Trotter's Take Playing To Form

The Bengals are unable to open contract talks with first-round draft pick Andre Smith, the Outland Trophy--winning tackle from Alabama, because Smith fired his representation, Priority Sports, in early May. Sources say he planned to rehire agent Alvin Keels, whom Smith (below) had fired before the draft.

Smith's poor decision-making—before the agent merry-go-round, there was his lack of conditioning and early departure from the combine—gives the Bengals reason to seek financial protection along the lines of a pay-for-play clause in his contract. Keels would be unlikely to go for such a deal. The fact that in recent OTAs the coaches were not working Smith at left tackle, his presumed position, could be a sign that they don't expect him for the start of training camp.