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The Saints' signing of ex-Jaguar defensive end Bobby McCray rectifies a glaring weakness on last year's defense -- the inability to get any sort of pass rush. With Will Smith and Charles Grant playing above their weight -- and, consequently, very slowly -- neither was very effective, and the team didn't have a specialist they could bring in on third downs while Grant moved his overstuffed frame inside. So in that sense, mission accomplished. But McCray's presence could have longer-term ramifications as well.Last year, the Saints gave Grant way too much money, and in a contract year his better half in Smith is going to want even more. The team can't tie that much up in two above average ends, but while Grant is the lesser player he's also financially immovable. That leaves Smith's future in the ether.
My guess is this: the Saints draft a defensive end on the first day this year, and use that rookie and McCray to spell Grant and Smith accordingly. After this season, the team will put the franchise tag on Smith and attempt to deal him. If nothing works, they'll let him play one year with the tag and try again in 2010.
Or I could be way off, and the Saints will retain Smith. But with other players needing extensions in the near future and a surely nice return on Smith (I'm thinking a first-rounder, maybe with a later pick), the Saints would be wise to let the Pro Bowler go and spend the money elsewhere.
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