Will Smith stays home, wants a new contract
METAIRIE, La. –While the presence of New Orleans Saints defensive end Charles Grant at Wednesday’s team session may have been surprising, the absence of fellow defensive end Will Smith wasn’t a big shock.
Smith has yet to participate in any of the Saints’ offseason programs because he wants a new contract. Newly signed Bobby McCray took Smith’s spot in Wednesday’s workout.
“I think you just go around the league and each team has a player or two that’s unhappy with his contract and so in the meantime our focus is on the players that are here,” Saints coach Sean Payton said.
The offseason programs are voluntary, and it’s unknown if Smith will attend next weekend’s mandatory full-squad minicamp.
“It’s mandatory so, yeah, I expect (Smith) to be at minicamp,” Payton said.
sunherald.com
5/22/08
