Bengals DE Smith signs franchise player tender

CINCINNATI (TICKER) —Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Justin Smith on Tuesday signed his one-year tender as the team’s franchise player.

Smith will automatically receive $8.64 million in 2007.

“I’m fired up and ready,” Smith said. “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.”

Smith has never made the Pro Bowl in his six-year NFL career, but the Bengals deemed him important enough to merit franchise player status.

By designating Smith as a franchise player, the Bengals were obligated to pay him the average salary of the top five players at his position.

“We are pleased that Justin has come in at this time so he can join his teammates for our important offseason work,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. “It’s a display of the 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 next week will begin an NFL-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 fourth overall pick in the 2001 draft, Smith has led the Bengals’ defensive linemen in tackles each of the last five seasons. This past season, Smith recorded 110 tackles and 7 1/2 sacks.

Smith, 27, has played in 91 consecutive games and ranks fourth in club history with 41 sacks.