FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The New England Patriots announced that they have signed DE Will Smith. Terms of the contract were not announced.
Smith, 32, is a veteran of 10 NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2004-13) after joining the team as a first round draft pick (18th overall) out of Ohio State in 2004. The 6-foot-3, 282-pounder was released by the Saints on Feb. 12, 2014.
Smith has played in 139 NFL games with 120 starts and has accumulated 457 total tackles, 67 1/2 sacks, 25 passes defensed, two interceptions, 20 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries. He has started in eight postseason games and added 22 total tackles, one interception and one forced fumble. Smith was named to the Pro Bowl in 2006 after finishing with a career-high 10 ½ sacks.
Smith spent the entire 2013 season on injured reserve with a knee injury suffered during training camp.
