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NEW YORK — Missouri DE Justin Smith was drafted by the Bengals with the No.
4 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. After he was selected, he answered questions from
the media.
Q: How does it sound to you, being picked by the Cincinnati Bengals?
A: Oh, man, I can’t even explain it. I was like – I’m excited.
They’ve got a lot of potential. They’ve got a lot of upside. I’m ready to
get up there, doing my job and start helping them out.
Q: The Bengals haven’t won very much recently. Does that concern you,
going into a situation like that?
A: No. I mean, they’ve got tons of great players. I mean, you start getting great
guys like they have (and) you can’t help but be good. I don’t know how the rest
of the draft is going to end up for the Bengals, but I know it is going to be good. Once
we get there, we have got to start doing our jobs, bringing a new attitude, learning from
the vets that are there and pushing forward to try to get some wins on the board.
Q: You are the highest pick in Missouri’s school history. That has got to
feel good, doesn’t it?
A: Yeah, it feels good. Hopefully, you start getting some better players there and
pushing on up, but I am honored. I am more honored (by the fact that I’m able) to
play on Sundays and for the Bengals than I am by being the highest pick for Missouri. As
soon as this is over, how high you are picked really doesn’t matter. You are on the
team, and you are just another number. You have got to perform. I don’t think it
matters exactly how high you are picked. You have just got to perform.
Q: Did you think the Cardinals would take you at No. 2 overall?
A: I thought there was an outside chance of me going No. 2. How do you pass on a guy
(such as) Leonard Davis? He is a big guy, great guy, so I think that was a good pick for
them, and I am just thrilled about the opportunity to play for Cincinnati. I think it is
going to be a good fit for me.
Q: What did you and Bengals head coach Dick LeBeau talk about that made you
really like him?
A: He is just a players’ coach. He did it for twelve years. He is a Pro Bowler.
You have got to listen to a guy like that. Plus, he is a tough guy. His workout, he about
killed me. He is a tough guy. I am going to have a lot to learn. I have got a tremendous
amount of respect for the guy. I think it is going to be a great, great combination, and I
think that is one of the reasons Cincinnati took me: I think good chemistry and going to
play hard for the guy. It is going to be great.
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