And with the #6 Pick in the Arrowhead Pride Mock Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals Select...

by Chris Thorman on Mar 18, 2009 9:47 AM CDT in 2009 AP Mock Draft Comment 35 comments

Alabama OT Andre Smith

mistamic with the pick...

Cincinnati had a lot of issues on the offensive side of the ball last season. Their star quarterback missed most of the season due to injury and their running game was nonexistent. Wanna know why? It was because of their offensive line. A few years ago it was one of the best lines in the league. But free agency and injuries decimated this unit and now they need help. Guess what? This year's draft is stacked deep with offensive linemen and Cincy manages to pick up the best one in the draft: Alabama OT Andre Smith.

Smith is a legitimate Top 3 talent. His decision making is questionable but you can't deny his talent. He's a beast of a man (6'4", 330lbs) and yet despite his size he has excellent footwork and technique. He's a legitimate pass blocker but his niche lies within run blocking. He's a pancake machine (watch the Youtube videos of his moves). And my favorite thing about him: he doesn't have a history with injuries. He held down the left tackle spot for the last three years at Alabama but scouts believe that he could line up on the right side as well. He was the 2008 Outland Award Winner and was on numerous All-American lists. He did get suspended from the Sugar Bowl because he violated team rules, and for those who watched the game, Utah's D just lit up the left side of the line (actually they lit up the whole line but without Smith in the lineup Alabama had no chance). Even when he got suspended from the Sugar Bowl, scouts believed that he could have ended up being the first player drafted.

Okay, there are some red flags being thrown up because of his immaturity and poor decision making. His decision to leave the Combine early was a mistake. His Pro Day performance wasn't that much better. Some think that Smith is no longer worthy of a top 10 pick. Whatever. I'm not buying it. Compared to the other players in that Bengals locker room, Smith's "character issues" don't seem so severe. He's still the best O-lineman in the draft and Cincy makes the right choice by picking Smith.

Previous pick: WR Michael Crabtree

Read more: Scouting Report (Mocking the Draft)

On the clock: Oakland Raiders (mushin)

Click over for the schedule and current draft results.

***

With the news that the Bengals are trying to trade their only notable (and he's not even that good anymore) offensive linemen in Levi Jones, the Bengals o-line situation goes from bad to worse. We're talking 2007 Chiefs bad. Andre Smith is a good pick here for a team that could go in a number of directions.

Pick	Round 1	Selection	Date
1	Detroit Lions - UCrawford	LB Aaron Curry	Weds. March 10th
2	St. Louis Rams - Lanier63	OT Jason Smith	Monday, March 16th
3	Kansas City Chiefs - TonyG88	OT Eugene Monroe	Monday, March 16th
4	Seattle Seahawks - mikvogel	DT B.J. Raji	Tuesday, March 17th
5	Cleveland Browns - HIV2Elway	WR Michael Crabtree	Tuesday, March 17th
6	Cincinnati Bengals - mistamic	OT Andre Smith	Weds., March 18th
7	Oakland Raiders - mushin		Weds., March 18th
8	Jacksonville Jaguars - DThomasReigns		Thursday, March 19th
9	Green Bay Packers - JasonM		Thursday, March 19th
10	San Francisco 49ers - Harry Feltersnatch		Friday, March 20th
11	Buffalo Bills - ArrowDread		Friday, March 20th
12	Denver Broncos - Keyser Sose		Monday, March 23rd
13	Washington Redskins - Official Arrowhead Pride Parade		Monday, March 23rd
14	New Orleans Saints - cmpotter		Tuesday, March 24th
15	Houston Texans - ChiefsDude		Tuesday, March 24th
16	San Diego Chargers - Helmets		Weds., March 25th
17	New York Jets - NJChief		Weds., March 25th
18	Chicago Bears - Holmeslice		Thursday, March 26th
19	Tampa Bay Buccaneers - madtheory		Thursday, March 26th
20	Detroit Lions (from Dallas) - UCrawford		Friday, March 27th
21	Philadelphia Eagles - Chiefsfan717		Friday, March 27th
22	Minnesota Vikings - kcsno56		Monday, March 30th
23	New England Patriots - connerman		Monday, March 30th
24	Atlanta Falcons - RedNose		Tuesday, March 31st
25	Miami Dolphins - shraggyj		Tuesday, March 31st
26	Baltimore Ravens - Ben S		Weds., April 1st
27	Indianapolis Colts - craig in calgary		Weds., April 1st
28	Philadelphia Eagles (from Carolina) - Chiefsfan717		Thursday, April 2nd
29	New York Giants - ChiefsFan90s		Thursday, April 2nd
30	Tennessee Titans - Lvl.99		Friday, April 3rd
31	Arizona Cardinals - THE_TRUTH		Friday, April 3rd
32	Pittsburgh Steelers - McWhirt33		Monday, April 6th

