Bengals Unisgned Draft Pick Andre Smith Will Attend Training Camp

July 1, 2009 7:53 a.m. EST

Cincinnati, OH (AHN) - The Cincinnati Bengals had hoped to have locked up their first round draft pick by now, but Andre Smith is playing hardball with this rookie year deal.

While contract negotiations continue, he plans to attend training camp.

The team respects his decision to stay with training and not lose any momentum while his agent works on the fine print.

Smith, having been drafted number six overall, just one after Mark Sanchez , is likely angling for a similar deal - he signed a deal with $60 million, with $28 guaranteed.

While Sanchez is a quarterback and Andre Smith an offensive tackle, the high priced value of the draft position will have to be considered.

The more realistic deal he could expect to hover around would be Vernon Gholston's deal.

Gholston was the sixth round pick in the 2008 draft, and was signed to a five-year, $40 million deal with $20 million guaranteed.

In college, Smith was a highly decorated player, having won over a dozen various awards including 2008 All-American from numerous publications.

A former left tackle in college, the Bengals plans to transition him into a right tackle, their weaker side last season.