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Will Smith to attend minicamp
Posted by Jimmy Smith, The TImes-Picayune
May 29, 2008

Saints defensive end Will Smith, who has skipped the team's voluntary offseason program and the first two weeks of the OTA sessions, will attend the mandatory minicamp that begins today at the Airline Drive practice facility.

Players were required to report to the facility by 7 p.m. Thursday and Smith was on his way according to his agent, Joel Segal.

Segal, who also represents wide receiver Marques Colston, said both players will participate in this weekend's minicamp, the first of five practices scheduled this morning.

Smith has been absent from the conditioning program which commenced in mid-March, as well as the organized team activities that began on May 19 in apparent protest of the team's inability to restructure his contract, though both sides have continued on-going dialog aimed at that ultimate goal.

Colston, who has outperformed his original deal and also hopes for a new deal, possibly before this season, has taken part in the offseason conditioning program as well as the OTAs.

Smith, who'll be 27 on July 4, is scheduled to earn just more than $1 million this season in base salary and incentives. His counterpart on the other side of the Saints defensive line, Charles Grant, last year signed a contract extension that could eventually be worth $63 million. Since becoming the Saints' first-round pick out of Ohio State in 2004, Smith has earned $20 million in salary and bonuses.

Smith was traveling on Thursday and unavailable for comment. Saints Coach Sean Payton said last week that he expected Smith to participate in the mandatory practices.

"Obviously Will has been discussing and is interested in a new contract," Segal said Thursday. "He told me he will be at the minicamp and doesn't want to miss the time to work to get better and maintain his goal of attaining a Super Bowl win."

Segal said he was not sure if Smith would remain in New Orleans to work in the voluntary sessions that continue following this weekend's five practices.

Will Smith to attend minicamp - New Orleans Saints Beat - Times-Picayune - NOLA.com