Andre Smith Disappointed That He Was Inactive Against Carolina
by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 27, 2010 11:20 AM EDT
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PrintFor the first time this season, the Bengals activated their entire roster of linebackers. Against New England, rookie linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy sat. Against Baltimore, Keith Rivers took the day off due to injury. By activating their entire linebacker roster against Carolina, the Bengals decided that Andre Smith would be of little use to them, announcing that Smith wouldn't dress against the Panthers. Shocked, dismayed and disappointed! Smith's co-agent Jimmy Gould said:
"He was able to practice during the week, he was able to play, and he thought he was going to play, and he was told just before the game that he wouldn't play," Gould said Sunday night. "We're disappointed."
"He's worked very hard to get into shape and he's done what the team has asked him to do," Gould said. "He had the (foot) surgery when they asked him to. It was elective and he's worked hard to get the weight off while he rehabbed from the surgery. He wants very much to be at the center of the team."
Then take the bull by the horns and do it, for Pete's sake. Unfortunately, doing what you're asked to do, along with doing what you're expected to do, doesn't necessarily mean you'll be granted gifts equal to the luxuries contract you signed in 2009. After a while, you tend to be put in a position that you have to justify the cost and, well, roster spot. If Smith is to become a permanent fixture on the offensive line, he needs to win the job. And quite frankly, the coaching staff doesn't believe Smith is any better than Dennis Roland (which is saying a lot). Cincinnati is trying to get Smith to be more useful as a backup offensive lineman at tackle and at guard.
Until then, the severe disappointment that is Andre Smith continues.
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Should have never been drafted
Then it comes to be that the soothing light at the end of your tunnel, is just a freight train coming your way...
@btcoop71
Lol. You remember that?
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 27, 2010 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions
He'll never prove himself
until he actually gets an opportunity. Let him start and play 20-30 snaps in a row and see how he does. Practicing with back ups and playing 10 snaps again will never give him the experience to succeed.
I HATE how the Bengals staff is handling this.
That is crazy talk
how can you say the guy just needs a chance? He had a chance to come to camp in shape and choose not to. You don’t think everyone on that staff wants him to live up to his potential? The guy doesn’t care about playing football. If he did care he would invest a little more time into preperation and a little less in Lil Debbie’s Snack Cakes.
by steve whodey on Sep 27, 2010 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Andre
I just get the sense that he doesn’t have the mindset to ‘fight back’ and win a starting spot. I could be completely wrong, but i just get the sense that he is not a ‘benching him will spark his motivation’ type. That is no knock on him, that is probably just how he is wired and I see him just flat out losing confidence when stuff like this happens.
On the flip side, with his foot injuries and the crappy field yesterday, being inactive as a precautionary measure makes tons on sense and I still see this organization looking to him as a cornerstone on the OL soon since he is being paid big bucks.
by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Sep 27, 2010 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
I had the same thought
His agent has to come out and make a statement for him? How about saying “I haven’t earned a roster spot yet and so I’m going to need to go out there and kick some a$$”. Don’t hide behind your agent. Great googly-moogly
This is our year!
by Paul Cannon on Sep 27, 2010 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Don't Hide behind your agent, Nadre
Cause he’s a little skinny white dude. I think you’ll be spotted.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
I wonder how this whole situation..
Looks from the eyes Andre Smith, Hearing all this bust talk, without playing many snaps. Like I’m not trying to say he’s good or anything. But real talk I wonder how he actually handles this, He’s still a kid really, 23 yrs old.
Maybe he needs an actual confidence booster for once. I feel he needs to see some time with either the Bucs’ and the Browns coming up. Both are a good time to bring him and give him live reps. Think about when we did see the raw power of him run blocking. He has the tools, we know he does. I mean his pass blocking needs work, but nothing brings more work then game reps. I mean come on coach you got two teams that should be easy wins, and our O line needs some tinkering anyways. Give Big A some reps his sophomore season.
