Bengals top draft pick Justin Smith signed a six-year contract Saturday mainly because he decided it was time. But it's not in time for him to play today when the Bengals open the 2001 season against New England at home.

DONE DEAL

Justin Smith talks to the media at Paul Brown Stadium Saturday. (Brandi Stafford photo)   • Length: 6 years.   • Six-year base salary: $17.25 million.   • Total potential value: $40.5 million.   • Potential value of first three years: $23 million.   • Key escalator clause: 8.5 sacks a season.   • First-year base: $1 million.   • Total signing bonus: $10.850 million.   • First-year bonus: $7.5 million.   • Option-year signing bonus: $3.35 million (to be paid in March).   • What he would have lost per game if he didnšt sign Saturday: $250,000.

        Smith, who could make as much as $40.5 million if he reaches all incentives and contract escalator clauses, validated the second part of his now-famous draft-weekend quote of “I'm not going to miss a day of camp.” Smith had also said agent Jim Steiner “works for me.”

        Smith called Steiner last week with permission to give in on a couple of negotiating points.

        “There was vacillation, and it just escalated from there,” Mr. Steiner said Saturday.

        He and Smith gave up their demand that Smith's option bonus — the second half of his signing bonus to be paid in March — be guaranteed. The Bengals had refused to guarantee any part of any contract because it sets a dangerous precedent.

        In turn on Friday, the Bengals upped the value of the option bonus from $3 million to $3.35 million.

        Steiner, who negotiated on the phone from his St. Louis office, then agreed to use 8.5 sacks a year as the primary escalator. He initially had said that number of sacks was too high. Escalators are statistical goals that, once reached by the player, increase the value of the contract in subsequent years.

        The Bengals then lowered their escalator demand on playing time.

        “We offered to do a few other things that fit into our framework,” Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said.

        There are other single-season incentive bonuses and escalators that include Smith making the Pro Bowl.

        “We wouldn't have signed just anything,” Mr. Steiner said.

        Smith signed at 3:30 p.m. after watching the defense go through a light practice. He also attended a team meeting Saturday night.

        “I just felt like it was time,” said Smith, whose holdout ended at 51 days. “... I'm really excited. I'm not going to make any excuses. I think I can pla

ontribute right off the bat.”

        But coach Dick LeBeau said Smith would not play in today's opener after missing all of training camp.

        “I don't think so. It's too soon,” LeBeau said Saturday night. “Maybe if he were an eight-year veteran. It could take a week or two to get him ready.”

        Steiner called Bengals executives Friday afternoon from his St. Louis office, and they talked for several hours. It was the first time he had talked with executive vice president Katie Blackburn since a falling-out eight days earlier.

        “We hammered out all the major problems (Friday),” Steiner said Saturday. “The main reason it was done is Justin wanted it done by today.”

        Steiner also suggested the Bengals' personnel turnover on defense in the past week may have made them more willing to compromise.

        Veteran John Copeland, projected to start at right end — Smith's position — partially tore a hamstring and had to be put on the injured reserve list. The earliest he could play for the Bengals again is after Game 10. Jevon Langford, cut a week ago today, was signed Thursday morning to replace Copeland and could start today at defensive end. The team Tuesday terminated the contract of veteran tackle Tom Barndt and signed rookie tackle Mario Monds off waivers from Washington.

        Veteran Reinard Wilson also will get a lot of playing time at defensive end in passing situations.

        Even if Smith can't play in the opener, his signing could provide an emotional lift to a position group in need of one.

        “It's good to have him in,” Blackburn said Saturday night. “We didn't draft him not to sign him.

        “The contract talks were difficult. But both sides stuck with it, and now it's behind us. We're looking forward to seeing Justin become a productive player for the Bengals.”

        Bengals scouts and defensive line coach Tim Krumrie considered Smith the top pure pass rusher in the draft, and the Bengals took him fourth overall in April. In his first meeting with reporters the next day, Smith said he would not miss one day of training camp and that Steiner worked for him. Smith did participate in mini-camp in May.

        He was drafted to boost a pass rush that recorded an AFC-low 26 sacks last year, only 10 by defensive linemen. Improving the pass rush is part of the Bengals' plans to help improve their pass coverage by putting more pressure on the quarterback.

        Smith has been running and lifting weights and said he could play soon. He wanted to get in for at least a few plays today.

        "It's different putting pads on, but it's nothing I haven't done before,” Smith said.

        Linebacker Takeo Spikes, the defensive captain, is glad to see Smith sign.

        “It's a bonus,” Spikes said of the signing. “A lot of us didn't expect him until next week. He's not in football shape. He's in running shape. There is a difference, but he has time.”

        Signing Smith does not force the Bengals to cut a player from their 53-man roster. They have a roster exemption for two weeks if Smith doesn't play today or next Sunday at Tennessee.

        He would have lost $250,000 a week in salary and other compensation if he hadn't signed Saturday.

        “Everybody's upbeat about the season,” Smith said after talking to some teammates on the defense. “Now it's time to go out and beat some people.”

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