Chiefs Coach On Shaun Smith: 'He's An Interesting Character

by Joel Thorman on Jun 12, 2010 4:15 PM CDT in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season

We haven't talked much about Chiefs NT Shaun Smith. Signed over the offseason, Smith is expected to compete for time at nose tackle. Considering the Chiefs had NT Derek Lokey running with the first team, it's safe to say they're willing to try a lot of different things at that spot.

Smith had his best year as a pro under Romeo Crennel while with the Browns in 2007. Crennel is a former defensive line coach so the fact that he's now the defensive coordinator could bode well for Smith.

Chiefs head coach Todd Haley spoke briefly today about Smith and what type of person he is.

"He’s an interesting character – a little different than a lot of guys that we have around here, as I’m sure you’ve all gotten to see over the past couple weeks," Haley said. "He’ll say what he thinks most of the time, but he livens things up to say the least."

Haley and Smith were together in Dallas for a little while so he was aware of his personality.

He's a guy you see smiling quite a bit around the facility. He seems to be joking around and meshing with the rest of the team, which is a good sign.

The next step will be taking away the nose tackle job from Ron Edwards. If he is able to do so, that would be a big change for the Chiefs defense. The nose tackle is arguably the most important position in this defense so this is a situation we'll be revisiting throughout the offseason and training camp.

Tweet Comment 24 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Definately need support, from the LB's or Safeties.

by gregorychief on Jun 12, 2010 4:27 PM CDT reply actions

I just hope Brady Quinn is in the game

the same time Smith is. HAHA!

Jamaal Charles...Enough said.

by Chiefsfan85 on Jun 12, 2010 5:09 PM CDT reply actions

I hope either Smith or Lokey can win the job

I’m really interested in how Lokey will fair this season and hopefully he can hold the job down when he comes in. Smith is a stop gap at best and if Lokey can prove himself we may just have a solid backup to whomever we sign or draft next season at NT.

Are we the team to beat in 2010? I sure think so! Go Chiefs.

by jrcnc on Jun 12, 2010 5:16 PM CDT reply actions

I know there are Haley haters in these parts

but I think Todd totally fucking rocks and is a great coach. He has this team fired up, motivated, and ready to go.

New body. Same soul.

by kabrink on Jun 12, 2010 5:43 PM CDT reply actions

i agree with you 100%

never been a haley hater, bad mouth, screaming, 5 o’clock shadow, whatever; it all just means passionate and committed to me. i think the players really respect him and he did it the hard way; by being strict and teaching them the right way to do things, not on reputation. that can’t be easy when you have 80 ego maniacs and the media; a lot of guys would fold.

by E.C. on Jun 12, 2010 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions

Haleys molding his reputation right now.

Cavey likes everything he’s put in the mold so far:P

by CPT.Caveman on Jun 13, 2010 12:52 AM CDT up reply actions

"it's safe to say they're willing to try a lot of different things at that spot"

except sign John Henderson apparently

JFC … faiders got him on a 1-year deal, little to no risk.

by Home skillet on Jun 12, 2010 6:22 PM CDT reply actions

i think it cost em like 4 mil, not exactly chump change

and there could be a reason why he was available for so long, plus he’s not exactly a sure bet for NT considering he’s never played it and may not have wanted to

by E.C. on Jun 12, 2010 8:19 PM CDT up reply actions

no salary cap and we have a payroll down around 50-60 million

seriously, it would be worth the risk

if henderson works out he could play all 3 Dline positions and be veteran presence for our young guys.

by Home skillet on Jun 12, 2010 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions

maybe

But none of our rookies have Signed yet and just bc there’s no cap doesn’t mean they have to spend a billion. Plus I’m sure if they wanted him they would’ve gone after him

by E.C. on Jun 12, 2010 11:03 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Chasing FAs in uncapped year is a no-brainer way to get an edge on the competition.

Al might not be great at team-building in the modern era, but, without question, he likes to win. And it might work. It’s risky, but not a huge risk on paper. But if Seymour is still buying-in, maybe Cable’s crew has some of that Madden magic, and knows how to roll with an assortment of FA vets. Then again, it could all fall apart. It’s just hard to argue that adding Henderson HURT the Faders in any way.

