New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

The New Orleans Saints may be thinking a little outside the box while building their 3-4 defense inside the box as veteran defensive end Will Smith will open up Organized Team Activities on Tuesday at outside linebacker.

Saints Coach Sean Payton and General Manager Mickey Loomis each confirmed Smith's shift Monday morning at the Saints Hall of Fame Golf Classic at Chateau Golf and Country Club in Kenner.

"Look, Will's a really good football player," Loomis said. "We'll find a place for Will to be playing, but I think ideally it would be outside linebacker. I think that's where we see him and that's where he'll start out in camp. And look, I expect the same things that we've gotten out of him that we've gotten in the past which is really a high level of play."

Smith, the longest tenured Saints player on the roster, has played as a 4-3 defensive end for the Saints his entire career. Some alterations with the Saints moving to a 3-4 defensive scheme under new coordinator Rob Ryan were bound to occur. But Smith's change to potentially playing as a stand-up linebacker at times is an eye-opening one.

Smith's numbers have been consistent the past three years, but not consistently high like the elite pass rusher the Saints have paid Smith to be. He has averaged six sacks per season during the three-year span. The 6-foot-3, 282-pound defender also took a massive $6 million pay cut this offseason to remain in New Orleans.


New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis discusses Will Smith's move to OLBSaints GM anticipates Will Smith will be a productive player at outside linebacker


This change adds more competition to an already intriguing battle at outside linebacker with the likes of Victor Butler, Martez Wilson and Junior Galette competing for snaps.

"One of the challenges in the transition right now is trying to make sure we put the right players that were on the roster a year ago in the right spots, but that's what we're going to be where we'll start him at," Payton said. "(It's about) how much those guys rush. So we can play them strong and weak and we can play them right and left. But I think initially that right outside position will be very similar to what he's played for us in the past."

New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday | NOLA.com

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

I like to think he could play on the inside, he needs to drop his weight about 20 to 25 lbs and he might actually be pretty good.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

It may sound harsh but this may be a way to try and find the players that wont fit the scheme, if Smith doesnt do well in OTA's he could be cut

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

This stinks like moving Wilson to DE........it's got fail written all over it!

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Ahhh, the first WTF moment of the Rob Ryan regime.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Not so fast, this possibly could be a blessing in disguise he has raw strength, size and still plenty of speed to play on the inside, if he drops his weight down to around 260 he could be a force the middle we may need. Just sayin'.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

I don't get it. You're saying that dropping his weight would help him move inside?

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Yes, he would be quicker and stout against the run. Kind of like what Cushing does. 260 to 270 would be good.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Levon Kirkland:

Levon Kirkland, MLB at NFL.com

Jamir Miller:

Jamir Miller, OLB at NFL.com

Adalius Thomas:

Adalius Thomas, OLB at NFL.com

Will Smith:

Will Smith, DE for the New Orleans Saints at NFL.com

These guys are all about the same size. Smith will have to drop some weight for endurance.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Have you ever dropped 25-30 pounds? Do you know what that entails?
Much less do it in 3 months and maintain any modicum of his present strength.


You drop Will down to 250 in one off season and watch him get run over.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Oh, you mean Inside LB, not Inside as in DE/DT. I get it now.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

His contract isn't guaranteed. If he can't hack it, no biggie.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

We can jet him, just cant replace him outside of what we have... no$ and he has a hefty dead pool.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

I dont get it, this is gonna be funny to watch. Will Smith doesn't fit anywhere on the field in a 3-4 defense.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Curiouser and curiouser....

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

I don't think he can start at OLB and run with TEs and receivers, but on passing downs he would just be a 4th Dlineman who is standing up.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Agreed sort of. He's not a perfect fit based on his entire career playing a 4-3 DE with occasional shifts inside to DT on pass rush packages.

Sure, he could play both DE's and OLB and DT on certain packages, but you're right, he's not an ideal fit anywhere.

The Martez Wilson to DE move looked OK on paper last year, but this doesn't even look good on paper.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

The good news is that I'm reading the Jack LB almost never drops into coverage, and when they do its just to cover a small zone.

I guess all we can do is trust the coaches, but this is a bit of a head scratcher.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

They must see something in him or he wants to compete at that position. Honestly, any change will do because he has been such a streaky player at DE his whole career. Literally saw the guy play pro-bowl style 1 week, only to completely disappear for weeks on end, and then show up and play hard weeks down the line. All I can say is let's wait and see....

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

So don't drop him to 250 drop him to 270 - which is doable. He needs a spot that he can play or be is off the team.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Yea this move doesnt make sense he cant produce 10-12 with his hand in the dirt consistently why move a slow 4-3 DE to Olb he's just taking up space now

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

I just listened to his WWL interview

Good news - Won't be much different than what he was already doing.