Get him pissed off
and I think he’ll play better. I’m sure he’s been getting “confidence boosters” from agents and friends for the past 5 years of his life and it has only brought on content in being a lazy sack of crap. What would be his incentive in working hard if he knows he’s going to play anyways?
by Bengal mayhem on Sep 27, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Alright you don't understand athletes.
By a confidence booster he needs to get out there and rotate in live reps, like he did last season. He needs to get support from those in the locker room and those in the stands. I mean he’s not a chip on the shoulder style athlete he needs to feel people are at least pulling for him. Because at this time he probably feels Who-Dey Nation hates him (which for the most is sadly true). Get him in there against these bottom dwellers and make him a part of the team,
James Harrison
the defensive player of the year a couple years ago was cut by Pittsburgh, then Baltimore, crawled back to Pittsburgh, and then gradually made his way into the starting lineup. These guys are professional athletes – not pee-wee football players. Since the only real thing guys like Andre Smith care about is money, then take their money incentives away by deactivating them. If he wants to get paid his full amount, he’ll start working harder.
by Bengal mayhem on Oct 1, 2010 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not saying don't make him earn his keep
But your perspective on football is disturbing to say the least.
here's my thing
i like roland, but i like him as the 6th blocker in an unbalanced line situation. i don’t think smith could be worse than him on a play-by-play basis and I think he needs to be playing most of the snaps from here on out.
RIP Slim.
I agree
I don’t think Roland is that much better than Smith.
Also what’s wrong with Kyle Cook? Is it me or has this line taken a step back? Last year I remember Cook being solid and not making mistakes with the snap count.
by sgiridharan1982 on Sep 27, 2010 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
i think some of cook
has to do with palmer being jittery and also trying to do more than just his job.
RIP Slim.
maybe
BUT they need to work that shit out in practice. sunday isn’t the time to get the timing down between qb and center.
cook is looking snake bitten this year. like the more he screws up, the harder he trys, which causes him to screw up more when he over compensates. its like watching graham blow up last year. and st.louis too.
cook could be salvageable. coaches need to do their jobs on this one. cooks mistakes are mental.
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
RE: Roland
Roland has been credited for both sacks given up in the first 2 games….not sure who is the lucky loser who gave up the sack yesterday but if it isn’t Roland that still leaves him with 2 fo the 3 so far….
it comes down to mind over matter....if you don't mind, it won't matter
What's your source of information?
I’m more than a bit dubious about this claim. I somewhat remember the two sacks. One was the responsibility of either the left guard or the center. I think the other sack involved the tight end, who was lined up on the left side.
Yesterday, the sack was the responsibilty of Bobbie Williams, to the extent it was actually his fault. It appeared the defensive tackle got away with an uncalled hands to Williams’ face. This action screwed up Williams, and the tackle was able to blow through him to Palmer. If anyone has a tape of the game, you’ll notice Williams gesturing angrily after the play to the nearby Roland, simulating tossing the flag that the line ref failed to throw.
RE: Roland
NO WAY Roland is better then Smith at pass protection, or run blocking for that matter, we all know A.Smith can Run block, and trial by fire in pass protect situations coudln’t be any worse than letting Roland do his 360 spin block technique…..I really hope this benching is the spark that lights the fire for Andre 3000 lbs
it comes down to mind over matter....if you don't mind, it won't matter
How did you come by this opinion on the relative merits of Smith over Roland?
Do you have access to Bengal practices? Are you listening in at the coaches meetings? Or are you just that sharp an observer that you can watch a few plays, here and there, and from them know that the Bengal coaching staff has it all wrong in starting Roland over Smith?
RE: watched every snap this year
including preseason, and if you want to get technical (i will repeat for the 3rd time today) that Carson has been sacked 3 times this year. 2 times through the first 2 games, both credited to Roland. Not sure about yesterday’s but I believe it was Roland again…..
