Daryl Smith watched Kirk Morrison for years, admiring his game from afar.
Even though they spent the last five seasons on opposite coasts — Smith in Jacksonville and Morrison in Oakland — Smith kept a close eye on his fellow AFC linebacker. It seemed like every time Smith watched video of an opposing offense, Morrison was on the other side making plays.
Smith liked what he saw from Morrison then. He's been even more impressed now that they're teammates.
"He's already making plays and doing his thing," Smith said Monday as Jacksonville wrapped up a three-day minicamp.
"Being on a losing football team after a while, people say it doesn't get to you, but at times it does," Morrison said. "That's what we're all in this business to do. I came in on the short end of the stick a lot of times, so just going to a new place, a new beginning, a team that I feel like is just a good tradition of hard-nosed football, has been to the playoffs in the last couple of years, I couldn't be more excited."
Jacksonville traded a fourth-round pick in exchange for Morrison and a fifth-rounder during last month's draft. Morrison had become expendable when the Raiders selected Alabama's Rolando McClain with the eighth overall pick.
NFL notes: Ex-Raider Kirk Morrison making an impact at Jaguars minicamp - ContraCostaTimes.com
