Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 27, 1993 TAG: 9307270133
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FREDONIA, N.Y. LENGTH: Medium
General Manager John Butler made the announcement Monday and Smith's agent, Brig Owens, is expected at training camp today to work out the final details of the new pact.
"You [reporters] always ask me, `Do we have a deal in principal?' Yes, we do," Butler said.
While Butler was optimistic that a deal would be signed today, Smith said some details still remain to be completed.
"We haven't done anything yet," Smith said. "But they're supposed to continue talking and any other questions that will be directed toward that you should ask John Butler. Right now, there are some details that have to have worked out."
The deal, according to Smith, is for four years and would enable him to end his career with the Bills.
"I started here in 1985 and I wanted to finish up here," Smith said. "This will more than well fulfill my dreams and goals for the Buffalo Bills."
Smith, 30, was the first overall draft pick out of Virginia Tech and has been to the Pro Bowl five times. He also was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the 1990 season.
Smith incurred fines totaling $16,000 by holding out for the first four days of training camp. At that time, he was seeking a deal comparable to the one defensive end Reggie White signed with the Green Bay Packers during the off-season.
White became the highest-paid player in the NFL when he signed a four-year, $17 million deal. San Francisco's Steve Young has since surpassed that with a contract that pays him $5.35 million a year.
"I think there were some steps taken, not only on our behalf, but on the Bills' behalf as well," Smith said. "I was very pleased about that."
Butler noted that White's successful lawsuit against the league demanding he be declared a free agent made his deal different than the one being worked out for Smith.
"It's a situation where Bruce's ability and Reggie White's abilities are so comparable," Butler said. "Those monies he got, you almost have to throw out a whole lot of scenarios, because of the situation that took part on that."
The signing of Smith leaves the Bills plenty of room to maneuver when it comes to free agency next year. They still can designate one franchise player and one transition player.
Had they not signed Smith, they most likely would have used the franchise designation on him. However, according to Butler, that was not even discussed during the negotiation process.
"I never even worried about that," Butler said. "Anytime you put what might be [interpreted] as a threat to a player, that's not the way to negotiate."
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB