www.profootballweekly.com Report: Saints set to release S Smith PFW asks associate editor Jeff Reynolds for his take on the NFL?s hottest topics. FS Smith will draw wide interest Saints veteran FS Dwight Smith, a converted cornerback and one of the many defensive stars for the Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII, is expected to be released Friday. Smith, just 27, was deemed replaceable by the new regime in New Orleans. The Saints used second-round picks on safeties in two straight drafts. PFW: What is Smith?s value on the open market? Reynolds: Don?t think that Smith won?t have suitors because the Saints claim to have failed in finding a trade partner. Smith can count on hearing from Tampa Bay and Detroit right away. The Buccaneers pursued CB Charles Woodson as a possible fit at free safety in the cover-2. Smith isn?t a pure cornerback or ideal safety, but he knows the defense, the coaching staff and many of the Buccaneers? starters. He left on amicable terms, and the personnel staff continues to hold Smith in high regard. The Lions, now headed by former Buccaneers assistant Rod Marinelli, have a hole at free safety and could even consider moving Smith back to cornerback. He can survive at the position only in the cover-2 scheme because he lacks top-end speed and great quickness. But the Lions will employ that defense this season. Terrence Holt was a disappointment at the position last season, and Smith has better instincts and cover skills than rookie Daniel Bullocks. Adding Smith would be similar to Matt Millen?s acquisition of DB R.W. McQuarters prior to last season. McQuarters played safety and then started at cornerback after Fernando Bryant went down with a season-ending injury, but McQuarters was released after the season. Many other clubs could show interest in Smith, among them the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers, Jets, Titans, Texans, Colts and Falcons.
A potential 1 in 8 chance. Not going to happen (IMO). The D is pretty much sorted out and I'm pretty much happy with our DBs. Just another hit to the cap.
Hey settle down there sonny! This is the first article to show that we have an interest and it certainly belongs! First article is pure meh!
not neccessary we have an up and coming kerry rhodes and whole bunch of young safeties only way it would make sense was if we were a playoff team tryin to win the sbowl
