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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?

papz

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

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

SmashMouth

Boutte

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.

papz

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.

Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.

All little common sense goes a long way.

blackangold

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.

Cruize

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.