Will Smith (1 Viewer)

[ATC1]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3437646

NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith has signed a contract extension that will make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players.

Smith is guaranteed $26 million with his new six-year, $70 million contract, a source told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli.

The deal makes Smith the NFL's third highest-paid defensive end, behind Minnesota's Jared Allen and Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney.

Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and his seven sacks in 2007 led the Saints. He also was among team leaders in tackles with 66.

"We are excited about getting this long-term contract done with Will," said Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. "We view him as one of our core players and look forward to him having an impact on our defense for years to come."

Smith, who received about $20 million in bonuses when signed as a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2004, was expected to earn between $1.8 million and $3 million next season, depending on performance incentives.

Smith had been dissatisfied with his contract -- which paled in comparison to the league's top defensive ends. Freeney is paid close to $12 million a year.

Last year, the Saints signed defensive end Charles Grant to a seven-year contract extension worth as much as $63 million if he reaches all incentives.

Smith has arguably outperformed Grant in recent years. He had 26 sacks over the past three seasons, compared to 11 for Grant.

"The Saints really stepped up," said Smith's agent, Joel Segal. "It was a long negotiation and a great deal for both Will and the Saints."

Smith skipped much of the Saints' offseason training program because of unhappiness with his contract, but participated in a mandatory minicamp and remained in New Orleans afterward. He also worked out with the team during its final two weeks of organized team activities, which are voluntary.

"He'll be able to show up for training camp now with nothing on his mind but getting ready for the season and the Super Bowl," Segal said.

Another unhappy player gets paid more than he is worth.

 

[Patsfan39]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3437646

NEW ORLEANS -- New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith has signed a contract extension that will make him one of the NFL's highest-paid defensive players.

Smith is guaranteed $26 million with his new six-year, $70 million contract, a source told ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli.

The deal makes Smith the NFL's third highest-paid defensive end, behind Minnesota's Jared Allen and Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney.

Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and his seven sacks in 2007 led the Saints. He also was among team leaders in tackles with 66.

"We are excited about getting this long-term contract done with Will," said Saints general manager Mickey Loomis. "We view him as one of our core players and look forward to him having an impact on our defense for years to come."

Smith, who received about $20 million in bonuses when signed as a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2004, was expected to earn between $1.8 million and $3 million next season, depending on performance incentives.

Smith had been dissatisfied with his contract -- which paled in comparison to the league's top defensive ends. Freeney is paid close to $12 million a year.

Last year, the Saints signed defensive end Charles Grant to a seven-year contract extension worth as much as $63 million if he reaches all incentives.

Smith has arguably outperformed Grant in recent years. He had 26 sacks over the past three seasons, compared to 11 for Grant.

"The Saints really stepped up," said Smith's agent, Joel Segal. "It was a long negotiation and a great deal for both Will and the Saints."

Smith skipped much of the Saints' offseason training program because of unhappiness with his contract, but participated in a mandatory minicamp and remained in New Orleans afterward. He also worked out with the team during its final two weeks of organized team activities, which are voluntary.

"He'll be able to show up for training camp now with nothing on his mind but getting ready for the season and the Super Bowl," Segal said.

Another unhappy player gets paid more than he is worth.

I just traded Thomas Davis and got Will Smith about 15 minutes before I saw that. So I guess that's a plus for me!

 

[Rozelle]

Another unhappy player gets paid more than he is worth.

You don't think Smith is one of the better all-around DE's in the game?

 

[Anthony Borbely]

Another unhappy player gets paid more than he is worth.

You don't think Smith is one of the better all-around DE's in the game?

I think he is a solid player, but I do not consider him to be an elite enough player to justify a contract like the one he got.

 

[ATC1]

Another unhappy player gets paid more than he is worth.

You don't think Smith is one of the better all-around DE's in the game?

I think he is a solid player, but I do not consider him to be an elite enough player to justify a contract like the one he got.

We'll see how the Saints look after this season when Jamal Brown and Colston coming looking to get paid.

 

[The Man With No Name]

This contract may not seem so big in a couple years. At least he is proven unlike some rookies who are making more than good seasoned veterans.

 

[pretender]

This contract may not seem so big in a couple years. At least he is proven unlike some rookies who are making more than good seasoned veterans.

 

[Afro Samurai]

Another unhappy player gets paid more than he is worth.

He's definitely better than Charles Grant who got 7 years 63 mil. Although Grant got more guaranteed.Smith is one of the top 5 DE's in football IMO.

 

[Rozelle]

As usual, contracts always look bigger than they actually are:

SMITH DEAL NOT AS RICH AS ADVERTISED

Posted by Mike Florio on June 13, 2008, 10:09 p.m.

Contrary to an Associated Press reports pegging the value of Saints defensive end Will Smith’s contract extension as having a Dwight Freeney/Jared Allen ballpark of six years and $70 million, the reality is that the deal is worth, by our calculations, $61.4 million over seven years. The value increases to $62.3 million if Smith earns a $150,000 workout bonus in each of the six seasons from 2009 through 2014.

The difference is huge. Under the version that presumably was propagated by his agent, Smith would average more than $11.5 million per year. The truth is that the deal has an average value of less than $9 million annually.

The contract contains guaranteed money in the amount of $25 million. If the non-guaranteed 2008 base salary of $700,000 is included, the practical guarantee increases to $25.7 million.

Smith pocketed a $12 million signing for signing his name on the dotted line. He’ll receive a $5.45 million roster bonus in 2009, which is guaranteed for skill and injury. Ditto for 2010, with the roster bonus increasing to $5.55 million. Also, his 2009 base salary of $1.07 million is fully guaranteed, as is $930,000 of his $1.93 million salary in 2010.

The deal also includes up to $3 million in escalators based on sacks.

I don't see this contract sending shockwaves like Tommy Kelly's did. New Orleans looks covered here to me. Smith is only 26 (27 by the start of the season), and just coming into his prime. I could be wrong, but I think if you asked around the league, the consensus would be he's one of the better all around DE's. I'm sure the Saints would like to see the season sack totals up there in double digits though.