Former New York Jets defensive lineman Ropati Pitoitua was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, a day after visiting the Chiefs facility. Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but according the Chiefs' official site, Pitoitua was due to make a $950,000 base salary plus a $200,000 workout bonus this season.
Pitoitua will likely compete for time playing the five technique with current Chief ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson, and will focus on being a run-stopper. A native of Samoa, Pitoitua entered the league as an undrafted free agent from Washington State in 2008, recording 22 tackles and one sack in his pro career.
The Chiefs' official site likens Pitoitua's role to that of Shaun Smith:
Smith (6’2", 325) was originally signed to play nose tackle, but shifted outside and became the primary backup to both Jackson and Dorsey in Kansas City’s base defense. He went on to start 10 games at left defensive end in 2010 after Jackson suffered a knee injury on Opening Day.
On passing downs, Smith was often relieved by Wallace Gilberry. Allen Bailey is the leading candidate to fill Gilberry’s sub-package role after seeing his play-time increase as a rookie late last season.
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