Justin Smith (defensive end)

Justin Smith is also the name of a former linebacker for the St. Louis Rams

Justin Smith (born September 30, 1979 in Jefferson City, Missouri) is an American football player who plays defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played high school football for Jefferson City High School and college football at the University of Missouri and was selected fourth overall in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Bengals. In his first five seasons, he has totalled 312 tackles and 37 sacks. He started his 2006 season on a big note, by sacking Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback Trent Green three times in the season opener.

Personal

Justin's hometown is Holts Summit, Missouri. He earned All-State honors and was two-time all-district football choice at perennial powerhouse Jefferson City High School. While at JCHS, he was selected to SuperPrep's All-American and Top 50 teams as a senior. He now lives year-round in Cincinnati with his wife and dogs, and enjoys playing Golf. His favorite cartoon character is Superman and according to him, would never try Sushi.

College years

While majoring in General studies at Missouri he entered the 2001 NFL Draft following his junior year. In his junior season at Missouri he logged 11 sacks, 24 tackles-for-loss and 97 total tackles. His sacks and tackles-for-loss set school season records, and he set the school's sacks record two years in a row, having logged eight as a sophomore. As a junior he earned first-team All-America honors from the Football Writers Association and was a unanimous selection to All-Big 12 first team. As a sophomore he also earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. In 1998, became first true freshman since ’86 to start every game for Missouri.

As a Bengal

Drafted by Bengals in first round (fourth overall) he Signed with the team on September 8th, following protracted contract negotiations, and had roster exemption for the September 9th season opener vs. New England. Despite missing all of the preseason plus the first regular-season game, Smith logged a Bengals rookie-record 8.5 sacks, breaking mark of 8.0 set by James Francis in 1990. He finished second on the line in total tackles (67) and first in solos (60)and had the second-most sacks by an NFL rookie in 2001, topped only by the 9.0 of Pittsburgh’s Kendrell Bell.

In his second season with the Bengals, he started every game at RDE and led team in sacks (6.5), led defensive line in tackles (67) and also led the team in sack yardage (56). He played 95.5 percent of the defensive snaps (934 of 978), second on team. He ended the season with 7 sacks, giving him a total of 15 for his first two seasons, most by a Bengal in his first two Cincinnati campaigns since 1976-77.

In his third season with Cincinnati, his 91 total tackles were 28 more than the second-place player on the line (DE Duane Clemons with 63). He led the line with 55 solo tackels, nine more than Clemons and ranked tied for third on the team. Ranked third on team in sacks with 5 — one behind co-leaders Clemons and John Thornton (six each).

His fourth season saw him lead team in sacks (8) and sack yardage (70.5). He also lead the defense in snaps played (94.4 percent), and his 97 tackles led the line while ranking third on the team.

2005 was a great year for the Bengals, as they finally made it into the playoffs after a 15 year absence. Smith started every game at LDE, including the Wild Card playoff vs. Pittsburgh. He led the team once again in sacks (6), making it his third time to lead the team in his five seasons. In his other two seasons, he finished one sack or less behind the team leader. By the end of his fifth year, he had moved into fifth place on Bengals all-time sacks list with a total of 34.

NFL year by year statistics

YEAR TEAM G TOT SOLO AST PD SACK FF REC INT YDS TD

2001 CIN 15 54 45 9 5 9 0 0 2 28 0

2002 CIN 16 61 52 9 3 7 2 0 0 0 0

2003 CIN 16 60 46 14 3 5 0 0 0 0 0

2004 CIN 16 71 47 24 2 8 2 0 0 0 0

2005 CIN 16 66 45 21 2 6 2 0 0 0 0

2006 CIN 2 7 6 1 0 7 1 0 0 0 0

Career 81 319 241 78 15 37 7 0 2 28 0

External link

ESPN.com: Justin Smith player card