DE Smith signs one-year tender

The Bengals announced this morning that defensive end Justin Smith, designated as their one franchise player, has signed the one-year tender offer that comes with that status.

It is for $8.644 million, the average of the 2006 salaries of the top five paid defensive ends in the NFL.

Smith was designated in February as the team’s franchise player, under terms of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.

"We are pleased that Justin has come in at this time, so he can join his teammates for our important offseason work," head coach Marvin Lewis said in a statement released by the team's public relations department. "It’s a display of his commitment to the Bengals and to a winning program. This does not preclude our continuing to talk to Justin and his representatives about reaching a longer-term agreement."

The Bengals on Tuesday, May 15, will begin their 14 allotted number of voluntary on-field coaching days for the team at Paul Brown Stadium. The club’s mandatory minicamp for all players will be held June 1-3.

The collective bargaining agreement says no more than 14 organization team activity days may be held in the offseason, none on weekends.

Smith has played all six of his NFL seasons with the Bengals and has started the last 91 games, the longest streak on the defense. In 2006, he led the defensive line in tackles (110) for the fifth consecutive season, and he achieved his highest career ranking (second) in the team tackling standings. He had a 50-tackle lead over the second-place lineman. He ranked second on the team in sacks (7.5), and raised his career sacks total to 41.0, ranked fourth all-time on the Bengals. He also had a line-best four passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

His agreement comes as no surprise. The use of the franchise tag greatly limits a free agent's mobility but is a lucrative designation.

"I’m fired up and ready," Smith said through the PR department. "I’m glad we got this done. It’s time to get back with my teammates, get in some good offseason work, and make this a great season for the Bengals."