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

[Buckskin86]

Saints planning to play Smith and Grant Sunday
Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on September 7, 2009

More than nine months since Saints defensive linemen Charles Grant and Will Smith were first notified of four-game suspensions for violating the league's Anabolic and Related Substances policy, it remains unclear when the two players will begin to serve the time.

For now, the Saints are planning on having Grant and Smith play in Week One against the Lions. The situation is so confusing, the excellent local coverage of the Saints thought the matter was settled just a week ago, with Grant and Smith out for the first four games of the season.

That's not the case -- yet -- although the league is not prevented from suspending the Saints when they choose, according to the legal expert in these parts.

The Saints are waiting for the NFL to tell them that the suspensions are enforceable before proceeding. Frankly, we don't understand the legal particulars enough to have any clue what's going to happen next.

Saints planning to play Smith and Grant Sunday | ProFootballTalk.com

 

[Buckskin86]

No suspension this week for New Orleans Saints Charles Grant and Will Smith
by Nakia Hogan, The Times-Picayune
Tuesday September 08, 2009

Susan Poag/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints defensive ends Will Smith, shown here, and Charles Grant won't be suspended this week and will play Sunday.

New Orleans Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith will not be suspended this week according to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello.

However, the fate of Grant and Smith still is in the hands of a federal appeals court in Minnesota, which has given no timetable for its decision to uphold or overturn their four-game suspensions by the NFL. A ruling could come today, or it could drag on for days or weeks.

But the league made the decision not to suspend the players this weekend, allowing both the Saints and the Detroit Lions, their opponent at the Superdome on Sunday, ample time to properly prepare for the game.

Saints Coach Sean Payton said on Monday he was confident the league wouldn't enforce those suspensions if a ruling is made late in the week, because the Saints would be too far into game preparations to adjust.

Now it appears the Saints will have both players in their starting lineup.

No suspension this week for New Orleans Saints Charles Grant and Will Smith - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Status of Charles Grant, Will Smith remains unlear after federal appeals court ruling
by The Times-Picayune
Friday September 11, 2009

A federal appeals court in Minneapolis issued a ruling Friday saying the NFL can't suspend Minnesota Vikings Pat Williams and Kevin Williams for violating the league's anti-doping policy.

It's unclear how the ruling will impact the looming four-game suspensions facing New Orleans Saints defensive ends Will Smith and Charles Grant, who tested positive for the same diuretic as the Vikings players.

The NFL has cleared the Saints players to play Sunday against the Detroit Lions but some Internet reports have the players out for the next four games.

The Times-Picayune has calls out to the players' attorney and to the league office seeking clarification. Please check back to nola.com for updates.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reported on its web site that says the ruling allows the Williams to play while keeping the remains of the case in Hennepin County District Court where Judge Gary Larson already has said he likely wouldn't force the Vikings defensive tackles into a civil trial during the coming season. He stayed action in his courtroom until the federal court determined whether it has jurisdiction over some of the claims.

Status of Charles Grant, Will Smith remains unlear after federal appeals court ruling - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Smith and Grant said they were informed of the court's ruling by reporters after coming off the practice field. Neither had spoken with Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis and Coach Sean Payton, league officials or their lawyer, David Cornwell.

"It's a league matter,'' Smith said."When the league tells us something, we can tell you guys something but they haven't told us anything. I'm just trying to get prepared to play this game Sunday against the Detroit Lions, come out with a victory, then after that prepare myself to play against the (Philadelphia) Eagles.

"My focus is the Detroit Lions. Me and Charles just got to go out there and do what we do best and try to help the team win. That's the most important thing right now. All of the other stuff, these rumors, these reports and stuff like that, let the league deal with that. Let Mickey and Coach Payton deal with that and we'll just deal with playing football.''

Smith said he is prepared to begin serving his suspension if or when that time comes.

"Obviously, I have no choice,'' Smith said. "If you're suspended, you're suspended. As of now we're not suspended. As of now we're playing against the Detroit Lions and that's the most important thing right now.''

New Orleans Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith wait to hear from the NFL what court ruling means to them - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

ources: League could drop Saints suspensions
Jason Cole
By Jason Cole, Yahoo! Sports

Two NFL sources indicated Sunday night that the league will entertain the idea of not suspending Saints defensive ends Charles Grant(notes) and Will Smith(notes) this season because it doesn?t appear the league can suspend Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams(notes) for the same violation of league rules.

?That?s one of the ideas we?re throwing around right now,? said one of the aforementioned source. ?Obviously, the [NFL] Players Association would like us to capitulate right now and give up, but I don?t think that?s what anybody is ready to do.?

