Sean Smith: It’s A Great Day To Be A Chief
Jul 28, 2013; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Devon Wylie (19) catches a pass while defended by cornerback Sean Smith (27) during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs made a big upgrade to their secondary when they signed former Miami Dolphins CB,Sean Smith, in free agency and speaking today from training camp, Smith seems happy with his new home.
“I feel great,” said Smith. “It’s a great day to be a Chief. Seeing that different uniform after being in Miami for four years, when I put the red on it’s a new feeling. I definitely love it and am happy to be here. I couldn’t be happier.”
The Chiefs are hoping Smith can help solidify the other corner spot opposite Brandon Flowers. The Chiefs enjoyed solid corner play for years when Brandon Carr was in town but former GM Scott Pioli allowed Carr to depart in free agency in 2012. Pioli signed former Raider Stanford Routt to replace Carr but ended up cutting him before the end of the season.
This offseason, new GM John Dorsey doubled down on veteran DBs, signing Smith and former Atlanta Falcons standout Dunta Robinson.
“I think it’s great,” said Smith. “I think one of the biggest things for us is that we both bring something different to the table. Brandon is a very quick guy with very quick hips. He can break or react on anything. I’m more physical, I like using my hands and at the line of scrimmage, I like to play bump and run. When it comes to match ups, I think Coach Sutton has a wide variety of defensive backs and schemes he can use to match up with different opponents.”
Sutton came to the Chiefs from the New York Jets this season and is reportedly running a more aggressive style of defense than former defensive coordinator, Romeo Crennel.
Smith says that Sutton plans to make the most out of his players’ individual talents.
“Being a defensive back, we definitely think we’re the most talented guys in the room, so you want to put as many of us as on the field as possible,” said Smith. “With the different packages, we just want to get guys on the field. Coach Sutton always says, if you have one thing you can do great, we’re going to get you on the field. If you get in, we’ll find a package for that. We see guys out there that definitely bring something good to the table, and we’re trying to get them involved.”
Sutton has had one stink as a defensive coordinator during his time in New York. When current Jets head coach Rex Ryan was hired, Sutton was retained on staff but was relieved of his coordinator duties. Despite not having a ton of success as a coordinator in New York, Sutton was clearly a valuable part of the New York staff and according to Smith, a factor in his choosing KC in free agency.
“Yeah, definitely,” said Smith when asked if Sutton’s scheme appealed to him while he was a free agent.” “Pressing is something I definitely love doing regardless. I bring it to the table with my height and speed. It definitely was something I thought about coming into Kansas City. Like I said, I love it. I have the chance to be coached under Emmitt Thomas and Al Harris and play alongside Eric Berry and Brandon Flowers; you couldn’t ask to be in a better situation. It’s great.”