ offense, as per Geno Smith. He added that the system would be almost immediately perfect for tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, whom Smith is expected to connect with and score.

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