Smith’s Silent Statement

When Akili Smith starts for the first time for the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, it will carry added significance for the rookie quarterback from Oregon. That’s because it’s against the Cleveland Browns, who spurned him in favor of Tim Couch as the No. 1 pick in the draft.

Before the draft, the Browns negotiated with Couch and Smith and said they’d take whomever they could sign. Smith thought he was close to a deal, then learned the Browns had struck a deal with Couch.

At the time, Smith said he felt used and talked about showing the Browns how he felt. Now that he has a chance to do it, he’s not talking about it.

“It’s a blessing, it really is,” he said, declining further comment.

Though the Browns are 0-4, Couch has made noticeable progress.

“He doesn’t eyeball his receivers as much as he did the first two or three games,” said Bengal cornerback Artrell Hawkins. “In the first couple of games, he was looking right where he was throwing.”