Would it be a big help to the Chiefs? Hard to see how it’d hurt. Then again, maybe there’s something special happening with the guys they have, now. Maybe there’s already a good mix of continuity from last year and new young blood, and unit cohesion counts more than adding jewels to the necklace. But if the front 7 struggle like last year, MANY will point to Henderson’s signing with Chokeland as a missed opportunity.

by hmills110 on Jun 12, 2010 11:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey Hmills

I respect your opinion, do you think we will have all our Rookies signed before the season starts or when ever it is to not be a hold-out?

by CPT.Caveman on Jun 13, 2010 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions

You have more faith in me than I have in myself, Cavey.

Seems like there was not much fuss with Jackson, last year, but I think he was slotted by other signings ‘fore and aft’. A lot depends on how soon Berry can be slotted. If others break trail, it’ll be easy. And an uncapped year might make it easier for ownership to give more up-front money, without worrying about 4 or 5 years from now.

I have no idea what the uncapped year will mean. Seems like the owners are keeping discipline, although Alice looks like a loose cannon just waitin’ ta go off and Chicago looks like they’re on a now-or-never path. Snyder would love to buy a championship.

I realize Chicago’s not a player in the draft, directly, but if they cut loose on T.O. and make Revis some crazy front-loaded offer, things could get ridiculous.

I think DeMaurice Smith is lukewarm (lip-service at best) towards sensible, fundamental changes. The more I listen to him, the more he sounds like a politician, who’ll go wherever greed and self-interest take him. But the uncapped year plus the threat of a rookie cap might give agents all the excuse they need (as if they need ANY) to be even more exhorbitant than usual.

Ownership, looking ahead to labor strife just around the corner, might be even more stubborn than usual. And I don’t see Pioli or Hunt wanting to “stick out” in any way, other than to build a football dynasty.

This could be a record-setting year for holdouts, with things sounding even more adversarial than usual, at least to my ear.

That’s my meager take, FWIW.

by hmills110 on Jun 13, 2010 4:19 AM CDT up reply actions

although

Berry stated that he hired his agent specifically with signing and avoiding a holdout in mind. Also, while I think Pioli is a smart businessman that is unlikely to overpay, I also think he is much more savvy than King Carl and won’t negotiate in an overbearing manner to produce a “win” for the organization over the player.

New body. Same soul.

by kabrink on Jun 13, 2010 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the response, I wish my mind flowed as freely thru my fingers.

I sure hope we get everyone signed up, it would be the icing on the cake.

by CPT.Caveman on Jun 13, 2010 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Check out kabrink's "flow." Likely more REAL INSIGHT in that one paragraph...

… than in my lengthy, low-calorie soliloquy.

by hmills110 on Jun 13, 2010 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Haley, Weis, and Crennell believe they can mold the young talent that is here.

And if they are right about that, then we are in for a long term ride of success. I actually think there is enough good talent from both this years draft and the 08 draft to build a great team on as well as guys like Hali, DJ, Cassel, etc.

I agree that the Raiders have had a nice offseason but, guys like Henderson will only take away playing time from their younger players and prolong their development to build for the long term. That being said, I think Oakland is a dangerous team this year…especially on defense. They seem to be getting their head out of their ass and look to be getting serious about winning.

I think we will split with Oakland again this year.

by Chiefsfan1970 on Jun 12, 2010 11:35 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed

I hate to say it, but at this point the Raiders scare me the most in the AFC West this year. If they get it together on offense, look out, could be a tuff team to deal with in the years to come.

by CPT.Caveman on Jun 13, 2010 12:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Before the injury bug bit, Denver went on a 6-game tear to start things off last season.

They’ll be at full strength in September, plus whatever else they’ve added and whoever else develops.

San Diego went on a 10-game tear last season. We point to how they’re a team in decline every friggin’ year, and they kick our asses every friggin’ year. AJ Smith is no fool.

I wouldn’t take anything for granted, were I the KC Chiefs.

by hmills110 on Jun 13, 2010 4:27 AM CDT up reply actions