Poll

Do you agree with the pick?

Yes

99 votes

No

94 votes

Indifferent

34 votes

227 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs | Comment 35 comments | Share

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Comments

Cant argue here

especially with the news of Jones coming out. Of course, that might be trade bait to some other team wanting a quality o-lineman and wanting to trade up to get him.

My crystal ball says Jay Cutler cries himself to sleep every night.

by IISaiNtII on Mar 18, 2009 9:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I read in that link that Jones may be cut too

if they can’t trade him.

Arrowhead Pride

by Chris Thorman on Mar 18, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah,

I was under the impression he was getting cut, not traded. It was news to me when I went back and re-read over it.

My crystal ball says Jay Cutler cries himself to sleep every night.

by IISaiNtII on Mar 18, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a good pick for them.

If he has any pride at all, he’ll get serious and become a great one.

Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable. Mark Twain

by Chiefho on Mar 18, 2009 9:57 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good move.

3 left tackles in 6 picks.

by TonyG88 on Mar 18, 2009 9:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It's Odd

The bad character guys just seem to fall to Cincinnati (Keith Rivers excepted)…they don’t even appear to seek them out. I completely agree with the pick, and it’s the right move for Cincy. They need help at tackle if they want to keep Palmer on the field.

Predictions for 2009

1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.

by UCrawford on Mar 18, 2009 10:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I disagree with the postion Smith is taken in from his standpoint

But I agree with the need for Cincy and the fact they are getting the “bad Character” player. Smith is a disappointment at this point and shows the need to remain in good condition and give a crap about your future when your college days are over.

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Mar 18, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Think Of All The Top Ten Talents

He has the highest bust potential (including Crabtree, Stafford, and Sanchez). But I also think he has the potential to be the best player in this draft. It all depends.

And sometimes getting passed over by other teams can have a positive effect on a player’s performance. It’s always important to keep in mind that these guys are still young adults and young adults don’t all mature at the same rate. And the reason for his suspension from the Sugar Bowl wasn’t criminal activity, it was related to improper association with an agent, which isn’t good but then also isn’t the same as him slapping around a woman or robbing a liquor store. Dropping down five spots in the draft will cost him millions, so maybe he does figure out that he’s wrong and fixes himself. Or maybe he stays a butthead. Point is, his talent is probably worth the risk for the Bengals considering he’s probably the BPA at this point and he fits a critical need.

Predictions for 2009

by UCrawford on Mar 18, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

have we done a draft pole like that who is the biggest bust potential i would have

smith sanchez orakpo crabtree and stafford

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 18, 2009 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree with this one

If he can keep it together this is a solid pick.

A bit off topic, but did anyone else see the reports that Cincy may be eyeing Beanie Wells with this pick?

by Joel Thorman on Mar 18, 2009 10:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure coaches/managers are ignoring the post-season drama

Does he deserve top 10 money at this point? He’s labeled himself as a significant risk.

by ChiefsDude on Mar 18, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

this guy is the biggest risk in the draft

and he is going to a team that has a bad history with players getting in trouble not a good place to go the bangals are the new raiders in my opinion and if this guy goes there he will not be the man they are looking for. This guy really is a risk no bowl game walks out on combine and then has a horrible pro day. No heart no passion looking for a check bengles i know you need oline in the worst way but do not take this guy you will regret it when this guys using your check to buy a blinged out bra to hold those tits up.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 18, 2009 10:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

100 votes and 9 comments what the hell is going on hahah

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 18, 2009 11:27 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Its the President race all over! :)

"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"

by Lanier63 on Mar 18, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahahahaha

by ChiefsDude on Mar 18, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

its chincy

its hard to get excited about who they pick and I’m betting a lot of people would get more excited if the chiefs had a pick coming up. Thats just my opinion

by PSUkegreen on Mar 18, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree with the pick, but for arguments sake will go with Oher here.

