Smith reconsiders, accepts job as Skins' offensive coordinator

Smith reconsiders, accepts job as Skins' offensive coordinator
On second thought, Sherman Smith will join the Washington Redskins. After initially rejecting an offer yesterday to become the Redskins' offensive coordinator, Smith reconsidered and became the final member of new head coach Jim Zorn's coaching staff the Washington Post reported.

"Well, when I tried to tell Z-man [Zorn] about my decision, he had some things to say to me," Smith said. "He said, 'Just think about it for a few more hours and we'll talk later.' When I did, I realized Washington is where I need to be now."

Smith left the Tennessee Titans, agreeing to a three-year contract to help Zorn, his former teammate and close friend, implement the West Coast offense. Earlier this week, the Redskins hired former Seattle running backs coach Stump Mitchell as their assistant head coach-running backs and Chris Meidt, formerly the head coach of St. Olaf College in Minnesota, to be an offensive assistant.

Former Pats' video employee will turn over tapes
The lawyer for Matt Walsh, a former New England Patriots employee who has hinted he has tapes that could prove damaging to the team, including one of the St. Louis Rams' walkthrough prior to Super Bowl XXXVI in 2002, said his client will turn over those tapes to the NFL if the league will agree to indemnify Walsh as long as he tells the truth.

"He's willing to provide the materials to the NFL, but I need the ability to keep a copy so that I can defend him against allegations that he didn't tell the truth,"�Washington-based attorney Michael Levy told the Boston Globe.

Levy said the NFL's offer to Walsh leaves his client unprotected legally against unfounded or unproven allegations and would force him to turn over to the league the very materials he would need to fight such charges.

Cowboys have interest in former Dolphin Zach Thomas
Zach Thomas grew up in Pampa, Texas, went to Texas Tech and despite calling Miami home for the last 12 years still considers himself a Texan.

According to two sources, the Dallas Cowboys have had discussions with Thomas' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, about bringing the veteran linebacker in for a visit after the NFL scouting combine concludes Feb. 26 the Dallas Morning News reported.

The Dolphins released Thomas on Thursday in a salary-cap move as new executive vice president of football operations Bill Parcells looks to rebuild a team that went 1-15 in 2007.�Thomas played in only five games last season because of the effects of a concussion and failed to reach 100 tackles for the first time in his 12-year career. He has been named to the Pro Bowl seven times, the most by any Dolphins defender in history.

Crumpler, Leftwich among six cut by Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons released four-time Pro Bowl tight end Alge Crumpler and six other players Friday in the first step of a major rebuilding job in the post-Michael Vick era.

The Falcons also cut quarterback Byron Leftwich, defensive tackle Rod Coleman, offensive tackle Wayne Gandy, cornerback Lewis Sanders, wide receiver Jamin Elliott and linebacker Marcus Wilkins.

"This is a difficult day for the entire organization," said Thomas Dimitroff, the Falcons' new general manager. "A number of these players have contributed to this organization on and off the field at a high level, and we greatly appreciate their efforts."