Smith to chose Saints!!!

SFinAustin · 06-13-2003, 03:31 PM

We'll see if Len Pasquirelli is right but he seems sure!

Although he has said he will take the weekend to deliberate on his next career move, sources close to Akili Smith told ESPN.com on Friday that, barring a change of heart, he will sign with the New Orleans Saints. The former Cincinnati first-rounder, who visited with Saints officials on Thursday, certainly seems to be in concert with offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, and is said to like quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard. One potential hangup is that New Orleans wants Smith to sign a two-year contract, while he and agent Kennard McGuire probably would prefer a one-year deal. But current Saints backup Todd Bouman has just a one-year contract and New Orleans officials don't want both of their reserves behind Aaron Brooks to be eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring. The Saints have been very aggressive in their recruitment of Smith, were the first club to call him after his release by the Bengals, and clearly have said all the rights things publicly and privately. Word is that the New York Jets have been all but eliminated and that the Green Bay Packers don't appeal to Smith nearly as much as the Saints do.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasqu...n/1567356.html

I hope he settles for the two year deal!

BillyCarpenter1 · 06-13-2003, 03:44 PM

Could be a jewel in the rough. The thing that this shows me is that players around the league see the Saints as a contender and want to come here!!!!!

lumm0x · 06-13-2003, 04:15 PM

Not only that, he sees an offense that has weapons that will not make the QB have to win games by himself. Green Bay and the Jets both have a running game, but the Saints offense is much more QB friendly with the WR and TE personnel. The Jets have just lost their #1 WR and the Packers don\'t have a legitimate #1 anyway. We have two #1\'s, the NFC leading rusher, a plethora of TE\'s and a very good OL as well. His chances of success are better here, although his chances of seeing the field aren\'t as good. He could use some pre-season time to showcase himself with our players though.

nocloning · 06-13-2003, 05:44 PM

From kffl (www.kffl.com)

Fri, 13 Jun 2003 14:25:36
KFFL has learned the Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms with free agent QB Akili Smith (Bengals). Terms of the deal are not yet available.

Fine with me.

ScottyRo · 06-13-2003, 06:06 PM

Well, I wouldn\'t mind having him as a 3rd QB, but I don\'t see him as ever becoming good enough to be a starter in this league and 3rd QB\'s are a dime a dozen. If he is signing with GB, its because he foolishly thinks when Favre leaves he\'ll simply inherit the starting spot. At this point he probably needs 3 - 5 years to undo the damage done to his psyche. He might turn out to be a Rich Gannon one day, but that day is a long way off.

He might as well sign with GB and leave us to our QB\'s that have been here all (or most) offseason.

deadflatbird · 06-13-2003, 06:47 PM

sign him, sign him, sign him!!!

06-13-2003, 03:31 PM	#1
SFinAustin 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 176	Smith to chose Saints!!! We'll see if Len Pasquirelli is right but he seems sure! Although he has said he will take the weekend to deliberate on his next career move, sources close to Akili Smith told ESPN.com on Friday that, barring a change of heart, he will sign with the New Orleans Saints. The former Cincinnati first-rounder, who visited with Saints officials on Thursday, certainly seems to be in concert with offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, and is said to like quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard. One potential hangup is that New Orleans wants Smith to sign a two-year contract, while he and agent Kennard McGuire probably would prefer a one-year deal. But current Saints backup Todd Bouman has just a one-year contract and New Orleans officials don't want both of their reserves behind Aaron Brooks to be eligible for unrestricted free agency next spring. The Saints have been very aggressive in their recruitment of Smith, were the first club to call him after his release by the Bengals, and clearly have said all the rights things publicly and privately. Word is that the New York Jets have been all but eliminated and that the Green Bay Packers don't appeal to Smith nearly as much as the Saints do. http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasqu...n/1567356.html I hope he settles for the two year deal!
SFinAustin 100th Post Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 176

06-13-2003, 03:44 PM	#2
BillyCarpenter1 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,209	Smith to chose Saints!!! Could be a jewel in the rough. The thing that this shows me is that players around the league see the Saints as a contender and want to come here!!!!!
BillyCarpenter1 Banned Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,209

06-13-2003, 04:15 PM	#3
lumm0x Resident antediluvian Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 2,026	Smith to chose Saints!!! Not only that, he sees an offense that has weapons that will not make the QB have to win games by himself. Green Bay and the Jets both have a running game, but the Saints offense is much more QB friendly with the WR and TE personnel. The Jets have just lost their #1 WR and the Packers don\'t have a legitimate #1 anyway. We have two #1\'s, the NFC leading rusher, a plethora of TE\'s and a very good OL as well. His chances of success are better here, although his chances of seeing the field aren\'t as good. He could use some pre-season time to showcase himself with our players though.

06-13-2003, 05:44 PM	#4
nocloning 100th Post Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 302	Smith to chose Saints!!! From kffl (www.kffl.com) Fri, 13 Jun 2003 14:25:36 KFFL has learned the Green Bay Packers have agreed to terms with free agent QB Akili Smith (Bengals). Terms of the deal are not yet available. Fine with me.
nocloning 100th Post Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 302

06-13-2003, 06:06 PM	#5
ScottyRo 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA (ugh, the food here) Posts: 1,704	Smith to chose Saints!!! Well, I wouldn\'t mind having him as a 3rd QB, but I don\'t see him as ever becoming good enough to be a starter in this league and 3rd QB\'s are a dime a dozen. If he is signing with GB, its because he foolishly thinks when Favre leaves he\'ll simply inherit the starting spot. At this point he probably needs 3 - 5 years to undo the damage done to his psyche. He might turn out to be a Rich Gannon one day, but that day is a long way off. He might as well sign with GB and leave us to our QB\'s that have been here all (or most) offseason.

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06-13-2003, 06:47 PM	#6
deadflatbird 100th Post Join Date: May 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 255	Smith to chose Saints!!! sign him, sign him, sign him!!!