Saints release FS Dwight Smith

[monkey69]

Just reported on ESPN:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2525154

Odd for them to do as his base salaries were only 1.2 and 1.6 million for the next 2 years. He had a 3.5 million signing bonus and a 5-yr deal for $15 million total.

Not bad for a 5th year pro with 86 tackles, 7 balls defended, 2 INT, 2 FF

To put it in perspective, FS Chris Hope is also a 5th year free safety (from PIT to TEN) and was considered the top FS on the free agent market this year. His 2005 numbers for comparison:
97 tackles, 5 ball defended, 3 INT, 1 FF
His contract is a bit more prohibitive - 5 years for $32 million though his base salaries are low - lot of signing bonus money.

Other top Safeties in free agency

Marlon McCree - 6th year pro (from CAR to SDG)
87 tackels, 10 pass defended, 3 INT, 0 FF
Contract: 5 years for 16 million


Adam Archuleta - 6th year pro (from STL to WAS)
70 tackles, 4 pass defended, 1 INT, 0 FF, 3.5 sacks
Contract: 6 years for $30 million ($10 million signing bonus)

Cory Chavous - 9th year pro (from MIN to STL)
71 tackles, 5 pass defended, 2 INT, 0 FF
Contract: 5 years for $16 million (w/ $12 million over first 3 years - oddly front loaded)

Tank Williams - 5th year pro (from TEN to MIN)
78 tackles, 5 pass defended, 1 INT, 1 FF
Contract: 1 year for 900,000

Now some of the latter are better suited to be SS rather than FS.
But I think that Smith could help someone at FS for a reasonable price - especially if he keeps his demands low seeing how close training camp is. I think for instance that the Cowboys could use him since Keith Davis can't avoid 9 mm bullets

[onnestabe]

See Saints forum...

http://www.fantasyfootballcafe.com/foru ... p?t=233987