National Football League

Antonio Smith happy to play in another Wade Phillips defense

Published May. 11, 2015 11:49 p.m. ET

foxsports

Antonio Smith knows what it takes to regain his Pro Bowl form.

Landing in a familiar defense -- with an all-too-familiar defensive coordinator -- is a great first step.

“(Broncos defensive coordinator) Wade (Phillips) and his guys, the whole defensive coaching staff is real good at knowing what you can do, letting you do it and using it to their advantage," the 12-year NFL veteran said. "I think that that freedom works well with what I do on the field.”

Smith signed with the Broncos earlier this year and cited Phillips, his defensive coordinator for two seasons with the Texans, as a bonus.

He'll need to play more like he did under Phillips in Houston and less like he did in Oakland last season to make an impact in Denver's deep defense.

Smith has an edge in that the man calling the defensive plays already knows how to best use him.

"Some coaches get big into fitting you into the whole frame work of what they want,” Smith said. “But Wade studies you, sees what you do best and says ‘if you can do this I will make my defense work best with you doing that."

(h/t Mile High Sports)