Smoot wants Vikings to trade for Gardner

From the St. Paul Pioneer Press:


Smoot in favor of Darius

BY DON SEEHOLZER

Pioneer Press


The Vikings' newest recruit met the press Wednesday, and Fred Smoot used the occasion to make an endorsement.

One day after agreeing to terms on a six-year, $34 million contract, the former free-agent cornerback said he definitely would be in favor of a trade for Jacksonville safety Donovin Darius.

"That would be lovely," Smoot said. "Any time you've got a guy like that, putting a roof over my head, it would be nice."

The Vikings are in discussions with the Jaguars on a trade for Darius, who wants out of Jacksonville after being slapped with the franchise tag for the third consecutive year but likely would cost Minnesota at least a second-round draft choice and a player.

The Vikings also have been talking to Washington about a trade for wide receiver Rod Gardner, and Smoot made a pitch to coach Mike Tice on behalf of his former Redskins teammate.

"I think Rod would be a good piece of the puzzle if Coach wants to get a couple of more people to fill in for the Moss trade," Smoot said. "Other than that, I'm going to let Coach handle it. He did a great job by coming and getting me, so I'm not going to doubt his recruiting skills at all."

Smoot said Tice was the biggest reason why he signed with the Vikings, although a call from quarterback Daunte Culpepper didn't hurt.

Smoot also said he is looking forward to the challenge of helping revive the Vikings' 28th-ranked defense and lining up opposite cornerback Antoine Winfield.

"I'll go on the record as saying we will be the best tandem in the NFL," Smoot said. "The funny thing about it is I kind of find myself lucking out and falling into those types of situations all the time. I came into the league and it was Champ Bailey and Darrell Green, and then I went on to play with Shawn Springs and now I've got Antoine. Right now, I'm just a lucky guy."

Happy camper: Tight end Jermaine Wiggins, who agreed to terms Tuesday on a five-year, $7.3 million contract, said he was glad to be back with the Vikings and not at all disappointed that he had to wait a week into free agency to do so.

"You know, that's how the business is," Wiggins said. "Nothing is ever on time, so it's kind of like everybody in the NFL is fashionably late. That's just the way it is. I'm just happy that it did happen."

Wiggins confirmed that payment of his $1 million signing bonus would be deferred — half in July and half next March — but said he wasn't put off by the Vikings' negotiating strategy.

"As long as I'm going to get it," Wiggins said. "Whether it's today or three months from now, the bottom line is I'm still going to get it."

The Vikings have asked their veteran free-agent signees to defer payment of their signing bonuses until summer, when prospective owner Reggie Fowler — not Red McCombs — could be responsible for the payments.

Briefly: Backup quarterback Gus Frerotte continues to work on a contract with Miami.

• Defensive tackle Steve Martin has been selected to attend the Wharton School of Business Entrepreneurial Program.

Funny how quickly Smoot's tone changes when he signs that shiny, new contract.

How has his tone changed? Sounds like the same guy and has yet to say a SINGLE bad word about the Redskins.

Funny how quickly Smoot's tone changes when he signs that shiny, new contract.


Dude, I saw him on TV say all of that and it was killing me. He said the Redskins were a great org, but that he wanted to win now and that he was in his 4th year and still hasn't seen the playoffs.

Just last season he was saying that he would follow Gibbs down the yellow brick road, and that good things were going to happen and he wanted to be a part of it.

All that bull for .3 million more.....

again, it wasnt 300k it was over 5mill more in the next 3 years. Smoot may want the playoffs, but tice might not be there too long and i think the vikings are going to be worse this year (better D, worse O, but still able to go one and done in the playoffs).

If he presses them to take gardner, that'd be the best thing he could do for us right now. He may even fit better there, though i'm sure he's going to lower culpepper's completion % ;)

again, it wasnt 300k it was over 5mill more in the next 3 years. Smoot may want the playoffs, but tice might not be there too long and i think the vikings are going to be worse this year (better D, worse O, but still able to go one and done in the playoffs).

If he presses them to take gardner, that'd be the best thing he could do for us right now. He may even fit better there, though i'm sure he's going to lower culpepper's completion % ;)


Didn't know about that. Thanks that guy.

Of course he wants Garnder there. He has the best birthday parties!!!

In serousness though, I dont think Smoot has changed at all. Sucks hes not here anymore; but those comments dont bother me.

Of course he wants Garnder there. He has the best birthday parties!!!


:laughing2

Of coarse Smoot want's Gardner on his team he want's someone there he know's he can cover in practice.

If Smoot can convince the Vik's to give up a 3rd rounder for Gardner I say we send him a bonus no question's asked.

Everybody on this site that tries to rip Smoot for leaving...listen to me! The reason he left is because of the structure of the deal, like Daseal said. Now, if he had signed the deal the Redskins were going to give him one of two things would have happened.

1. He wouldn't have seen the end of it because he would have been cut. Which would have been the reason I rejected the Skins offer

2. He wouldn't have seen the end of it because he would have told to restructure or he would have been cut.

Staying with the Skins is lose-lose most times for the player. They promise big money and they never deliver. Much like every other team, I know and I figured I'd get it out of the way before ALL of you reply by saying that. However, the worst 2 teams at it, in my opinion, are us and the Broncos.