It's over. Andre Smith signs deal that could be worth $42 million

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 30, 2009 2:50 PM EDT in Contracts

A month after the Bengals kicked off Training Camp, the team and their first round draft pick came to an agreement, writes Geoff Hobson.

The Bengals have signed first-round pick Andre Smith in a deal that could be as much as $42 million and the Alabama right tackle is expected to be on the field in Sunday's 3 p.m. practice at Paul Brown Stadium.

Terms are still undisclosed, so we're not sure about the weight of the projected dollars. Most likely, the base contract is roughly in the $28-32 million range, as reported before, while a guaranteed number could be in the $20-25, with nearly $10 million in signing, roster, workout bonuses. We just don't know. Those numbers will come to light in the coming days.

It took 30 days after the Bengals kicked off training camp, however the deal is signed and the team's first round draft pick is finally with us. Now that's out of the way, the issue becomes two-fold. How far away is Andre Smith from being in game shape and how up to speed is he with the playbook? Also, you have to wonder what Anthony Collins has to do to save his job -- if there's even remotely a chance that that happens.

Either way, this saga is over and we can finally close this chapter.

Tweet Comment 16 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So did the Bengals blink?

or was it Keels and Smith that caved?

"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius

by TarZander on Aug 30, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

I think we’ll know more in the coming days. My guess is that there’s a lot of bonuses and incentives built into a low base pay deal.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 30, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

hallelujah

by Braveslax1012 on Aug 30, 2009 3:07 PM EDT reply actions

Better late than never, baby. Hope he gets a lot of reps in the final preseason game.

by Adam Morgan on Aug 30, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

I hope he sits

for the final preseason game so we can continue to use the roster exemption. No way he’s better than Collins by week one. He’s just missed way too much…

by whodeyla on Aug 30, 2009 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

I agree

He will take a few weeks.

by steveinaz on Aug 30, 2009 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I have nothing to write about now.

by IFChris on Aug 30, 2009 4:09 PM EDT reply actions

and i think i no longer have anything to disagree with you about. but i’m sure i’ll find something.

by Raging Clue on Aug 30, 2009 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

We can always...

Discuss the value of Ocho Twitter account.

;)

by IFChris on Aug 30, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions

are you for or against? ’cause i generally side on the pro-chad.

by Raging Clue on Aug 30, 2009 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Very pro

While it’s often nonsensical, I think Chad’s Twitter is great.

by IFChris on Aug 30, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions

well, we’ll just have to go at each other’s throats about something else then. great taste? less filling?

by Raging Clue on Aug 30, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Coors Light

How’s that for a gauntlet?

by IFChris on Aug 30, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

if it ain’t a cincinnati beer, i refuse to drink it. my christian moerlein will kick your coors light’s ass.

by Raging Clue on Aug 30, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions

See...

I like that too. Coors Light is simply my cheap beer of choice. And they don’t have CM in Kansas City. :(

by IFChris on Aug 31, 2009 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions

the shitty thing is, they barely have christian morelein in cincinnati. and there’s nothing worse than going to a bar in the city that makes it, asking for it, and meeting a blank stare followed by “um, we have heineken.” i’ve wanted to kill many bartenders.

by Raging Clue on Aug 31, 2009 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions