Patriots sign the league's most exciting cornerback
 

Tuesday, April 13, 2004



ESPN.com news services
New England Patriots: Venerable cornerback Otis Smith, an unrestricted free agent who has played with four different teams in 14 seasons, is back for a third stint with the New England Patriots.



Smith, 38, on Tuesday agreed to a contract that returns him to a club for which he played in 1996 and then again 2000-2002. Contract details were not immediately available, but it is believed the deal is for one year, with a base salary of $760,000.



The league's oldest cornerback, Smith was released by the Patriots last summer, and then signed with the Detroit Lions. He played in all 16 games, started 13 contests, and had one interception, five passes defensed and 57 tackles for the Lions in '03.



He will provide experience and depth to the New England cornerback spot and also lend some insurance in the event star corner Ty Law does not report for offseason sessions.



During his 14 seasons, Smith, a longtime favorite of coach Bill Belichick, has appeared in 178 games and started 108 of them. He has posted 508 tackles, 29 interceptions and 107 passes defensed.



During the Patriots' run to the 2002 Super Bowl, Smith's interception of St. Louis Rams quarterback Kurt Warner in the set up a field goal in the title game, which New England won 20-17.



In addition to his stints with the Patriots, the former Missouri standout has played with Philadelphia (1991-94), the New York Jets (1995-96 and 1997-99), and Detroit (2003).
-- Information from The Associated Press and ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli was used in this report

I think he played pretty well for the Lions in their win against the Raiders last year.

Yay.

Otis Smith had the "play of the year" (as voted on by Lions' fans) last year against St. Louis. It was a corner blitz that no one picked up. Smith nailed Bulger, a beauty of a hit, Bulger fumbled and the Lions recovered.

For being around 317 years old, Smith played very well for the Lions and do the decimation of the Lions' secondary he was asked to play quite a bit.

I am amazed the raiders let a card carrying aarp member get away

I thought Deion was returning.

Paging Mr. Law. Please report to the front desk...

I think Mike Haynes and Herb Adderley are still available...

Otis is my favorite average player in the league. He's given so many people thrills (both the good and bad kind).

"most exciting" or "oldest existing"?

probably could get darrell green outta retirement.. and dale carter out of whatever rehab program he's in now a days..

Speaking of which.. what a waste of talent dale carter was.. he was so good... yet threw it all away

One of the biggest disappointments to me ever as far as NFL players go - referring to Dale Carter.

It's both, trust me.

O-T-I-S Baby! Might as well hand us that Lombardi trophy now!

Well...it was not so much that the play was that great, but that the Lions didn't have many good plays.

The word here in New England is that he's auditioning for a coaching job, and to provide a warm body during summer 7 on 7 practices. Not likely he'd make the teaam, or even be more then a dime back if he made it.

Wait till training camp and the magic returns.

I thought this thread was going to be about Deltha O'Neil.