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METAIRIE, La. --New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton tried Thursday to defuse the rumors concerning defensive end Will Smith's displeasure with his contract.

Payton said Smith hasn't come to the team asking for a new deal, nor has he threatened to hold out for the type of money fellow end Charles Grant received during the offseason.

"That's not been brought up at all," Payton said after Thursday's team practice. "It's been brought up by the media... . There have been a number of erroneous reports."

Smith wasn't available for comment during the open locker-room period for the media on Thursday. The Pro Bowl defensive end still has three years left on his contract, with it capping off at $1.045 million in the 2009 season.

Grant received a seven-year deal worth up to $63 million with $20 million guaranteed right before the draft. It put him among the top five highest-paid defensive ends in the league and the highest non-Pro Bowl end.

Despite the pay gap, Payton said Smith hasn't displayed any ill will.

"He's been great," Payton said. "I think a player, in our league at their positions, when they see their peers get a new contract, I think the natural inclination for players on the right team is to be happy for them. I've heard Will make that comment.

"Be excited for their peers because they've seen their hard work and productivity be rewarded. I think that's healthy and I think that's the way that he feels."

But compare the stats of Grant and Smith and Smith could make a case for a pay raise. Smith tallied 10½ sacks last season and 26½ during his first three seasons in the league. Grant sacked the quarterback six times last season and 19 in the last three campaigns. Grant did rack up 64 total tackles last season compared to 49 tackles for Smith.

There's no doubt the Saints have high hopes for Grant, considering the money they threw at him to take away the franchise tag.

"He's someone who has high expectations for himself," Payton said. "You hope a player continues to improve and continues to work on things that he sees as areas where he can improve his game. He's someone that played real well last year on a consistent basis. From a leadership standpoint, I think he's important to our defense."

QB backups - There's a steady dropoff from starting quarterback Drew Brees to the passers who sit behind him on the depth chart. Jamie Martin is Brees' backup, but is in the last year of his contract, with Jason Fife and Tyler Palko also on the roster.

But Payton doesn't plan on bringing anyone else in to camp.

Player updates - Linebackers Brian Simmons (knee) and Alfred Fincher (thigh), along with safety Steve Gleason (knee), didn't participate in the team's third session. Payton said he expects Simmons to be healthy enough to take part in the team's three-day minicamp starting June 1.

Rookie running back Antonio Pittman and kicker Brett Bergstrom weren't on the field for the third straight day because of school conflicts.

Transactions - The Saints signed safety Curry Burns and released tight end Calen Powell on Wednesday.

http://www.sunherald.com/sports/story/61854.html