Geno Smith wins Seahawks’ QB job after Drew Lock’s 3 turnovers in preseason finale

The statistics favor Drew Lock.

Except for one. A huge one.

Of the traits Pete Carroll wants in his quarterback — efficiency, leadership, poise, play-making — the one the veteran coach covets most is not losing the ball.

“It’s all about the ball,” he says, about as much as he says, “I’m jacked.”

It’s truly all about the ball. That’s why Geno Smith won the job to succeed Russell Wilson in this Seahawks’ quarterback competition Friday night.

Smith started against the Dallas Cowboys, for the third consecutive preseason game. The backup to Wilson the last three Seahawks seasons led the starting offense minus wide receiver DK Metcalf and guard Gabe Jackson down the field to points and the early lead on a sharp opening drive.

Most important, he didn’t turn the ball over.

Lock entered for Seattle’s second possession, with the same unit minus second-string center Kyle Fuller replacing starter Austin Blythe. Lock, acquired from Denver in the trade of Wilson in March, played the final 3 1/2 quarters.

Lock threw three interceptions in Seattle’s 27-26 loss in its preseason finale at AT&T Stadium.

“It’s a huge, it’s a huge statement, taking care of the football,” Carroll said on his way out of Texas. “We’ve been one of the best in the NFL for years (with Wilson) taking care of the football...it’s been really hard to get it away from us. ...

“The decision-making that goes along with that, we treasure the ball.

“We have a big consciousness about it.”

Smith said he learned of Carroll’s decision when he told the entire team in the locker room after Friday night’s game.

Two of Lock’s interceptions were the fault of his receivers, Dee Eskridge and Aaron Fuller. Still, one touchdown pass and three interceptions gave Lock three touchdown passes against all four of the Seahawks’ turnovers this preseason.

Smith had one rushing touchdown — and no turnovers.

Smith said his latest no-giveaway performance he thinks about protecting the ball “every single time, every single play.”

“That’s the number-one way to lose games in the NFL, is not protecting the football,” he said. “Earlier in my career, I had some issues with that. I learned really quickly that it takes the quarterback’s main job is to protect the football, as well as scoring points and being dynamic and all those things. But I really think when I came here (to Seattle three years ago) I turned a corner in protecting the football.

“Coach preaches it every, single day. It’s the motto of the team, the organization: ‘All about the ball.’”

Add in that Carroll wants the offense featured not by the quarterback but by running backs Rashaad Penny and Ken Walker (when he returns from a hernia) rushing behind a remade offensive line with a faster, more confusing defense, and Smith established himself as the safer option for the coach to start the season at quarterback.

Now he’s back as a full-time NFL starter, eight years after his ugly, sucker-punch end with the Jets.

“He’s earned it,” Carroll said of Smith Friday night. “He won the job.

“He won the job because of his consistency.”

Lock, 25, often has thrown the ball better all month in training-camp practices and games than the steadier Smith, the 31-year-old former New York Jets starter. Lock makes the Seahawks tougher to defend. He pressures edges. He creates.

But his long coaching history shows Carroll is stuck on the mistakes. Lock’s missed blitz pick-up that resulting in a game-losing fumble in his other preseason game, Aug. 13 at Pittsburgh. The late-throw interception that Eskridge failed to come back to the ball for in the first quarter, then a throw directly to a Cowboys receiver in the short flat in the second quarter Friday.

Yet Lock tantalizes. His second pass at Dallas was on time outside right, perfectly, majestically lofted over the cornerback to Penny Hart for a 35-yard touchdown.

As Lock jogged to the end zone to celebrate Seattle’s 10-0, running back DeeJay Dallas roared at his quarterback and giddily slapped his hand.

His two preseason games were what Lock has been so far while going 8-13 starting parts of three seasons for Denver to begin his NFL career: High risk, potentially high reward.

“Disappointed,” Lock said.

“Now it’s my job to have (Smith’s) back, be the best teammate I can be...and to make myself better.”

Geno Smith’s, Drew Lock’s stats

On Seattle’s first possession Smith got sacked on a play Lock probably would have escaped and extended. Instead, Smith shuffled into the defensive end and the sack. The drive ended with Jason Myers’ 53-yard field goal.

Smith completed 3 of 6 passes for 53 yards, one sack and a passer rating of 73.6 while scoring three points on his first and only drive. Two of those throws were accurate but dropped, by Young and tight end Will Dissly.

Smith finished the preseason 23 for 39 (59%), 256 yards, one rushing touchdown, three sacks and no turnovers. His preseason passer rating was 78.6 playing with starters against a mix of starting defenses this month.

Lock entered for the Seahawks’ second possession, with 7:11 left in the first quarter.

Lock led Seattle to 23 points on 10 drives. Jacob Eason replaced him with 4 minutes left. Lock finished 13 for 21 for 171 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions. His passer rating was a low 51.2.

