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Unlike four years ago, when the Cincinnati Bengals made him the third overall pick in the NFL draft, no team appears to be looking at Akili Smith as its starter or savior.
After Smith's unceremonious release, the teams showing the most interest -- the Saints, New York Jets, Green Bay and Miami -- all have established starters in Aaron Brooks, Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Jay Fiedler, respectively.
If signed by New Orleans, Smith would be battling J.T. O'Sullivan and Chris Finlen for a roster spot, behind Brooks and backup Todd Bouman.
Smith apparently would like the challenge.
"New Orleans is a place Akili would like to visit, but we have not set a date when to come in," Smith's agent, Kennard McGuire, said Thursday. "He's going to be taking other visits as well. But he's not leaning one way or another.
"Basically, our position all along has been, if we have the opportunity to get the proper tutoring and proper coaching, we believe everything else will take care of itself. The thing about the Saints is their coaching staff. We see the growth that Aaron has made under their staff and we believe we can duplicate that."
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After Smith's unceremonious release, the teams showing the most interest -- the Saints, New York Jets, Green Bay and Miami -- all have established starters in Aaron Brooks, Chad Pennington, Brett Favre and Jay Fiedler, respectively.
If signed by New Orleans, Smith would be battling J.T. O'Sullivan and Chris Finlen for a roster spot, behind Brooks and backup Todd Bouman.
Smith apparently would like the challenge.
"New Orleans is a place Akili would like to visit, but we have not set a date when to come in," Smith's agent, Kennard McGuire, said Thursday. "He's going to be taking other visits as well. But he's not leaning one way or another.
"Basically, our position all along has been, if we have the opportunity to get the proper tutoring and proper coaching, we believe everything else will take care of itself. The thing about the Saints is their coaching staff. We see the growth that Aaron has made under their staff and we believe we can duplicate that."
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