KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Oakland Raiders cornerback Sean Smith faces his former Chiefs teammates on Sunday, and there’s still disappointment his tenure with the team came to an end after three seasons.
Former Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith faces his former teammates Sunday when the Chiefs visit the Oakland Raiders. (Photo courtesy Chiefs PR, Chiefs.com)
“Definitely,” Smith said. “I enjoyed my time in Kansas City. Made some great connections, friends, you know. For it not to go down was unfortunate, but I’m definitely happy to be a Raider.”
Signing with the Raiders marked a homecoming of sorts for the southern California native who also has family in the bay area. But had the money been right, Smith had the desire to stay in Kansas City.
“We had something special over there,” Smith said. “We had a pretty good defense, made some plays and went to the postseason a couple of times. When you have something like that, you want to be a part of it as long as you can.”
Despite his familiarity with the Chiefs offense, Smith does not perceive that insight as a tactical advantage.
“Coach (Andy) Reid has a plethora of plays he can pull out,” Smith said. “I don’t think anyone ever has any inside scoop on that guy. He’s one of the best game planners in the business.”
The Chiefs may have parted ways with Smith, but the cornerback remains appreciate the team took a chance on him as a free agent from the Miami Dolphins in 2013.
“I’ll be forever thankful to him and John Dorsey for bringing me up there,” Smith said. “It’s going to be fun seeing them. Unfortunately it’s going to be on opposite sides but nothing but love for Coach Reid.
CHIEFS ADD TO PASS RUSH WITH LB SIO MOORE
The Chiefs made an acquisition during the bye week, signing free agent linebacker Sio Moore. The team waived linebacker Dezman Moses to clear space for Moore.
Indianapolis release Moore last week as part of the team’s defensive overhaul after allowing more than 31 points per game through the first four weeks of the season. The Colts acquired Moore prior to the 2015 season from Oakland, who selected him in the third round of the 2013 draft.
Reid said Moore saw some playing time with the first-team defense during practice Monday, but didn’t commit to how much playtime the newcomer might receive Sunday against his former Raiders teammates.
“We’ll just see,” Reid said. “Probably too soon to tell what he knows and doesn’t know.”
Moore played inside linebacker for the Colts the past two seasons, but Reid envisions Moore returning to the outside role with the Chiefs. Moore picked up 7.5 sacks in 26 games with the Raiders as an outside linebacker during the 2013-14 seasons.
“When he was playing the outside, I thought he had some pass-rush ability, and he was a tough kid and play hard, all those things,” Reid said.
JAMMAL CHARLES CONFIDENT IN RETURN
The Chiefs All-Pro running showed plenty of bravado before practice Wednesday, showcasing his readiness to resume his role as the team’s lead back.
“I feel good,” Charles said. “The time is here. There’s no hiding no more.”
His outing against the Steelers served as merely a dress rehearsal.
“Last week I knew I wasn’t going to play like I wanted to play,” Charles said. “I knew I was second string and I knew I was the backup once somebody went down.”
Now Charles shows plenty of enthusiasm to play a greater role in the team’s offense against Oakland.
“We just got to go up there and do the right things, follow the coach’s schemes and execute our plays and hold on the ball,” Charles said. “We know we can’t turn over the ball. They’re No. 1 in the NFL in turnovers, so we know we got to hold on to the ball and move the chains.”
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Matt Derrick is the lead beat writer for ChiefsDigest.com and the Topeka Capital-Journal. Use the contact page to reach him or find him on Twitter: @MattDerrick.
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