Geno Smith, next step as a leader: Personal accountability for sputtering Seahawks offense

Back in the spring, in his first weeks leading his Seahawks players, Mike Macdonald said he wanted Geno Smith to be more of a leader.

Specifically, the NFL’s youngest head coach said he wanted his 33-year-old quarterback to “take the next step” in leadership, in his third season as Seattle’s starter replacing traded Russell Wilson.

Smith took another one Sunday, not as much during the Seahawks’ 24-3 rout of the sunken Miami Dolphins at Lumen Field as following it.

One week after a 33-for-44 day that should have been 38 for 43 in almost single-handedly beating New England, Smith had another sterling day in accuracy throwing. That is, if you judge by his 26 completions in 34 throws (76.5%) for 289 yards against Miami.

That included his 71-yard touchdown pass to DK Metcalf on which the hulking wide receiver fooled Dolphins safety Jevon Holland on a route against two-high-safety coverage. New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has been having Smith and Metcalf practicing that route since the first days of training camp in July.

Yet Smith was more than unhappy with himself following the Seahawks moving to 3-0 and in first place in the NFC West, two games clear of any other team in the division.

“As an offense, we left a lot out there,” the 12th-year veteran QB said.

“I’m going to be honest with you: I’m really pissed off at the way I performed.

“I think we’ve got to get better.”

His accountability matches that of his new coach, and what Macdonald demands of his players.

Geno Smith’s interceptions

Smith was particularly ticked at himself for throwing an interception early in the first quarter deep in his own end while under pressure for the second time in three games.

Seattle had a third and 15 at its own 5 leading 10-0 with its lightning-fast start Sunday. Yet Grubb got greedy. He called a drop-back pass from his own end zone.

The center of the Seahawks’ offensive line continued getting beaten with inside rushes against Miami. On this play, it forced Smith to throw off balance late to running back Zach Charbonnet short to the left.

The errant pass tipped of and over Charbonnet’s stretched arm and hand. Kader Kohou intercepted to get the Dolphins a drive start the Seattle 6-yard line.

“Shoot, man, just not throw an interception,” Smith said. “You know, I don’t know exactly what to say. Felt like the ball was just tipping up in the air today.

“But still, something I can do to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Macdonald’s new Seahawks defense did what it’s done consistently through three games. It stopped an offense from scoring a touchdown following a Seattle turnover. The Dolphins got only a field goal, their only points Sunday.

In the third quarter, Smith was again harassed as he threw into the arm of Miami defensive lineman Calais Campbell. His pass tipped almost straight up then down into the arms of Miami defensive tackle Zach Sieler for Smith’s third interception this season.

Miami took that turnover and drove 11 plays to the Seahawks 4. But Seattle’s defense held again, stopping the Dolphins four times from inside the 4 for a turnover on downs.

On this day, Smith’s mistakes and the offensive line’s continued issues didn’t hurt the Seahawks. That’s because Miami was playing a second-string then third-string quarterback in Skylar Thompson then, for the final 1 1/2 quarters, practice-squad QB Tim Boyle. Pro Bowl quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missed his first of at least four games while on injured reserve following the third confirmed concussion of his career.

Smith knows he and the Seahawks’ offense must be tons better next week when they play the Lions (2-1). The runners-up in the NFC last season will be roaring in their domed Detroit home Sept. 30.

Smith wants to eliminate the lull he and his offense had after their 17-point first quarter Sunday. From the 6 minute mark of the second quarter until 10:22 left in the game — the start of their 98-drive to Charbonnet’s touchdown run for the final points — the Seahawks’ drives went: Punt, punt, punt, punt, interception. They gained one first down in four drives.

“(I’m mad) just (with) the fact we scored 17 points right in the first quarter. Felt like we came out great, and then for some reason we couldn’t just get over that hump,” Smith said. “I kept trying to push the guys: ‘Hey, we got to put our foot on the gas, score more points.’ I’m right at the forefront of that.

“As I said, whatever it takes to get it done,” Smith said. “I can’t pinpoint it right now. I’ll watch the film. Whatever it takes for us to get better and to push ourselves and reach that next level, that next step we’re talking about, that’s something that I lay right at my own feet. “

“I take it real personal.”

Macdonald wasn’t as hard on Smith for his game Sunday as Smith was.

“I thought he played pretty dang well,” Macdonald said.

“You know, again, he’s poised. There are some things that weren’t going our way offensively. He just brings everybody along with him.

“I think like the drive at the end kind of speaks to our mentality offensively. Wasn’t our greatest day, but operating for the most part I thought we did a great job. Getting in and out of the tempo stuff — and, yeah, I thought he played really well.”