Former Buckeye Smith absent from Saints
Thursday, May 22, 2008
METAIRIE, La. — New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith skipped an optional offseason training session Wednesday, May 21, apparently because he is unhappy with his contract.
"You just go around the league, and each team's got a player or two that's unhappy with a contract," Saints head coach Sean Payton said.
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Smith, who received about $20 million in bonuses when he signed as a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2004, is slated to earn a base salary of $850,000 next season.
With performance incentives, that figure could grow to close to $3 million. However, Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and led the Saints with seven sacks last season. He also was among the team leaders in tackles with 66.


