Remember how everyone thought that story that Andre Smith was going to fire his current agent and return to the agent he had before the draft? Remember how everyone ripped us (and others) for putting gasoline on something that was just a rumor?
Well HippopotaSmith has fired Priority Sports and has re-hired Alvin Keels...just as he planned all along. Priority Sports took the opportunity to release a statement that sheds a little light onto the player the Bengals just drafted 6th overall:
“In regards to Andre Smith, we are moving forward and devoting all of our attention on the high character, hard working and honest clients of Priority Sports.
“We were asked to come in at the last minute to provide credibility to his draft status and we succeeded in that task. Soon after the draft, Andre Smith became a tremendous distraction to our company. What we have subsequently determined is that Andre Smith does not match the culture of Priority Sports and the character of the clients we take so much pride in representing.
“This will be our final statement on this matter.”
Even Bengals.com has the press release from Priority on their team website, listed here.
Has Andre Smith cost himself a lot of money? It's fair to say that the Bengals might try and 'punish' Smith for his bait and switch maneuver by really digging in on his contract. From the whole Chad Johnson situation, we know that Mike Brown and Bengals management has no problem being stubborn to make a point. Suffice it to say that I would be surprised if Smith was in camp on-time this season.
Look, HippopotaSmith could turn out to be a fantastic, pro-bowl left (or right) tackle in the NFL. The point is the Bengals should have known about this and they have forfeited their right to take chances anymore in the draft, especially at #6 overall. Eugene Monroe was also sitting there at #6...solid character, excellent in pass protection (the goal of all this was to protect Carson's blind side, right?), and many called him the best overall tackle in the draft. I realize some said that about Jason Smith and the Hippo as well, but Monroe excelled at pass protection. The only real knock on Monroe was that he might have bad knees. You know who else was supposed to have bad knees? Anthony Munoz.
There are too many people with loose lips around the league that should have tipped the Bengals off to this potential situation, and the Bengals have stated that Smith originally dumping Keels for Priority was a factor in their decision to draft Smith. Again, this is what happens when you don't have a proper front office or general manager with contacts throughout the league.
I know, I know. Smith hasn't had one day of training camp or taken one snap in the NFL yet. But, you have to admit, things are not off to a great start. And, we are staring down the barrel of another Bengals blunder. Players without high character, without a strong work ethic, and that are not honestly dedicated to football are players we simply can't afford anymore in Cincinnati...despite their 'talent' potential.
Too early to call this a mess, yet. You mention an Anthony Munoz reference--what's to say Smith won't be the next Munoz? We don't really know until he plays. He's had some bumps this offseason, but let's not forget that until March he was considered the BEST TACKLE IN THE DRAFT. Wait to see how the contract situation plays out, and, more importantly, wait to see how he performs on the field. Don't throw him on the scrap heap without seeing him play in the NFL.
Posted by: BengalAnthony13 | May 22, 2009 at 01:38 PM
I read a blogpost that said Andre Smith was about to sign two weeks ago, saying he wanted to be the first signed and send a message that he was ready...but Priority Sports held him back.
I wonder if all of your speculation is in vain.
Posted by: jomamadillama | May 22, 2009 at 02:14 PM
A very well written post. You're going to be ripped for it by the Kool-Aid drinkers who think we're going 10-6, but the point is too many mis-steps are made by the front office because they are under-engaged and under-informed.
Posted by: P. Simonov | May 22, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Well Said P. Simonov and I agree a very well written post
Posted by: Jordan | May 22, 2009 at 03:36 PM
I think I qualify as a Kool-Aid drinker. Which I think is used by stupid people who can't generate thoughts of their own. (anyone that disagrees with me is a kool-aid drinker).
At least I attempt to add some logic to the post and not just blindly congratulate the poster.
That being said, I do like this post. All fact and an interesting point of view. Nice job. I disagree that Smith may have cost himself money. What is going to hurt the Bengals is that the money is already slated. he will make a little less than #5 and a little more than #6. Problem with that is the Jets took a franchise QB with number 5 and will be paying him a lot.
