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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > April > 25 > Entry
Bengals do right thing, grab Andre Smith
ALABAMA OT ANDRE SMITH
JOINS THE BENGALS FAMILY
===The Chickster predicted Andre Smith, and he was right.===
The Bengals’ No. 1 priority is protecting QB Carson Palmer, so they did the right thing, the smart thing, and selected Alabama OT Andre Smith No. 6 overall.
Despite Smith’s early exit from the NFL Combine and a shaky on-campus workout, the Bengals couldn’t afford to miss out on this road-grading run blocker for TB Cedric Benson and massive (6-4, 332) pass-protector for Palmer.
Smith has the skill to start at LT or RT, but is expected to land at RT as the immediate replacement for Stacy Andrews, who bolted to Philadelphia in free agency.
Smith is a powerful run blocker with great size and strength. His wide base, long arms and active feet make him an outstanding pass blocker.
But the big fellow needs to improve his consistency and work habits, and he definitely must watch his weight.
Smith immediately upgrades the league’s worst offense because he’ll give the running game a boost.
The passing game will improve, too, because Palmer should have more time to go through his progressions before he delivers the ball.
The Bengals will be able to show more offensive consistency because they’ll be more physical up front against the bruising AFC North defenses.
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Tired of this
April 25, 2009 6:39 PM | Link to this
How pathetic is chick.. we picked 6th overall. 6th.. you dink.. not 5th. your coverage is so terribly below sub par its disturbing.. its time to hang it up… heck it was time 3 years ago.By cincyanon
April 25, 2009 7:36 PM | Link to this
Andre “The Couch” Smith is a welcome addition if everything his former coach says pans out. Hopefully some old guard Bengal (are there any?) will take him under his wing. PS “Tired of this” and yet you come to the blog to read and comment. Hmm.By Chad
April 25, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Mr. “Tired Of This”…If Chick’s coverage is terrible..Why are you reading his blog? I’m a transplanted Bengals fan and read his blog every day.By Chad
April 25, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this
Hey Mr. “Tired Of This”…If Chick’s coverage is terrible..Why are you reading his blog? I’m a transplanted Bengals fan and read his blog every day.By Chad
April 25, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
Hey Mr. “Tired Of This”…If Chick’s coverage is terrible..Why are you reading his blog? I’m a transplanted Bengals fan and read his blog every day.By Bubba
April 25, 2009 8:37 PM | Link to this
Whoa. The Chickster got one right. BFD. Wait till this fat a*s gets into the Montgomery ribs and Skyline Chili. Maybe he’ll turn out to be a good one, but I get the feeling he and the Fridge are cut from the same piece is pasta.By psychostats
April 25, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this
Yes, love the blog. Keep up the great work, Chickster … And so it happens that Rey Maualuga falls to the Bengals in Round 2. Never thought that would happen. Hey, it’s going to be fun to see how Smith and Rey-Rey turn out. We might actually have a glimmer of hope for next year.By Derrick
April 25, 2009 9:18 PM | Link to this
I was led to believe that Monroe was a better OT and was still available at #6. Yet the Bengals stick with Smith. What gives?By Troy
April 25, 2009 11:04 PM | Link to this
Congrats Chick, you and i talked two days befor eand knew Andre was going to be the guy. Wow what a suprise we got REY THE “HEAD HUNTER”MAUALUGA. very pleased byBy C in Tipp
April 27, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
It was obvious to anyone who knows the game of football. Andre was the pick. Like I said all last week, do some homework and look at the film on the beast. He’s a young bull! Someone’s going to have to hit Carson hard to get the smile off his face. But they have to get by Andre to do it, and that won’t happen!