Seattle Seahawks 19, Arizona Cardinals 9
Q. I know it wasn't easy for you guys on offense, but how nice was it in that 4th quarter to be able to get that responding touchdown and then close things out with a few touchdowns late?
GENO SMITH: It felt like one of those heavy weight fights, man. Division opponent. They know us, we know them. Was going back and forth. Their defense did a great job. But I felt like when we needed it the most, our guys stepped up. We were able to get like a 70, 75 yard drive against a really tough defense, score points, give us the lead.
That's what we talk about, complementary football. That's what it's all about, everyone playing together. The defense played spectacular today. And that's what we're going to need moving forward. I think we're doing a pretty good job on offense, but I know we can be better. But it was a overall complete team win today.
Q. How do you think Kenneth handled his start back there next to you?
GENO SMITH: Man, he's explosive. It was one of those runs where he might have gained one yard, but he made like six dudes miss on a run. And that's just how special he is. He can make something out of nothing. And when the line is blocking great and he gets up to the second level, it's going to be hard to get him down. But today he did a great job, was great in protections. And I think he's really coming along.
Q. We're seeing you use your legs a lot more. Do you think that's going to be incorporated more directly into the game plan moving forward?
GENO SMITH: Yeah. You know, sometimes it's just about taking what they're giving you. Their defense did a great job at bracketing DK and Tyler. And they had a great plan. So we had to go to some other guys and they stepped up. Dee Eskridge, Marquise. Noah had a pretty good day. And then myself, you know, being a weapon as well using my legs.
So if teams continue to play us that style, which I expect where they're playing off and bracketing off our receivers, then that means there's no one covering me, you know, if I take off and run.
Q. Geno, it's only week six, but you guys are tied for first place right now in the division. Does that mean anything to you right now, particularly when I think most people were sleeping on you guys this year?
GENO SMITH: It means everything. It really does. That's what it's about. We have to win our division first in order to get to the playoffs, which is our goal. And so obviously it's just week six. We've still got a long ways to go.
But to be in first place right now is extremely good. We've got to look at that and say, okay, that's a good thing, but we've got further to go. We've got to keep building. I've got to step it up personally. I've got to play better. So I'll get that right. But overall, man, I think we're in a good spot.
Q. You already talked about Kenneth. You've obviously got the rookies starting to tackle, the rookies on defense causing turnovers, that whole class, what's it like seeing all those guys?
GENO SMITH: Man, I said it to Tyler, I was like that rookie class, they didn't miss. Every single one of those guys are studs. They're contributing. And you can see them growing every single week, each one of those guys.
And for those guys to be young rookies and to be stepping up the way that they are, I think it speaks volumes to them personally as players and then to the organization and front office and scouts for selecting those guys.
Q. What was sort of the difference -- the drive after they scored and then you guys went right back down the field. What was the difference for you guys on that drive than maybe some of the other drives?
GENO SMITH: I think it started with play calling. Shane did a great job. The first half was kind of funky. We had some different situations, didn't really have the ball a lot in the first half. And so a lot of our calls were still up. So Shane did a great job of getting to the calls.
Protection was there. We ran the ball a few times. I think I was able to use my legs a couple times. And, overall, I think the urgency was there. We knew, hey, man, we've been struggling a little bit all game, but here is our time to step up and give us a lead and let our defense go out there and play ball and take momentum back. And I think that's what we did there.
Q. You mentioned getting the ball to guys like Marquise and Dee. On days where teams are making it difficult, how nice is it to have guys like that to throw to?
GENO SMITH: Man, it's extremely nice to have guys like that who are capable -- more than capable. Dee Eskridge and Marquise and Noah, Will Dissly, Colby Parkinson, all those guys are capable, DJ Dallas. They can all make plays. And, you know, obviously we have our two lead horses with Tyler and DK. But if teams are going to just take them away and say, hey, you other guys beat us, we have the guys to do that.
Q. You mentioned the rookie class. Focusing on Tyreke, too. I mean, as a quarterback seeing what he's able to do on defense, what do you think it would be like to face him? What do you think makes him effective?
GENO SMITH: I faced him in camp. He gave me a couple struggles. And to see him growing and learning the game and playing above the neck, it's scary because he's got all the physical tools and, you know, Colby as well. Those guys are doing a great job at processing and taking in the coaching and the game plans and executing on Sundays. And you see it showing up. And I think those guys will continue to do that.
Q. You said you think maybe you need to step it up a little bit. Was there something you felt you didn't do right today?
GENO SMITH: I just don't think I played my best game today. Hats off to their defense because they played a big part in that. But I have a certain set of standards for myself personally. And not to take away from what we did as a team. We did a great job. And winning is great always in the NFL. But I know I need to be better, and I will be. Thank you, guys.
DraftScripts by ASAP Sports
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports