One Down

According to the Times Picayune, the Saints have signed DE Will Smith to a contract extension. The deal is reportedly worth up to $70 million. This leaves Marques Colston and Jahri Evans as the last two "building block" players who need long term deals.

Fans can no longer complain that Tom Benson doesn't open his check book to keep good players in New Orleans. Recent deals with former Saints Joe Horn, Deuce McAllister, Drew Brees, Charles Grant and now Will Smith show that the Saints are serious about contending with the nucleus they have.

Congrats to Will Smith. The deal is deserved. Now get to work on improving that defense.

Addition: Smith becomes the league's 3rd highest paid DE