Seattle Seahawks: Does Malcolm Smith Have A Future In Seattle?
By Paul Taylor
Seattle Seahawks: Does Malcolm Smith Have a Future in Seattle?
The Seattle Seahawks appear to be getting hot at just the right time. Seven wins in eight games has them poised to clinch homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, no small feat when considering the intimidating atmosphere of CenturyLink Field.
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Speaking of intimidating, the Seahawks defense looks to have reverted to their Super Bowl-winning form from last season. Since their last loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the team has conceded an average of 6.75 points and 188 yards per game.
Throughout it all, Seahawks fans could be forgiven for forgetting about Malcolm Smith. The question is, what has happened to Super Bowl XLVIII’s Most Valuable Player?
So far this season, Smith has played in twelve games, starting five of them. With 33 tackles – 25 unassisted – and two forced fumbles, his impact has been minimal.
In fairness to Smith, he was always unlikely to have a standout campaign. In four seasons with the Seahawks, the 2011 seventh round draft pick has only started sixteen games, picking up two sacks and two interceptions along the way.
It was only last season’s NFC Championship game when he really first gained national attention, grabbing the game-sealing interception in the end zone after Richard Sherman‘s tip of a Colin Kaepernick pass. His unexpected MVP performance against the Denver Broncos only increased the unfair expectations.
Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks outside linebacker Bruce Irvin (51) reacts after sacking Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (not pictured) late in the fourth quarter. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 13-9 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Unfortunately, Smith was brought right back down to earth as he had to deal with ankle surgery during the offseason. Losing out on playing time to the likes of Bruce Irvin and K.J. Wright hasn’t helped his case either.
This is particularly important to point out, as Smith’s contract expires at the conclusion of this season. If he was hoping to sign a lucrative deal, whether in Seattle or elsewhere, his position has been compromised by the events of the 2014 campaign.
Does Smith have the ability to be a regular starter or are the 2013 playoffs destined to be the high point of his career? Pete Carroll and company will likely have to make this distinction when they decide whether or not to offer the Woodland Hills, California native a new contract.