Fred

Smoot

“I needed it,” Smoot said of upcoming week off.

Smoot has become a premier cover corner in this, his contract year. Smoot and rookie Sean Taylor would be a nice foundation for the Redskins secondary for the rest of the decade.

Smoot is going to test the open market and cash in big. We’d guess he earns a signing bonus upwards of $12 million. Minnesota and Green Bay are two teams that should be interested.

There has been surprising little buzz about Smoot this week, but he’ll get snatched up quick enough. Jacksonville, Kansas City, and Dallas are also possibilities.

The star cornerback has missed time with a neck injury thus far.

Of all the defensive acquisitions the Vikings made, we believe Smoot will be the biggest difference-maker.

He won’t play this weekend’s preseason opener and may not be ready to practice next week. The starting cornerback has finished only two practices in camp because of neck and knee injuries.

He could return to practice this week and play in Minnesota’s preseason game this weekend.

Smoot will undergo further tests today to determine the extent of the injury. ''It’s very frustrating,’' Smoot said. ''I am worried about it. Right now, they say it is [a bruise]. But I’m going to get it checked out again. I’ll find out if something is wrong there.’'

''I’m making progress,’' Smoot said.