Web-posted July 18, 2001
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José Alfredo Flores
Sports Editor
Justin Smith, former defensive end for the Missouri Tigers, was the first pick for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL draft and the No. 4 pick overall. Smith had 22 career sacks in his three years at MU. The Bengals, who ranked 26th in pass rushing, are depending on Smith to bolster those numbers.
The 6-foot-4-inch, 273-pounder has yet to sign a contract with the Bengals, but he said he won’t let talks affect his progress.
“The only thing I’ve told Jim — Jim Steiner’s my agent — is I’m not going to miss a day of camp,” Smith said. “He knows that. The negotiations are up to the agent, but I told him up to a certain point. He works for me. I’m going to be in camp. That won’t be a problem”
It’s this way of thinking that enticed the Bengals to draft him.
Mark Duffner, Bengals defensive coordinator, said that Smith’s productivity and athleticism were obvious, but his work ethic and competition really enticed the team.
Similar views were voiced by Bengals President Mike Brown. He said Smith’s attitude was a big reason the team chose to draft him.
Raised on a farm in mid-Missouri, Smith has developed a good work ethic that he has applied to his fitness.
When he was young, Smith would do almost anything for an extra workout. One example of this was mowing the front pasture at his family’s farm in Jefferson City. Smith used a hand lawnmower, but refused to use the self-propelling gear.
He said his body is his job, and he will do what he can to do his job better.
In addition to working out everyday off the field, Smith is determined to prove himself on the field and make an impact on the team.
When asked what kind of impact he would have on the team, Smith said, “I’ll tell you this time next year. I don’t like getting into fortune-telling. I know how I can play. Some people say I’m a goal-setter. I’m not a goal-setter. I go out on the field, and I play as hard as I can on every play. You don’t need to set goals when you do that.”
If Smith can make the same impact on the Bengals as he did with the Tigers, the Bengals should end up very happy. Smith started on the defensive line his freshman year, and throughout his three-year career, he set MU career and season sack records. At times, opposing coaches said they would change their whole offense to avoid Smith’s side. Smith was often double-teamed.
Smith is the seventh player to have his jersey number — 96 — retired.
Hard work is what has gotten Smith to college stardom and the NFL, and hard work is what will determine his future while he is there.
Smith admits everything until now he has earned and said he will continue to earn everything he receives.
Whatever number the Bengals and Smith agree on will be plenty, as the going rate for NFL rookies, especially those taken as high as Smith, is in the millions.
It is still uncertain whether Smith will start for the Bengals — the fourth worst team in the NFL last year.
— Senior Staff Writer Tom Wyrwich
contributed to this story
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