View images of new Vikings OL Andre Smith from his days as a Bengal.
The Vikings continue to beef up their offensive line with the announced signing of tackle Andre Smith on Friday.
The 29-year-old Smith is a former first-round selection out of Alabama and spent the previous seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Smith is 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds.
Here are five things to know about Smith:
1. A high draft pedigree
Smith was selected with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft by the Bengals. It was Cincinnati's highest selection of an offensive tackle since the Bengals took Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz third overall in 1980.
2. The Zimmer connection
Smith is quite familiar with Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer. Although Smith plays on the offensive side of the ball, the two know each other from Cincinnati when Zimmer was the Bengals Defensive Coordinator for Smith's first five seasons in the NFL.
3. A touchdown machine
The Alabama native showed off his athleticism during his freshman year with the Crimson Tide as he scored on a 2-yard touchdown run during the 2006 Independence Bowl against Oklahoma State.
4. Wealth of experience
Smith has made 73 career starts, which is now third-most on the Vikings behind John Sullivan's 93 and the 89 made by Phil Loadholt. Smith also appeared in five postseason games with Cincinnati, starting four of them.
5. An athletic family
Smith is the cousin of Desmond Jennings, an outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays. Smith's younger brother, Christian, played wide receiver and cornerback at Hampton University.
