Dwight Smith Released PDF Print E-mail
Wednesday, 20 February 2008

Image

The Vikings cut veteran Dwight Smith today.

Off field and on field issues along with a dash of attitude contributes to an expected move by the organization. 

POSTED 5:45 p.m. EST, February 20, 2008

VIKES DUMP DWIGHT

The Minnesota Vikings have released safety Dwight Smith, according to Kevin Seifert of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

"We were just going in a different direction," coach Brad Childress said.  "I don't want to cast any aspersions."

Smith was signed by the Vikings prior to the 2006 season.  An arrest for doing the lambada in a public stairwell got him benched for the season-opener against the Redskins.  No such penalty was imposed against Smith after he was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession during the 2007 regular season.

Seifert also says that Smith had "occasional disagreements" with the coaching staff.

The Vikings will need to replace Smith through the draft or free agency.  Given that the Vikings use the Tampa 2 system, safety position is more important than it would be in other systems.

Possible candidates include Gibril Wilson of the Giants and Ken Hamlin of the Cowboys.

By Mike Florio/PFT

 
 
Discuss (3 posts)

Luft Krigare
Dwight Smith Released
Feb 21 2008 03:06:16
This thread discusses the Content article: Dwight Smith Released

I stuck this under Vikings News because it is, but now ex-Viking Dwight Smith is gone.

Poor tackling, some blown coverage, then attitude to go along with the off field transgressions made this an expected and deserved action by the Vikings. No disappointment or heartburn over this decision. It just means that the Vikes will probably look for a safety in free agency and in the draft.

Do you think it was the right move?
 #2525

Capt Ozzy
Re:Dwight Smith Released
Feb 21 2008 18:14:41
I think most of us expected this. We need to address our porous pass defense and dismissing Smith allows us to openly court free agents in a couple weeks.

It should be noted on Smiths resume that the marijuana charge was dismissed, and that he pled guilty in 2003 (when a Buc) for pulling a gun on a motorist (much more serious than a little mary jane IMHO).

The article mentions Gibril Wilson and Ken Hamlin as possible replacements, anyone know much about them?
 #2526

Luft Krigare
Re:Dwight Smith Released
Feb 22 2008 13:15:09
Well, it looks like Hamlin was pretty good... The Cowgirls just tagged him:
POSTED 2:05 p.m. EST, February 21, 2008
COWBOYS TAG HAMLIN
With the deadline for using the franchise tag looming at 4:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, the Cowboys have used theirs on safety Ken Hamlin, according to Adam Schefter of NFL Network.
Hamlin signed a one-year deal with the Cowboys last year during free agency. He started in every game, and had a career-high five interceptions.
The move might have been prompted in part by the decision of the Vikings to cut safety Dwight Smith, since the Vikings might have pursued Hamlin aggressively in free agency.
The use of the tag on Hamlin also means that left tackle Flozell Adams will become an unrestricted free agent.

Smith was gone anyway, but I wonder if the Vikes made a strategic error in not waiting until the tag deadline had passed to release him, leaving Dallas feeling not quite as compelled to protect Hamlin?
 #2529

Discuss this item on the forums. (3 posts)
< Prev   Next >
[ Back ]

VV Login

Valhalla Members Online

Guests: 1
Members: 1
SHOW YOUR VIKINGS PRIDE!
Get your Adrian Peterson Fathead! CLICK HERE!
 
 
Please help support VV
by throwing $5 bucks our way!

 

 

 

Stadium News

Image

MN Senate Punts Stadium Study

02.04.2008 | Stadium

Reports are flooding in that the Minnesota Senate has rejected a new study for a new Vikings Stadium study.     Readmore

Tailgating News

Image

Chili BBQ Cola Wings

27.04.2008 | Tailgating

Looking for a different twist to your wings? Well this is different, but if you love the flavor of chili, you might want to give this a try.     Readmore

Cheerleader News

Image

Vikings Cheerleaders in South Dakota

07.04.2008 | Cheerleaders

BigGun took a Road Trip with the MCV's out to SD in March...

OK. I totally made that up... or did I just dream it??? Well, anyway... I wasn't there but the Cheerleaders were at the…     Readmore

Ragnar News

Image

Interview With A Ragnar

25.11.2007 | Ragnar

You see him every home game in the Metrodome normally riding a motorized something or grabbing a cheerleaders pom poms or harassing the apposing team... Yes we all know I’m talking about Ragnar…     Readmore