PONTIAC, Mich. — For the second consecutive weekend, Justin Smith was home with his parents instead of playing defensive end for the Bengals.

        Smith, the Bengals' No.1 pick in this year's draft and the fourth selection overall, was expecting to watch the Bengals-Lions game on satellite TV Friday night at his family's Holts Summit, Mo., home. It was the 22nd day of his holdout, and both the Bengals and Smith's agent, Jim Steiner, appear to be dug in for a lengthy dispute.

        Smith watched the Bengals-Bears game Saturday. He called it a “tough loss” and said the defensive line “looked good.”

        He's itching to play football. He watched part of the University of Missouri's football practice Thursday morning.

        Smith is lifting weights, running and doing “get-off” drills that mimic a defensive end's first movements on a pass rush.

        “The hardest thing is wanting to be there and not being there,” he said when reached by phone late Thursday night. “Life is so unpredictable. You've got to kind of accept (the holdout) after this long but stay focused on football.

        “I never expected this. I never imagined this would happen.”

        Smith talks to Steiner at least once a day. He said he has not lost trust in Steiner and is not ready to tell his agent to settle the dispute.

        Smith also said he understands the issues that have prevented him from signing.

        “It's down to me and one other guy,” Smith said of the No.5 overall pick, San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson, the only other holdout among this year's first-round draftees. “All I can do is keep working out and just hope it gets closer.”

        Steiner wants what he calls an “eight-month guarantee” that assures Smith will receive the second half of his $9 million signing bonus — $4 million — that's due to be paid in March. Smith will get the first $5 million when he signs.

        But the Bengals are against guaranteeing any part of any contract, and executive vice president Katie Blackburn has said, “It's a road we don't want to begin going down.”

        This year's No.2 overall pick, Arizona offensive tackle Leonard Davis, signed Wednesday. He's getting $9 million to sign and $3 million in March if he participates in 35 percent of the Cardinals' offensive plays this season.

        Davis is getting no guaranteed money, but don't expect that development to affect negotiations with Smith.

        Smith wants Bengals fans to know he is staying in top shape and wants to contribute as soon as he reports to camp.

        “I have my speed and strength, and it's not like I'm a quarterback who has to get his timing down with receivers,” he said. “It's just line up and go.”

Bengals 27, Lions 24 Bengals-Lions stats, summary Bengals' top pick watching, waiting Griffin makes most of opportunity Lions returner scores twice

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