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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 > June > 28 > Entry
It will be a crying shame if Smith holds out
IF ANDRE SMITH HOLDS OUT,
IT’LL HURT HIM AND THE CLUB
Cincinnati Bengals first-round draft pick Andre Smith needs to be signed, sealed and delivered for the July 31 kickoff to Training Camp 2009 at Georgetown (Ky.) College.
The team arrives on the central Kentucky campus on July 30. And I’ll be shocked, stunned and surprised if Andre The Giant, the new Interstate-71, is in the fold by the time the Bengals take the field for their first practice on Friday, July 31, from 3-5 p.m.
Bengals management — especially Katie and Troy Blackburn, who handle contract negotiations for the club’s No. 1 pick — knows it’s in for a long, grinding and painful haul with Smith’s representatives.
Smith has tons of leverage. He knows he’s projected as the club’s starting right offensive tackle.
And the Bengals are at his his mercy. They know last season’s No. 6 overall pick — New York Jets defensive end Vernon Gholston — got an outlandish deal, bordering on insanity, that the Bengals will have to top.
Gholston got a five-year deal — it included $21 million in guaranteed money — that could max out at $50 million if he reaches all of his performance clauses. At worst, Gholston’s contract is worth $32.5 million.
Offensive line coach Paul Alexander said Smith had a terrific minicamp (June 18-20).
“He’s getting better,” Alexander said. “Things are just starting to come together for him. When you’re thinking a little bit, you’re always a step late. Everything was just working faster for him. and that just comes with experience.”
If Smith holds out, who knows what kind of physical and mental shape he’ll be in when he’s finally in the fold. How long will it take him to re-learn what he’s already been taught?
It’s one thing for a defensive lineman to hold out. D-linemen use their strength and quickness to hold the point of attack, stuff the run and rush the quarterback.
With offensive linemen, it’s a totally different deal. The schemes are much more complicated. They have to be in sync with their footwork, leverage and angles … they man-up, double team and zone block … and they have to know all the nuances of pass protection, including the timing of when to release and block downfield.
After the final minicamp practice, Alexander and Smith had a long, private talk outside the locker room.
You know what Paulie was telling the Giant. Stay in shape. Study the playbook. Be ready to work when you get here.
Sure wish I could’ve been a fly on the wall listening.
Every rookie needs to know this: Every practice they miss, they fall farther and farther behind. And you can never, ever make up the lost time.
Just ask Akili Smith and David Pollack. They held out and never got caught up.
Contact Chick Ludwig at 937-225-2253 or cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (12) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Ridnaway
June 28, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this
I’d say you hit the nail on the head Chick. The chances of Andre the Hut signing before camp are about the same as the eart colliding with another planet by then. Katie and MikeyBoy simply will not be hurried!By islebfrank
June 28, 2009 6:26 PM | Link to this
I’m afraid the Sanchez QB contract at 5 combined with Smith’s penchant for seeking the path of least resistance/laziness (skipping some training camp because that’s hard work.) Keels/Smith, please make me wrong!By get real
June 28, 2009 8:59 PM | Link to this
I dont understand the problem, if you draft a guy no.6 then you know you will have to pay him. Just get the deal signed so we can actually have a chance at winning for once. Why doesnt MB realize that winning = big $$$.By a fan
June 28, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this
Al Davis(oakland) Jerry Jones(dallas) will lose money to get wins! Mike Brown will take loses to make money!By a fan
June 28, 2009 10:27 PM | Link to this
Al Davis(oakland) Jerry Jones(dallas) will lose money to get wins! Mike Brown will take loses to make money!By RavensRockNorth
June 28, 2009 10:59 PM | Link to this
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…. This team has already started to implode. A 7-9 team at best!By RavensRockNorth
June 28, 2009 11:02 PM | Link to this
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again…. This team has already started to implode. A 7-9 team at best!By Joe
June 28, 2009 11:26 PM | Link to this
Why do Raven fans need to post their mindless ideas on our sites? I wish blogs and chats and comments would stay team oriented…By kawika5000
June 29, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this
The Bengals will do well this year, as will Smith. I do hope if there is a holdout (which i think sadly there will be) it won’t be for too long.By kawika5000
June 29, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
the big issue to me is that why is the arguably most problematic position last year still the biggest question mark this year?!! The O-line! Carson Palmers beat up face after the Giants game still makes me cringe WTF!! Bobby at RG is the only position on that line i feel good about, Whit at LT is fine but everything else is still iffy and to top it off this holdout stuff. I would have liked to see the O-line as the most solid spot goin in this year. I wanted Birk!By Me
June 29, 2009 12:19 PM | Link to this
I don’t get it, ANY player the Bengals drafted was looking at a holdout from the #6 position. Here’s something else, there will be more than Smith as a potential holdout and nothing is being made of that. Someone get the Jags on the phone please…By Scott305
June 30, 2009 12:52 PM | Link to this
Since the draft, there’s been a rare positive aura with the Bengals. That could change rapidly if their projected right tackle is chilling in another state while Palmer develops a nervous twitch knowing the right side is a sieve. Hey I know, why don’t they hire a real GM… you know like other successful francises. Oh… guess we’ve floated that suggestion before.