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6/12/2008 10:01 AM
 
User is offline srpatterson
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DE Will Smith  (United States)
Saints make former OSU player among highest-paid defenders
Thursday,  June 12, 2008 6:15 AM

New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith has signed a contract extension that will make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players.

Smith, who received about $20 million in bonuses as a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2004, signed a six-year deal worth about $70 million, said a person familiar with the deal.

The deal makes Smith the NFL's third-highest paid defensive end, behind Minnesota's Jared Allen and Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney.

Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and his seven sacks in 2007 led the Saints. He also was among team leaders in tackles with 66.

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2008/06/12/smithsaints.html?sid=101
 
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6/12/2008 2:37 PM
 
User is offline srpatterson
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Re: DE Will Smith  (United States)
Will Smith Gets Paid

A very nice paycheck!  $26 million guaranteed, up to $70 million potential (although no one ever reaches the full potential of their contracts).  Will is Saint for the next 6 seasons and is now the 3rd highest paid DE in the game (only Dwight Freeney and Jared Allen make more).

I had said a few months ago that I’d like to see Will get paid, but maybe not as one of the elite defensive ends in the game.  Not that he isn’t a Pro-Bowl caliber player, because he is.  I guess my beef is that I haven’t seen our very highly paid ends make enough of an impact on the field.

Will and Charles Grant have put up some nice numbers at times.  And I do realize that a defense is made up of more than just two guys.  But I just haven’t seen the consistent level of play from anyone on this defense over the past few years.

That said, my hope is that Will Smith and the rest of this defense will benefit greatly from having Sedrick Ellis filling a big hole in the middle of the defensive line.  These guys need to create havoc up front and take some pressure off of our secondary.  Remember, it wasn’t just the corners and safeties who struggled last year.  All too often, the Saints failed to generate an effective pass rush.

So, he’s paid and he’s happy.  Now we need to see an elite performance on the field.  I don’t mean to pick on Will Smith, there were 10 other guys on that field with him.  This unit as a whole has a lot to prove this year.  Let’s hope the new additions, along with the happier veterans will get it done.

http://www.nosreview.com/?p=130
 
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6/12/2008 2:38 PM
 
User is offline srpatterson
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Joined: 2/6/2007
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Re: DE Will Smith  (United States)

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Who Dat News: One Down, Two To Go

News: On Wednesday, the Saints agreed to terms with defensive end Will Smith on a six-year, $70 million contract. $26 million will be guaranteed and Smith will become the third highest paid defensive end in the NFL.

Who Dat Say: Wow! Is this not great news? The Saints have now locked up both of their Pro-Bowl caliber defensive ends. Both Charles Grant and Will Smith should end their respective careers in New Orleans. Throw in Sedrick Ellis, who should also sign a six or seven-year contract, and the Saints' defensive line should be solid as a rock for several years to come. Smith, who was the 18th overall pick in 2004, has been one of the more consistent pass rushers since entering the league. Because Charles Grant was injured most of last year, opposing teams were constantly double-teaming Will Smith. As a result, his numbers obviously suffered in all categories last year. With the new season approaching, and Charles Grant's health not a concern at this point (and assuming he can dodge jail time or a league-imposed suspension), the Saints' defensive ends should thrive. Add Bobby McCray to this rotation and the Saints should be one of the better defensive lines in the league. With the signing of Will Smith, the Saints can now turn their attention to resigning Marques Colston and Jahri Evans, both who have completely outplayed their rookie contracts and deserve to be paid. The only negative here is that with these veterans pressuring the team for extensions, and the late hiring of Khai Harley to replace Russ Ball (Harley is the teams' new salary cap guru), it wouldn't surprise to see the Saints' draft picks sign later than normal. An Ellis holdout deep into training camp would not be a good thing.
 
 
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6/12/2008 2:38 PM
 
User is offline srpatterson
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Posts: 747
Re: DE Will Smith  (United States)

Saints sign Smith to $70 million deal

NEW ORLEANS
Wednesday, 11 June 2008 15:26:39
By MARY FOSTER - AP Sports Writer

New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith has signed a contract extension that will make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players.

Smith signed a six-year deal worth about $70 million, according to a person familiar with the deal who requested anonymity because the terms had not been made public.

The deal makes Smith the NFL's third-highest paid defensive end, behind Minnesota's Jared Allen and Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney.

Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and his seven sacks in 2007 led the Saints. He also was among team leaders in tackles with 66.

"We are excited about getting this long-term contract done with Will," said Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. "We view him as one of our core players and look forward to him having an impact on our defense for years to come."

Smith, who received about $20 million in bonuses when signed as a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2004, was expected to earn between $1.8 million and $3 million next season, depending on performance incentives. The new contract will pay him more in 2008 but details were not available Wednesday.

Smith had been dissatisfied with his contract _ which paled in comparison to the league's top defensive ends. Freeney is paid close to $12 million a year.