It should have been two touchdown throws with one interception. Lock’s third interception, in the third quarter, came after Young stumbled as the ball arrived and tipped the ball off his hands into the air behind him for a free Cowboys turnover in the middle of the field.

Lock finished the preseason 24 for 36 passing (67%) for 273 yards, four touchdown passes, three interceptions, two sacks and one lost fumble. His passer rating was 91.6 playing with second-teamers against reserve defenses. He played in two games, missing last week’s he was supposed to start against Chicago because he tested positive for COVID-19.

“The easy answer is anytime you miss a game, it sets you back, whether it’s preseason or regular season,” said Lock, whose disappointment was all over his flushed face. “Obviously, I was very disappointed that I didn’t get to play in that game.

“But I came out practiced this week, got better. Had an opportunity, so...

Of having COVID, for the second time, Lock said “it kicked my butt a little bit.”

Lock’s luck wasn’t much better Friday.

Hart and, before that, Dallas cornerback Nahson Wright, denied Lock chances for a second touchdown pass of the first half, on the same second-quarter drive.

Young, the seventh-round pick who appears set to make the roster for his size and speed, was free down the left sideline on a go route. The Cowboys’ Wright grabbed him before Lock’s accurate, long pass arrived to prevent the score. That was a 32-yard pass-interference penalty.

Then Lock threw what should have been a touchdown pass to Hart, who has to be stronger on the ball with his hands than he was. A desperate swipe by Dallas cornerback DaRon Bland got the ball free too easily in the end zone.

Starters rest

Smith started behind an offensive line of Cross at left tackle, Phil Haynes at left guard, Blythe the center, Jake Curhan at right guard and rookie Abe Lucas at right tackle.

Curhan started for resting Gabe Jackson. The starting line for the opener seemingly will be Jackson joining the Friday starters.

Haynes had two holding penalties on running plays in the first half. He is likely to start the season at left guard. Damien Lewis is recovering from the sprained ankle he got last week against Chicago.

Tyler Lockett, Eskridge and rookie Dareke Young were the starting wide receivers. With Penny on COVID-19 quarantine and Walker likely out past week one, Travis Homer was the starting running back.

The defense rested nine starters. Linebacker Cody Barton and rookie cornerback Tariq Woolen were the only Seahawks defenders who played Friday who are likely to start Sept. 12 against Denver.

Those who did not play Friday: Uchenna Nwosu, Shelby Harris, Al Woods, Poona Ford, Darrell Taylor, Jordyn Brooks, Sidney Jones, Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs.

Pancaking Abe Lucas cements his case

It wasn’t for a first down, but third-round draft choice Abe Lucas had his fifth pancake block in 2 1/2 preseason games.

On a second-quarter run in the red zone away from him by Travis Homer, the rookie right tackle who started for the first time Friday flattened Cowboys defensive lineman Markaviest Bryant backside. That’s where many of Lucas’ eye-opening blocks have been this month.

Lucas, from Everett and Washington State, has been just faster off ball in practices and games. He drives guys off the ball by being quicker off the snap to gain leverage underneath them.

He sure looks like he’s the Seahawks’ new starting right tackle. That will give Seattle rookies at both tackle spots to begin the season. First-round pick Charles Cross has been entrenched at left tackle since day one.

Late in the first half Lucas did get beat for perhaps the first time this preseason. But that was a chance for Lock to show his value. The quick quarterback deftly escaped a sack Smith probably would have taken, with a step-aside. Lock flicked a pass outside to DeeJay Dallas. That was a 3-yard gain instead of a negative play.

Of course, Lock threw his mysterious interception on the next play.

“Really, really pleased with him,” Carroll said late Friday night.

“That’s the stuff we’re looking for.”

Lakiem Williams’ makes a bid

The Seahawks’ defense, starters and reserves, had problems all preseason missing many tackles in the open field.

Lakiem Williams from Spanaway Lake High School made a sure one to force a field goal by the Cowboys in the third quarter.

The inside linebacker who went to Syracuse by way of junior college before signing with his hometown Seahawks last year stepped up on a scramble by Dallas’ Will Grier. Williams’ sure tackle kept Seattle ahead 20-13.

Inside linebacker is wafer thin behind defensive leader Jordyn Brooks. Cody Barton, the other starting inside linebacker in the Seahawks’ new 3-4 scheme, has made one career NFL start. Barton was often out of control running into the A gap between the center and guard past ball carriers this preseason.

“I’m a lot more comfortable, confident (this year),” Williams told The News Tribune.

“It’s a blessing (to play for his hometown team). I mean, it’s an unbelievable experience.”

Williams could be an option for special teams and depth at inside linebacker. The team is likely to sign a waived veteran from another team upon the league’s deadline of 1 p.m. Tuesday to get the 80-man roster to 53.