S Reggie Smith works out during voluntary off-season workouts. Photo by Tony Gonzales
Safety Reggie Smith is familiar with the Bay Area. He played four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He's new to this side of the Bay however and is beginning to adjust to the Silver and Black. "It's strange. I'm not even going to lie, it's strange," said Smith. "Now I'm part of it, so it's a different type of attitude."
Smith understands that he will be donning the colors of a team with a storied past. "I just know it's very historic," said Smith. "A lot of guys have come through and done great things, a lot of Hall of Famers, a lot of championships. I know the mystique of the Raiders is pretty big."
His allegiance has switched to the Raider Nation. He is looking forward to playing in front of the loud, passionate crowd. "It'll be a completely different experience," said Smith. "Now that they'll be cheering for me, it'll be different."
The Oklahoma-native last played with the Carolina Panthers in training camp before being released during final cuts prior to the start of the 2012 regular season. He spent the 2012 season hoping to get another opportunity in the NFL and is relishing this chance with the Raiders. "I've been at home since September since I was released by Carolina, so I've just been working out and hanging out with my brother," said Smith. "[I was] just hoping to get another opportunity."
Now that he has joined the Raiders, Smith is enjoying meeting his new teammates and the enthusiasm in the building. "I think there is excitement," said Smith. "There's always excitement when you first get back and get out there for the first time doing stuff as a team or as a group."
Smith is impressed with all the players' ease with each other in the first week. "It's good. It's pretty laid back," Smith described. "Guys are just easy to get along with. There are some locker rooms I've been in that there are little cliques and whatnot. It seems like everyone is real cool and laid back and get along with each other."
As the off-season progresses, Smith wants to stay on top of his game. "Just workout and just staying in the playbook," said Smith. "That's one thing that I probably have gotten better with each and every year is getting in the playbook early and learning the stuff, so when you get out on the field it feels like second nature."
Make sure to follow Reggie Smith on Twitter @superreg30 and give him a Raider Nation welcome.
