dallascowboys

The chants ring loud and thunderous in the H.H.H. Metrodome every time cornerback Fred Smoot makes a tackle or intercepts a pass. Hopefully in 2006, the chants are heard more often than in 2005.The Minnesota Vikings signed Smoot on March 8, 2005 to a six-year, $34 million contract with $10.8 million in bonuses. With that kind of investment, the team thought they were solidifying their pass defense and adding an All-Pro to play alongside Antoine football jersey Winfield. It seemed like the two would be an elite tandem in the league.Unfortunately, Smoot didn"t have a season to remember. Smoot was marred by his inexplicable credit card purchase, which he claimed wasn"t his, for the boats involved in the infamous "sex cruise." His trial date is set for May 30. Aside from the bye week troubles that will no longer occur in Minnesota, Smoot had an average season, which was also dotted with a collarbone injury that force him to miss a month. So after all the trouble and injury, he finished with a very average 41 tackle and two interception season.Oh, and there was that torching given to him at the expense of Carolina Panthers All-Pro wide receiver Steve Smith. Smith embarrassed Smoot for 11 catches, 201 yards and a touchdown. In defense of Smoot, not only did Smith manhandle almost every other opposing defensive back he faced, but defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell effectively left Smoot out to Cowboys jerseydry in that game. The game plan produced by the now ex-coordinator was horrendous and disastrous from the start. He had Smoot playing man coverage, but 10 yards off the receiver at the line, and with no safety help over the top. There isn"t a single cornerback in the NFL that could succeed in that situation.If you remove that game Colts jersey from Smoot"s resume, suddenly his season doesn"t look so bad. Couple that with the fact that he will return fully healthy and won"t have to play with any pending investigations against him, meaning he should be more focused. A focused Smoot is an elite cornerback, capable of coming up with a game-changing play at any moment. Look for Smoot to bounce back and earn his paycheck in 2006. In doing so, he will help turn a good Vikings defense into the upper echelon defense the team has been lacking for many years.Get more Fred Smoot insights Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka