http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=redskinssmoot&prov=st&type=lgns ASHBURN, VIRGINIA-- Fred Smoot is back with the team with which he started his career. After two tumultuous seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the veteran cornerback signed with the Washington Redskins on Sunday. Terms were not disclosed. A 2001 second-round pick of the Redskins, Smoot spent his first four seasons with the club before signing a six-year, $34 million contract with the Vikings. "I feel like this is my home," Smoot said. "I don't have to learn new coaches or a new city. It is like moving into that old room in my momma's house. It is good to be back. It is a breath of fresh air. "I am really loving the situation. I have been smiling since last night and it has nothing to do with the contract. It has to do with the fact that I am comfortable and now I can play my game and be myself again." Redskins coach Joe Gibbs felt it was a mistake letting Smoot sign with the Vikings. "Fred and I had a long talk (Saturday) afternoon. What I said to him was that a lot of us make mistakes in life - at least I do," Gibbs said. "In this case, it was a bad feeling that I had when we let Fred get out of here and I told Fred that. I think he is a Redskin. I took a lot of heat in town, which was deserved." It could be said that Smoot made some mistakes as well. His two seasons with the Vikings was marred by his involvement in the infamous "Love Boat" party in 2005. He also was involved in a car accident early last season before being released Thursday. "I never really got comfortable there," he said. "I always felt like a stepchild. Now I am back in my momma's house and I can feel good, comfortable and am ready to play football. I never got going there. Every time I got going something happened. My brother died, the boat situation and the car accident. A lot of stuff happened and it humbled me a lot." Smoot, 27, joins a Washington secondary that includes cornerbacks Shawn Springs and Carlos Rogers. In 85 career games, the 5-11 Smoot has 312 tackles and 19 interceptions. He collected a career-high five interceptions in his rookie campaign with the Redskins. Smoot and linebacker London Fletcher-Baker have been the two biggest signings thus far for the Redskins, who ranked 31st in total defense last season.
