DE Will Smith (National Champion, Super Bowl Champion, Pro-bowler; R.I.P.)

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Saints DE Smith expected to bounce back after rough season
By Dan Parr
April 18, 2009

Will Smith

Although Saints DE Will Smith posted a career-low three sacks last season, his first after signing a new contract that made him one of the highest-paid players at his position, sources say there have been few complaints from the team about Smith's effort in 2008, even if he did fail to live up to expectations. Nor is there much of an outcry from fans, even though many of them are losing their patience after a two-year playoff drought.

In fact, we hear Smith will enter the '09 campaign with even more respect from teammates, coaches and the Saints' faithful than he had prior to last season. Smith started every game in '08 while suffering through a sports hernia that had nagged at him since Week One. He showed toughness and waited until the end of the season to undergo surgery.

Smith has not met with the media since the procedure took place, but word is, he has recovered well. A healthy, re-energized Smith is going to be essential if the Saints are going to reach the postseason for the first time since the '06 campaign, and the makings of a bounce-back year for him are in place.

In addition to his poor health, the ineffectiveness of former defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs, who was fired in January, contributed to Smith's struggles last season. New D-coordinator Gregg Williams' more aggressive approach should be beneficial to Smith and the rest of New Orleans' pass rushers. Williams is going to focus a great deal of his energy on finding ways to make sure Smith and the club's other starting end, Charles Grant, are put in more advantageous situations than Gibbs was able to create for them.

While optimism about a return to prominence for Smith is high, there are still lingering concerns that the four-game suspension he received last season ? but never served while a lawsuit filed by the players involved was heard in a federal court ? could go into effect during the upcoming season. Smith and Grant were suspended after testing positive for StarCaps, a water pill that contains bumetanide, which is banned by the NFL. Smith and other players suspended for taking StarCaps filed a lawsuit against the company that produces the product. A trial to settle the matter is scheduled for June, the outcome of which may give the Saints an indication of whether Smith and Grant will be sidelined.

New Orleans - Pro Football Weekly

 

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NFL star Will Smith controversy: ?I did nothing wrong?
By RON MOSHIER
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Apr 27, 2009

Will Smith is a former Thomas R. Proctor High School and Ohio State University star who has played five NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He is returning to Utica this weekend to host his first ?Evening of All-Stars,? a banquet honoring the O-D?s 2008 All-Mohawk Valley Football Team selections, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Daniele?s Banquet Specialists in New Hartford. A first-round draft pick in 2004, Smith was a Pro Bowl defensive end in 2006, and last year he signed a new contract that made him one of the highest-paid players at his position. He has recorded 36.5 sacks in 78 NFL games.

Question: How did your ?Evening of All-Stars? come about?

Answer: I thought this would be a good way to pay respect to these players. These guys should be acknowledged. They should have this as a memory. These guys might not be well known (state-wide or nationally), but they have excelled at their level. I would like to do this annually, not just for one year, just some type of celebration for these guys, so the players and their families can meet each other and interact.?

Q: What will your message be at Saturday?s banquet?

A: That with hard work and dedication at any level, you can use football to your advantage.?

Q: You were one of several players suspended for four games last December after testing positive for a banned diuretic that, according to The Times-Picayune, the players claimed was an unlisted ingredient in StarCaps, an over-the-counter weight-loss product. The NFL Players Association filed a federal lawsuit on the players? behalf, claiming the league and the independent administrator of the testing program knew that StarCaps was a tainted product but withheld that information, and you were able to finish the season. What was your reaction to the suspension?

A: I did nothing wrong. The fact of the matter is, we weren?t using it to mask steroids. None of us were. That?s a fact. It was something to help us lose weight. If you read the bottle, (the label) says ?all natural.? There?s nothing that is a banned substance. We thought it wasn?t a big deal, then it because a huge deal. I was more afraid of the perception than the penalty. I never thought I would be suspended. I did nothing wrong. Absolutely not. That?s why I was never concerned about being suspended. It was clear it was being used for weight
loss.

Q: You had surgery to repair a sports hernia in January. Did it affect your play in 2008?

A: Without a doubt. I played nearly the whole season with it. After the first four games, it really started aggravating me. I thought I could play through it, and I played all right. But I didn?t play up to my ability, not up to my expectations. You can play through that injury, and try to help your team win, but having a great season or being real productive? You can?t really do it, but that?s football.

NFL star Will Smith controversy: ?€˜I did nothing wrong?€™ - Utica, NY - The Observer-Dispatch

 

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Louisiana Sports: New Orleans Saints, Will Smith, Deuce, Byron Scott
Written by: Ed Staton

Will Smith played "hurt" mush of last season, but expects to bounce back this season.