I have a question for you- how do you come by the opinion of Roland is better than Smith (other than playing time)…..I guess i just find it hard to believe that our 6th overall pick is worse than a guy who is on his 3rd team, and was cut from the first 2 w/out contributing much if at all. And sorry if I don’t have blind faith in our coaching staff that can’t make halftime adjustments to game plans and who blew up one of the best lines in the league the year after Carson’s injury, b/c that was genius.
it comes down to mind over matter....if you don't mind, it won't matter
Agree with btcoop71!!!
Get rid of that fat hog! He is not worthy of being a back-up in thi league! DROP HIM! drop him! DROP HIS ASS!
MEXAL – What you fail to realize is that he “should” have come into the season ready to play! That “was” expected of him. He sat on his lazy butt and did not prepare for the season at all. He came in overweight and slow, didn’t know the playbook or blocking schemes, complicated though they may be.. These guys are “MEN”, they are pofessionals. And he’s always a “work in progress” that needs to be baby’ed into being adequate? For that much money? I don’t think so! If he’s not prepared, he will get Carson beat up!
It doesn't matter to me what he should have done
He didn’t. However, Roland is clearly crap and Smith is clearly more talented. He has worked incredibly hard since then to shed pounds and even put in 3 a days during training camp. At this point, we can’t do much worse than him so he should get the opportunity. The talent is there and without the experience, he’ll never realize it.
Most of the experience Smith needs will have to come from the practice field.
Sorry, but the Bengals probably can’t afford to give up a lot of sacks while Smith learns how to play the pro game. When, and if, he can outperform Roland on the practice field, then I’m sure he’ll get a lot of actual game reps. Being declared inactive for the Panther game is an indication Smith’s probably not that close to being ready as of now.
RE: being inactive
OR….and this is crazy….but maybe just maybe they activated the entire LB core b/c Carolina’s only threat was running the ball
it comes down to mind over matter....if you don't mind, it won't matter
49ers fired their offensive coordinator....
What are the chances that Bob Bratkowski gets the pink slip during the season? Also if we fire him, who takes over the play calling for Bob, Zampese?
by sgiridharan1982 on Sep 27, 2010 12:12 PM EDT reply actions
Brat's going nowhere.
Thanks, Patriots!
by Doc Scratch on Sep 27, 2010 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as this team keeps winning, the coaching staff is safe.
This is our year!
by Paul Cannon on Sep 27, 2010 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
i wouldn't say that.
they’re safe during the season, but i think if we pull an 05 pitt and win the SB with defense and no offense that they’d still get rid of brat. at least if marvin re-signs.
RIP Slim.
In his limited playtime
he hasnt been the revolving door that Roland is so…. why isn’t he playing.
by Throw the ball on Sep 27, 2010 12:21 PM EDT reply actions
Of course he's dissapointed
His contract is full of incentives. Less play less money. One thing the Bengals DID well on was on stipulating his contract terms.
by jimbasa on Sep 27, 2010 1:04 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
so you are saying
less money=less snacks?
He might just turn it around then.
by steve whodey on Sep 27, 2010 5:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Make that lazy sack of fat earn it.
I have no problem with this whatsoever. I assume the Bengal’s staff has a better indication of how he might respond to different types of motivation.
Not sure Roland is the problem
I’m not a huge Roland fan, but I think he is doing an adequate job at RT. I think the interior part of the line is struggling. I hate to say it, but I think Bobbie Williams is getting too old and out of shape to be the blocking force he once was. I like the move by Marvin of benching Smith. It will send a message to everyone that NOBODY’s job is safe.
With today’s goliath nose tackles and 3-4 DEs, I’m thinking guard might be the better spot for Smith. Let him line up on the interior and drive the defensive lineman back as opposed to having to move against quicker linebackers and 4-3 DEs. Roland can block against those guys.
It is interesting to note that the only sack the Bengals actually gave up this week was thru Bobbie Williams.
I’m also not wild about Roland. But it’s possible he’s not the actual weak link on the line. And it’s certainly conceivable that Smith might be a better replacement at the guard spot.
roland and cook were liabilities on sunday
not something you want to say about 2/5ths of your o-line
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
Yeah, Roland and Cook didn't play particularly well.
