Holiday Complicates Smith's Trip

Paul Tenorio reports:

Tyson Smith had just returned to his apartment earlier this week after meetings with the Broncos in Denver, where he was on the practice squad, when he got a call from his agent informing him he had been signed to the Washington Redskins' active roster.

Smith had spent time on the Redskins' practice squad last season, one of five NFL practice-squad stops for the reserve linebacker over the past two seasons, and said he was excited for the opportunity to go back to a team he "never really wanted to leave."

"And it's a good Christmas gift, obviously," he added.

But being signed so close to Christmas meant Smith was caught in the travel rush that accompanies the holiday season, making his return to Washington a hectic all-day affair.
"It was a zoo at all the airports," Smith said. "I actually left at 5 in the morning [on Tuesday] and then I had a layover in Phoenix. Missed my connecting flight, 'cause it was so packed there. They tried to put me on a standby flight at 1 o'clock, couldn't make that one, had to get on the 3:55 flight. So I didn't get in until 10 o'clock at night. It was crazy."

Smith participated in practice Christmas Eve and today. And while he is staying in a local hotel with no family in the area, he said he wouldn't be spending the holiday alone.

"I know [injured Redskins linebacker] Matt Sinclair real well, so I'll probably just hang out and do whatever he's doing with him and his family," Smith said. "It won't be Christmas at home ,but it's not quite a lonely time, so I'll be all right."