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KC Chiefs News: Sean Smith Suspended

By Alec Tilson

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The Kansas City Chiefs got some bad news today from the NFL offices concerning cornerback Sean Smith.

KC Chiefs cornerback Sean Smith faces a three-game suspension entering the 2015 regular season, according to Adam Schefter’s Twitter account:

Smith plead guilty in April to a DUI charge and received two years’ probation. He also plead guilty to a charge that he failed to produce proof of insurance, according to ESPN’s Adam Teicher.

The ever-elusive three-game suspension accounts for the extenuating circumstances in the case, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter.

The seven-year veteran will sit out games against the Texans, Broncos and Packers. While every game is a monster game in the NFL, those three just seem huge. Especially Thursday Night Football, against the Broncos, at Arrowhead. Smith was the team’s best cornerback last season and the only cover guy on the team with legitimate NFL experience.

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According to FootballOutsiders, Smith’s 1036 defensive snaps led all Chiefs defensive backs in 2014, followed by Ron Parker at 1011 and Chris Owens at 491.

The Chiefs will have to weather the storm with extra work from second-year corner Phillip Gaines, rookie corner Marcus Peters and fourth-year guy Jamell Fleming, among others.

There’s plenty of opportunity for young guys to step up, and it’s a positive that the Chiefs have months to prepare for Smith’s three-game absence, but we’re already without Eric Berry and the Chiefs will certainly have the cards stacked against them through Week 3.

In 2014, Smith produced his best season in red, helping a stingy Chiefs defense with 18 passes defended, one interception and 50 combined tackles. (Stats via ESPN.com) He was highly regarded  by Pro Football Focus, according to KCChiefs.com, grading out as a top-five cornerback in late-December. He was also the veteran of the group:

"“To compare this year with previous years, I just think I’m paying attention to detail a little more,” Smith said. “I think by me being in this leadership role that I’m in right now, it kind of helps me do so because I’m not a real vocal guy out there and like I said, I do like to lead with my actions.” – Sean Smith"

(Source: KCChiefs.com)

Smith enters the final year of his three-year deal with Kansas City. He’s due $4.25 million in 2015 and is set to become a Free Agent before the 2016 season.

Smith will be eligible to return when the Chiefs play the Bengals in Cincinnati on October 4th.

Next: Ten Worst Chiefs Starters In last 10 years

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