Yardbarker: Fred Smoot

Hall, Haynesworth remain questionable

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:18:56 -0500

If top cornerback DeAngelo Hall sits out Sunday's game in Philadelphia because of a knee injury, Carlos Rogers will join Fred Smoot in the starting lineup, Coach Jim Zorn said today after practice at Redskins Park. "He's looking good," Zorn said of Hall. "But he's very questionable for the game." Although Pro Bowl defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth (ankle) has improved, he also is still listed as questionable. "Albert was running pretty good straight ahea...

Thursday, November 26: Redskins Discuss Thanksgiving Foods. At Length.

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:59:00 -0500

For Thanksgiving last year -- a year ago to the day, in fact -- I talked to a bunch of the players about how they prepared their turkey. It turned into a much livelier debate than I expected -- and introduced the word Fred-o-synthesis to the world -- but ultimately boiled down to two major choices: roasted or fried.This year, I thought it might be interesting to hear about something a little less binary, so I posed one question to a bunch of guys in the locker room: what's your favorite ...

Redskins Matchup: Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:46:15 -0500

Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson vs. Redskins cornerbacks Fred Smoot, Carlos Rogers, DeAngelo Hall and Justin Tryon

Smoot starting for Rogers

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:54:10 -0500

Fred Smoot is starting at cornerback for Carlos Rogers.

Chatting with U.S. Troops in Iraq

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:02:00 -0500

By Jilane Rodgers
Video By Chad Kurz
NFLPLAYERS.COMIn recognition of Veterans Day, the NFL Players Association opened its doors Tuesday to guests from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, members of the Tuskegee Airmen and senior military officials. Hosting the event to honor those in the Armed Services were Executive Director DeMaurice Smith, Washington Redskins Rock Cartwright, Chris Cooley, Phillip Daniels, Fred Smoot and Renaldo Wynn, and former players John Booty and Carl Kammerer.

The day’s activities kicked off with an Internet videoconference between the players and members of Team Shadow, a Military Transition Team (MiTT) outside Kirkuk, Iraq. The 20-minute conversation covered everyday topics from food and family to specifics of the troops’ experiences overseas, including climate conditions and interactions with locals.

“I feel like we could have all gone out as a group,” Cooley said. “They’re great guys that would be easy to talk to, easy to hang out with. They’re in such a different world, and we can all still relate.”

Members of a MiTT are usually senior members of their respective branch who bring a variety of experiences and skills to the table, and the teams advise Iraqi and Afghan security forces on the skills which will aid them in protecting their respective country after U.S. forces leave. Participating from Team Shadow were Cpt. Randolph Bueno (Infantry Officer), Sgt. Jamal Cunningham (Communications Sergeant), Cpt. Matthew Nelson (Engineer Officer), Cpt. Heath Mullins (Logistics Officer) Cpt. Michael Pachucki (Logistics Officer) and Ssg. Craig Showman (Maintenance Sergeant).

“We’re talking about guys, about fellas, relating and having fun,” Smoot said. “We all understand the importance of teamwork. We both go to battles even though they’re totally different battles. We understand what they go through, being away from their families. Just to get to talk to them live when they’re out there was a blessing for us.”After some banter as to which side would win in a head-to-head matchup of Madden NFL 10, the players pledged to ship consoles and copies of the game to the base in hopes of eventually staging a real showdown. Team Shadow’s Pachucki, a lifelong Redskins fan, was given another treat, as his fiancé surprised him on the NFLPA’s side of the video conference call. A few hours later, Pachucki sent an e-mail to friends and family detailing the experience as “one of the greatest of my life.”

After the call concluded, the players joined up with Smith, Booty, Kammerer and other NFLPA executives for a luncheon in the Garvey Center to honor the Armed Services attendees. Smith, whose father served in the Marines and was present for the activities, welcomed the groups and thanked them for their service.

Smith said, “On behalf of the NFLPA and all of our players, we are grateful for your service and your sacrifices. We are honored to welcome the Tuskegee Airmen as well as these men and women from Walter Reed, and we thank you for being here with us today. We hope that you know this praise is deserved year-round, but it is special for us to have the opportunity to express our gratitude to you this Veterans Day.”

The veterans in attendance ranged from those recently serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom to those who first took to the air nearly seven decades ago. The Tuskegee Airmen flew the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II, becoming the United States’ first African-American military pilots. Three of the original fighter pilots were present at Tuesday’s function.

“We come for the wounded warriors,” said James Pryde, a former radio operator with the Tuskegee Airmen. He eventually joined the National Security Agency in 1950 and worked in the signals analysis section, becoming the chief of a Soviet analysis office in 1965. In 1978, Pryde was named the Director of the Defense Special Missile and Astronautic Center. “I’ve seen lots of Veterans Days and I hope to see a lot more,” he added. “I’m from the old school; I still have my leather helmet.”

The day’s surprises didn’t end with the video conference call, however, as Cooley sat down to face off against Army veterans in Madden NFL 10 – often passing to himself – much to the delight of those who were watching the game. Then, Sfc. Timothy Wysong, an Indianapolis Colts fan currently recovering at Walter Reed, received an unexpected call.

“I got to talk to Jeff Saturday,” Wysong said. “I’m a big fan. He asked how I got hurt and told me how he had a lot of family in the military. He wanted to wish me a Happy Veterans Day.”

At the NFLPA and across the country, NFL players videotaped personal messages to overseas troops, which will go live on NFLPLAYERS.COM on Nov. 11.

“Any time you can respect the brotherhood of other people doing positive things, it’s a good day,” Daniels said. “We have fans all over the world. They’re our fans, but we’re their fans, as well. I’m probably more of a fan of them than they are of me. I know without them, this country couldn’t survive.”

Additionally, the NFLPA facilitated participation in the Support a Solider program. Nearly 100 players sent personalized e-mails to members of the Airmen representing the 844th Communications Group (Air Force), the United States Marine Corps and the U.S. Army.

“We come together and celebrate with them in a luncheon so they can see some of their heroes, but they are the real true heroes,” Booty said. “Veterans Day means respect. The single word is respect. Respect the veterans who have done it, who are doing it and just salute them.”

CLICK HERE FOR PHOTO GALLERY

Tuesday, November 10: Talking About Champ Bailey Makes Fred Smoot Nostalgic

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:25:00 -0500

This 2003 picture was the only one I could find of Fred Smoot and Champ Bailey. Standing between them is Matt Bowen, who does not get mentioned again in this post; he's doing great work over at National Football Post, though, and you should go check it out.Anyhow, the reason for digging up a picture of Smoot and Bailey should be pretty obvious: Bailey now plays for the Denver Broncos, who come to town Sunday. But he and Smoot were young cornerbacks together on the Redskins, and they beca...

Smoot on the way out?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:17:55 -0500

According to the Washington Times’ Ryan O’Halloran’s review of the Washington Redskins game against the Bucs, Fred Smoot participated in just one play the 16-13 win over Tampa Bay. One play. And that, O’Halloran said, came at safety near the end of the first half. Ouch. Justin Tryon has taken his place at nickel back and he played well. [...]

Fred Smoot Gets Married

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 14:41:28 -0500

Fred Smoot Gets Married No word if they're taking a boat cruise for their honeymoon.

A Brief, Mildly Embarrassing Discussion About Hot Sauce With Fred Smoot

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:08:37 -0500

Not too long ago, I did a favor for a guy over at the Try My Nuts nut company, which is -- as you can probably guess from the name -- the type of company that makes amusingly named hot sauces and spicy peanuts. (Really good spicy peanuts, I might add.) Today, I received a package of stuff from the company as a way of saying thank you, a generous and completely unnecessary gesture.Good stuff, too: peanut brittle and those spicy peanuts and all sorts of other things. And, of course, a few bottl...

Fred Smoot's House is For Sale

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:31:38 -0500

Remember the house tour Fred Smoot gave me last year? Well, the tour guide might soon be less quotable. According to my colleagues at The Reliable Source, Smoot's 7,000-square foot Great Falls mansion is on the market, with a price tag of $1.695 million. "He's downsizing," he real estate agent said. Wonder what happens to The Fred Room. And also to his official wall monogram, seen above. In other news, our friends at BetUS.com sent out a release this morning on the job secur...

Smoot inactive

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:08:32 -0500

Cornerback Fred Smoot is inactive with injured ribs that surfaced that on Friday.

Redskins downgrade Smoot from probable

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:14:30 -0500

The Washington Redskins listed cornerback Fred Smoot as probable on the Friday injury report.In a relatively unusual but not unprecedented move, the 'Skins have downgraded Smoot to questionable on Saturday in advance of Sunday's home opener against the Rams.Smoot has...

Fred Smoot's Pro Bowling Ambitions To Be Tested

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:00:25 -0500

Fred Smoot is hoping to strike again. But have no fear, aquatic prostitutes of the Beltway, and get your mind out of the gutter. Then get it back in the gutter, because Smoot is planning to join the PBA. The Washington DB rolled a 212 this week at a team bowling outing, and already seems to [...]

Wired Up: Fred Smoot

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 19:32:44 -0500

I feel like the last Wired Up we posted was a huge success. Rebecca Mejia and the rest of the Redskins Broadcast team has done an awesome job putting these videos together. Just so you know, you can watch other Wired Up features along with Redskins Broadcast Network TV Shows. Redskins Players ...