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Cleveland wins toss, will pick third in draft
By Mike Triplett/The Times-Picayune
INDIANAPOLIS -- Chicago Bears Coach Lovie Smith tried to downplay the sense of impending doom created this week when his agent Frank Bauer said he expects Smith to become a "free agent" after the 2007 season.
Smith, who is the NFL's lowest-paid coach with one year remaining on his contract at $1.45 million, said he is confident that a long-term extension will eventually be worked out.
"Of course I don't like being the lowest-paid coach in the league," Smith said Friday during the NFL scouting combine. "I'd like to be in a different position. I look at it like I won't be in that position long."
Smith, who took the Bears to the Super Bowl in his third year on the job, said he would like to stay in Chicago for the remainder of his coaching career. He also said he has been told by management that he's wanted.
"So to me, there's no reason why we can't get a contract done," he said. "My glass is half full."
Full Story - The Times-Picayune