ALAMEDA — Malcolm Smith has experienced the greatest heights the NFL has to offer as a Super Bowl MVP two seasons ago for the Seattle Seahawks.

That wasn’t enough to make him a fixture on that deep Seattle defense, and he signed a modest two-year deal with the Raiders this offseason with a starting linebacker job in mind.

Smith, who has started all six games, made his biggest impact to date in Sunday’s win over the San Diego Chargers. His 11 solo tackles were a season-high, and his interception that he returned to the 2-yard line set the immediate tone for the emphatic 37-29 victory. He also added his third sack of the season, which ties Khalil Mack for the team lead.

It’s the type of game defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. expected out of Smith, a player he’s known for ages.

This is the eighth season in the past nine years that Norton has coached Smith, with his senior season at USC the only exception. Norton was Smith’s linebackers coach at USC and the past four years in Seattle and now his coordinator in Oakland.

“He’s come a long way,” Norton said of Smith. “Watching him grow over the years from a high school kid, to college, to early pro to now, and to see how his game has really blossomed. He’s been able to be very consistent with it.”

Smith isn’t one to dwell on the fact that his Super Bowl XLVIII performance didn’t lead to a prominent role in Seattle, where he started just 16 games over four seasons.

“There’s a lot of guys in the league like that, that haven’t gotten an opportunity,” Smith said. “If you play long enough, hopefully you get those chances and hopefully you’re ready to take advantage of them. I’ve been fortunate to have an opportunity here, so I’m just trying to make the most of it.”

Smith also leads the team with 51 tackles, which is already three away from his career high. But it’s not just Smith’s production that has soared, it’s his leadership.

“In the old days, Malcolm would not speak a word,” Norton said. “Now he’s running the defense. He has the microphone in his helmet, and he’s telling everybody the play now. It’s amazing to see the growth.”

Smith feels like he’s continuing to integrate himself more every day, and part of that is growing into a leader.

“I’m just trying to fit in, do my part, help communicate with the guys and get the most out of each other on the field,” he said.

It helps that he has firsthand experience with winning football, and he sees the Raiders as a team that’s growing into that mold.

“We’ve got great rushers,” Smith said. “We’ve got guys that can cover really well, really fast guys. We’re explosive on offense. I feel like that’s a winning formula.”

Safety Charles Woodson was named the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Month on Thursday, the fifth such honor of his 18-year career. Only Hall of Fame defensive end Bruce Smith, with six, has won more. Chalk that up as another meaningful moment in the future Hall of Fame defensive back’s career. “It means a great deal because I love what I do,” Woodson, 39, said. “I love my job. It just says that there’s a reason why I’m still here, because I’m able to go out there and do my job and do it well.” Woodson is tied for the NFL lead with four interceptions this season, and three of them came in October. That’s all validation for why he keeps playing. “Trust me, the league finds ways to weed guys my age out of the game,” Woodson said. “So if you’re going to be out there, you’ve got to be making plays.” Woodson’s other four player of the month awards came during his time with the Green Bay Packers, including three during the 2009 season in which he was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Woodson hasn’t given much thought to whether he’ll keep playing in 2016, mostly because he’s focused just on getting himself out there each Sunday. He’s played banged up all season after dislocating his shoulder in the final minute of the season opener. Even he sometimes wonders how he plays each week. “I ask myself that every day, because I am a little sore,” Woodson said. “I feel like, just get me to Sunday. If you get me to Sunday, I’ll be all right.” As for his future, Woodson said, “I don’t know. I know I can play this week, and that’s all I’m worried about right now.”

Safety/cornerback TJ Carrie (shoulder) and cornerback Keith McGill (foot) both practiced fully Thursday after being limited Wednesday. Woodson also practiced fully after sitting out the day before.