When most people picture Bengals offensive lineman Andre Smith working out, the picture they see is one they wish they could erase from their memory, of Smith running shirtless at Alabama’s 2009 Pro Day. But Smith says he’s done a whole lot of working out, and he doesn’t jiggle like he used to.
Smith reported to the Bengals’ offseason workouts this year at 330 pounds and he told Bengals.com he plans to get down to 325 as he continues to focus on his conditioning.
“Last year I wasn’t in as good shape as I could have been, but it was the smallest I’d been in the NFL so I was able to maintain it playing the game,” Smith said. “This year I want to be in tip-top shape. Put together strength and wind so I can breathe.”
Although many teams questioned the wisdom of the Bengals taking Smith with the sixth overall pick in 2009, and those questions intensified when he started just five games in his first two NFL seasons, Smith rounded into form last year as a good starting tackle, and he sees better things ahead.
“It’s a big year for me and the Bengals organization. We’ve got a good schedule with a lot of tough teams and I’m just going to play and let my film speak for itself,” Smith said. “I want to be a dominant run blocker. I want to get back to what I was in college.”
The Bengals would love that -- as long as Smith doesn’t have the physique he had in college.