With Stacey Andrews gone and Jones possibly on his way out, the odds have to say they go OT here. This may be a team that will look to trade up just so they can avoid Smith or trade down in an effort to target Oher.

If the interview with Smith goes bad enough, they might even take Oher this high. (Though we are talking about Cincy who seems to use a Wedgie Board to judge character).

Oher has the skills to be a top tackle, it’s a consistency issue with him. I think I heard McShay explain as mental lapses. If they don’t move their pick, then Cincy gets a choice between possibly lazy or possibly ~~retarded~~ err I mean focus challenged. If Chris Henry put a gun to my head again, I would have to go with the mental lapse over the Ryan Sims Jr. Either of em can get your QB killed, but at least Oher would be trying when Palmer lands in the hospital.

by mushin on Mar 18, 2009 12:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

mushin thanks for mixing it up

no one has been more harsher on oher than i have but . What do you do ? do you take a pretty good character guy in oher who loves to play and compete doesnt have polished skills or a guy who has tons of character issues have no clue what he will do with his money but has all the talent in the world i might go oher here just because the guy has the desire to improve.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 18, 2009 12:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My thought exactly

I think this whole value thing has gotten out of whack, except with the Patriots. Teams look way too hard at what the value of a player should be and not enough at the player and how they fit into their team.

If you draft a good player that can help your football team isn’t that a success? According to most pundits its not unless you draft the BPA every time, even if you have absolutely no need for them.

Lets look at it like this. If the Chiefs REALLY needed a CB for example and they felt that Malcolm Jenkins was a future pro-bowler that was going to upgrade the hell out of their D, did they make a mistake? I just think it’s way too easy to get caught up in the Jimmy Johnson value chart.

or how bout this one…If the Chiefs could trade the Eagles for their 21 and 28th pick for the #3 (which is WAY under the value) would that be worth it? Even if they needed the picks, and managed to pick up a DE that made sense and a Center?

Sometimes we loose the forest for the post draft grades

by mushin on Mar 18, 2009 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ya last year i

was pulling for long but thought that we would have vernon gholston I still think vernon could be a good player in the correct system but he was a total bust this year and he is getting payed and i heard the guy is a nice guy. but mangini had it out for him and didnt like his play. But true a lot of teams look at the mike mayock stuff and get sold . Hell i thought glen dorsey was going to be in the back field every year i never knew he was 2 feet tall i was sold but i still have hope but i was really sold.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 18, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has the talent to be selected here...

But players with character problem seem to slide down. Than again, the Cincinnati Bengals would be the ones to stop that from happening.

by ChiefsFan90s on Mar 18, 2009 12:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree absolutely...

There is too much need for this position by the Bengals for them to pass….even if he is a future Turd Watch candidate…

by woodman212 on Mar 18, 2009 1:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i can already see him and chad walking around on the side lines

with hall of fame coats on hahah what a loser chad is

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 18, 2009 1:15 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I see said the blind man

Thanks

by mushin on Mar 18, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wanted to comment

that I’m playing Devil’s Advocate when I say this may not be a good pick. Andre Smith used to be #1 prospect and that was based on solid game data. Bottom line, there’s still a good chance he’ll be a difference maker for whichever team drafts him.

by ChiefsDude on Mar 18, 2009 2:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

key lines in that article wild cat

The way things are going, teams will be drafting equipment managers before they draft Andre Smith. Most decent stadium hot dog vendors are more highly sought-after. Dan Leone will be drafted before Andre Smith.

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 18, 2009 2:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I typed in andre smith and this is what came up

FOUR F'S FIND UM FEEL UM FUGUM FORGET UM.

by sexassassin on Mar 18, 2009 2:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with the pick

Tits McGee will more than likely have a solid NFL career, yes he has a sketchy personality but the dude can ball. Oher is another option at this slot but definately have to go OL.

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur." - Vince Lombardi

by Shawn on Mar 18, 2009 4:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs