Saints to release FS Dwight Smith

[StarAmongStars]

Are you serious?

Jerry loves thinking he's getting an FA bargain.

But lets not get our hopes up -- there are 17 teams ahead of us in the waiver line.

Yes but he can sign with whatever team he wants now I thought?

Isn't he a UFA upon his release from NO?

 

[WoodysGirl]

We need to make a waiver claim on him.

Honestly, I doubt that he'll make it to us on waivers.

Lots of teams are going to want this guy -- it is what? a 3 mill commitment over the next two years? That is cheap.

I don't think he's subject to the waiver wire...at least the article didn't mention it.

Seems to me, he becomes unrestricted, then goes to the highest bidder.

 

[AbeBeta]

There is usually a good reason players are let go

Could it be that his replacement was the Saint's #2 pick last year?

 

[Stash]

I don't think he's subject to the waiver wire...at least the article didn't mention it.

Seems to me, he becomes unrestricted, therefore he's gonna go to the highest bidder.

I thought the same thing. Isn't he a vested veteran, therefore he doesn't have to pass wavers?

 

[InmanRoshi]

There is usually a good reason players are let go but i must admit I'd be VERY interested in having Smith checked out as a possible addition.

BB gun incident? I vaguely thought I remembered some incident with this guy but once again I don't know that its a reason to simply turn the other way. Check it all out.

I agree that something seems fishy and would probably require a lot of homework being done. Its fishy that the Saints are letting him go, and its even more fishy that they've been dangling him on the market for 6 months with no takers when he has a very reasonable contract. Just a guess, but I suspect he might be in the league's substance abuse program and is a bad test away from a suspension.

But when one of your starting safeties is a free agent at the end of the year and the other has 4 career bulletholes and 0 career interceptions, you would think the Cowboys would be highly interested.

 

[AbeBeta]

also, the Saints drafted another FS in the 2nd round this year.

it is unclear why the Saints feel they need so many free safeties.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

he would be a good signing instead of Coleman. I would say dump Bariault into PS and get smith, I say even dump KD and get smith. that would be much better. the guy can cover and play FS.

but how much would he cost? I am surprised we didn't offer a trade! specially with those cap numbers.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Call me crazy, but I think we should be all over that.

Which probably means we won't.

cuz there will be a bidding war for him IMO which we shouldn't get into, now I could see if we only had Keith Davis and Izell Reese battling for the position...

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I thought the same thing. Isn't he a vested veteran, therefore he doesn't have to pass wavers?

Right, he's a six-year vet...

Speaking of that, I think the old time limit was four years of service... Not sure if the new CBA changed that at all. (Adam?)

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Perhaps they don't... they may have just wanted to save some money against the cap...

This is finally a cut worth looking at... if the price is right...

how is a adding a contract saving money? esp. if Keith Davis isn't as good as his contract, which many are suggesting

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Let's see:

The Saints let La'Roi Glover go, and the Cowboys signed him. That worked out OK.

The Saints let Willie Roaf go, think the Chiefs are complaining?

In short, I would consider the Saints to be poor evaluators in terms of keeping talent.

Plenty of quality players have passed through New Orleans in recent years.

both Roaf and LaRoi were salary cap casualties, money was tight around the league when they were cut, Dwight just hasn't lived up to his contract

 

[ravidubey]

Does he qualify for waivers? This would be his 6th season and so he might jsut become an unrestricted free agent. Otherwise it would be sweet to grab a top safety for 4 years 11.5 million and no guaranteed cash (besides roster bonuses, if any).

 

[superpunk]

cuz there will be a bidding war for him IMO which we shouldn't get into, now I could see if we only had Keith Davis and Izell Reese battling for the position...

It's not my money. And the cap situation is pretty decent - his contract isn't prohibitive, I don't think.

Let's just say I'd be WAY more confortable with him back there, than otherwise.

 

[AbeBeta]

I agree that something seems fishy and would probably require a lot of homework being done. Its fishy that the Saints are letting him go, and its even more fishy that they've been dangling him on the market for 6 months with no takers when he has a very reasonable contract.

I think that many teams are thinking that they just have to release him anyway -- since they've spent their last two 2nd rounders on safeties.

Also, most reports say the Saints were asking for a 3rd.

 

[diamond cutter]

I'm going to play devil's advocate --

How would this impact Dallas' ability to resign pending free agents? I personally think that this would be a fantastic addition for this year, but does that handcuff the team when trying to get a deal done with Witten, Williams and James before the season starts?

 

[AbeBeta]

Does he qualify for waivers? This would be his 6th season and so he might jsut become an unrestricted free agent. Otherwise it would be sweet to grab a top safety for 4 years 11.5 million and no guaranteed cash (besides roster bonuses, if any).

Good point -- I was just wondering that.

 

[trickblue]

how is a adding a contract saving money? esp. if Keith Davis isn't as good as his contract, which many are suggesting

I was referring to the Saints wanting to save money...

 

[AbeBeta]

I'm going to play devil's advocate --

How would this impact Dallas' ability to resign pending free agents? I personally think that this would be a fantastic addition for this year, but does that handcuff the team when trying to get a deal done with Witten, Williams and James before the season starts?

We've got the cap money to do all of them

 

[CoCo]

Could it be that his replacement was the Saint's #2 pick last year?

I think there is more to it than that. I think someone said they also picked another safety this year. If Smith was all that, and young, and reasonably priced, what are they drafting safeties for to begin with?

I'm very interested. I just think we'd better do our homework.

 

[ravidubey]

We've got the cap money to do all of them

And we can also restructure deals if we need to.