Arden Key learned a lot from his time with the Raiders. He learned how to endure a tough situation and be a professional even when you want out. Obviously, the defensive end was unhappy with his previous team and appreciates the opportunity he now has with the San Francisco 49ers.
After today's practice, Arden was asked if he was surprised the Raiders didn't make an effort to bring him back.
"I'm not totally surprised," Arden responded. "To be honest, I wanted to get out of there. I've been wanting to get out of there. I wasn't surprised. I was more happy than surprised. I wish it happened a little earlier, but, hey, I got what I wanted, and we're good."
Arden added: "It was just bad all around for me. Bad system. It just wasn't the right fit for me, and I had to get out."
Arden is happier now with the 49ers. When he and former Raiders teammate Maurice Hurst Jr., a defensive tackle, visited with the team this offseason, spoke football with the coaches, and learned what the Niners were about, he knew he had to make his way onto Kyle Shanahan and DeMeco Ryans' squad. San Francisco signed both players.
Key loves his new system and finds it to be a "perfect" fit for his style of play.
"Less thinking. You can show off your talent," Key explained. "Get in that two-by-two, that wide-9, and just let it go. There's not a lot of communication up front. Once we make that call, it's set, and then you just go full head of steam."
The media has noticed Key's enthusiasm during training camp and asked Shanahan about it after today's practice.
"Yeah, I agree. I mean, Arden has always had some pass-rushing skills," Shanahan said. "He's a guy we liked coming out of college. We felt very fortunate to get him and [Maurice Hurst] at the time we did from [Las Vegas], and he's playing some different techniques than he's done in the last couple of years. And I think he's really gravitating to it and learning it and getting better each day."