Minnesota signs Smoot

#1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Fred Smoot agreed to terms on a six-year contract Tuesday with the Minnesota Vikings, sending the top cornerback left on the free agent market to a team that has had persistent defensive problems in recent seasons.

Smoot had 16 interceptions over four years with the Washington Redskins and was selected as an alternate to the Pro Bowl last season. His deal is worth $34 million, including a $10.8 million signing bonus, according to ESPN.com and FOXSports.com.

Smoot forms a quality tandem at cornerback with Antoine Winfield, who was Minnesota's top free agent signee last season. Brian Williams will become the nickel back.

Coach Mike Tice, who canceled a West Coast college scouting trip to focus on free agency, praised owner Red McCombs for taking advantage of the team's ample space -- more than $30 million at week's beginning -- under the salary cap.

``We're excited to add another quality playmaker to the defensive side of our football team,'' Tice said. ``Right now, we have three very, very good corners.''

The Vikings have long been near the bottom of the league in pass defense, and they were tied for 27th in the NFL last season. The biggest problem in 2004 was poor coverage by their linebackers and safeties, but the upgrade Smoot gives them at cornerback is clearly a big help.

Williams played through injuries and fatigue last year, Winfield missed two games in December with a sprained ankle and Ken Irvin missed the entire season with a ruptured Achilles' tendon.

``Obviously last year we showed we didn't have enough depth there,'' Tice said.

Smoot had a visit scheduled with Kansas City, but when negotiations intensified Tuesday he skipped his flight. Quarterback Daunte Culpepper phoned Smoot to help persuade him to sign, Tice said.

Smoot's agent, James ``Bus'' Cook, didn't immediately return a phone call. Smoot will be introduced at a news conference at team headquarters on Wednesday morning.

Tight end Freddie Jones also visited Tuesday with the Vikings, who were close to re-signing Jermaine Wiggins, their leader in receptions last year.

Minnesota needs a pass-catching tight end to complement Jim Kleinsasser, one of the best blockers in the league who suffered a season-ending knee injury last September.

Jones, an eight-year veteran who has been with the Arizona Cardinals since 2002, has also visited the Green Bay Packers. His agent, Michael McCartney, said Jones was excited about the prospect of playing for the Vikings. ``The first thing is he's got to get in the right offense,'' McCartney said. ``On the surface it really looks like an ideal fit in many ways.''

Jones might not get that chance, because Tice said Tuesday night the team was close to keeping Wiggins, who had a career-high 71 catches for 705 yards and four touchdowns.

Dlove · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005

I wonder if this move will pay off for them. They have been needing help on the defensive side for a while now. Hopefully this will give the a much need boost in the pass defense department.

titansrule · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005

good move for the vikes here. if they draft a good receiver with the frst from oakland they should be looking good. with the other picks id ssay they need lbs. depends which they want more. id say they take mike williams with oaklands pick and with there next first the best available OLB. of course that is if we titans dont draft mike williams

ItalianStallion · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005

Bah, I thought the Chiefs would get him or Rolle... that stinks...

titansrule · #5 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005

you thought theyd get smoot? actually i didnt think of that. would have helped em a lot. they may draft one...i think they should having passed him and rolle up...

#6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005

damnit minnesotas gonna dominate now

#7 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by D_Sack_Masta

damnit minnesotas gonna dominate now

yeah just like Washington was last year....LOL!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha ha

and by the way, MAKE YOUR SIG SMALLER!!! I already told ya once!

titansrule · #8 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005

swoosh, he hasnt been online since evryone told him to make the sig smaller...whe he comes back, then im sure he will change it....well he should....

Dlove · #9 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005

I don't think they'll dominate until they make the best move they can make. Get rid of TICE!!!!!!!

WEBBC · #10 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlove

I don't think they'll dominate until they make the best move they can make. Get rid of TICE!!!!!!!

I am a huge Vikings fan and I at one point last year shared the same opinion about Tice...but you have to remember that they were one of the worst D's in the league and if you ask me..they could have beaten the Eagles if there were a few things that would have gone differently..yeah I know...would have, could have, should have....but this is a very young team and they were close the NFC Championship game..they now understand D wins and they are doing the by getting Veterans for the leadership and young talent "Smoot" to be up thier to get over the hump...Look out for this team this year..they could surprise people this year...but then again..Don't they say that every year about this team...

Dlove · #11 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005

I think they are making great moves with the signings they made. I just think that the players don't play hard for Tice. They start off fast and then they falter. It's like they beleive in the system in the start and then they realize he's full of it so they stop playing for him. Just my opinion!!!

WEBBC · #12 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlove

I think they are making great moves with the signings they made. I just think that the players don't play hard for Tice. They start off fast and then they falter. It's like they beleive in the system in the start and then they realize he's full of it so they stop playing for him. Just my opinion!!!

Dlove..I can respect that opinion but I have to ask...as a young player in the NFL how can you believe in a system for 5 or 6 weeks..win almost all you games..and then find it within yourself to think..ayyyy..maybe this guy is full of it..it may be happening but then I think...How can a young player in this league look at Tice (looks kinda dumb) and say..here is a guy who has put his time in the league as a player..he knows what the NFL is all about..and doubt him? If that is in fact what is happening to the Vikings, Tice needs to find a way to keep the motivation up..I however believe that it may be a combination of young players and a young coach...only time will tell

Dlove · #13 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005

I didn't get what I was saying across corectly. I think his scheme is suspect. He doesn't know how to change up week to week. It's like his game plan stays the same all the time. Then the other teams figure out what he's doing and they begin to lose. The players probaly look at him and wonder what he's thinking. U know that when U start losing U lose faith in the system the coach and with young guys sometime themselves!!

ItalianStallion · #14 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005

They've had the best offseason IMO... with a good WR in the draft that can eventually fill the hole Moss left I think they'll definitely be beastly this year.

#15 (**permalink**) 03-23-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dlove

I didn't get what I was saying across corectly. I think his scheme is suspect. He doesn't know how to change up week to week. It's like his game plan stays the same all the time. Then the other teams figure out what he's doing and they begin to lose. The players probaly look at him and wonder what he's thinking. U know that when U start losing U lose faith in the system the coach and with young guys sometime themselves!!

Must be a common thing in the NFC North. Every team knows what the Lions are gonna run. As a matter of fact, in our game vs. the Jags (I THINK) in OT, when we were going for it. Roy, A ROOKIE, tells Mooch and Harrington that they know what we're gonna run. Neither change anything, and sure enough, they knew our play and had us pegged.