Sources: League could drop Saints suspensions - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

 

[Buckskin86]

Grant and Smith to play Sunday vs Eagles
Share | Written by WGNO ABC26 News
Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith will not be suspended for the foreseeable future.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in "considerations of fairness and uniform application of our policies", Smith and Grant's four game suspensions will not be enforced.

The pair were suspended after failing a test for banned weight loss supplement, StarCaps.

The NFL is reluctant to suspend the two Saints while Kevin and Pat Williams of Minnesota are allowed to pursue legal action against the league in Minnesota state court.

Today's action by the NFL means Smith and Grant could possibly be allowed to play the entire 2009 season.

Grant and Smith to play Sunday vs Eagles

 

[MaxBuck]

I had wondered about the inherent fairness of suspending the two Saints while allowing the Vikings to pursue an appeal. This seems like an equitable solution to the problem.

 

[Buckskin86]

Saints' Smith and Grant ready to focus on football
Associated Press ? September 18, 2009

METAIRIE ? With the specter of his four-game suspension lifted for now, Will Smith half-jokingly pointed out that there was still one game he'd probably have to sit out.

That game would be the Pro Bowl, Smith said with a grin, "because we'll be in the Super Bowl."

Indeed, the Saints have high hopes that their 2009 squad has the potential to get the Saints back to the postseason for the first time in three seasons, and are off to a positive start after handily beating Detroit in their season opener.

Their playoff chances might have taken a blow had both Smith and fellow starting defensive end Charles Grant been forced to sit out four games because of positive 2008 tests for a banned substance. Instead, it now appears the matter won't be resolved until after this season.

Smith said that he and Grant "know we're big components to this defense and we feel if we're not here, we would be hurting the defense."

"We're happy we don't have to worry about that anymore and can just move forward and play football-worry about football and not worry about that other stuff," he said.

On Tuesday, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said it would be unfair to suspend the two Saints players now, when the league has been blocked from suspending Vikings defensive tackles Kevin and Pat Williams (a Monroe native) for the same offense while their case is pending in Minnesota state court.

"We're happy with the decision that the commissioner has made," Smith said. "I feel as if we can move on and focus on the Philadelphia Eagles," who the Saints play this Sunday

Saints? Smith and Grant ready to focus on football | thenewsstar.com | The News Star

 

[Buckskin86]

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills receiver Terrell Owens on Sunday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Will Smith, DE, New Orleans: Had four solo tackles, an assist, a sack and an interception in the win over Buffalo.

BuckeyeXtra - NFL: How former Buckeyes fared

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Will Smith, DE, New Orleans: Had four solo tackles, an assist, a sack and an interception in the win over Buffalo. http://www.columbusdispatch.com/liv...0928.ART_ART_09-28-09_C5_9BF77UR.html?sid=101

Looked up "Will Smith game performance" on Bing.com... this comes up

 

[CentralMOBuck]

Will has a FF which was recovered for a TD in the Jets game today.

 

[Buckskin86]

WILL SMITH AND CHARLES GRANT

David Grunfeld/The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Saints defensive ends Charles Grant and Will Smith harassed New York Jets rookie Mark Sanchez for four quarters Sunday at the Superdome.

Who knew the NFL's decision to hold off on suspending the Saints' defensive ends would have such an enormous impact?

For the second consecutive week, Smith and Grant were dominant, playing as well as they've played since 2006, if not earlier. Smith had two sacks, including a game-changer when he stripped the ball from Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in the end zone in the second quarter. Teammate Remi Ayodele recovered to give New Orleans a 17-0 lead.

Grant also had two sacks and a batted pass against the overwhelmed rookie.

"We knew this was going to be a physical game, and we wanted to be the most physical football team, " Grant said. "We showed the world that we are a physical football team."

Smith and Grant have clearly been energized this year by a number of factors -- their improved health, their trimmer bodies and the style and attitude of defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' defense.

The team encouraged both of their high-dollar investments to drop a significant amount of weight this year to become faster after they were encouraged to play a little heavier and more physical in past seasons. Smith said he is in the mid-270s for the first time since his rookie season. And Grant said he's in the low 280s for the first time since '06.

Recapping the New Orleans Saints' victory over the New York Jets | New Orleans Saints Central - - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Best of the rest
Will Smith

As a Buckeye: Four-year letter-winner (2000 to '03) who was All-America as a pass-rushing force as a senior. His 22 career sacks rank sixth in school history.

As a pro: Smith has averaged better than seven sacks a season in five-plus years, all with the New Orleans Saints. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006.

