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METAIRIE, La. -- New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith skipped an optional offseason training session on Wednesday, apparently because he is unhappy with his contract.
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"You'd like to have all your players here. You know, it's not unusual. You just go around the league and each team's got a player or two that's unhappy with a contract," Saints head coach Sean Payton said.
Smith, who received about $20 million in bonuses when he signed as a first-round draft choice out of Ohio State in 2004, is slated to earn a base salary of $850,000 next season.
With performance incentives, that figure could grow to close to $3 million.
However, Smith made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and led the Saints with seven sacks last season. He also was among the team leaders in tackles with 66.
Payton said he expects Smith to be at minicamp at the end of this month, for which attendance is mandatory.
