Andre Smith

[Wraith]

Should have taken Eugene Monroe, he was a better prospect than either Smith or Oher.

[ArmyBengal]

Only problem with Monroe is that he's been just as injured as Smith from what i've seen.

He hasn't made an impact either. At least Oher has played numeroous reps and has made the swith from RT to LT this year.

He seems like the best pick of the OT's from that draft to this point in time.

[Spor_tees]

I think he'd be a great guard, superior,.. Like, all pro, but he's staying at RT,..

His biggest problem appears to be that he doesn't have the type of drive necessary to be superior at anything. If he had that, he'd be a superior all-pro RT too. I mean, he's got the physical tools. That's why he was drafted at #6 overall.

If he turns out to be a bust, perhaps they could protect him from speed rushers by bumping him inside... but at the price he's getting paid, I'd bet he just gets cut outright if he doesn't get his act together.

Leonard Davis comes to mind. He was drafted by the Cardinals as a Tackle but couldn't get things going. He landed in Dallas where he was converted to Guard and soon become a serviceable player. Maybe that's the answer.

[derekshank]

I think he'd be a great guard, superior,.. Like, all pro, but he's staying at RT,..

His biggest problem appears to be that he doesn't have the type of drive necessary to be superior at anything. If he had that, he'd be a superior all-pro RT too. I mean, he's got the physical tools. That's why he was drafted at #6 overall.

If he turns out to be a bust, perhaps they could protect him from speed rushers by bumping him inside... but at the price he's getting paid, I'd bet he just gets cut outright if he doesn't get his act together.

Leonard Davis comes to mind. He was drafted by the Cardinals as a Tackle but couldn't get things going. He landed in Dallas where he was converted to Guard and soon become a serviceable player. Maybe that's the answer.

That's my point though. If he switches to OG because he can't cut is as an OT, I doubt it'll be as a Bengal. And at that point, why would we care?

[Spor_tees]

I think he'd be a great guard, superior,.. Like, all pro, but he's staying at RT,..

His biggest problem appears to be that he doesn't have the type of drive necessary to be superior at anything. If he had that, he'd be a superior all-pro RT too. I mean, he's got the physical tools. That's why he was drafted at #6 overall.

If he turns out to be a bust, perhaps they could protect him from speed rushers by bumping him inside... but at the price he's getting paid, I'd bet he just gets cut outright if he doesn't get his act together.

Leonard Davis comes to mind. He was drafted by the Cardinals as a Tackle but couldn't get things going. He landed in Dallas where he was converted to Guard and soon become a serviceable player. Maybe that's the answer.

That's my point though. If he switches to OG because he can't cut is as an OT, I doubt it'll be as a Bengal. And at that point, why would we care?

Well at this point I think the biggest obstacle of Andre Smith getting moved from Tackle to Guard, is the fact he has a Tackle's contract. Mike Brown is going to be reluctant to pay another player starting Tackle money when he already is paying Smith like one.

If the guy can't pass block but is a road grinder, that sounds like an obvious Bobby Williams clone to me. They should make the move now and let him replace Nate Livings. Could you imagine the holes that Whitworth and Smith could make on the left side of the formation?

[TJJackson]

at this point I think the biggest obstacle of Andre Smith getting moved from Tackle to Guard, is the fact he has a Tackle's contract is unmotivated and out of shape regardless of position and will likely be released in this uncapped year unless he gets his fat ass into high gear soon.

Fixed it for you :-)

Seriously tho, he has all that potential, but unless he shows some effort, he's just a Flesh Zeppelin out there. Bust Watch (and no, oh God no, I am not talking about his moobs here - who wants to watch THAT video again? Not I!) is officially declared

[HairOnFire]

Well at this point I think the biggest obstacle of Andre Smith getting moved from Tackle to Guard, is the fact he has a Tackle's contract.

More importantly, a tackle contract with an out clause that gives the Bengals the opportunity to cut ties after 2 seasons and move on if they conclude Smith lacks the heart needed to be an NFL player.

Put me in the camp that says they won't move him to OG under any scenario. They'll cut him.

[jjakq27]

Maybe he can play fullback!

Seriously, the team has selected several guys with their first or second picks that are just not pro-ready from the start for whatever the reason. Jerome Simpson (2008), Andre Smith (2009) and maybe even Carlos Dunlap (inactive week 1). To me it's critical that guys selected in those two slots either start or make significant contributions during their first year. With the way players get cycled through the league, a team doesn't have time to wait for a player to develop for the kind of money they are receiving now. That's why I feel that Oher woulda been a safer pick especially with all of the goofy stuff that happened with Smith after the 2009 Sugar Bowl. Marvin can say they got shotty info from Nick Saban but what's he gonna say, "no don't draft our guy"? Ask any Human Resources guy in the real world and they would have said to steer clear of him.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

They'll cut him.

If he gets cut, does he bleed gravy?

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

To me it's critical that guys selected in those two slots either start or make significant contributions during their first year. With the way players get cycled through the league, a team doesn't have time to wait for a player to develop for the kind of money they are receiving now.

Yep. And if they're raw, they need to have massive upside. You need to get enough of a discount in terms of draft slot that the risk is worth it.

Marvin can say they got shotty info from Nick Saban but what's he gonna say, "no don't draft our guy"? Ask any Human Resources guy in the real world and they would have said to steer clear of him.

Well, for one, I'd trust Little Nicky about as far as I could throw him. Dude bailed on his team. Also, there was more than enough info available publicly to make an informed decision.

