Why Geno Smith feels at home -- finally -- as a Raider - ESPN

HENDERSON, Nev. — Geno Smith feels at home in Las Vegas. Hailing from Broward County in Florida, the heat and fast-paced lifestyle fit the Raiders' starting quarterback.

Smith says Seattle, where he spent the previous six seasons as a backup turned starter and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, reminded him of his college football days at West Virginia: slow-paced, with limited sun. Even though he cherished his time with the Seahawks, the 34-year-old acknowledged that his personality never quite meshed with the Pacific Northwest.

«Vegas is perfect for me,» Smith told ESPN. "… Me being a Miami kid, and how I was raised and act, I really didn't fit the culture [in Seattle]."

Las Vegas — Smith's fifth team in 12 seasons — has offered more than preferable weather to satisfy his hunger.

For the first time in his career, Smith walked into a new organization as Plan A at quarterback.

When Las Vegas traded for Smith from Seattle in exchange for a third-round pick on March 7, it did so with the intention of Smith leading the franchise and providing stability at the most important position on the field. Smith didn't have to worry about a training camp battle.

«I finally got my team,» said Smith, whose Raiders host the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night (10 p.m. ET, ESPN). «I always felt like I was trying to replace Russell [Wilson in Seattle], and you can never replace all the great things that he did. So I never felt like Seattle was my team.

»Also, I didn't feel like I fit the aesthetic of the Seattle organization. The Raiders just fit me."

Smith is a part of the Raiders' plan to turn around a franchise that has become accustomed to losing, setbacks that have included inconsistent play at quarterback. With Smith under center,