We understand that there's a business side to it, but how did you ever leave Washington to begin with?
Like you said, it was the business side. And obviously, we didn't break on bad terms. Both sides knew what was going on and because of cap problems and this and that, things happened.

For better or for worse, people will forever link your time in Minnesota with the infamous "Love Boat scandal" for which you pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and being a public nuisance on a watercraft. What did you learn from that entire ordeal?
(Laughs). Just to stay away from people. The thing about it was; it wasn't so much that it happened. It was how people perceived it, and that they blew it up and what they tried to make it look like. That's what really got me mad about things. I just learned to leave stuff alone and to watch where you're at and who you're around.

As if you weren't already dealing with enough adversity, you lost your half brother, Matthew Taylor, last November and had your season ended prematurely one month later when you broke your jaw in a car accident. Looking back, how tough was 2006 for you and how important was it for you to get a fresh start?
Like I said, Minnesota was a dark cloud. During those two years I don't remember a good thing happening. It was one thing after another, almost like a snowball effect. Then, when I first got to camp, I ended up hurting my knee and we all thought I was going to have to have surgery. Then my brother died, and I don't think I got right from that the rest of the season when it came to me being focused enough to play the game. Then, I go home for Christmas and break my jaw. You know, if Fred Smoot can't talk because he's wired up for a month and a half - I don't know what was more painful, my jaw being broke or me not being able to talk.

Obviously you remained close with many of your Redskins teammates even after you left Washington, but did you honestly think you would be able to return to D.C. once the Vikings let you go?
Most definitely. I had talked to my agent and told him I wanted out of Minnesota, so he talked to them and told me I had to go in and talk to the owner and talk to the head coach, Brad Childress. I let them know that it wasn't anything against them, but that this place was not for me. So we had to break my deal to get out of there, and once I was released Gregg [Williams] hit me up on the phone about an hour later like "What'cha gonna do?"

I didn't really need to talk to anybody else. I had the Saints and a lot of other people calling, but I wanted to be happy. I wanted to be happy doing what I do. This is where I'm happy doing what I do.

What is it like coming back home to the Redskins after these last two years? Watching you during minicamp, it's clear you've got your smile and your swagger back, how great is it going to feel the first time you make a play and the FedEx Field crowd screams "SMOOOOOOT!"
I feel good because I know that play is coming. I'm happy as a person, I'm happy as a player. I'm happy with the decision I made to come back. I'm just ready to step out at FedEx Field again because the last time I was there I had on the wrong colored jersey.

What can the fans expect from Fred Smoot and the Washington Redskins in 2007?
They can expect a lot because we've been quiet this offseason. I've never been a Redskin when we had a quiet offseason. Coach made sure to bring in people that not only can play this game, but can relate to the people that are on this team. The people that played here last year are real salty because of the way the year went. So you bring in two more guys like me and London [Fletcher] and we've got guys here who are ready to come in right now and do what we gotta do. He and I have played for Gregg before, so we know his expectations. They feel like they've brought in the right pieces to fit in with what they already have.

I think we're gonna be good because we have no buzz. Everybody thinks they Redskins are just gonna be alright, but we've got Clinton [Portis] coming back. Ladell [Betts] is gonna help run the ball and we've got three or four wide receivers and five or six corners. We're ready to play, man.

You're still a young guy, how much longer do you see yourself playing professional football and what will your life be like once you decide to hang it up?
(Laughs). Until [Redskins owner Dan] Snyder says I can't play no more. If Darrell [Green] can play for 30 years I can at least get me 18.

Could you see yourself ever getting into coaching or do you think your brash style would be better suited for a role in the media?
Media is probably more my style right off point, but as I get older I'll get into coaching.

Which current player would you pay money to see play, and which offensive player gives you the biggest challenge when you line up against them on Sundays?
I've played with so many great players - being a Redskin you're gonna play with a lot of good players - probably my guy that came out with me, LaDainian Tomlinson. Every time he gets the ball there's a chance he can score.

Talk to us about gameday. Are your superstitious? Do you have a set routine - you know, a certain meal or music to get you in the right frame of mind?
Yeah, I'm superstitious and I do some stuff the same. I'm always listening to down south music, no doubt. But how I do my stretching - I come out before the team and do the same stretches, listen to my music and go talk to some fans.

Photo by Brian Murphy

What's in your iPod right now?
Man, I got like 5,000 songs in my iPod. I'm a guy who likes old school stuff, I like new school stuff, so basically I put it on shuffle and go off on that.

Tell us something most people don't know about you.
That I'm humble. I think that everybody thinks that because I talk a lot that I'm cocky and brash, but I'm a humble guy.

What would you be doing for a living if you never got into football?
I'd probably be broadcasting. I'd probably would have went and tried to play basketball. If not sports, I'm also a business man. I'm part owner of a construction company in Mississippi and I love the side of business too.

If they were to make a movie based on your life who would play you and what would the name of the movie be?
I'd probably get T.I. to play me, and it would probably be called From Savage to Lavish: The Story of Fred Smoot.

Interviewed by Brian Murphy, August 2007.