THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Readers weigh in on Zags', Seahawks' woes

Whoa!

The mailbag was full today.

Readers’ questions are piled up to the ceiling (figuratively speaking).

There were quite a few already waiting to be answered, but mentions about the Seahawks and Zags in Tuesday’s column brought roughly a half-million queries from folks who have opinions and questions.

(Figuratively speaking again on the half-million, but there were a LOT, I can tell you that.)

There were all sorts of emails asking about Washington State and the Pac-2, among other topics, waiting for replies — and now we’ve got the latest batch from the Pony Express.

I’ll do my best to throw answers on the pile, and we’ll keep the conversations going.

Sound OK?

QUESTION: Let’s start with Gonzaga.

Most of the people who got in touch were upset that guards Ryan Nembhard and Nolan Hickman seem out of control and put up wild shots, especially late in games.

The Zags missed all nine 3-point shots in the second half at Washington, and all 16 after halftime against Purdue.

That’s zero-for-25 down the stretch in Gonzaga’s only two losses!

Several of you asked why Nembhard is attempting so many 3-pointers at crucial times when he’s having such little success (6-for-31, 19 percent).

ANSWER: For lack of a better theory, I’m guessing that something we mentioned on Tuesday — Nembhard and Hickman playing all 40 minutes against the Huskies — might have a bit to do with lack of accuracy late in games.

I was puzzled that Mark Few didn’t give them each at least some short breaks, using either Dusty Stromer or Luka Krajnovic as second guards while Nembhard or Hickman stay on as the main ballhandlers.

By the way, Nembhard does NOT have a history of clanking 3-pointers.

He only hit 31 percent as a freshman at Craighton, but that jumped up to 36 percent last year.

You’d think all this time as the lead guard might play a part in his struggles, but he was only on the court for 23 minutes against Mississippi Valley State on Monday night, yet missed all three of his shots behind the arc.

Nembhard’s misfires are kind of weird, but by now I’d suspect Ryan is pressing on his 3-point tries.

QUESTION: Reader John Siebern was also paying attention to minutes played against Washington, and he was baffled that 6-11 swingman Braden Huff was on the court less than five minutes — when both guards and Anton Watson played every minute.

Huff also leads the current Zags in 3-point shooting at 48 percent, which might have come in handy against UW.

Siebern also brings up an interesting (and maybe crucial) point when looking at the Zags bench.

“The other question no one has asked or answered, is how much do we miss Tommy Lloyd?” Siebern wrote.

“His team (Arizona) is now number one, and he even took (Oumar) Ballo with him.”

ANSWER: The problem, John, is that we’ll never really know about the exact value of Tommy sitting on the Gonzaga bench.

To be fair, though, Mark Few has not forgotten how to coach.

The puzzle is whether is believes so strongly in playing seven guys (and letting the reserves step in the following year) that some serious talent goes unused when circumstances suggest a game calls for different skills — and making sure your starters don’t get too exhausted.

QUESTION: Let’s move on to the Seahawks, and specifically the issue of Geno Smith.

Quite a few emails touched on Geno, and how he’s limited by lack of mobility. He makes an easy target for fierce pass rush teams like the Cowboys and 49ers.

Reader E. Parker touched on Drew Lock’s skill moving laterally, his ability to throw on the move and his fast release.

Then he asked the zillion-dollar question: “I wonder what the Hawks’ record would be if Lock had been the quarterback for the previous games?”

ANSWER: For everyone who asked a similar question, I can tell you I’ve wondered myself.

Watching the Cowboys wrap up that shootout the week prior to the 49er game, the strategy was clear.

They blitzed Smith, knew he wouldn’t be able to skip clear of trouble, and simply blew up the game’s final, critical plays before they could ever take place.

Honestly, I like Geno’s savvy and he has a good arm — but serious success at QB these days requires athleticism.

Quarterbacks now can run as a real weapon, and escape trouble at the very least.

Drew Lock can do that, Geno Smith cannot.

As for what Seattle’s record would be with Lock at QB all season, I’m going to guess a couple of wins better — at least.

Since Pete Carroll wants to win now, I’d suggest that Lock, or a mobile quarterback that acquire in a trade (Justin Fields, maybe), starts next season as QB1 in Seattle.  

SIGH: As usual, questions and answers take more words than you expect when you start.

I promise to respond to your emails about the Cougs and their future, about what the Mariners can do next, and various other topics.

We’re not done with this chat.

Not ever.

I truly appreciate everyone who reaches out.

Thank you so much!

Email: [email protected]

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”