clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Saints News, 2/14/14: Will Smith 'Wasn't Surprised' When Released By Saints

Smith said during an NFL Network interview today that he mostly knew it was coming after speaking to Sean Payton and other coaches in recent weeks. He plans to continue training and preparing for 2014 with the expectation that another team will bring him aboard. Best of luck to him. It sucks when a longtime contributor to the team is released, but that's the cruel business of the sport. In other related news, ESPN estimates the Saints are now $2.6 million under the salary cap after Wednesday's player cuts.

By David "Satch" Kelly
Chris Graythen

Tweets

___________________________________

Saints News

Saints an estimated $2.6 million under cap - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
The New Orleans Saints are now an estimated $2.6 million under the salary cap, according to ESPN NFL Insider John Clayton, after the release of vetera

Jimmy Graham: Seahawks "grab and hold as much as you can" | ProFootballTalk
"They’re the type of team that they’re very, very aggressive," Graham said. "I think they teach, ‘Listen, they’re not going to call the P.I., so just grab and hold as much as you can.’"

New Orleans Saints' Jimmy Graham mum on tight end/wide receiver debate as contract talks remain slow | NOLA.com
Jimmy Graham on where he stands on contract talks: 'I'm just standing.'

Jimmy Graham of New Orleans Saints says his position is not his decision - ESPN
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham said Thursday that the looming debate over whether he should be considered a tight end or wide receiver is not for me to decide.

New Orleans Saints Jimmy Graham joins ESPN s 'Mike & Mike' - ESPN
NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham joined ESPN’s Mike & Mike on set Friday morning as they’re broadcasting

The NFL's Best Coaches - Goal Line Stand - Rotoworld.com
4. Sean Payton, Career Record: 73-39 (.652) With The Saints Since: 2006 The Payton model has taken some lumps in recent years. There’s the whole "getting suspended for an entire year" thing, and the fact that his Fourth-of-July offense has too often resembled "just" an expensive box of mortar shells on the road. Neither changes the fact that Payton approaches football in a fundamentally-different way than the majority of his peers, and has had far-more success as a result. For many first-time coaches, the first thing they ask themselves is, "how can I fit this square peg into this round hole?" For Payton it was, "how can I maximize our home-field advantage and ability to score points?" Payton may have built the home dominance before the road competence, but that didn’t stop him from being at the helm for New Orleans’ first Super Bowl title in 2009. And for all the hand-wringing over the Saints' "struggles" away from the Superdome, Payton has as many road playoff victories as Bill Belichick since 2006. It’s hard for any team to win away from home, not just Payton’s. An idiosyncratic leader in a league full of followers, Payton is going to oversee an above-average team for as long as he remains in New Orleans.

No Love For The Saints In NFL.com's All-Under-25 Team - Who Dat Dish - A New Orleans Saints Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and more.
No Love For The Saints In NFL.com's All-Under-25 Team

NFL Draft Simulator Results

Jabari Greer carried out his final days with the Saints gallantly: Commentary | Black and Gold

Free agent spotlight: S Malcolm Jenkins - New Orleans Saints Blog - ESPN
The New Orleans Saints have 14 players scheduled to become unrestricted free agents on March 11, including four full-time starters. Here’s a bre

Nick Toon: 2013 season in review
Nick Toon played in eights games in 2013

Pierre Thomas: 2013 season in review
Pierre Thomas led NFL running backs in receptions in 2013 with 77

____________________________________

Darren Sharper Charged With Rape

Former Saints star Darren Sharper charged with drugging, raping two women in Los Angeles | NOLA.com
The complaint was filed by the L.A. district attorney's office

Ex-NFL Pro Bowler Darren Sharper charged with two counts of rape - latimes.com
The former pro football player, dressed in a gray suit and white shirt, entered the courtroom in Los Angeles on Friday shortly after it opened about 8:30 a.m. He left roughly 20 minutes later, and as of 9 a.m., his case had not been called before the judge.

Darren Sharper -- CHARGED WITH RAPE ... NFL Star Allegedly Drugged Multiple Women | TMZ.com
Darren Sharper has just been charged with 2 counts of rape in L.A. ... after the former New Orleans Saints superstar allegedly drugged multiple women and…

Darren Sharper -- I Didn't Rape Anyone! | TMZ.com
Darren Sharper is adamant he's NOT A RAPIST ... insisting the women accusing him of sexual assault are lying ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ…

Darren Sharper charges: Read Los Angeles DA complaint charging Sharper with rape of two women | NOLA.com
Darren Sharper, the ex-New Orleans Saints safety, was charged Friday with drugging and raping two women in Los Angeles.

_____________________________________

NFL News

Goodell made $44.2 million in 2012 | wwltv.com New Orleans
NEW YORK (AP) — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made $44.2 million in 2012, according to tax returns the league has submitted.

Ted Wells concludes Incognito and others harassed Martin, and others | ProFootballTalk
If Richie Incognito was waiting for exoneration, he may need to wait a bit longer. Or a lot longer.A lengthy report issued Friday by independent investigator Ted Wells concludes that three members of the starting Miami Dolphins offensive line -- Richie Incognito, John Jerry, and Mike Pouncey -- "e...

______________________________________

Video

VIDEO: Will Smith 'wasn't surprised' to be released - NFL Videos
Free agent linebacker Will Smith explains why he expected to be released on Wednesday and also reveals how he can still help a team in 2014.

VIDEO: Is it fair if Jimmy Graham gets franchise tagged by the New Orleans Saints as a tight end? - NFL Videos
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham wants to be considered as a wide receiver if he gets the franchise tag, but which position is truly fair value? "NFL Total Access" debates.


More From Canal Street Chronicles