Bengals rookie Andre Smith, the sixth overall pick in the draft, said Tuesday that he hopes to be signed and in training camp on time because a holdout could hamper his transition from left tackle to right tackle. However, Smith's wish to get a deal done could be more complicated because he was drafted one pick after New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, who signed a five-year contract that could be worth up to $60 million and has $28 million guaranteed. Quarterbacks tend to receive the heftiest salaries, so Sanchez's deal could skew the terms for players selected immediately after him, which is an argument the Bengals probably will make with Smith.
Why would Andre Smith want to do anything right at this stage of the game, he has done everything wrong since before his bowl game. This kid to me is not smart. I dont know who his agent is, but I hope he's giving Smith good advice...but I doubt it with the way the combine was handled. This was a big risk for the Bengals, who have not had good luck gambling on players...We'll see how it plays out I guess.
wants to avoid a holdout? um, has anyone told smith that he was drafted almost 3 months ago and is still not signed, when he should already be learning the offense and working out, at least informally, with the coaches and other players, so he's basically already 'holding out' .......................... ????
This is the fucking stupidest part of the sport - rookies should not be able to holdout, let alone holdout until they receive a $50M+ contract while there are 5 year vets who don't command that.
Goodell really needs to straighten this out because its disrespectful to the veterans and alienating to the fans.
Not being signed up until now is not close to being a hold out. Only one 1st round rookie not signed before the draft has been signed. And as Sanchez is a QB with a contract already to base it off - Stafford at #1 and Ryan at #3 last year.
If Andre Smith ends up being th ebest OT fro mthis years draft class it wont shock me in one bit,
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