The skinny: Smith, along with Saints teammates Charles Grant and Deuce McAllister, was suspended by the NFL for four games last December after testing positive for a banned diuretic that can be used to mask steroids. Smith and his teammates said they took a weight-loss supplement. Smith has 15 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks this year.

GameDay+

 

[Buckskin86]

New Orleans Saints' defensive line performing at an elite level
By John DeShazier, The Times-Picayune
November 10, 2009
More heralded fraternal groups, such as the Giants, have siphoned the attention during game week.

More celebrated names, such as Atlanta's John Abraham and Carolina's Julius Peppers, have drawn the national headlines on Mondays and Sundays.

But all factors considered and all numbers totaled, has any defensive line in the NFL this season played any better than the Saints' line has after eight games? No, really.

Granted, New Orleans' line play pretty much only could ascend after last season, when ends Will Smith and Charles Grant were injured and combined for just six sacks, tackle Sedrick Ellis was a rookie and the Saints simply didn't get what they wanted or needed out of tackles Hollis Thomas and Brian Young.

Smith, a former Pro Bowler who's injury-free and storming opposing backfields, posted two sacks for the second consecutive game, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble. Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove, starting in place of injured Sedrick Ellis, had three tackles, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries -- one off a sack by Smith and one he caused, and promptly returned one for a touchdown and the final points of the game

Smith has 6.5 sacks this season, Grant has four and Hargrove has three. In all, defensive linemen have 15.5 of the Saints' 19 sacks; last year, they accounted for 22 of the team's 28. Nose tackle Remi Ayodele joins Hargrove with a touchdown scored and Smith has forced a couple of fumbles, including one Ayodele recovered for his score

New Orleans Saints' defensive line performing at an elite level | New Orleans Saints Central - - NOLA.com

 

[Buckskin86]

New Orleans Saints' Will Smith making noise, silencing critics
By Nakia Hogan, The Times-Picayune
November 13, 2009

Michael DeMocker/The Times-PicayuneNew Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith pressured Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan as he has opposing quarterbacks all season long.

No one is certain if Will Smith was oblivious to all the negative talk surrounding him last season or if the New Orleans Saints defensive end.

However, he has silenced some of his staunchest critics with his play this season, while helping the Saints to their best start in franchise history.

After an injury-plagued 2008 season, Smith, a former first-round draft pick who was awarded a new contract in 2008 worth $64.5 million over seven years, has re-established himself as one of the top defensive ends in the NFL.

And along the way, he's quieted the naysayers - even if he claims he didn't know they existed.

"Like I said before, I never heard that," Smith said. "I don't listen to the news, read the paper, go on the Internet, I don't do any of that. I just come to work every day and do my job. If anybody ever did say (Smith wasn't living up to the contract) it really at the end of the day doesn't mean anything to me, because they don't really know what going on behind the scenes.

"Coach (Sean) Payton, (General Manager) Mickey Loomis, (Owner) Mr. (Tom) Benson, we were all on the same page. They knew what was going on. They knew that I was doing was the best I could do at that particular time because of the injury I had."

There's no injury now.

Smith, who had a career-low three sacks last season, has healed from the sports hernia that limited his explosion and sent a throbbing pain shooting through his midsection.

Halfway through this season, Smith has 23 tackles and his 6 ½ sacks are tied for fourth most in the NFC. Smith also has two forced fumbles and an interception.

With two sacks in each of the Saints' last two games, Smith is on pace to record more sacks than the career-high 10 1/2 he posted in 2006, when he earned his only Pro Bowl berth.

"He's healthy, he's in real good shape and he's having an excellent year," Payton said. "He's been consistent each week. He's a player that can play with speed but also has real good power, and those are two good attributes to have at the end position when you can convert your speed rushes into power and have a pretty good one-two punch there. He's playing pretty well."

Saints first-year defensive coordinator Gregg Williams said he isn't certain if Smith is playing at a different level now than he did in the past, but he knows Smith has provided the defense with a definite spark and the kind of disruptive play defensive coaches covet.

"This is my first experience with him," Williams said. "He's playing pretty well. That's the only thing I could say about it. He's playing well. He's an excellent tone setter.

"Not only as you see them as the fans see them in those three hours, you see them work in practice and you see them work in the meeting rooms and the classroom and the weight room. He's a good mentor for a bunch of those guys on that defensive line too."

Saints defensive tackle Remi Ayodele agreed, crediting Smith with the improved play of some of the Saints other defensive linemen.

"He is playing at another level," Ayodele said. "I think he has cranked it up a notch. He sees what we have and he's playing better and making us play better."

New Orleans Saints' Will Smith making noise, silencing critics | New Orleans Saints Central - - NOLA.com