After signing a six-year contract extension last season that could be worth up to $70 million, he recorded only three sacks. He is guaranteed $25 million of the contract and is the third highest paid defensive end in the NFL, following only Minnesota's Jared Allen and Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney.

Smith started every game last season while suffering through a sports hernia that had nagged him since Week One. He showed toughness and waited until the end of the season to undergo surgery. A re-energized Smith is going to be essential in the Saints are going to reach the post-season for the first time since 2006. He says a bounce-back season for him is in place. The WhoDats are losing their patience after a two-year playoff drought.

Smith was a team captain last season and is a veteran of 78 NFL games with 59 starts. He has 342 career tackles, 36.5 sacks for 245 yards. 13 forced fumbles with 13 passes defenses and 6 fumble recoveries. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006.

He said he's felling great now and ready for a good season. "I had a little surgery after the season to get the hernia corrected and I'm feeling 100 per cent ready to do," said Smith.

The Saints' pass rush will get more help this season with the addition of several new faces aboard.

"I've talked to all the new guys," said Smith. "I was already familiar with Rod Coleman because we played Atlanta twice a year, so I knew what kind of competitor he is and what type of person he is. But for the most part it's talking to them and getting to know them and letting them know how we do things and what's expected. I've met with Paul Spicer and learned more about him. The new guys are going to fit right in."

Smith will be working with a new defensive line coach this season, Bill Johnson.

"I knew him from when i spent some time with him when I was coming out of Ohio State," said Smith. "I know what he expects from his players and how he coaches. We see eye-to-eye on things. He has his own ideas and his own expectations of what he wants to accomplish and the best way to accomplish what those things are.

"It's up to us to go out, , learn from him and improve. Anyone can tell you they have high expectations of you, but if you don't set high expectations and goals for yourself, then all the rest is just lip service..

"The biggest hing for a veteran is having the motivation to keep getting better and pushing to get better. In this league, there are always highs and lows. You have to learn to battle through them, be consistent and keep striving to get better.

"It's about getting up everyday with a goal, a plan and going out there and doing it."

Louisiana Sports: New Orleans Saints, Will Smith, Deuce, Byron Scott

 

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Charles Grant, Will Smith and Deuce McAllister considering appeal options in Star Caps case
Posted by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune May 23, 2009

Michael DeMocker, The Times-Picayune
Saints defensive end Will Smith will likely miss the first four games of the 2009 season after a federal judge in Minnesota threw out his appeal, along with those of teammate Charles Grant and former teammate Deuce McAllister.

The Saints will almost certainly head into the first four weeks of the 2009 season without starting defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant after the veterans were blindsided by a federal court ruling late Friday.

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson dismissed the federal lawsuit brought by the NFL Players Association on behalf of Smith, Grant, former Saints tailback Deuce McAllister and Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams against the NFL.

The players were hoping the court would overturn four-game suspensions handed down last December, after they all tested positive for a banned diuretic, bumetanide, during the summer.

The case was set to go to trial in St. Paul, Minn., on June 15, but Magnuson issued a summary judgment after reviewing pretrial motions and hearing arguments from the NFLPA and the NFL last week.

"We're devastated, " said McAllister, who said he spoke briefly with Grant on Saturday morning. "Because our stance has not changed, and we felt like even more information given during the depositions made our case even stronger. And to get a ruling of that nature, it's just a tough one to swallow."

Neither Grant nor Smith was reached for comment. Their attorney, David Cornwell, and NFLPA attorney Jeffrey Kessler each made statements on their behalf, expressing disappointment with the ruling and saying they have not decided on their next course. If they appeal, the appeals court would either need to rule on the players' behalf before the start of the season or grant another injunction to temporarily halt the suspensions.

Charles Grant, Will Smith and Deuce McAllister considering appeal options in Star Caps case - New Orleans Saints Beat

 

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Will Smith, Charles Grant get new hope as NFLPA files appeal in Star Caps case
Posted by Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune
May 27, 2009

The legal maneuvering continued Wednesday in the ongoing StarCaps case involving Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant, former Saints running back Deuce McAllister and two Minnesota Vikings players.

The NFL Players Association filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in Minneapolis, which in essence attempts to overturn a decision by U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson. He dismissed a federal lawsuit Friday against the NFL that was brought by the union on behalf of Smith, Grant, McAllister and Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams.

All five players are facing four-game suspensions for violating the NFL's drug policy

Magnuson threw out most claims by the Williamses and all claims involving the Saints. This is the second appeal from that order.

