WHITHER AKILI? From Chris Shepherd, of Bloomington, Ind: "Love your column. A question about the recently released Akili Smith, considering he says he wants to go somewhere where he has a chance to start: Where might that be?"

Thanks. Nowhere. Smith will visit the Jets, Packers and Saints this week, but no one in this league is bringing him in with the idea that he'd start this year, or even compete for a starting job. He wants to go somewhere to be coached better than he was in Cincinnati. He and those close to him feel this stop in his career, which could very well be but a way station, is the place where he will improve his game with a good offensive mind before actually having a shot to play somewhere in 2004 or beyond. I think New Orleans, and bright offensive mind Mike McCarthy, would be perfect for him.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/ins...03/06/09/mmqb/