Player Roster

First-round selection from 2009 draft targets starting RT spot this season, following a rookie year slowed by extended contract negotiations and an early injury … Consensus 2008 All-America selection saw regular action at RT for Bengals over last season’s final six games, and also played in Wild Card playoff … Saw most of his time at RT when Bengals employed formations with six offensive linemen, with starting RT Dennis Roland switched to “move tight end” role … Showed excellent quickness at Alabama as a pass blocker, and is rated among the most powerful run blockers in Southeastern Conference history.

2009 PARTICIPATION: Drafted by Bengals in first round (sixth overall) … Missed most of preseason due to contract negotiations … Signed on Aug. 30, but suffered fracture in left foot in practice on Sept. 1 … Was on roster exemption for season opener, Sept. 13 vs. Denver … Added to roster on Sept. 14, and returned to practice the week of Game 7 … Gameday inactive for Games 2-10 … Played in Games 11-16, and credited with one start … Made NFL debut Nov. 29 vs. Cleveland … In starting lineup at RT on Dec. 13 at Minnesota, when No. 1 RT Dennis Roland opened in extra TE spot.

2009 HIGHLIGHTS: Supported three individual 100-yard rushing efforts over season’s final six games, and aided a Bengals playoff record of 169 rushing yards by RB Cedric Benson in Wild Card playoff 1-9-10 vs. N.Y. Jets … On Dec. 6 vs. Detroit, blocked for 110-yard rushing effort by Benson and helped team post third straight game of 38-plus minutes possession time (38:48) … On Dec. 20 at San Diego, aided blocking effort that led 407-yard net offensive output, the team’s second highest of season … On Dec. 27 vs. Kansas City, supported Benson’s 133-yard game for his Bengals-record sixth 100-yard game of season.

COLLEGE: Played three seasons (2006-08) at Alabama, entering NFL Draft after his junior year … Started 38 games at LT over three seasons, and was credited with 46 TD-producing blocks … Was only the seventh true freshman in Crimson Tide history to start his first game in the program … As a junior in 2007, he shared SEC’s Jacobs Blocking Trophy with Arkansas C Jonathan Luigs, who also is a Bengal.

SMITH MAKES IT FIVE: As a junior at Alabama, Smith won the 2008 Outland Trophy, the “Heisman” for linemen. The award currently goes to the player voted as the nation’s top offensive lineman or interior defensive lineman. In earlier years, defensive ends were also eligible. Smith is the fifth Bengal to have won the Outland, joining DT Mike Reid (1969 winner, Penn State), DE Ross Browner (1976, Notre Dame), C Dave Rimington (1981 and ’82, Nebraska) and DE Jason Buck (1986, Brigham Young). All five of the Bengals Outland winners were first-round draft choices by Cincinnati.

PERSONAL: Hometown is Birmingham, Ala. … Attended Huffman High School, where he was the consensus top-rated offensive lineman in the nation as a senior … Also as a prep senior, became the first OL to win the state of Alabama’s “Mr. Football” award … General studies major at University of Alabama.