New Orleans Saints top 25 countdown, Will Smith, No. 7
07/19/12
The Times-Picayune
SAINTS TOP 25 SERIES
TED JACKSON / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE
Will Smith climbs all over Ben Reothslisberger as he sacks him, first half, during action at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, La., Sunday, October 31, 2010.
NO. 7 DE WILL SMITH
Year 9, Age 31. Ht. 6-3, Wt. 282.
SAINTS COLUMNIST MIKE TRIPLETT'S TAKE:
Smith is no longer in his prime as a pass rusher, but he remains the most disruptive player in a front seven that needs more guys like him. He should have at least one more impact season left in him, especially under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who has a great track record with defensive linemen. Smith will be missed if he has to serve his four-game bounty suspension to start the season - though a legal battle could potentially keep him on the field.
Though a bit more stout than some of the NFL's top pass rushers, Smith still has a good deal of athleticism to go with his standout power. And he does a good job of keeping offensive tackles guessing. Spagnuolo has tinkered with moving Smith to defensive tackle in some formations this summer, further expanding on that versatility.
Smith had 6.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season after returning from a two-game suspension to start the season. He now has 61.5 sacks in a standout eight-year career with the Saints that led to a Pro Bowl selection in 2006 and could have led to another in 2009.
SAINTS OT JERMON BUSHROD'S TAKE:
"He's got good speed and good power. With all that, he's got good leverage, so that makes his speed that much more tough to defend and his power that much tougher to stop because he has the ability to play low. He's uses his hands well too, so he's good against the run. You could say he's an all-around d-end. Some guys specialize in the run, some guys specialize in the pass and he does a good job at both."
New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith's impressive preseason makes bounty suspension even harder to swallow
08/22/12
Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
Don't mistake Will Smith's low-key response to the NFL's bounty allegations as any sort of acceptance.
Michael DeMocker / The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints defensive ends Will Smith (91) and Cameron Jordan (94) sack New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12), causing him to fumble during the preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on August 9
Of course the New Orleans Saints defensive end is angry. Of course he feels he and his suspended teammates and coaches were wronged. And even though linebacker Jonathan Vilma has been the most aggressive defender in the courtroom, Smith is still optimistic that he can earn some legal victories as well, including a possible injunction to delay his looming four-game suspension.
Smith has simply decided that it won't do him any good to keep complaining about his situation and "keep all the nonsense going on."
"I don't want people to think that I'm not mad about it or disappointed. I am disappointed, and I'm frustrated about the events that took place and me being wrongfully accused of everything," said Smith, who drew a four-game suspension because, according to the league, he "assisted defensive coordinator Gregg Williams in establishing and funding" the team's pay-for-performance/bounty program in his role as a defensive captain and leader.
"The evidence is out there for people to make their own determination," Smith continued. "And the overwhelming support from other players around the league who know who I am as a person and know what type of player I am know all that stuff is nonsense. And then the only person that really matters is what the commissioner thinks is nonsense. But I just essentially have to not pay attention to it. I mean, he suspended all of us, and we took our pills and our approach and we just have to go from there."
cont...
Will Smith complains about ?arrogance and agenda? of NFL investigators
Posted by Mike Florio on October 9, 2012
Will Smith AP
Of the four players who received renewed discipline for their involvement in the Saints? alleged bounty program, only Saints defensive end Will Smith had no changes made to his penalty.
He initially was suspended four games, and he once again has been suspended four games. Understandably, he?s not happy about it.
?I remain frustrated with the continued unilateral rulings by this commissioner as he continues to disregard the facts and assault my character,? Smith said in a statement released to PFT. ?Let me be clear? I never participated in a ?pay-to-injure program,? never took the field with intent to injure another player, and never contributed any money to hurt other players. It was my hope that those investigating would put their arrogance and agenda aside in order to comprehend the difference between a ?pay-for-performance program? and a ?pay-to-injure program,? but until that day, I will continue to pursue my appeal options through the NFLPA, and attempt to return to work for my family, teammates, fans and the city of New Orleans.?
Smith has the right to appeal the ruling of Commissioner Roger Goodell, to Commissioner Roger Goodell. If the appeal is affirmed, Smith likely will once again pursue a court order overturning the suspension.
