Things Heard on Andre Smith

You think several months off of playing is not a downfall??

Andre Smith weighed in to Bengals training camp at 364 pounds!! 364! That was 34 pounds over his expected playing weight. What do you eat in two months to gain 34 pounds?? A horse? And he wonders why he broke his foot.

The more and more I watch and hear about Andre Smith the less and less I like him. And to be honest, I liked him very little to begin with. Is it still too early to say I told you so??

Reports indicate that Andre Smith will sign with Bengals

According to Chad Ochocino's Twitter page the Bengals have agreed in principle with first round selection Andre Smith. The story has also has been picked up by several national media outlets. However Andre Smith's agent, Alvin Keels, has indicated the following:

"Andre Smith has not signed Bengals fans. reports are premature. But we are working hard to get something done."

What could be the case is that they have agreed to a deal in principle but have not yet inked it completely. Either way there seems to be some movement in both camps which is much better than where we were a week ago. Do the Bengals brass have the motivation to get the deal done while the NFL Films cameras are there so they can show the rest of the league and future draft picks that they are willing to work? Who knows, I would doubt that the Bengals have moved too much off of their offer.

We can only wait an see what they offer will be once it is finalized. Stay tuned.

Andre Smith Hold Out

The Cincinnati Bengals and first round selection Andre Smith have yet to come to terms of an agreement and it does not look like they are going to get a contract signed any time soon. Mike Brown and the Bengals are notorious for digging in their heels and holding strong to their offer, and it seems like Smith's agent, Alvin Keels, may be a little bit in over his head at this point. And honestly the Bengals offer is pretty strong, they are offering Andre Smith a 5 year $33 million offer. What is complicating the deal are the contracts that were signed around Smith.
Andre Smith is the highest pick yet to sign at #6. The number 5 selection Mark Sanchez signed with the Jets at 5 years $60 million. Where the trouble comes is the deal the #7 selection Darrius Heyaward-Bey signed with the Raiders at 5 years $38 million dollars. Most believe that the Raiders overpaid for Heyward-Bey, but Smith and his agent are holding strong that they will not sign for less than the player selected after Smith. Smith's representatives are seeking a five year $40 million dollar deal.
As far as the other Offensive Tackles taken in the first round Jason Smith taken at #2 signed a deal for 5 years $62 million, Eugene Monroe has not yet signed with the Jaguars at the #8 pick and #23 selection Michael Oher signed for 5 years $13.8 million.

My Crystal Ball Shows a Long Holdout for Andre Smith in the Future…

The Cincinnati Bengals currently cannot open contract talks with Andre Smith because he fired his agent, Alvin Keels of Priority Sports, in early May. Sources say the offensive lineman will re-hire Keels…. but that remains to be seen. Also, the Bengals are said to be seeking a “pay-for-pay” clause for financial protection due to Smith’s sketchy past. What makes this even more interesting is that the Bengals moved Whitworth to left tackle and currently have Smith lined up at left guard. Granted, Whitworth did play tackle in college they could be placing Smith at guard because they don’t expect him for the start of training camp and want to get Whitworth prepared to play other positions if this ends up being the case.

Your Thoughts?