Andre Smith to Play in His First Preseason Opener

by Jason Garrison on Aug 11, 2011 2:44 PM EDT

And on top of that, he's set to start!

What is happening?

Yes, for the first time in his short career, Andre Smith, who has long been the butt of every fat joke in Cincinnati, will not only be participating in the team's preseason opener, but he'll be lining up as the team's starting right tackle. It's about time.

Smith's transformation began this offseason, when reports came in that Smith had shed weight and would likely work out with the team in Georgetown for the first time in his career. After a solid couple weeks with the team at training camp where Smith decided he wants to prove his naysayers wrong and his head coach Marvin Lewis said that he thinks Smith can be great, Smith is finally where he belongs and he's ready.

"I think I'm really, really prepared," Smith said. "I'm just ready to go out there and have fun and do what I'm supposed to do."

It isn't just the coaches that have noticed Smith's attitude off the field and his play on the field. Bengals left tackle and team leader Andrew Whitworth likes what he sees from the right side of the line.

"He's looking fresh and working hard to be the players that he had the goal to be when he came out of college."

Out of college, Smith was considered one of the most talented offensive linemen, and was especially dominant in the run game. He's still got a long way to go, but he's on his way of living up to his college reputation and his No. 6 overall pick.

For the Bengals to be successful in 2011, they're going to need Smith to be what he was in college.

And by what he was in college, I mean this:

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I would love for Smith to do that to Ray Lewis

and Ray Lewis never get up.

by TCfromDubVee on Aug 11, 2011 3:22 PM EDT reply actions

I will NEVER cheer for Andre Smith

He was a horrible pick when we took him, and he has been nothing but useless since he’s been here. If this team was trying to hard to cut dead weight this offseason, then we should have cut Andre instead of Ochocinco… at least Chad contributed to the team.

by Black&Orange on Aug 11, 2011 5:14 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

that is all I can say to this. You haven’t been paying attention to anything going on at camp obviously. And Chad’s contributions were minimal recently. Ocho going elsewhere is a very good thing for this team.

by Oregonbengalsfan on Aug 11, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh I've been paying attention

And I’m supposed to be impressed that a number 6 draft pick is just now seeing the field at Georgetown after two years? And training camp is 20% practice, 80% hype machine anyway… every team from 1 to 32 is saying how great everyone is looking out there. I’m waiting for him to go out game one and break his foot again, since thus far all he’s proven is the ability to eat and collect a paycheck.

And while I can’t argue that Ocho’s production went down, he’s still the all time Bengals reciever and a 6 time pro bowler. Now he’s going to play for a contender and probably get a ring while we all sit here why Dalton can’t get Green the ball.

by Black&Orange on Aug 11, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Too root against against Andre Smith is the same as not rooting for the Bengals because Smith will be key if this team can have a winning record.

Don’t forget that Smith was being talked about as the #1 pick overall before all the agent and the leaving the combine mess. Smith was the best offensive lineman in the country when he came out and might have been the best player period. The Bengals are going to run the ball alot this year and Smith can be a road grader at RT. If he stays healthy this year I guarantee he will make you a fan!!!

Kenneth Lewis Moore

by lightskin350 on Aug 11, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions