CINCINNATI -- Scouts who watched Derron Smith play in college noted two characteristics about his play: He was routinely around the football and he was routinely catching it.
Those are two good traits for a safety.
When Smith's Fresno State career ended nine months ago, he finished with 15 career interceptions. Only three other active FBS players had at least 15 career picks at that point. He knows how to catch the football.
During the rookie's tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals, he's proved just how big a part of his repertoire interceptions really are. Between organized team activities (OTAs), minicamp and training camp he has had multiple jaw-dropping, head-turning pickoffs and near-picksoffs.
"I'm just trying to make a play and trying to show the coaches that I can play," Smith said.
A sixth-round draft pick, the defensive back knows his spot on the roster isn't as secure as some of his fellow first-year players. But as long as he continues making circus interceptions like he did in Monday's practice, then he ought to have very little to worry about when cut days come.
On Monday, Smith came away with one of the highlights of the Bengals' training camp. On a play against the second-team offense, the third-team safety started peeling out to the flat when the ball was snapped. At the same time, quarterback AJ McCarron rolled right, looking simultaneously at an underneath option and a potential downfield target.
"My responsibility was supposed to be to the flats," Smith said. "On the way, I saw my corner out there, so I realized there was no reason for us both to be in the flat. So I just started dropping back and read [McCarron's] eyes. In a boot like that, there's always somebody in the flat, somebody coming on an over route."
McCarron's eyes apparently fixated on whichever receiver was coming over behind Smith. The instant Smith recognized that, he stopped, jumped and extended his right hand high over his head at the release of McCarron's sharply-thrown pass.
Smith had a similarly stunning near-interception off McCarron in the spring when he jumped over another intended target on the sideline and secured the ball as he landed out of bounds. Because he landed out of bounds it was an incomplete pass, but the mechanics of the play were impressive.
"I've always had decent leaping ability, so any ball within my area, I've always felt like I can jump up and get a hand on it," Smith said.
How does Smith consistently seem to be around the ball?
"Honestly, it's a little bit of luck and then reading your keys and just trusting in the defense and trying to make plays," he said. "It's still taking time. Obviously I'm still learning the defense. But I feel like I've got a good grasp on it. I can't say I know every in and out of the defense, I'm still learning it."
The toughest part of learning has been getting a solid handle on the line checks and audibles, and tracking the pre-snap formation changes the Bengals' offense may occasionally employ, he said.
"It's a lot more moving parts [in the NFL]," Smith said, "That's probably the main thing. Just getting all the adjustments and making sure everybody is on the same page."
Whatever page Smith has been on since his arrival, he shouldn't turn it. He's looking like a late-round steal.
