Bengals sign Andre Smith; niners' Crabtree still unsigned

[HUbison]

Bengals sign top pick RT Andre Smith
Aug 30, 6:54 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (AP)—Offensive tackle Andre Smith signed a contract Sunday with the Cincinnati Bengals, ending an impasse that dragged on a month into the preseason.

The Bengals originally planned to have Smith start at right tackle, but he has missed three preseason games. He was in Cincinnati and agreed to the deal shortly before the start of a late afternoon practice, allowing him to get back on the field.

The Bengals finish their preseason schedule with a home game against Indianapolis on Thursday. It’s unclear whether the rookie will be ready to play in that game.

“We’ll ease him into practice, see where his conditioning level is and see where he is this week,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “We haven’t made a decision about Thursday and won’t know until after Wednesday.”

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, leading to the impasse.

Smith’s contract leaves Michael Crabtree, drafted by San Francisco with the 10th overall pick, as the only unsigned first-round selection.

The four-year deal includes $21 million guaranteed. The team has an option after the 2010 season that would turn it into a six-year deal that includes $29.5 million guaranteed. Heyward-Bey got a five-year deal with $23.5 million guaranteed from the Raiders.

Smith participated in the afternoon practice, doing some drills with other linemen during the portion of the workout open to the media.

“It was difficult just sitting there waiting. I’m eager to get back to football,” Smith said after practice. “I don’t feel like I’m that far behind. There’s a difference between workout shape and football shape. I’m ready to get back into football shape.”

The team gave Smith’s bed to another player during training camp in Georgetown, Ky. HBO’s “Hard Knocks” episode last Wednesday showed teammates mocking Smith’s weight during the team’s annual rookie skits.

Prolonged holdouts are commonplace in Cincinnati. Last year, linebacker Keith Rivers missed nine days of camp and was one of the last two first-round picks to come to terms.

The Bengals’ offensive line was one of their top priorities in the offseason. The offense finished last in the league in 2008 in large part because of the line’s ineffectiveness.

Quarterback Carson Palmer missed a dozen games because he tore a ligament and tendon in his throwing elbow when he got hit while passing.

Only right guard Bobbie Williams(notes) returns in the same spot this year. The Bengals let their two tackles leave and drafted Smith, whose holdout forced them to revamp their plans. Anthony Collins(notes) has played right tackle in Smith’s absence.

The Bengals open the season at home against the Denver Broncos. Lewis has said throughout training camp that Smith will get the chance to compete for the starting job at right tackle once he gets into camp.

The Bengals also are unsure whether Palmer will play in the final preseason game. He has missed the last two games with a moderately sprained left ankle. The Bengals don’t want him to aggravate the injury, which would jeopardize his chances of playing against the Broncos.

[r8rh8rmike]

The team gave Smith’s bed to another player during training camp in Georgetown, Ky. HBO’s “Hard Knocks” episode last Wednesday showed teammates mocking Smith’s weight during the team’s annual rookie skits.

Yikes! That can't be good, especially considering the nature of where Smith's weight problem is most noticeable.

[TekeRam]

I'm ever so glad that we didn't take Crabtree... I think he has bust written all over him. He's already too much of a diva for his own good. Just look over in Denver with "Baby T.O." and you can see the future for Mr. Crabtree.

[r8rh8rmike]

I'm ever so glad that we didn't take Crabtree... I think he has bust written all over him. He's already too much of a diva for his own good. Just look over in Denver with "Baby T.O." and you can see the future for Mr. Crabtree.

It looks like the whiners and Crabtree are still miles apart on the contract front. Too funny that he isn't budging on his demand to be given top 5 money as the 10th pick. He's got foot stomping cry baby written all over him.

Matt Maiocco of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat joined ESPN's First Take to discuss the ***** ongoing contract dispute with first-round choice Michael Crabtree. He said proposals between the ***** and Crabtree remain about $7 million apart in guaranteed money and as much as $18 million apart in total value.

[RAMarkable]

Bengals sign top pick RT Andre Smith
Aug 30, 6:54 pm EDT


The Bengals had insisted on paying him less than a player taken later in the draft, Oakland’s Darrius Heyward-Bey, leading to the impasse.

The four-year deal includes $21 million guaranteed. The team has an option after the 2010 season that would turn it into a six-year deal that includes $29.5 million guaranteed. Heyward-Bey got a five-year deal with $23.5 million guaranteed from the Raiders.

No wonder why the Bungles are perennial losers in the NFL. Why in the world would they expect Smith to take LESS than Heyward-Bey who was drafted AFTER him?

So much for building the O-line to help keep Palmer healthy. Mike Brown has gotta be the consummate douche bag (especially now that Ziggy and Shaw are gone.). Hey, speaking of Ziggy, maybe he can hire Jay Zygmunt. I hear that he's just chomping at the bit to ruin another team.

Or maybe Brown doesn't really need any help in that department.

[Mooselini]

Ah I love this. haha

Glad we didnt take either of these guys

[Ramer]

Crabtree is an idiot for not signing. How much money is holding out for?

[HUbison]

Crabtree is an idiot for not signing. How much money is holding out for?

There was a story the other day saying the difference between the niners and Crabtree was about $7 mil in guaranteed dinero and $18 mil in total.

[Ramer]

So they aren't even close on agreeing. I could see him sitting out the year.

[AvengerRam]

There was a story the other day saying the difference between the niners and Crabtree was about $7 mil in guaranteed dinero and $18 mil in total.

If that is the case, it shows what a freakin' moron the guy is for not signing.

Had he signed before camp and made a good first impression, he'd probably already have endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, Under Armor, etc. worth more than the extra money he is seeking through his rookie contract.

[HUbison]

If that is the case, it shows what a freakin' moron the guy is for not signing.

Had he signed before camp and made a good first impression, he'd probably already have endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, Under Armor, etc. worth more than the extra money he is seeking through his rookie contract.

And isn't he using his cousin (DeDe or Pookie or something) as his "agent"?

[r8rh8rmike]

Crabtree's situation is a perfect example of why attitude and character matter. The Rams saw right through his egotistical act in their interview with him, then immediately crossed him off their list.

This guy is so full of himself and arrogant, that he would risk his future in a fight over being paid what HE thinks he deserves as opposed to what the reality of the situation is. The 10th pick in the draft is NOT going to be paid top five money, no way, no how.

Anyone still upset about not taking him with the number 2 pick?

[Ramer]

And isn't he using his cousin (DeDe or Pookie or something) as his "agent"?

Yes, I did read that. I wonder what cut his cousin will get when he's flipping bugers at McDonalds?

[Nick]

And isn't he using his cousin (DeDe or Pookie or something) as his "agent"?

Yes, I did read that. I wonder what cut his cousin will get when he's flipping bugers at McDonalds?

His cousin is said to be his "advisor." He's the one that was part of the report that Crabtree was willing to sit out all season and reenter next year's draft. Crabtree's agent is actually the same person who handled Steven Jackson's contract negotiation last season - Eugene Parker.

[HUbison]

His cousin is said to be his "advisor." He's the one that was part of the report that Crabtree was willing to sit out all season and reenter next year's draft. Crabtree's agent is actually the same person who handled Steven Jackson's contract negotiation last season - Eugene Parker.

Which surprises me all the more. Why would a regarded agent like Parker allow cousin Pookie to be advising Crabtree?