Crossword Genius

Both sides profit off suit opposing smooth felons (4,3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pros and cons

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'both sides' is the definition.
The definition suggests a plural noun which matches the answer.

'profit off suit opposing smooth felons' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'opposing' could be 'con' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'con' is found within the answer.
'smooth' could be 'sand' (sanding is a kind of smoothing) and 'sand' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'pros' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pros and cons that I've seen before include "Reasons for and against" , "Groups of dubious characters" , "Advantages compared to disadvantages" , "Arguments for and against" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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