Chiefs Sign Big NT
Day No. 6 of free agency has brought a big move for the Chiefs.
That’s big as in size, not importance. The Chiefs have signed NT Shaun Smith, a UFA from Cincinnati to a one-year contract. The 6-2, 325 pound Smith is entering his seventh season in the league and he’ll be 29 years old in September.
Smith has played in 63 games for New Orleans, Cleveland and Cincinnati, but has started just 27 times. He has 152 total tackles and two sacks, both of those coming in 2007 when he was with the Browns.
His most famous moment in the NFL wasn’t even on the field. It came in December of 2008 when he punched teammate QB Brady Quinn in the Browns weight room. That the Chiefs have gone ahead and signed him with Romeo Crennel – the former Cleveland head coach – as their defensive coordinator tells you something about what they think they can get out of Smith.
At least it gives them another player on the roster who has nose tackle size after veteran Ron Edwards.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Smith finished up his high school career at Wichita Heights H.S. in Wichita. He went to Butler County Community College for two years and then the University of South Carolina. He signed as an undrafted free agent with Dallas in 2003.
Meh…not too thrilling. But, it is a position of need. Crennel obviously knows this kid, so I’ll trust his judgement.
I highly doubt it will be…but I certainly hope this isn’t the end of our search for a quality NT.
“That’s big as in size, not importance.”
I’m not so sure I agree – improving the depth at this position was identified as a big need. We still need our starting NT, but this helps.
Further shift in the momentum of things – Pioli and Haley now have coaches they trust. Haley doesn’t have to second-guess his coordinator every time but can manage the team…and all of us don’t have to “brace for impact” every time our defensive coordinator makes a decision.
Another solid move with good value. I do believe we may see another NT come to us through FA or the draft. Its a major key to the 3-4. You need 2 of them to rotate. My guess is well have 3 or 4 & keep 2 & maybe one as a practice squad candidate.
solid, cheap 1 year stop gap potential, camp body…much needed…those who expect vince wilfork type signings EVERY TIME need to get real
Shaun Smith-Good. They could use someone nasty up front. Hopefully, they can convince him to restrict himself to punching players on the opposing team.
Not a favorite move but I can see where he is a better answer than a late draft pick. Since NT is not a speed position, I would spend late rounders taking flyers on speedy college guys.
Got to say the last two free agents make sense to me (I am sure Pioli was worried about that). Both seem necessary additions that the draft could not or would have satisfied, only so many picks.
Please can we get past drafting a TE? Would have to be a late rounder, big names gone. Also we had Tony G and how many superbowls did we attend? You need one blocking TE and one pass recieving TE, they probably on roster already. Once we fix OL and LB and S and C and WR (in no particular order), then we can jump on a TE.
Worth a look, if nothing else we could just cut him should the move prove fruitless.
Just make sure he’s far away from Cassel! and no punching oppossing team members also that’s a 15 yd penalty, and most likely an ejection to boot.