bubba9497
March-9th-2005, 03:42 AM
Fred Smoot now in Vikings' corner
http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/5281198.html
Fans clamoring for the Vikings to loosen the death grip on their league-high $31 million in spending money will be happy to know the team jumped back into free agency with both horns Tuesday evening.
They agreed to terms with former Washington Redskins defensive back Fred Smoot, regarded as the best corner left in free agency, and tight end Jermaine Wiggins, their leading receiver in 2004.
"I'm real excited," coach Mike Tice said after the team announced the deal with Smoot. "We've got a plan, and we've been working hard on that plan."
Smoot, 25, will receive a six-year contract worth $34 million with a $10.8 million bonus. Wiggins will get a five-year deal worth $7.3 million with a $1 million bonus.
The impact against this year's $85.5 million salary cap will depend on how Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski structures the two deals, particularly the bonus money.
Fred Smoot"I know [owner] Red McCombs has been getting bashed the last week or so for not letting us spend any money," Brzezinski said. "But Mr. McCombs stepped up in a big way to help us today."
The bonus money for both players is expected to be deferred until this summer, when the sale of the team to Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler might be completed. Wiggins will get $500,000 in July and the rest next March.
Wiggins said he could care less about the structure of a contract, since the bonus is guaranteed anyway.
"If you would have asked me five years ago if I would be getting this deal, I'd have said you were crazy," said Wiggins, who had 71 catches for 705 yards and four touchdowns last season. "I was an undrafted kid who nobody thought had a chance to play in this league. Now, I have a long-term deal with the Minnesota Vikings. I'm playing with Daunte Culpepper. Of course, I'm happy."
Smoot, who didn't return calls Tuesday night, will be introduced at an 11 a.m. news conference today.
Tice already has tabbed him as the starting right cornerback opposite left cornerback Antoine Winfield, who received a similar deal as the Vikings' prized free-agent signing last year.
"We have two down-the-field, speed, cover corners that can tackle," Tice said. "Antoine is a little bit better tackler. But Fred Smoot has improved his tackling over time and certain brings a lot of energy to the field, which is something we're looking for."
Brian Williams, who was the full-time starter at right cornerback the past two seasons, will become the nickelback and take on added special teams duties, Tice said.
"That gives us three really good corners," Tice said. "Brian Williams as your third guy in there, that's a tremendous third guy to have."
The 5-11, 174-pound Smoot had 16 interceptions in four seasons with Washington. He has started 58 of 60 NFL games, was an alternate for this year's Pro Bowl and helped the Redskins defense rank No. 3 in the league in 2004.
The Vikings defense ranked 28th. Smoot is the second defender signing in free agency, joining former Buffalo Bills nose tackle Pat Williams.
"[Signing Smoot] plays a big part in what we'd like to do by being more aggressive up front," Tice said. "It's a chance to cover longer and at the same time it gives us tremendous depth [at cornerback]."
Wiggins said he and his agent, George Mavrikes, was working on visits to Houston, Tampa Bay and Arizona. The Vikings brought in free agent tight end Freddie Jones of the Arizona Cardinals, which helped facilitate a deal with Wiggins.
Smoot was expected to receive more attention last week when free agency began. Tice said he originally didn't think the Vikings would be able to financially compete for Smoot.
Smoot agreed to visit Winter Park on Tuesday. He was scheduled to fly to Kansas City around 5 p.m., but skipped the flight to work on the deal with his agent, Bus Cook.
"We had Smoot as the best cornerback available [heading into free agency]," Tice said. "We were a little bit patient, but at the same time kept in contact with the agent, and just stayed in the game."
http://www.startribune.com/stories/510/5281198.html
Fans clamoring for the Vikings to loosen the death grip on their league-high $31 million in spending money will be happy to know the team jumped back into free agency with both horns Tuesday evening.
They agreed to terms with former Washington Redskins defensive back Fred Smoot, regarded as the best corner left in free agency, and tight end Jermaine Wiggins, their leading receiver in 2004.
"I'm real excited," coach Mike Tice said after the team announced the deal with Smoot. "We've got a plan, and we've been working hard on that plan."
Smoot, 25, will receive a six-year contract worth $34 million with a $10.8 million bonus. Wiggins will get a five-year deal worth $7.3 million with a $1 million bonus.
The impact against this year's $85.5 million salary cap will depend on how Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski structures the two deals, particularly the bonus money.
Fred Smoot"I know [owner] Red McCombs has been getting bashed the last week or so for not letting us spend any money," Brzezinski said. "But Mr. McCombs stepped up in a big way to help us today."
The bonus money for both players is expected to be deferred until this summer, when the sale of the team to Arizona businessman Reggie Fowler might be completed. Wiggins will get $500,000 in July and the rest next March.
Wiggins said he could care less about the structure of a contract, since the bonus is guaranteed anyway.
"If you would have asked me five years ago if I would be getting this deal, I'd have said you were crazy," said Wiggins, who had 71 catches for 705 yards and four touchdowns last season. "I was an undrafted kid who nobody thought had a chance to play in this league. Now, I have a long-term deal with the Minnesota Vikings. I'm playing with Daunte Culpepper. Of course, I'm happy."
Smoot, who didn't return calls Tuesday night, will be introduced at an 11 a.m. news conference today.
Tice already has tabbed him as the starting right cornerback opposite left cornerback Antoine Winfield, who received a similar deal as the Vikings' prized free-agent signing last year.
"We have two down-the-field, speed, cover corners that can tackle," Tice said. "Antoine is a little bit better tackler. But Fred Smoot has improved his tackling over time and certain brings a lot of energy to the field, which is something we're looking for."
Brian Williams, who was the full-time starter at right cornerback the past two seasons, will become the nickelback and take on added special teams duties, Tice said.
"That gives us three really good corners," Tice said. "Brian Williams as your third guy in there, that's a tremendous third guy to have."
The 5-11, 174-pound Smoot had 16 interceptions in four seasons with Washington. He has started 58 of 60 NFL games, was an alternate for this year's Pro Bowl and helped the Redskins defense rank No. 3 in the league in 2004.
The Vikings defense ranked 28th. Smoot is the second defender signing in free agency, joining former Buffalo Bills nose tackle Pat Williams.
"[Signing Smoot] plays a big part in what we'd like to do by being more aggressive up front," Tice said. "It's a chance to cover longer and at the same time it gives us tremendous depth [at cornerback]."
Wiggins said he and his agent, George Mavrikes, was working on visits to Houston, Tampa Bay and Arizona. The Vikings brought in free agent tight end Freddie Jones of the Arizona Cardinals, which helped facilitate a deal with Wiggins.
Smoot was expected to receive more attention last week when free agency began. Tice said he originally didn't think the Vikings would be able to financially compete for Smoot.
Smoot agreed to visit Winter Park on Tuesday. He was scheduled to fly to Kansas City around 5 p.m., but skipped the flight to work on the deal with his agent, Bus Cook.
"We had Smoot as the best cornerback available [heading into free agency]," Tice said. "We were a little bit patient, but at the same time kept in contact with the agent, and just stayed in the game."