Last year, the Saints signed defensive end Charles Grant to a seven-year contract extension worth as much as $63 million if he reaches all incentives.

Smith has arguably outperformed Grant in recent years. He had 26 sacks over the past three seasons, compared to 11 for Grant.

"The Saints really stepped up," said Smith's agent, Joel Segal. "It was a long negotiation and a great deal for both Will and the Saints."

Smith skipped much of the Saints' offseason training program because of unhappiness with his contract, but participated in a mandatory minicamp and remained in New Orleans afterward. He also worked out with the team during its final two weeks of organized team activities, which are voluntary.

"He'll be able to show up for training camp now with nothing on his mind but getting ready for the season and the Super Bowl," Segal said.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects 3rd graf to Minnesota)

http://www.esearchnet.com/news/article/view/oc/2020/did/D91853PO0
 
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6/12/2008 2:40 PM
 
User is offline srpatterson
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Joined: 2/6/2007
Posts: 747
Re: DE Will Smith  (United States)

Sports Briefs

Saints' defensive end Smith signs $70 million extension

NEW ORLEANS --

New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith has signed a contract extension that will make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players.

Smith signed a six-year deal worth about $70 million, according to a person familiar with the deal who requested anonymity because terms had not been made public. The deal makes Smith the NFL's third-highest paid defensive end, behind Minnesota's Jared Allen and Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney.

Smith had been dissatisfied with his contract – which paled in comparison to the league's top defensive ends. Freeney is paid close to $12 million a year. Associated Press

Cowboys: Defensive end Chris Canty, who played for Charlotte Latin and Virginia, signed a $2 million restricted free agent tender. AP

Raiders: Former coach John Rauch died in his sleep at his Oldsmar, Fla., home Tuesday. Rauch played quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs. AP

Ravens: Offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden told the Baltimore Sun that he will officially announce his retirement today. Baltimore Sun

COLLEGES

Women's basketball at South Carolina is getting larger offices, according to a university spokesman. The Frank McGuire conference room at the practice facility for volleyball will go to women's basketball. Men's basketball facilities will be upgraded, but not enlarged. AP

Duke granted women's basketball reserve Brittany Mitch a release. AP

Anderson, S.C., University women's basketball coach Jeff Dow, after compiling a 79-17 record in three years, will become head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. AP

Guard Jordan Crawford has quit the Indiana basketball team. AP

For its new football program, Georgia State in Atlanta is expected to announce today that it has hired Bill Curry, former coach at Georgia Tech, Alabama and Kentucky. The Panthers will play, beginning in 2010, at the NCAA level formerly called Division I-AA. AP

Arkansas linebacker Freddie Fairchild, arrested in March on misdemeanor charges of battery and false imprisonment, has been dismissed from the team, coach Bobby Petrino said. AP

Cycling

Former world cycling champion Tom Boonen of Belgium has been barred from this year's Tour de France after testing positive for cocaine. AP

Fishing

Weekend angler Craig Fredrychowski of Lexington, S.C., weighed in a five-fish limit of 10 pounds, 14 ounces to take the opening-day lead in The Bass Federation's Southern Divisional Championship on Lake Norman. Second: Shane Hayes of New Albany, Ind., competing for the Kentucky team, with five fish weighing 10 pounds, 8 ounces. Third: Ronald Tuck of Rockwell with five fish weighing 10 pounds, 6 ounces.

To qualify for the 2009 TBF national championship, 84 anglers from seven states are competing. The tournament continues today and Friday. Jack Horan

NHL

The Carolina Hurricanes signed goaltender Michael Leighton – AHL goalie of the year at the team's Albany minor league squad – to back up Cam Ward.AP

Sharks: Hired former Red Wings assistant Todd McLellan as head coach. AP

OLYMPICS VOLLEYBALL

The U.S. men's volleyball team will face Venezuela and the women will play Japan in their opening matches at the Olympics when play begins in August. AP

SOCCER

In the European Championship tournament, Portugal beat the Czech Republic 3-1 and Turkey, fighting through a torrential rainstorm, edged Switzerland 2-1. AP

Mexico goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez' arrest this week in Chicago won't keep him out of a World Cup qualifier in Houston against Belize, his team said. He was taken into custody Monday for resisting arrest at a downtown hotel after Mexico beat Peru 4-0 in a friendly at Soldier Field. AP

TENNIS

In Germany, Roger Federer and James Blake advanced in the Gerry Weber Open. In England, Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick won, reaching the third round at Queen's Club. And in Poland's Warsaw Open, Nikolay Davydenko, Evgeny Korolev, Juan Monaco and Marcel Granollers advanced into the third round.AP

WNBA

Janel McCarville scored 25 to lift the New York Liberty to an 81-77 victory over winless host Atlanta, 81-77.

Visiting Sacramento turned back Washington, 77-75.

San Antonio, undefeated at home, beat the Indiana Fever, 64-53. AP

http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/665653.html
 
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