Last Updated on August 30, 2009 9:50 pm by shah
Smith Signed
Cincinnati, OH – The Bengals have finally signed top draft pick Andre Smith after a long contract impasse that became a subject of derision among teammates.
The Bengals had originally planned to have Smith start at right tackle, but he has missed all of training camp and three preseason games. They confirmed his signing Sunday on their Web site shortly before the start of practice.
Smith, the sixth overall pick, was the highest unsigned NFL pick with one week left in the preseason. The Bengals had insisted on paying him less than a player taken later in the draft, Oakland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey. HBO’s “Hard Knocks” episode last Wednesday showed teammates mocking Smith’s weight during the team’s annual rookie skits.
Posted: 8/30/09 9:55PM ET