New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

With the Saints switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense and defensive end Will Smith due to receive a base salary of $9 million in 2013, the chances of Will Smith becoming a salary-cap casualty possibly have increased.

While Dwight Freeney made the transition in Indianapolis last season despite the inflated contract-year base salary, Freeney’s status with the Colts wasn’t in doubt before the change to a 3-4 defense. Smith already had been mentioned as a guy who could be purged from the roster as the Saints try to get in line with the salary cap.

That said, the transition for Smith may not be as difficult. “We were primarily a 3-4 in certain situations last year, and the past two years with Gregg [Williams] we were a form of 3-4,” Smith told Larry Holder of the New Orleans Time Picayune. “So I mean [Sean Payton] probably thinks it would probably be the best defense to help the team. That’s his take on it. I haven’t had a chance to speak to him on it or anybody. He’s the head coach and he makes the final call.”

Linebacker Scott Shanle welcomes the change, primarily because the change from Gregg Williams to Steve Spagnuolo didn’t go all that well.

“It’s better to make a change than not make a change,” Shanle told Holder. “I’m being brutally honest in that there absolutely were issues with the scheme. Guys no matter how many years they played, there were things I was being told to do in this scheme that I’ve never heard of, and I’ve played for four different defensive coordinators.”

He’ll now play for a fifth. Whoever it ends up being.

New defense could be bad news for Will Smith | ProFootballTalk

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

“We were primarily a 3-4 in certain situations last year, and the past two years with Gregg [Williams] we were a form of 3-4,”

True but there is one MAJOR difference...you weren't about to get 9mil that year either. Thank you for your services sir.

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

While I like Will Smith, he has been good for us, he isn't worth his contract anymore and will likely be gone.

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

He is too small to be a 3-4 DE and has absolutely no coverage skills to be a 3-4 OLB even if he could potentially work as an edge setter in that role... and he is far too expensive to keep around with all of those limitations.

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

So long Slow Man from Ohio State...

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

It is hard to get a feeling for someone's tone when it is written, but it appears he might know what is about to happen and may be a bit bitter, but can't say for certain. Mihgt not be that at all

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

just the reason mickey needs to purge the defense and put the cap issue to rest.

DE DT SS LB all lining up at the butcher block as we speak.

let the purging begin. it may take a couple years but it will start this year. if not i am really confused

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

Were going olb/de in the draft unless we can get milner going up in the draft

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

Yeah I like will smith but He just isn't worth the Money r time... we got sum guys behind him that should be starting... Tho I did see a lil more aggression from Smith this year still he cant seem to get to a QB....

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

"there were things I was being told to do in this scheme that I’ve never heard of, like tackling, and being in postion to make a play and pass coverage"

Fixed it for you Shanle.

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

Shanle may very well not be here next year either.

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

I fixed it for you Rugby! ;-)

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

Shanle GONE !

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

Will Smith has been a good draft pick, good player and good teammate. But there comes a time when the business side of the game takes over. Will can't get that kind of money and his diminishing skill set doesn't fit our upcoming scheme. Thank you for everything sir and good luck where you land.

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

How about so long Sed Ellis. Talk about a dissapointment!

Re: New defense could be bad news for Will Smith
 

I would not mind if he became an assistant for the Saints when he stops playing, he seems like a real smart football player with good knowledge for playing his position as well as being a hard worker. He has been able to mask not having great physical skill by being smart.