New Orleans defensive end Will Smith, left, rushes the passer against offensive tackle Jamaal Brown during afternoon practice at Saints training camp Sunday in Jackson, Miss.
Saints DE Smith just does his job
By SHELDON MICKLES
Advocate sportswriter
Published: Jul 28, 2008
JACKSON, Miss. ? There is nothing pretentious about New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith.
Even though he?s arguably the Saints? best defender and recently signed a seven-year, $63 million contract that made him the third-highest paid end in the NFL, Smith simply wants to be known for what he does on the field ? not how much money he makes.
?Everybody asks me about the money,? Smith, the Saints? first-round draft pick in 2004, said with a slight smile. ?I was a first-round draft pick; the money didn?t change me then and it?s not going to change me now.?
Smith, a 6-foot-3, 282-pounder, received about $20 million in bonuses on the rookie contract he received. A solid and relentless pass rusher, he?s led the Saints in sacks the last three seasons and already has collected 33 1/2 in his career.
His sack total includes a career-high 10 1/2 in his breakout season of 2006 when he was chosen to the Pro Bowl. The former Ohio State All-American has started 43 of 82 games in his career and has collected 265 tackles with 12 forced fumbles and six recoveries.
And Smith has done it all rather quietly.
?I guess you could say I?m quiet,? Smith said Saturday after a hot, steamy training camp practice at Millsaps College. ?I just want to stay myself. I?m not a flashy guy. I?m not a flamboyant guy. There?s nothing big about me. I just stay quiet and do my job.?