Posted by: Gambling Fool | May 22, 2009 at 03:48 PM
So you are saying I should feel much more confident if the Bengals were making draft decisions based on all the "many people with loose lips around the league"? You seem to try too hard to blame managment. I have no doubt in my mind that if the Bengals would have drafted Eugene Monroe and he then blew out his knee in the first preseason game, that you would be blaming management for not realizing his bad knees. I think we can all agree that managment's "negotions" process is piss poor at best, and I am half expecting a hold out simply based on Mikey's stubborness, however, blaming him/management for this agent issue does nothing but hurt this site's overall credibility in terms of it's mission.
Posted by: Ryandg5 | May 22, 2009 at 03:52 PM
I agree with the bad knee thing. It a contract negotiation and BOTH sides are setting up to get the best deal for them.
Posted by: Whit | May 22, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Who gives a rat ass what Rick Smith says? The guy was expecting easy money by handling a top 10 pick...boo freaking hoo.
Posted by: Relele | May 22, 2009 at 04:41 PM
Nice post. Once again the Bengals overlooked character. At this point, no one knows (including the WDR) if this is going to bit the Bengals in the ass. But I agree, it's not very good at this point in the game. I also agree with Relele. Those agents are parasites. They're just pissed off because they lost millions of dollars. Agents are just a slimy as lawyers. They love you when they're sharing your salary but will throw you under the bus after you leave. Their cry baby statement means nothing.
Posted by: orangeandblack | May 22, 2009 at 10:31 PM
this has zero to do with character unless you mean by character the desire to secure the best position you can in a business negotiation. this is the guy's job. his career. his livelihood. his job is not to please the fans. his job is not to win games. strictly from a viewpoint of taking care of his life and providing for those we cares about, his job is to sign the best contract he can and play well enough not to get cut or forfeit that contract. please learn to separate our passions for a winning football team to represent our city and the reality of what this company is: a business. and stop using "character issues" and "kool-aid" as your punch lines. it's amateur.
Posted by: say yes. | May 23, 2009 at 10:53 AM
...meanwhile, the local Cincy TV News takes a poll:
"Do you think the Bengals should sign Michael Vick?"
LMAO...why, no, we shouldn't; we already have a 'dog-whisperer'...wait, no we don't...
So, let's take a recount:
100% HELL YES, LET'S SIGN THE HELL OUT OF HIM !!!!
We can send him in there when Carson needs a medical break!!!
We can sign Vick for a stunt QB instead of a real OL !!!!
We can Yes!!!
I mean yes we can !!!
Once we get Vick, and the other NFL teams get word of it, they will fire their D-linemen, and recruit PETA activists, all at a fraction of the cost of their old line!!!
I just wonder which QB will get the worst/brunt of things...
Posted by: Hofbraunow | May 25, 2009 at 08:15 AM
Gambling Fool, I am quite hurt by your ascertation that I cannot "generate a thought for myself". It pains me that someone named "Gambling Fool", who has deduced that Smith will make "make a little less than #5 and a little more than #6" (like, 5.237# perhaps?) has assessed me as a dullard. Oh, for shame!
No, I do not disparage Smith for switching agents if that was going to net him a higher draft position and more money. It is a business. I blame the Bengals for mis-reading it as "a factor in their decision to draft Smith". With poor or incomplete information you make poor decisions. This is the most recent example of that.
There are others, like missing out on Revis and Jarvis Moss by 1 and 3 slots respectively because they incorrectly believed one of the two would fall to them. Instead, two better-informed teams traded ahead of the Bengals and scooped their guys. Or losing Stacy Andrews to Philly for nothing after having been offered a 2nd rounder last year in a deeper draft when you had ZERO chance of resigning him.
Andre Smith is not the issue because noone knows how he will pan out. Under-staffed, under-informed management is the issue and the point of the post.
Posted by: P. Simonov | May 25, 2009 at 08:37 AM
so you got me on a typo and I am sorry you were offended. At least it prompted you to add something.
Posted by: Gambling Fool | May 26, 2009 at 03:51 PM
GamblingFool,
Where's your typo? Are you thinking that the definition of typo means "stupid comment"?
Posted by: PAl | May 28, 2009 at 12:09 PM