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SAINTS AGREE TO TERMS ON FIVE-YEAR DEAL WITH S DWIGHT SMITH

For Immediate Release: March 7, 2005

The New Orleans Saints have added a playmaker to the secondary, agreeing to terms with S Dwight Smith on a five-year contract, it was announced today by Executive Vice-President/General Manager Mickey Loomis.

Smith, entering his fifth season after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a third-round pick in 2001, has posted 12 interceptions over the last three seasons and has started the last 32 regular-season games. He has experience at cornerback and both safety positions, opening all 16 contests in 2004 at free safety and recording 83 tackles (72 solo), three interceptions and 10 passes defensed.

"We believe Dwight is a top free-agent safety and will come here to play free safety," said Head Coach Jim Haslett. "His experience at cornerback and safety shows his versatility, and he is a solid, hard-hitting presence with the ball-hawking skills we are looking for in the secondary. This signing improves our entire defense and our speed on the backside of the unit."

In his career, Smith has played in 63 games (34 starts) and has 223 stops (192 solo), 12 interceptions and 34 passes defensed. He has also been one of the Buccaneers' top special-teams performers, including stints at kick returner. In 2003, Smith started all 16 games (nine at free safety, six at cornerback and one contest at strong safety) and led the club with a career-high five interceptions. In 2002, he had four interceptions and added a team-leading three in the postseason.

Along with the recent signing of T Jermane Mayberry (formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles), Smith is the second unrestricted free agent the club has added with Super Bowl experience. Smith became the first player in Super Bowl history to return a pair of interceptions for touchdowns (44 and 50 yards), accomplishing the feat against the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII.