Redskins Hoping Smoot Isn't All Talk

"People make a big deal about a lot of other stuff that happened but don't make a big deal out of that," Smoot said. "It happened right after the San Fran game [Nov. 5]. I'm walking out of the game, and I get the call and fly out to Mississippi and end up missing a game for that. And then after that I didn't start no more."

Smoot's play and role had been waning all season -- he intercepted three passes in two seasons in Minnesota -- but he is being counted on to help lift a defense that ranked 31st in the league last season and was deficient at producing sacks and turnovers. Smoot had 16 interceptions in four seasons with the Redskins.

Because Rogers, the ninth overall pick of the 2005 draft, regressed last year, Smoot's presence will push the youngster and provide a serviceable alternative as the No. 2 cornerback if need be. Washington signed free agent cornerbacks David Macklin and Jerametrius Butler this offseason as well and expects to greatly improve its downfield defense.

"It's a competition out there and a challenge every week," Rogers said. "There's not only a challenge between receivers, but a challenge against [cornerbacks] as well. This is something we're looking for and need if we are going to be a number one defense, and rise from the defense we were last year."

Smoot has claimed to have matured since his departure. His trials on and off the field have helped him grow, he said.

"I would hope so," said Gregg Williams, assistant head coach-defense. "I think we all learn from all of those kinds of things, but the thing I see the most is that he feels at home. He's comfortable around us."

The sex boat scandal tarnished Smoot's reputation, and though the veteran is loath to continue discussing it, he maintains publicly that "nothing happened" on the cruise, despite the charges. Smoot said there was no contact with women on the boat -- there was abundant testimony from boat employees to the contrary -- and the fame and riches of the players involved led to the incident being overblown.

"If it was deeper than that, believe me, they would have got down to the nitty-gritty," Smoot said. "So I'm just going to let you rely on the facts, and the facts [are] that we got a disturbing the peace [charge], and that's it. I just think they blew stuff out of proportion."

When asked specifically if he truly believed nothing illicit happened on the boat, and that the Vikings were targeted because of what they do for a living, Smoot said: "That's an everyday cliche for athletes, so I'm not going to use that and say that's the only reason. But it happened, and I moved on, and what don't kill me makes me stronger. So I'm back where I want to be, and I'm happy now."

Steven Tallen, who prosecuted the case, disputed Smoot's claims about the degree of contact between players and women. Tallen pointed to multiple witnesses who reported Smoot used a sexual device on two women at the same time, among other allegations.

Tallen said the incident created significant financial hardship for Al & Alma's, the company whose boat was used for the event, and that the young crew members on board were shocked and embarrassed by what they saw and testified under duress, not wanting to discuss the incident.

"These were all a bunch of 18- and 19-year-old kids working on summer jobs," Tallen said, "and some of them were children of people who owned the company Al & Alma's, a company that's been around for about 50 years, and there was no reason to believe someone just decided, 'Hey, let's make up a story.' Because none of the kids were eager to be witnesses, and from what I have heard, the incident pretty much wiped out their business for a while, and the entire thing grossed out a lot of people. There was no reason to disbelieve the witnesses. We had to subpoena them all. They were not eager to discuss this.