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.

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