Bad news - He was't doing jack squat to start with.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

HEY YOU GUYS I HATE TO SAY I TOLD YOU SO, BUT I TOLD YOU SO.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

You've said that a few times before. Do you include all the times you were wrong?

Links?

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

This seems like a dollar & cents move when you don't necessarily have the money or the cap space to do what you want, so you try to make-do with what you have. I don't really follow the money/contract aspects of a roster that closely & rely on the numbers guys of the board to make sense of it. FinSaint? :mrgreen:.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

I like it. Hicks, Bunkley, and Jordan with Tom Johnson sprinkled in up front.
I think this move just strengthens Will's ability to fill in when needed at DE or OLB when starters need a rest or are injured.

The LB position is THE position to watch this off-season.
Finally.

Joesam would be delighted.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Sorry I just don't see this. He would be to slow for this

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

We've got a bunch of fellas lined up for those spots too. Hard not to like.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

hey danno already posted on the depth chart thread

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Oh God......

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

now i have to see Smith drop into coverage? Jr and Smith are being asked to do things i just do not see. Jr is questionable against the run as it is.

well at least he and smith can run around the secondary together like chickens with their heads cut off in coverage

Rob Ryan ok does have a solid LB coaching history that i will give him but i am stumped by this.

could this be a cut move?

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Kristian: Will Smith is 'cool' with changing positions

Kristian@wwl.com - In a new defensive alignment, Saints veteran Will Smith is starting Organized Team Activities today at outside linebacker.
“On paper it’s outside linebacker, but it’s still defensive end. I’m cool with it,” Smith told me.

“It’s still the same role, I’m still rushing the passer. The difference is instead of being in a three point stance, I’m in a two point stance.”
Smith has spent his entire 9-year career with his hand in the ground playing in a 4-3 scheme. Entering his 10th season in the NFL, Smith has tallied 67.5 career sacks.

The “Cajun Cannon” Bobby Hebert says the move makes sense to him. “I think they know what they have in Will Smith as a defensive end, they want to see what he can do as a rush linebacker,” said Hebert. “I think you can get five to six sacks out of Will Smith at this point in his career. That would be pretty productive.”

Yes, it’s a drastic change for Smith, but this sounds like a bit of an experiment. If it doesn’t work they could still move him back to defensive end in the 3-4 under Rob Ryan.

The Big Question in Hebert’s mind for Smith is, “How well can he run? How well can he cover running backs out of the backfield?” Smith does have 25 career pass break-ups, with several of those coming at the line of scrimmage, batting down passes.

Smith took a $6 million pay cut and restructured his contract this off-season. Bobby says Smith looks to be a lock to make the roster. “He’s still in the mix after taking the cut in pay. The only way Smith doesn’t make the roster is if he completely falls on his face,” Hebert said.

Smith is a veteran guy, and he’s “their kind of guy,” so it makes sense to take a look outside linebacker. At the end of the day, if it doesn’t work out you know they can move him right back to the defensive line. The competition at the linebacking spots will be one to watch during OTA’s, mini-camp and Training Camp.

WWL - AM870 | FM105.3 | News | Talk | Sports - Kristian: Will Smith Is 'cool' With Changing Positions

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

:popcorn:

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Never understood why Smith virtually never gets the holding calls. I've never seen anybody get held so much and never get the call. He'd probably get an extra 4-6 sacks a year if they started calling it. If you think I'm making this up go back and watch some games and watch Smith. It's amazing.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

And here I thought it was just me. I've seen him get clothesline and hogtied multiple times every year... and he never gets the call. Then people look at his sack numbers and complain about how ineffective he is. He has had a pretty good NFL career... one a lot of players would be envious of. But when fans look at his pay check, all they talk about is how overpaid and overrated he is. If it weren't for that fat paycheck, not a soul would be saying a damn thing on how he's been more than a solid contributor for us throughout his career.

The market dictated his paycheck. Folks need to remember that. It's not like he has been some fat slob milking a paycheck from us. Never once have I questioned his effort on the field nor associated the word lazy regarding Will Smith... unlike some of the other players that have come and gone throughout the years. I can't even remember him complaining or holding out for a contract when it was his time to collect(though I could be wrong). The man gets a lot of unnecessary flack.

If he gets cut for whatever reason, I for one definitely appreciated what he was able to accomplish with us. 67.5 career slacks and a guy that rarely missed a game is nothing to be ashamed about by any means.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

maybe because he doesn't get in the refs face about getting the calls like other DEs would have. Not saying he should do that but it may surprise us how effective yelling at the refs really is; however unfortunate that may be.

Re: New Orleans Saints will shift defensive end Will Smith to outside linebacker when OTAs open Tuesday
 

Trade him to a 4-3 team in need of a DE for a conditional 6th and be done with it. He stands a better chance of making the squad in the DE rotation than he does the OLB rotation. But, it's probably more of a tryout/learning type thing at OLB. If he's decent, he then brings some versatility to the defense and added value overall to the roster.