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Over the last few days there's been increasing chatter that the Oakland Raiders could look to the Kansas City Chiefs for their next defensive coordinator. Specifically, we're talking about Emmitt Thomas, Chiefs defensive backs coach (and NFL Hall of Famer).
Dennis Allen, the Raiders new head coach, and Smith were both in Atlanta together in the early-to-mid 2000s so there's your connection and where that chatter started. Several reporters have referred to Thomas as "Allen's mentor" and once I heard that I thought Thomas may really leave for the dark side.
The good news: he's not leaving KC.
Alex Marvez of FOXSports.com, who interviewed GM Scott Pioli on Sirius XM NFL Radio this week, reports via a source that Thomas is staying in Kansas City.
Whew. I like Thomas in KC, especially with the Chiefs young secondary. Plus, the guy's a Hall of Famer and it just wouldn't be a good look if he were in silver and black. (Is it ever a good look to be in silver and black?)
So that's one coaching change avoided. The Chiefs are still filling out the staff so we haven't heard anything official from them on coaching staff changes.