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Smith endures 'tough season' in Philly after bolting Giants

Steve Smith made waves when he jumped ship from the Giants to join the Eagles before the season.

It wasn't Philly's splashiest signing during a frenzied offseason, but it pulled a talented wideout away from a division rival and -- at the time -- created yet another intriguing storyline for the inappropriately labeled "Dream Team."

Here we are in November and Smith's 10 catches in nine games is another symbol of the Eagles' disappointing season. Smith's not central to the offense, but he expects Giants fans to let him hear it Sunday night at MetLife.

"I had some big years (in New York), but I came to Philly," Smith told The Star-Ledger on Wednesday, "so the reception might not be that good. ... New York fans are pretty brutal."

Smith's argument is that the Giants weren't offering money equal to the $2 million-plus contract he signed with the Eagles. He also feels the team gave up on him while he recuperated from offseason microfracture surgery on his left knee.

"It's a business," Smith said. "I would rather have more money in my pocket and be able to play football. ... I'm just happy to be playing again. People said I wasn't going to be back to normal."

There have been deeper betrayals in the NFL, and Giants fans get that, but don't expect them to hold anything back on Smith's new team. The Eagles began the season prancing around with a crown on their head -- one they never earned. That kind of thing never sits well in the Big Apple.

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