Fred Smoot to the Vikes

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

ESPN.com


Cornerback Fred Smoot, the top coverage defender still remaining in the unrestricted free agent pool, has reached a contract agreement in principle with the Minnesota Vikings, a move that will further bolster a defense that statistically ranked 28th in the league overall during the 2004 season.

	Fred Smoot Cornerback Minnesota Vikings Profile
	2004 SEASON STATISTICS Tot Ast Solo INT Yds Lng 61 5 56 3 17 17

The four-year veteran cornerback, who had played his entire career with the Washington Redskins, is the second high-profile free agent acquired by the Vikings in the past week. Minnesota signed former Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Pat Williams last week.

Smoot's contract is for six years and a total of $34 million. It includes bonus money of $10.8 million.

Smoot, 25, is also the second premier cornerback added by the Vikings, who ranked 29th in pass defense last season and had just 11 interceptions, in two years. Antoine Winfield, a feisty little cornerback who began his career with Buffalo, was signed last spring by the Vikings and was clearly their best player in the secondary in 2004.

If the Vikings can shore up the safety position, Minnesota could field its best secondary unit in several years. Donovin Darius, a "franchise" strong safety from Jacksonville, has indicated he would like to be traded to the Vikings.

On Tuesday, Smoot arrived for his visit with Minnesota and, by evening, the two sides had agreed on the significant contract parameters.

Late last season, Smoot rejected a contract extension proposal from the Redskins, an offer that included a $10 million signing bonus. Redskins officials had hoped that a slow free agency market might force Smoot to reconsider.

The first week of free agency for Smoot had been somewhat puzzling in that he seemed to generate only modest interest. It was believed that, given his age and experience as a four-year starter in Washington, he would have been one of the most hotly-pursued free agents from the outset of the signing period.

Although he entered the NFL in 2001 as a brash and sometimes overly ****y player, and remains relatively talkative on the field, Smoot has matured considerably in the past two seasons. An aggressive single-coverage defender, the former Mississippi State standout also supports well against the run. The former second-round draft pick has 212 tackles, with 16 interceptions and 48 passes defensed in 60 games.

Freak

I hate this move because it means the Vikings have arguably the best 1-2 punch at corner in the NFL. Actually that goes to the Ravens easily, but Winfield/Smoot is goddamned good. If Minnesota drafts Derrick Johnson or acquires a serviceable linebacker somehow, they'll have big-time weapons at all three tiers of defense.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

lol...who would have thought.

But actually, it appears that the cheap ass owner of the Vikes is out of the Burress deal, so I saw Mel Kiper today talking about the Vikings possibly selecting Mike Williams with their first pick, to try and replace Moss.

And the Steelers today signed my niners receiver Cedrick Wilson. I won't miss him though.

Freak

Yeah, that makes me wonder if Cowher is going to start Wilson over Randle El. They're completely different players so I can see them splitting time, but I wanted to see what would happen if Antwaan started.

If the Vikings select a WR at #7, they're idiots, regardless of how good Edwards and Williams are. It would be the equivalent of trading Randy Moss for another WR and Napoleon Harris. They need to do whatever possible to get Derrick Johnson, or possibly a DE like Erasmus James.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

If they select a WR with the 7th pick it's only to please the fans who are pissed about Randy leaving. It'll be like, "Hey fans we know you loved Randy, but we got a new exciting player now who is gonna be the next big star."

I think the Vikes have enough offense really. Maybe a decent receiver wouldn't hurt, like a TJ Housmandzadeh type guy.

Freak

I have a strong feeling they'll end up with Travis Taylor.

I'm not sold on Burleson yet, and Marcus Robinson has shown he can be anything from a great wideout to an utter waste of football cleats, so I think the Vikes oughta really consider a guy like Troy Williamson or Mark Clayton with the 18th overall pick. Plax would be a good fit though, as in someone who could try and replicate Moss' role in the offense, while Burleson does all the dirty work over the middle.

Dr. Giganto

Sports Moderator

Fred Smoot = Overrated

Although I love him for being college teammates with Floyd "Porkchop" Womack, he's not as good as a lot of people make him out to be