Justin Smith is a straight-talker. “I would definitely be disappointed if I didn't get (double-digit) sacks,” he says. (Michael E. Keating photo) | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. - Justin Smith is a walking, talking Bruce Springsteen song. The Bengals' defensive end doesn't like the superstar-in-the-making and can't-miss tags put on him by some national football media members.

        “You know, potential is a dangerous thing,” Smith said while standing outside the Bengals' Georgetown College locker room, leaning on the hood of the white Silverado pickup he has owned since leaving the University of Missouri. “The danger is you start believing it - you know what you can do - but you have to go out and prove it every day.”

        Smith was born on Sept.30, 1978. That year, Springsteen released the song “Prove It All Night.”

        Everybody's got a hunger, a hunger they can't resist. There's so much that you want.

        Here's what Smith wants: the playoffs and more than 10 sacks along the way.

        “I would definitely be disappointed if I didn't get (double-digit) sacks,” he said. “I'm not going to lie to you. I'd be really disappointed. I'm counting on I will, and I should.”

Justin Smith sacks Bills QB Drew Bledsoe last week. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        In spite of his wealth - he received a $10.850 million bonus as part of a six-year contract worth up to $40.5 million - Smith plays football like a working-class Springsteen hero living paycheck to paycheck.

        “I mean, somebody right now is training to take your job,” Smith said. “There's no comfortable mode in the NFL. It's a hard thing to do, but I'm trying to play as long as I can and as productive as I can, as serious as I can.”

        The Bengals' first-round pick in the 2001 draft, Smith missed all of his rookie training camp because of a contract holdout. He signed the day before the regular-season opener and was inactive for the first game. A month later, he made his first of 11 NFL starts.

        Smith still had 8.5 sacks, second among rookies only to Pittsburgh's Kendrell Bell, who had nine. Smith also had two interceptions and 60 solo tackles, third on the team.

        Smith said he expects even more from himself and the Bengals' ninth-ranked defense this season. Going through his first NFL training camp is helping.

        “I think just knowing the defense and making it second nature,” Smith said of the advantages of sweating out camp with his teammates. “A couple of games last season, I had to think out there to remember my assignment, remember the alignments and where the receiver's going. It was going a little too fast there at first. Now the defense is second nature and the speed is second nature.”

        Bengals coach Dick LeBeau, who once missed part of a training camp in his 14 seasons as a Detroit Lions defensive back, knows that camp will improve Smith's play.

        “I think all athletes grow significantly in their first three to four years. They really never should cease to grow,” LeBeau said. “The learning curve is dramatic in that early stage of their career. I would be very disappointed if (Smith) didn't continue to build on what he did last year. He played a lot of downs last year, even though he was late getting in here. He's had a lot of snaps, and that gives him a base to build from.”

        Smith's biggest concern now is getting through the remaining week of camp without serious injury. He also is having some trouble containing his enthusiasm about the upcoming season.

        “The best thing about this team right now is everybody is looking forward to going out and hopefully winning our division and getting to the playoffs,” Smith said. “I love it here. And I'll tell you why: We have a good defense. They're a fun group to play with, and we all can get to the ball. It would be one thing if we're sitting here and it's a dead-end team that's got nothing to look forward to except winning two or three games a year.

        “It's exciting because we feel like this is the year, and it hasn't happened in a long time (11 years). And to be able to bring a winner to Cincinnati would be great.”

Bengals' coordinator arrested on DUI charge Bengals' Smith hungry for sacks, playoffs Bengals Notebook: Johnson, Keaton center stage Colts shorthanded for Bengals game NFL Notebook: Browns may deal Johnson Jets 34, Ravens 16 Saints 24, Dolphins 7 Titans 24, Raiders 14

Diamondbacks 7, Reds 2
Reds Box, Runs
Baseball owners at odds with themselves
Union has taken advantage of owners' missteps
Strike date likely today
Reds finally get lefty in Estes
Mets throw in towel
Ailing Johnson keeps D'backs rolling
DAUGHERTY: No fear, just strikeouts
Reds-Astros Preview
Injuries leave bullpen thin
Louisville takes over first place
Reds Notebook: Dessens' return delayed
Rain ends Braves-Giants in tie
Cardinals 11, Pirates 5
Cubs 6, Astros 4
Mariners 4, Red Sox 3
Yankees 7, Royals 5
McCleskey takes run at UC record
Furyk, Funk lead stormy PGA
PGA Notebook: Midwest fans go easy on Monty
PGA Scores
PGA Tee Times
Priestley's rehab could begin soon
High School Results

• Return to Bengals front page...