This week, Bengals beat writers J<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html"> Andre Smith Jersey</a> im Owczarski and Paul Dehner, Jr. break down five free agent questions surrounding the club as they head to the NFL Scouting Combine. The “legal tampering” window begins March 7 and the new league year begins at 4 p.m. on March 9.
At this point in time last offseason, Bengals fans couldn’t wait to upgrade the right tackle position and allow former first-round pick Andre Smith to find another team in free agency.
He battled inconsistency along with injury his final two seasons in Cincinnati, and with not one, but two top draft picks waiting in the wings the time came for both sides to move on with Smith signing to play for Mike Zimmer in Minnesota.
One year after experiencing<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html</a> what the youth movement had to offer in a revolving door at right tackle, the idea of bringing back the previously embattled Smith doesn’t sound like such a bad idea to many fans.
Would that be possible? Sure. At the very least the option would be open as Smith again hits free agency.
Cincinnati Bengals free agent tracker
Smith signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html</a> with Minnesota last year. He started at right tackle but only played four games before hurting his triceps, requiring surgery and being placed on injured reserve. This marked the second time in three seasons his year ended on injured reserve and third straight failing to suit up all 16 games. Smith also injured his elbow nine games into the 2014 season and was shut down.
The Vikings will look to replace multiple pieces on what turned into a train wreck of an offensive line last year due to injury and poor play. It appears up in the air whether Smith will be part of the rebuild.
At 30 years old, Smith will look for a landing spot and could represent a bargain fit back into his starting role at right tackle, giving the Bengals flexibility<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html</a> should free agency not break their way with guard Kevin Zeitler. The free agent guard is expected to fetch somewhere around $8 to $10 million on the open market, a price the Bengals likely won’t be willing to shell out for his position.
If Smith returned, an option of shifting 2014 second-round pick Jake Fisher to guard would become an option. He’s served as a reserve there in the past. Or, in the very least, Smith would provide insurance should Fisher falter trying to assume the tackle position.
Andre Smith (71) was a first-round pick of the Bengals
Andre Smith (71) was a first-round<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html"> Andre Smith Youth Jersey</a> pick of the Bengals in 2009. (Photo: Mark Zerof, Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports)
A history exists of players leaving the Bengals only to return soon after. Defensive end Michael Johnson left for Tampa Bay and returned one year later after the Bucs cut him loose. Pat Sims signed for two years in Oakland, then returned in 2015 to the Bengals. Wallace Gilberry signed with Detroit last year, but returned to Cincinnati midseason after being let go by the Lions in an injury settlement.
Traditionally, the Bengals like to latch on to players they know in free agency and obviously, having spent his first seven seasons in Cincinnati, Smith would fit such a mold.
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No ill will exists between<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html</a> Smith and the club. In fact, Smith offered effusive praise of the influence Marvin Lewis had in his life when the Vikings returned to Cincinnati for joint practices in August.
“He did a great job in raising me, helping me become the man I am today as far as being a pro on and off the field and making good decisions,” Smith said. “I have nothing but love and respect for him."
Would Smith want to return to the team that ditched him? Would another team be able to guarantee a starting spot? Would the Bengals even be interested in taking away the first slice of stability given to Fisher when he<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-audie-cole-jersey-c-2_47.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-audie-cole-jersey-c-2_47.html</a> showed relatively well in his first foray at the position last year?
All are questions both sides must answer in the coming weeks, but the option to reunite is available.
At this point in time last offseason, Bengals fans couldn’t wait to upgrade the right tackle position and allow former first-round pick Andre Smith to find another team in free agency.
He battled inconsistency along with injury his final two seasons in Cincinnati, and with not one, but two top draft picks waiting in the wings the time came for both sides to move on with Smith signing to play for Mike Zimmer in Minnesota.
One year after experiencing<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html</a> what the youth movement had to offer in a revolving door at right tackle, the idea of bringing back the previously embattled Smith doesn’t sound like such a bad idea to many fans.
Would that be possible? Sure. At the very least the option would be open as Smith again hits free agency.
Cincinnati Bengals free agent tracker
Smith signed a one-year deal worth $3.5 million<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html</a> with Minnesota last year. He started at right tackle but only played four games before hurting his triceps, requiring surgery and being placed on injured reserve. This marked the second time in three seasons his year ended on injured reserve and third straight failing to suit up all 16 games. Smith also injured his elbow nine games into the 2014 season and was shut down.
The Vikings will look to replace multiple pieces on what turned into a train wreck of an offensive line last year due to injury and poor play. It appears up in the air whether Smith will be part of the rebuild.
At 30 years old, Smith will look for a landing spot and could represent a bargain fit back into his starting role at right tackle, giving the Bengals flexibility<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html</a> should free agency not break their way with guard Kevin Zeitler. The free agent guard is expected to fetch somewhere around $8 to $10 million on the open market, a price the Bengals likely won’t be willing to shell out for his position.
If Smith returned, an option of shifting 2014 second-round pick Jake Fisher to guard would become an option. He’s served as a reserve there in the past. Or, in the very least, Smith would provide insurance should Fisher falter trying to assume the tackle position.
Andre Smith (71) was a first-round pick of the Bengals
Andre Smith (71) was a first-round<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html"> Andre Smith Youth Jersey</a> pick of the Bengals in 2009. (Photo: Mark Zerof, Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports)
A history exists of players leaving the Bengals only to return soon after. Defensive end Michael Johnson left for Tampa Bay and returned one year later after the Bucs cut him loose. Pat Sims signed for two years in Oakland, then returned in 2015 to the Bengals. Wallace Gilberry signed with Detroit last year, but returned to Cincinnati midseason after being let go by the Lions in an injury settlement.
Traditionally, the Bengals like to latch on to players they know in free agency and obviously, having spent his first seven seasons in Cincinnati, Smith would fit such a mold.
Baseball season is here
FROM PREPS TO PROS
Bringing you coverage of your favorite local teams
UNLOCK MY $19.99 OFFER
No ill will exists between<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-andre-smith-jersey-c-2_11.html</a> Smith and the club. In fact, Smith offered effusive praise of the influence Marvin Lewis had in his life when the Vikings returned to Cincinnati for joint practices in August.
“He did a great job in raising me, helping me become the man I am today as far as being a pro on and off the field and making good decisions,” Smith said. “I have nothing but love and respect for him."
Would Smith want to return to the team that ditched him? Would another team be able to guarantee a starting spot? Would the Bengals even be interested in taking away the first slice of stability given to Fisher when he<a href="http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-audie-cole-jersey-c-2_47.html">http://www.officialvikingshop.com/shop-by-players-audie-cole-jersey-c-2_47.html</a> showed relatively well in his first foray at the position last year?
All are questions both sides must answer in the coming weeks, but the option to reunite is available.
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