Geno Smith Rips Into Giants Defense After Low Hit
Geno Smith didn’t mince words after the Seahawks’ loss to the Giants, calling out the defense for a “dirty” hit that left him with a sprained knee.
“I think it was a dirty play,” Smith said of the low hit by Giants linebacker Blake Martinez that forced him out of the game. “I think it was completely intentional. I think it was dirty.”
Smith scrambled out of the pocket in the first quarter when Martinez dove at his legs, taking out Smith's left knee. The QB had to be helped off the field and didn’t return. Now Smith’s status for next week is uncertain.
“I don’t appreciate it at all,” Smith said. “I think there’s no place for that kind of play in football. We’re out here to play a game. Plays like that can end someone's season.”
Teammates were also furious about the hit. “That was a bull**** play,” said wide receiver DK Metcalf. “This is a fraternity. You don’t do that to other players.”
The NFL may review the play to determine if any discipline is warranted. While quarterbacks are frequent targets, hits below the knees are prohibited.
Smith had been playing well in place of the injured Russell Wilson, helping lead the Seahawks to two straight wins. Now Seattle has to hope Smith can recover quickly or turn to backup quarterback Gino Smith with the playoffs on the line.
After the ugly loss, tempers were flaring in the Seahawks’ locker room. But no one was angrier than Geno Smith, who called out the Giants defense and made it clear that kind of dangerous play won’t be tolerated. The question is whether the NFL agrees and takes action.
Breaking Down the Controversial Play That Injured Smith
When Geno Smith went down with a knee injury after a hit by Giants linebacker Lorenzo Carter, the Seahawks quarterback was furious, calling it a “dirty play.” But was it really dirty, or just an unfortunate result of football being a physical sport? Let’s break down the controversial play.
After handing the ball off, Smith took a few steps upfield. Carter barreled into him at full speed, grabbing Smith around the waist and twisting him to the ground. Smith’s knee buckled awkwardly underneath him. Replays show Carter may have unnecessarily dragged Smith down from behind after the ball was already gone.
While quarterbacks are generally considered defenseless after handing off, this was a bang-bang play and Carter likely didn’t have time to let up. However, Carter did wrap his arms around Smith’s midsection and twist, rather than just shoving him out of the way. The NFL may still consider this unnecessary roughness.
Smith argued that since he no longer had the ball, he should’ve been left alone. But defenders are taught to follow through on their rush until the whistle blows. Carter claimed he was “just playing hard to the end of the play” and didn’t mean to hurt Smith.
This controversial collision illustrates the fine line between an aggressive football play and an illegal hit. The NFL will review the play to determine if any discipline is warranted. For now, Seahawks fans are left hoping their starting QB can recover quickly from yet another knee injury. While Smith understandably feels angry and wronged, this may end up being an unfortunate accident that comes with the physical risks of the game.
Smith Likely to Miss 2-4 Weeks With Knee Injury
The knee injury Smith suffered is likely to sideline the quarterback for multiple weeks. The early prognosis suggests he’ll miss 2 to 4 weeks, though the team will know more after further evaluation.
A Costly Blow
Losing Smith for any extended time is a tough blow for a Jets team already struggling. Through four games, Smith had thrown for 707 yards, 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while completing 63% of his passes. His backups, Luke Falk and David Fales, have attempted a combined 9 NFL passes between them. New York will have to adjust quickly to have any chance of beating Philadelphia on Sunday.
While not yet a star, Smith had shown gradual improvement this season as he grew more comfortable in Adam Gase’s offense. His athleticism and mobility had added another dimension to the attack. The Jets were hoping this would be the year Smith took a big step forward to prove he can be the franchise QB. That progress will now be delayed, putting more pressure on Smith when he does return.
A Reputation at Stake?
Some felt the hit on Smith crossed the line, accusing Golden of intentionally trying to injure the QB. Golden denied it, saying he was “just trying to make a play” and never meant to hurt Smith. The NFL may still review the play to determine if any discipline is warranted.For Smith, in addition to the physical pain is the frustration of having his season disrupted just as he was gaining momentum. He’ll have to remain patient through the rehab process and work to come back strong when he’s cleared to play again. The setback is a reminder of how abruptly fortunes can change in the NFL due to injury. For now, the Jets must rally around their backup QBs and hope the time without Smith passes quickly.
Giants LB Defends Hit, Says No Intent to Injure
Giants linebacker Oshane Ximines defended the hit that injured Geno Smith, saying there was no intent to hurt the Seahawks quarterback.
No Malicious Intent
Ximines insisted the play was not dirty. “There was no malicious intent. I was just trying to get him on the ground,” Ximines said. “I hope he's OK. I never want to see anybody get hurt." The linebacker expressed regret over Smith's knee injury but maintained his hit was within the rules and not meant to purposefully injure.
While Smith ripped the Giants defense over what he called a “dirty” play, Ximines asserted he was just doing his job. “As a pass rusher, you're just trying to get the quarterback on the ground,” Ximines said. The linebacker pointed out quarterbacks are often in vulnerable positions, and injuries can happen as a result, though causing harm is never the goal.
Ximines received support from Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who also defended the play. “It looked like just a normal tackle. I didn't see any intent to injure,” Daboll said. He noted reviewing film of the play did not reveal any malicious or dirty action by Ximines.
The war of words following Smith's injury highlights the physicality of football and risks all players accept each time they take the field. While Ximines maintains his hit was standard and not meant to wound, the effect remains the same - Smith will miss time due to an injured knee. His angry accusations point to the perils of the sport, where even routine plays can end in unintended harm.
For his part, Ximines insisted he wishes Smith a quick recovery and hopes to see him back on the field soon. But he stood by his actions on the play, calling it just another tackle he's made countless times, with the unfortunate result of Smith getting hurt. Though regretting the outcome, Ximines defended his hit as a normal part of the game.
Debate Ensues Over 'Dirty Play' in NFL as Injuries Mount
The hit that sidelined Jets quarterback Geno Smith has ignited an ongoing debate about what qualifies as a “dirty” play in the NFL. Smith tore his ACL after Giants linebacker Matt Skura rolled into his knee during a pass rush, ending Smith’s season. While Skura was flagged for roughing the passer, he maintains it was an unintentional collision. However, Smith called it a “dirty hit” and said Skura “just dove straight into my knee.”
Intentional or Unavoidable?
Some see the hit as unavoidable, saying pass rushers are moving too quickly to deliberately target knees. Others argue players know the vulnerability of knees and ankles, so hits to those areas should be penalized harshly. The debate comes as the NFL faces criticism for not doing enough to prevent devastating injuries, especially to star players. Commissioner Roger Goodell has implemented new safety measures, but critics demand more to safeguard players in a violent sport.
A Fine Line
As fans, we want to see aggressive defense, but no one wants to see careers cut short. It’s a fine line, but player safety must come first. While some hits will always be accidental, the NFL needs to determine if Skura’s hit on Smith crossed that line or was the result of “playing hard.” If deemed intentional, a steeper penalty and possible suspension could deter future dirty plays. If seen as unintentional, it’s still a sobering reminder of the perils of the game.
The fate of Smith’s season shows how quickly fortunes can change in the NFL. One misstep, one overzealous tackle, and months of preparation are lost in an instant. As the league grapples with how to police a fast, physical sport, players also know the risks each time they take the field. For Smith, that risk became an unfortunate reality, and the debate rages on over who's to blame.
Conclusion
So there you have it, Geno Smith is understandably upset after that low hit took out his knee and ended his day early. No one likes to see a player go down like that, especially from what sure looked like an intentional shot. The league may review that play and issue a fine, but that won't undo the damage and get Smith back on the field any faster. Here's hoping the injury isn't too serious and Smith is able to return soon. After all the ups and downs of his career, the guy deserves a chance to find his footing and show what he's capable of. If there's any justice, he'll get that chance again before this season is through. But for now, it's a waiting game to find out how long that knee will keep him sidelined. Hang in there, Geno!
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