Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Sean Smith: Raiders secondary must rise from 'ground zero'
Share This Post
Comments
Monday, May 30, 2016 - 7:45am
Follow @BairCSN

ALAMEDA – Sean Smith is 28 years old, young by almost any standard. That includes the NFL, which values youth and fresh legs in an extremely physical game.

Smith has been around the block, with 100 starts over 108 games in seven seasons representing two different teams. Veteran cornerback savvy, excellent coverage skills and size – the man stands 6-foot-3, 218 pounds – made him a perfect Raiders target this offseason.

Oh, and that he’s still in his prime.

That’s a requisite in this Raiders era, especially when big money’s involved. General manager Reggie McKenzie is willing to ante up for the right player with the right attitude and the right production level.

They decided Smith was worth $38 million over four seasons, with $20 million essentially guaranteed.

That paycheck comes at a price. It requires production and leadership, especially in a youthful position group without another member over 26.

Smith isn’t a speechmaker, but understands mentorship is now part of his game working with a maligned group following a failed youth movement.

[BAIR: Irvin: Fellow W. Virginia alum Joseph 'plays bigger than he is']

“We have a very, very young team back there, especially in the secondary,” Smith said. “I guess my job is to come in here and make them better mentally because they have all the talent and all the tools to make plays. Just have to get them up to par with me from a football IQ standpoint.”

The Raiders hope he can help make others around him better. They also need him to shut down one side, to be reliable enough that safeties focus the other way. Smith isn’t a true ball hawk – he has 10 professional interceptions, never more than two in a season – but rarely allows completions or big plays.

The Raiders hope the older brother sets a good example.

“The first thing you have to do is be here doing the right things yourself,” head coach Jack Del Rio said. “He’s been here doing all of the right things like spending time with the younger players at his position, coming in here and being a great teammate. It’s really been very positive.”

The Raiders cornerback corps wasn’t great last season. David Amerson developed into a quality cover man, but 2013 first-round pick DJ Hadyen struggled and nobody took a stranglehold on the other starting spot.

Smith doesn’t care about that. He believes 2016 affords everyone a fresh start.

“You always have to start from ground zero,” Smith said. “I’ve played on a couple of secondaries now that were pretty good and the key thing that it was when we can back from OTAs and the offseason and all of that is last year is last year. We just have to set the foundation now in OTAs, in the film room, trying to get better. …Chemistry always has to start over, get guys back on the same page.”

Chemistry will be built with safeties Reggie Nelson, Karl Joseph and Nate Allen. The cornerbacks have to step up, though there’s more security outside than in recent seasons.

[BAIR: Raiders cheering for Sharks and Warriors, hoping to emulate success]

Smith has one side and Amerson the other. Both guys are tall, lanky and can make plays on the ball. Smith, for one, likes Amerson’s style.

“He’s one of the most athletic people I’ve ever met,” Smith said. “(Amerson) can make all the cuts, all the breaks. I’m definitely looking forward to working with him. He’s another young guy who’s been in the league for a few years.

“It’s all mental, just trying to get guys to see the game like I see it, that way I can slow it down for them. A lot of them go out there and play instead of reacting.”

The Raiders hope that happens for Hayden. He struggled as a third-year pro, his first season with full health, but could be counted on in 2016. He took first-team snaps at nickel back during the first open OTA – Neiko Thorpe was out with injury - and needs to show well to earn his role. Smith isn’t worried about past mistakes, and hopes Hayden can start fresh in 2016.

“The thing about football is you can always reinvent yourself,” Smith said. “I had a chance to meet with him for a brief second. There wasn’t too much to talk about. Just come out here with a whole new mind frame, a whole new mindset. Trying to repaint your image.

“The past is the past, but you come out here and work, compete and try to get better. As long as you put it on tape, you’ll always have a job in this league. So, he has nothing to worry about.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Santana: Warriors like 'flower in garden that's never been seen before'
Santana: Ali, Prince still with us, 'close your eyes and feel your heart'
Glen & Mark: A's bullpen looked 'fatigued' in finale vs Astros
Kurz: No Donskoi heroism for Sharks without Ward's clutch goal

Giants

Dodgers rookie Seager in Bonds territory with homers vs Braves
LIVE: Giants vs Cardinals
Notes: Pence surgery date; Bumgarner puts on show
Giants lineup: Posey out for finale in St. Louis
Read More

Athletics

Rewind: A's swept, but Gray 'a lot better' in successful return
Instant Replay: Gray's return spoiled, A's swept in Houston
Notes: A's planning Alvarez's next step after bullpen session
A's lineup: Crisp in left behind Gray vs Astros
Read More

Sharks

Sharks' Karlsson 'tenacious on the puck' as Hertl's replacement
Sharks 'not too worried' about shot discrepancy with Pens
Jones keys Sharks home playoff success
Rewind: Donskoi, Ward come through as Sharks finally win in OT
Read More

49ers

With Goff & 'redesigned' offense, is 2016 Tavon's breakout year?
Kelly's No. 1 interview question for 49ers? 'Stability at the top'
49ers OC Modkins to provide Kelly with input from upstairs
Staley reveals his 'main concern' for 49ers' offensive line
Read More

Raiders

Broncos star Talib shot at nightclub, treated at hospital
Musgrave: ‘Someone will emerge’ to support Murray, Raiders run game
Musgrave 'empowers' Carr to put stamp on Raiders offense
Raiders' 'ball-hawking' DB Nelson among best safeties in NFL
Read More

Warriors

Cavs' Love exits early, goes through NBA Concussion Protocol
Lue shrugs off Iguodala's defensive impact on LeBron
Kerr downplays officials' influence prior to Game 2
Speights arrives to Game 2 of finals in custom Sharks sweater
Read More

NCAA

Former four-star QB Kline to transfer from Cal yet again
Report: Ex-Deer Valley star expected to transfer to Cal
Source: Cal's Mathews to graduate, plans to transfer to Gonzaga
Vallejo's Garrido steps down as NCAA career wins leader
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Dodgers rookie Seager in Bonds territory with homers vs Braves
(1)
CSN Bay Area staff

GIANTS VIDEO

Bochy: Giants 'getting a little spoiled' with Cueto on the hill
Bochy: Giants 'getting a little spoiled' with Cueto on the hill
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: A's swept, but Gray 'a lot better' in successful return
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Glen & Mark: A's bullpen looked 'fatigued' in finale vs Astros
Glen & Mark: A's bullpen looked 'fatigued' in finale vs Astros
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks' Karlsson 'tenacious on the puck' as Hertl's replacement
(1)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: No Donskoi heroism for Sharks without Ward's clutch goal
Kurz: No Donskoi heroism for Sharks without Ward's clutch goal
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks' Karlsson 'tenacious on the puck' as Hertl's replacement
  • Sharks 'not too worried' about shot discrepancy with Pens
  • Jones keys Sharks home playoff success
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Cavs' Love exits early, goes through NBA Concussion Protocol
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Santana: Warriors like 'flower in garden that's never been seen before'
Santana: Warriors like 'flower in garden that's never been seen before'
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Lue shrugs off Iguodala's defensive impact on LeBron
  • Kerr downplays officials' influence prior to Game 2
  • NBA Finals Game 2: Top 4 things to watch
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

Kings Insider Podcast: Scott Howard Cooper
(1)
James Ham

Kings Video

STL: Joerger wants Cousins to be 'voice of positivity' for Kings
STL: Joerger wants Cousins to be 'voice of positivity' for Kings
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

With Goff & 'redesigned' offense, is 2016 Tavon's breakout year?
(4)
CSN Bay Area staff

49ers VIDEO

49ers WR analyzes Lincecum: 'Great move' for Angels
49ers WR analyzes Lincecum: 'Great move' for Angels
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • 49ers OC Modkins to provide Kelly with input from upstairs
  • Staley reveals his 'main concern' for 49ers' offensive line
  • Ten observations from 49ers OTAs: Rough day for Patton
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Broncos star Talib shot at nightclub, treated at hospital
(2)
Associated Press

RAIDERS VIDEO

Carr not fond of fights in practice: 'Got to take care of each other'
Carr not fond of fights in practice: 'Got to take care of each other'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Instant Replay: US drops opener of Copa America to Colombia
(1)
Julio Lara

More Stories

GALLERY: Copa America Centenario is here
Offensive woes continue, Earthquakes fall 1-0 to Timbers
(3)
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: A's swept, but Gray 'a lot better' in successful return
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Notes: Pence surgery date; Bumgarner puts on show
(2)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers OC Modkins to provide Kelly with input from upstairs
(27)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Musgrave: ‘Someone will emerge’ to support Murray, Raiders run game
(11)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Cavs' Love exits early, goes through NBA Concussion Protocol
See more >

JAMES HAM

Kings Insider Podcast: Scott Howard Cooper
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks' Karlsson 'tenacious on the puck' as Hertl's replacement
(1)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Sharks turn sprinting series into marathon with depth

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

VOTE YOUR FAVORITE ALL-STAR TEACHER

ast

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Santana: Warriors like 'flower in garden that's never been seen before'
Santana: Warriors like 'flower in garden that's never been seen before'
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California