But then, they didn’t give up any sacks either, which is a significant thing.
In any case, the only real question is, is there anyone on the Bengals sideline, including Andre Smith, that can make the offense any better? I have to assume the coaching staff’s answer to that is: no, not at this time.
While it's good they didn't give up any sacks
it can be misleading…I’m sure we can trace some pressure they allowed to crappy CP passes or INTs. No sacks are good, but there’s more to the story.
by AB on Sep 27, 2010 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
There's always more to the story.
I expect some of their poor protection did cause Palmer to miss some throws. But that happens with every team’s offensive line. I don’t know any team that gives their quarterback unlimited time.
As for Roland and Cook causing Palmer to throw any interceptions, I don’t know that happened. I do know the first interception didn’t fall under that category.
Draft history
Kenny Irons in the second round, ’07.
Jerome Simpson in the second round, ’08.
Andre Smith in the first round, ’09.
That’s three years in a row where we got either an outright bust in the first two rounds, or (if we’re being charitable) a player that hasn’t lived up to even basic expectations. Let’s hope Gresham and Dunlap break that pattern.
Lol
Three games, dude. Three.
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 27, 2010 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Im just sayin
For a projected 1st rounder, he should’ve already shared serious time in the rotation and I don’t see that happening.
Dunlap who?
Yeah it is only 3 games, and you are right it is too early. But in 3 games I got warm fuzzy from Gresham, Shipley, and Atkins. Dunlap, not so much. Not ready to dump on him but there is cause for concearn.
by steve whodey on Sep 27, 2010 5:22 PM EDT up reply actions
first
he’s only been active for 1. not sure if you’ve noticed, but we’re pretty stacked on the DL. dunlap is a pass rushing specialist. and usually rookie DEs don’t tear it up.
mario williams, the 1st pick in the 06 draft had 4.5 sacks that year. how many did he have in 07? 14. so give dunlap some time. it takes a minute for most rookies to adjust.
RIP Slim.
Nadre Smith
Should earn his spot like anyone else. If he can’t understand that, I doubt he can be a good tackle.
2010 - The Year of the Tiger.
Jimmy Gould should shut up
He is at least half of the reason we are in this situation. Andre got the big money, he got a vacation while everyone else was working their tail of in TC, he came in out of shape and he is still out of shape a year and a half later. I am not upset that he was disapointed that he as deavtivated. I want him to want to be a part of the team and play but as ML puts it “I see better than I hear.” A starting spot on this team is not to be had for the wanting. It is to be achieved thru performance. If he cannot beat out Roland he just sucks hind teat until he can. Hell, I ’m disapointed too. I thought he was going to be a top 5 tackle.
I can’t blame Roland. I think he is doing the best he can and that is all I can ask of anyone. It is Andre and the coaches fault that he, a backup player, has been thrust into a situation above his pay grade. I cannot understand how he could be late to the line in a time pressure situation but that is a coaching situation. On the last play of the half instructions should be for everyone to get back on the line as soon as their role in the play is over without waiting for the the play to end.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
Andre Smith is disappointed???
Well I’m disappointed that he came to camp fat. I’m disappointed that he couldn’t beat out Dennis Roland at RT. I’m disappointed that he can’t get the intestinal fortitude to man up and say that this is all his fault. I wish we would’ve reached for Oher or just drafted another position all together. What a waste so far.
Wake up call
He is going to be the starting Rt Tackle on the Waiver Line if he doesn’t wake up. He is lazy, plain & simple. He thought he could step in & be successful without working!
by Vman in Germany on Sep 27, 2010 2:12 PM EDT reply actions
Andre 'The Disappointment' Smith
if the title fits.. even in xxxxxl size..
"wherever Brad St. Louis is and Shayne Graham is about to be." -R.F. Mehl
Contract option year
His agent is just talking because it’s the option pickup year in his contract.
Aw sorry Andre
That you feel bad. well get with the program and get your @#$% together fatty!!
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