We've rehashed the Andre decision to death on this board (I'll look forward to a statement from our resident Bengals Message Board PR Director), but to me it's a case study in how not to run a business.

[TJJackson]

our resident Bengals Message Board PR Director

I must have missed a few posts - who has been named to this highly prestigious but almost certainly unpaid position?

[ArmyBengal]

Well at this point I think the biggest obstacle of Andre Smith getting moved from Tackle to Guard, is the fact he has a Tackle's contract.

More importantly, a tackle contract with an out clause that gives the Bengals the opportunity to cut ties after 2 seasons and move on if they conclude Smith lacks the heart needed to be an NFL player.

Put me in the camp that says they won't move him to OG under any scenario. They'll cut him.

This Andre Smith statement is BY FAR, the most accurate one I've read.

I can't even fathom another scenario when they can simply dump him.

[Kazkal]

I think he'd be a great guard, superior,.. Like, all pro, but he's staying at RT,..

His biggest problem appears to be that he doesn't have the type of drive necessary to be superior at anything. If he had that, he'd be a superior all-pro RT too. I mean, he's got the physical tools. That's why he was drafted at #6 overall.

If he turns out to be a bust, perhaps they could protect him from speed rushers by bumping him inside... but at the price he's getting paid, I'd bet he just gets cut outright if he doesn't get his act together.

Leonard Davis comes to mind. He was drafted by the Cardinals as a Tackle but couldn't get things going. He landed in Dallas where he was converted to Guard and soon become a serviceable player. Maybe that's the answer.

That's my point though. If he switches to OG because he can't cut is as an OT, I doubt it'll be as a Bengal. And at that point, why would we care?

He used bad example I'd Say Robert Gallery who stayed with his team...He was terrible tackle but once they kicked him inside he has been a respectable player.

PS,Though as many others pointed out I'm sure he'd just get cut but I still haven't given up home on him...><

[ArmyBengal]

Gallery is a PERFECT example. That dude was just beastly coming out of college and hasn't done anything.

I will disagree that moving him inside has helped though. Maybe he's a little better, but he just sucks period.

[kingwilly]

Guys, this might just be the thing that saves his oversized form.

Moving him in at LG, or RG should William not be here next year, would have a significant impact on the play of the RT or LT. I think it could help Whit or Roland , as well as Cook, immensely to have his long arms and size jamming in there. He does not need to move as much in pass protections and for run plays, he will clear things out with no worries.

This may be where he ends up.

Considering this is what they also envisioned for Shirley, I guess it could be worse.

[TJJackson]

Don't get me wrong, I think it'd be great if they could get some value out of him, regardless of what position (well, ok, I don't see him as a KR, but hey)

I just dont see that he has the desire to do anything more than cash his game checks -- and that being the case, he will suck at G same as he sucks at T, with his long arms, size, strength, and potential all having zero impact on his success.

I'll take a lower ceiling guy who gives it his all over a unlimited potential guy who gives zero effort. Every Time

[Sea Ray]

I'll take a lower ceiling guy who gives it his all over a unlimited potential guy who gives zero effort. Every Time

That's Dennis Roland

[TJJackson]

I don't know enough about Roland to fully agree, but he certainly gives more effort than the Flesh Zeppelin

(which I know isn't saying much, but still)

[JoeMama]

If I'm a defensive end, nothing would infuriate me more than being effectively blocked by a man with titties.

Andre Smith should use this psychological advantage to his gain.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

If I'm a defensive end, nothing would infuriate me more than being effectively blocked by a man with titties.

Andre Smith should use this psychological advantage to his gain.

Why stop there? Put on some makeup. Or go full-on tranny and give new meaning to the 'Tuck Rule'.

[HairOnFire]

Perhaps I spoke too soon about Smith not being considered at OG. Regardless, there's lot's of positive stuff in this Hobnobian update.

Bengals backup right tackle Andre Smith is getting about 10-15 snaps a day at right guard in practice after head coach Marvin Lewis told him he needed to play more than one spot as long as he's a backup. It's the first time he's played guard since his freshman year in high school and upon hearing that center Kyle Cook chimed in jokingly with, "I played tackle in high school. Time to make the move?"

Smith played about 15 snaps last Sunday against the Ravens, mainly as the extra tackle when the Bengals went big and made starting right tackle Dennis Roland an eligible receiver. Smith, as he always has since he arrived as the club's No. pick in 2009, is saying the right things.

"I'm happy to be competing with my teammates and working hard every day and getting prepared for the next game," Smith said before Thursday's practice.

But his time may be soon. He says this is the healthiest and best conditioned he's been since he was drafted with the sixth pick. He says the foot he broke in his third practice last year and had surgically repaired after the season is something he doesn't think about anymore while he's playing…

[COB]

This kind of bums me out. I was hoping for the announcement that Smith was crushing it, that stiff Roland was headed for the bench, and our skin zepplin would be holding down a tackle spot for about 10 years.

This guy better stick around the facility in the off-season this year. Work out hard, don't balloon up to 270, just get better.

[Sea Ray]

Lapham was raving last night on the radio about how Smith flattened Ray Lewis with a block and how that illustrates how powerful he is when in shape.

His comment was "ask Ray Lewis if Andre Smith is a powerful lineman". Lapham said when in shape and motivated Andre Smith was the best lineman in that draft, no one was even close.

[TJJackson]

don't balloon up to 270

he'd have to lose a whole person to get down to 270 :-)

(yeah, I knew you meant three, not two)

[TJJackson]

when in shape

strike one.....

and motivated

strike two.....

I think it comes really down to the motivated part. If he was motivated, he'd be in shape and etc.