Vikes just signed Dwight Smith

[HarveyWallbangers]

Smith actually got a lower grade on ESPN's Scouts, Inc. than Tank Williams. They actually sound quite similar. Range isn't great, but they are decent in support.

Dwight Smith
Grade: 66

Comment:
Has impressive strength and has the ability to push receivers around and take them out of their routes. He's aggressive, physical and confident. Has shown the ability to make plays from sideline-to-sideline and generally gets a good read on the ball. Has just adequate range but is generally in position to make the play due to excellent read-and-react skills. However, Smith has had some trouble in space at times. He needs to work on his technique particularly when defending the deep half. Will take some false steps and has a tendency to cross his feet over. Will be overaggressive at times, which often prohibits him from adjusting to the ball.

[Patler]

Actually early word is Smith will start at FS and Sharper will move to SS.

"...Sharper will move to SS." ?????????

[Rastak]

Actually early word is Smith will start at FS and Sharper will move to SS.

"...Sharper will move to SS." ?????????

Yea, I'm a little surprised. Actually, I'll reserve judgement until I hear the coaching staff say that's the plan instead of a reporter. But I think they do want both of them on the field.

[MadtownPacker]

Smith actually got a lower grade on ESPN's Scouts, Inc. than Tank Williams. They actually sound quite similar. Range isn't great, but they are decent in support.

Wait a minute Wallbanger, on the "DSmith got cut" thread you said he was pretty good. Now that he has turned purple you arent saying that. I like the viking hatred but I said he was garbage before they signed him so Rastak wont think Im just being a lavendar basher. Which I am of course.

[Rastak]

Smith actually got a lower grade on ESPN's Scouts, Inc. than Tank Williams. They actually sound quite similar. Range isn't great, but they are decent in support.

Wait a minute Wallbanger, on the "DSmith got cut" thread you said he was pretty good. Now that he has turned purple you arent saying that. I like the viking hatred but I said he was garbage before they signed him so Rastak wont think Im just being a lavendar basher. Which I am of course.

Harvey is an adaptable fellow..he finds ways to rationalize almost anything given a few hours to think about it!


If D Smith were the cats meow the Saints wouldn't have cut him. He's a good signing but nothing earth shattering. The Vikings will have some serious depth in their secondary at any rate...should the injuries hit like last year.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Wait a minute Wallbanger, on the "DSmith got cut" thread you said he was pretty good. Now that he has turned purple you arent saying that. I like the viking hatred but I said he was garbage before they signed him so Rastak wont think Im just being a lavendar basher. Which I am of course.

I never said he was garbage here, and I never said he was great there. Somebody on the other thread posted that he sucked, and I pointed out that most scouts thought he was pretty decent last year. (That was knowing the Vikings would possibly get him. I called it.) On this thread, people are lamenting that the Vikings got him. I'm just pointing out that he's not THAT good. I'm just providing a little levity. Personally, based on last year I think he's on the level of Marquand Manuel, and I think he's slightly better than Tank Williams.

I don't see ANY hypocrisy at all.

[Bretsky]

I applaud the Vikings for their effort and Smith can only help; you never have enough good secondary people. I'd take him in a second over guys like Horton. Plus, if you don't use the money, you lose it.......so why not use it ?

[OS PA]

I applaud the Vikings for their effort and Smith can only help; you never have enough good secondary people. I'd take him in a second over guys like Horton. Plus, if you don't use the money, you lose it.......so why not use it ?

Don't be wronged Bretsky, we will use our money. We'll extend Harris and give him a raise, and pick up a waivered RB.

A man can dream eh?

[HarveyWallbangers]

Outside of being a complete Badger homer, Bretsky is a closet Viking fan. He makes me want to puke. With the support he gives their team, you'd think they were a dynasty or something. All those Wisconsin ties haven't helped them much.

[Bretsky]

Harv,

You seem to go the opposite route and your hate for the Vikings makes nearly every move they make slanted on the bad side. Truth be told, I'm in the middle on the Vikings; I'm not as optomistc as Rastak, but not nearly as negative as you.

And you might be right in that my Badger bias weighs in on that; although I'd still argue ridiculing Childress (and I know it was your buddies so I don't mean to offend) for what he did at the UW is ludicrous.

But again, I applaud them for trying, and it still sickens me that TT sits on that money while players that could've helped up immensely get plucked off the market.

[Bretsky]

I applaud the Vikings for their effort and Smith can only help; you never have enough good secondary people. I'd take him in a second over guys like Horton. Plus, if you don't use the money, you lose it.......so why not use it ?

Don't be wronged Bretsky, we will use our money. We'll extend Harris and give him a raise, and pick up a waivered RB.

A man can dream eh?

Yes, we can; at least TT has some money to grab any cuts he's interested in. Like you said, we can dream.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I ain't that negative. I just hear the same hype every year from Viking fans, and they've never really done shit. Live in Minnesota for an extended period. Happened this weekend. It always happens when Viking fans think they have a better team than the Packers. I don't hear shit about them when it's the opposite. Went out to a bachelor party this weekend, and the first thing I hear from these turds is how much the Packers are going to suck. I just had to inform them that the Vikings have a good chance at sucking just as bad.

I try to stay pretty even-keeled about every team. I'm not going to say Dwight Smith sucks because the Vikings are likely going to sign him, but I also ain't going to make the signing out to be that big. Could help. Could cause some problems in the locker room. (Tank Williams probably can relate to Mark Roman about now.) In the grand scheme of things, it will probably be relatively unimportant.

I'm far from negative about every move they make. I've pointed out that I like Chester Taylor. I thought Sharper and Longwell were good signings for them. I always said I liked Burleson and Culpepper when they were there. You make every move they make (especially when it involves a former Badger) out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[Bretsky]

I'd have a very hard time living in Minnesota and would turn into an Anti Viking very very fast.

[woodbuck27]

Smith actually got a lower grade on ESPN's Scouts, Inc. than Tank Williams. They actually sound quite similar. Range isn't great, but they are decent in support.

Wait a minute Wallbanger, on the "DSmith got cut" thread you said he was pretty good. Now that he has turned purple you arent saying that. I like the viking hatred but I said he was garbage before they signed him so Rastak wont think Im just being a lavendar basher. Which I am of course.

Harvey is an adaptable fellow..he finds ways to rationalize almost anything given a few hours to think about it!


If D Smith were the cats meow the Saints wouldn't have cut him. He's a good signing but nothing earth shattering. The Vikings will have some serious depth in their secondary at any rate...should the injuries hit like last year.

To get a player of his ability, at this stage of the off season isn't too shabby.

Real nice pick-up. Very decisive move also, as he had a job wrapped in Tampa Bay, the way it read in the press.

[woodbuck27]

A source on the money end of the Dwight Smith signing:

D. Smith will earn in Minnesota, the same amounts due under three of the four remaining years of his Saints contract, which called for a $1.2 million base salary in 2006, a $1.6 million base salary, a $100,000 workout bonuses, and a $500,000 workout bonus in 2007, and a $2.5 million base salary, a $100,000 workout bonus, and a $500,000 workout bonus in 2008.

The only difference is that Smith will get $615,000 of his 2006 pay in the form of a roster bonus due in July 28, and the remaining $585,00 will be his base salary for 2006.