No new court date has been scheduled.

"Obviously we agree with the judge's initial decision that the suspensions were improper, and we think that the most recent decision reflects the judge making a determination at this stage of the process that is improper, " said David Cornwell, who represents Smith, Grant and McAllister, who was released by the Saints in mid-February. "We would expect the 8th Circuit to agree with our position.

"But more importantly, the fact that this is going back and forth in litigation with both sides having essentially gotten a pound of flesh from the other, it's important to Charles, Deuce and Will that the parties, meaning the Players Association and the NFL, keep in mind that they are real men and real issues being affected by this litigation."

Will Smith, Charles Grant get new hope as NFLPA files appeal in Star Caps case - New Orleans Saints Beat

 

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GALLERY: Where There's a Will, There's a Way
By NICOLE L. CVETNIC
Observer-Dispatch
Posted Jun 01, 2009

UTICA ? Headed by New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith "Where There's a Will, There's a Way" football camp and combine at the Thomas R. Proctor High School D'Alessandro Stadium, Saturday, May 30, 2009 in Utica.

GALLERY: Where There's a Will, There's a Way - Utica, NY - The Observer-Dispatch

 

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StarCaps case likely a no-win for New Orleans Saints defensive ends Charles Grant, Will Smith
Posted by Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune
June 01, 2009

Though the StarCaps case has yet to be resolved, it appears Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant are only delaying the inevitable, according to two leading authorities on sports law.

Smith, Grant, former Saints running back Deuce McAllister and two Minnesota Vikings players are facing four-game suspensions for using a banned diuretic (bumetanide) in 2006 in violation of the NFL's drug policy.

"At the end of the day, the only way for them to get off the hook is for a court to say that a player who tests positive may still not be disciplined if somehow the NFL acted improperly itself," said Gary Roberts, dean and professor of law at Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis. "That would just undermine the whole concept of the drug-testing regime.

"This is very important to the NFL. If they lose this case, it changes the dynamic of their drug-testing policy."

StarCaps case likely a no-win for New Orleans Saints defensive ends Charles Grant, Will Smith - New Orleans Saints Beat

 

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New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, Will Smith confident team backs them up
Posted by Brian Allee-Walsh, The Times-Picayune
June 05, 2009

Still clinging to a chance that their four-game suspensions might get overturned in court, Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant went about their business Friday on the first day of minicamp.

Each worked exclusively with the first unit and will continue to do so until Saints Coach Sean Payton deems a change in the depth chart is necessary.

Smith, too, said he has the support of team officials, regardless how the StarCaps case plays out in the coming months.

In its ongoing effort to get the suspensions overturned, the NFL Players Association filed an appeal in Minneapolis on behalf of Smith, Grant, former Saints running back Deuce McAllister and Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams.

"I don't have any particular feeling on anything," Smith said. "There's still a lot of time to see what happens in the next couple of months. When you find out, I'll find out."

Asked if team officials had voiced their support of him, Smith replied: "I don't think they have to say it. I get the impression they are behind me. If they weren't, I'm sure they would have told me by now, but they haven't told me anything.

"But as far as I'm concerned, and as far as (Saints general manager) Mickey (Loomis) and Sean go, they are behind me and Charles 100 percent."

New Orleans Saints' Charles Grant, Will Smith confident team backs them up - New Orleans Saints Beat

 

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Inside the Numbers Part III
NewOrleansSaints.com,
Friday, July 03, 2009

In the weeks leading up to the start of the New Orleans Saints? 2009 training camp, NewOrleansSaints.com will take an inside look at some interesting facts and figures of various high-profile players on the Saints? roster. This is part three in the series.

DEFENSIVE END WILL SMITH
Height: 6-3
Weight: 282
NFL Experience in 2009: 6th Season
Years with Saints: 6th Season
College: Ohio State

SAINTSATIONAL NOTES:

Will Smith is one of the Saints? top playmakers on defense, having recorded 342 tackles (223 solo), 36.5 sacks, 13 passes defensed, 13 forced fumbles and six fumble recoveries in 78 contests with 59 starts in 2004. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2006 after recording a career-high 10.5 sacks.
After signing a six-year contract extension during the 2008 off-season and being named one of the two defensive team captains for the second consecutive season, Smith made 77 tackles (44 solo), three sacks, one pass defensed and one forced fumble last season while battling through a painful abdominal injury that has since been repaired.


