Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's happening today – Tuesday, Oct. 12 – for your Seattle Seahawks.
Jake Heaps: Geno Smith Is Ready For This Moment
The Seahawks and 12s are facing an unfamiliar situation after Russell Wilson's finger injury. He started 149 consecutive regular-season games to begin his career dating back to 2012, the sixth-longest streak in NFL history.
With Wilson on the mend, backup Geno Smith will get his moment in the spotlight. A 2013 second-round pick by the New York Jets, Smith is no stranger to starting under center in the NFL. He's made 31 starts in his nine-year career, including 29 in his first two seasons. Since leaving the Jets, Smith has spent time with the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and then the Seahawks since 2019.
While the city of Seattle might not know a ton about Smith's play style, talent-level and personality, there is one media member in the area with first-hand knowledge: Jake Heaps. Heaps, now a 710 ESPN Seattle analyst, signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He spent the entire offseason working alongside Smith before he was released. Heaps also knows the Seahawks after spending parts of separate seasons on the offseason roster and practice squad.
On Monday, Heaps spent time on his radio show "Jake and Stacy" explaining what he knows about Smith. You can listen to the full segment here and read some highlights below:
"I was with him my rookie year in New York and got to be up close and personal in how he was in meetings, how he threw the ball on the field. This guy is extremely talented.
"He has matured a great deal since that time in the process of going through what he did and the bumpy road with his time as the starter with the New York Jets to then becoming the backup and being behind Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers, Russell Wilson -- three ultimate pros and future Hall of Famers. I believe he does learn from that experience. The last time I got to hang out with Geno and talk about all that, he said he really took that opportunity to really soak up the information and all the learning he was able to do, hoping that one day he was going to be given that chance.
"All Geno Smith has to do is take care of the football and make good, smart decisions with the football. That is his job. The Seahawks are not asking Geno to go win them football games. He doesn't have that same pressure on his shoulders as Russell Wilson would have. So just go be you and be yourself and distribute the football and not force things in the middle of the field.
"Can he grow and truly learn from some of those mistakes early on? I believe he will, and that's why I think Geno Smith is going to do just fine over the next three weeks."
Social Post Of The Day
DeeJay Dallas with some positive vibes to start the week yesterday:
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle with the latest roster moves, including activating Gerald Everett from the COVID-19 list.
Also at Seahawks.com, Boyle has the details on how the Seahawks celebrated National Indigenous People’s Day on Monday.
Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune on how Russell Wilson is preparing Geno Smith to start at quarterback.
John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle recaps where the Seahawks stand as a team entering Week 6.
Brady Henderson of ESPN on Russell Wilson’s mental state after the injury and how he’s helping Geno Smith.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seattle Seahawks' 27-16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football on October 7, 2021 at Lumen Field. Eye On The Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson gives an autographed football to a young fan before the game.
A young fan cradles an autographed football given to her by Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Head coach Pete Carroll welcomes players onto the field for pregame warmups.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson stretches out as the sun peeks thorugh the roof at Lumen Field.
Seahawks mascot Blitz is dressed in Action Green for the Thursday Night Football matchup with the Rams.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf waits for his name to be called inside the tunnel during pregame introductions.
Two fighter jets make a flyover over Lumen Field at the conclusion of the singing of the national anthem.
Seahawks running back Alex Collins breaks through an opening.
Seattle's Darrell Taylor sacks Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs is congratulated by teammates after making an interception in the end zone.
Seattle's Tyler Lockett battles for a pass that was intercepted by the Rams.
The lights were bright for Thursday Night Football.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf catches a touchdown pass from Russell Wilson.
Seahawks defensive lineman Al Woods celebrates a stop.
During a halftime ceremony, Seahawks legend Steve Hutchinson received his Hall of Fame ring as teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Walter Jones joined him on the stage.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson gets his throwing hand examined by head athletic trainer David Stricklin.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf looks for yards after the catch.
Backup quarterback Geno Smith finds tight end Will Dissly during a 95 yard drive in the second half.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf tumbles into the end zone with his second TD catch of the night.
Lumen Field glows as fans throughout the stadium shine lights from mobile devices.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett gets up after an interception by the Rams late in the game.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldon shakes hands with his former boss, Rams coach Sean McVay after the game.