Smiths second quarter sack vs. the San Francisco 49ers on September 28 in the team?s victory forced a fumble that was recovered by MLB Jonathan Vilma and set up New Orleans? first touchdown, which put the Saints ahead for good.
Smith led the defensive line with six tackles (four solo) at Kansas City on November 16, and his first quarter sack on QB Tyler Thigpen on an early third down pinned the Chiefs deep in their own territory and set up the Saints? offense on a short field after a punt. The Saints scored on the ensuing drive and didn?t look back the rest of the afternoon en route to victory.

Since arriving in New Orleans, Smith has been particularly adept at creating turnovers. He enjoyed a stretch of five-straight games where he caused a fumble (the final four games of his rookie season and the 2005 season opener), the lone player in club history to accomplish the feat. Smith has forced 13 fumbles in his five-year career with the Saints, which ties him for the 12th highest total in the NFL in that period and has six recoveries on his resume.

New Orleans Saints - Inside the Numbers Part III

 

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PRODUCTION FROM

GRANT AnD SMITH

The Saints have contracts worth $133 million in these two defensive ends.

From 2002-04, Charles Grant had 27 1/2 sacks. In the last four seasons, the former Georgia standout has only 14 sacks.

In Will Smith?s first three seasons, the Ohio State standout recorded 26 1/2 sacks, including 10 1/2 in 2006. In the last two seasons, Smith has managed to sack the quarterback only 10 times.

When you get paid that kind of money, you are expected to not just play average or above average, but you are expected to put up big numbers.

While injuries are a factor in their lack of production the past two seasons, lack of signature play is noticeable to the average football fan.

For Gregg Williams? defense to work and work effectively, he needs both Smith and Grant to play at a high level every week.

With four-game suspensions looming for both, a big key in the 12 games they play in will be if they can play up to their salaries.

Saints ready for 2009 season | DailyComet.com | The Thibodaux Daily Comet | Thibodaux, LA

 

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New Orleans Saints' Will Smith will find a way in '09
by John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune
Thursday August 13, 2009

Jennifer Zdon/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith says he has something to prove to himself this season.

Don't think New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith wasn't bothered by last season, wasn't aggravated he didn't play to the level to which he's accustomed. Don't think he wasn't disappointed he didn't have the kind of statistics and wreak the kind of havoc that made him one of the top defensive ends in the league his first four seasons?

Then you wouldn't have any idea how determined he is to not let it happen again.

"I'm excited this year, probably more than any other," Smith said. "I didn't feel like I could do the things I normally could do (last year). I have high expectations of myself. I feel I have something to prove to myself."

And often there's no more productive player than the one who doesn't want to let down the guy he sees in the mirror.

Smith will have 25 percent less time to meet his expectations, at best. A four-game suspension will be served, because he, teammate Charles Grant and former teammate Deuce McAllister were among a group of players that tested positive for a banned substance last season.

The StarCaps saga, a messy conglomeration of accusations and counters as to who should have been responsible for knowing what and when, has been assessed a conclusion by the NFL, and Smith is satisfied to leave it at that.

But the satisfaction ceases there.

While totaling 77 tackles, three sacks and one forced fumble last season, Smith started all 16 games. But he might as well have had a tractor tire strapped to his back for a portion of it because of a nagging sports hernia. It didn't measure up to the standard (averages of 8.4 sacks, 66.2 tackles, three forced fumbles and 1.5 fumble recoveries) he set in his first four seasons.

And it wasn't level with the deal he signed before the season -- six years for as much as $70 million, reportedly including $26 million guaranteed.

But the sense here is that a repeat of 2008 would be a shocker. Forecasting breakout/bounce-back seasons is dicey business, for sure, especially for players who only will suit up for 12 of the 16 regular-season games. But Smith is the kind of guy you put your money on, and feel fairly comfortable doing so.

"I think he's had a heck of a camp," said Saints defensive line coach Bill Johnson, who held that position with the Broncos last season. "He came back off an injury from last year, got in great shape. Not only is he playing good, but what a tremendous leader he is. He's a guy that speaks, those guys respect him.

"Just from me watching tape and evaluating, he went out in the offseason -- he's a committed person -- he went out and had a great offseason. Any time a guy that's committed like that doesn't feel like he has a great year .¤.¤. he went back with a lot of pride and worked at it.

"He adds a lot of things. He's a good athlete, he's got power, he's a smart football player, he's got great instincts. ... The hardest thing is once a guy goes to a Pro Bowl or has good success in this league, what do you do to keep getting better? I think he's working to the smaller parts of the details and working to get better."

Included in the small details is a smaller Smith. Listed in the media guide as weighing 282, Smith said he has lost 10 pounds. Take him at his word, even though it looks like more.

New Orleans Saints' Will Smith will find a way in '09 - NOLA.com

 

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NFLPA makes appeal on behalf of Will Smith and Charles Grant of the New Orleans Saints
by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
Tuesday August 18, 2009

The NFL Players Association made its appeal in federal court Tuesday on behalf of suspended Saints players Charles Grant and Will Smith, former Saints running back Deuce McAllister and Minnesota Vikings defensive tackles Pat Williams and Kevin Williams.

Although their chances of winning the appeal appear slim, the players are hoping to overturn the summary judgment made by U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson in May.

The case had been set to go to trial June 15, but Magnuson issued his decision after reviewing pretrial motions and hearing arguments from both sides. He upheld the NFL's four-game suspension of the players, all of whom tested positive last summer for a banned diuretic, bumetanide, in the StarCaps saga.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Paul, Minn., heard 30-minute arguments from attorneys representing the players and the NFL on Tuesday. No timetable was set for a decision, but a ruling will likely be made before the suspensions are scheduled to go into effect at the start of the regular season.

"The NFLPA is asking for the district court's summary judgment in favor of the league to be overturned and for a judgment to be entered in favor of the players, which would allow them to play this year, " said attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who represents the players association.

Even with the appeal pending, the Saints, Smith and Grant seemed resigned to the fact that the players will miss the first four games of the season -- vs. Detroit, at Philadelphia, at Buffalo and vs. the New York Jets.

NFLPA makes appeal on behalf of Will Smith and Charles Grant of the New Orleans Saints - NOLA.com

 

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Q: Could you shed some light, if possible, on the Will Smith and Charles Grant suspensions? Are they tied in with the Minnesota case or not? Obviously losing them for any period of time is bad, but it could be especially damaging if the case drags out into the regular season and the Saints lose them in the middle or even worse toward the end of the season. Lindsey Bounds, Columbia, S.C.

A: Lindsey, the Smith and Grant case is settled. They lost their appeal in federal court and are suspended for the first four games. Their case is separate from the Williamses' in Minnesota, who are challenging the ruling in state court. Their appeal was successful in Minnesota but likely will be overturned at some point, forcing both players to serve their suspension at a later time. I think the Saints are smart for not fighting the case and getting the suspension out of the way. The club has prepared well for it and has enough serviceable players at the position to weather the storm.

New Orleans Saints mailbag Part II: DeMario Pressley, receivers and quarterback search - NOLA.com

 

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Saints ends set to take 'those 4'
Suspended Smith, Grant focus on return

* By LES EAST
* Special to The Advocate
* Published: Sep 1, 2009

METAIRIE ? As the Saints begin their final two weeks of preparation before opening the regular season, defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant are in a hurry-up-and-wait mode.

They?re trying to use these final days of preseason to prepare themselves for the upcoming season, though they know, when the final roster is set over the weekend, they will begin four-game suspensions for testing positive for a banned substance last year.

The teams? bookend $63 million ends won?t be available until the fifth game ? and sixth week because of New Orleans? bye ? against the Giants on Oct. 18. (Place-kicker Garrett Hartley will be suspended for the same time period because of a more recent positive test.)

?I?m not really worried about it,? Smith said. ?We?ve been in camp, and I?ve been worried about camp and learning the defense and getting everything situated. I haven?t even thought about it.?

2theadvocate.com | Sports | Saints ends set to take 'those 4' — Baton Rouge, LA

 

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New Orleans Saints defensive ends Will Smith, Charles Grant have not been suspended yet; could still be eligible to play in Week 1
by Mike Triplett, The Times-Picayune
Saturday September 05, 2009

New Orleans Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant apparently will remain on the active roster until a federal appeals court rules on their case against the NFL. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said the league has not placed the players on the reserve-suspended list yet, so the team is preparing as if they are eligible.

"We'll be prepared either way," said Loomis, who said the league has not offered the Saints any timetable for making a decision this week

New Orleans Saints defensive ends Will Smith, Charles Grant have not been suspended yet; could still be eligible to play in Week 1 - NOLA.com

NFL considering consecutive suspensions for Smith and Grant?
Posted by Mike Florio on September 5, 2009

According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the league has yet to implement the four-games StarCaps suspensions of Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith.

According to a league source, there's a sense that the NFL might ultimately allow Grant and Smith to serve the suspensions consecutively, so that the Saints won't be without both players for 25 percent of the season.

Grant and Smith were poised, were told, to join the Jay Glazer/Randy Couture MMA training regimen for the extent of their four-game suspensions when the Saints learned that they were not yet required to send the players to the reserve-suspended list.

NFL considering consecutive suspensions for Smith and Grant? | ProFootballTalk.com