After a year away from the Cincinnati Bengals, where he spent the first seven seasons of his career, former Alabama OL Andre Smith is back in Cincy, but is working at a new position.

Smith missed most of the 2016 campaign, during which he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings, with a torn triceps. He ended up re-signing with the Bengals this offseason on a one-year deal.

Now, according to Bengals.com, Smith will play guard instead of his customary tackle position. So far, his coaches have been impressed with his transition:

“I think Andre has a chance to be terrific at guard,” said offensive line coach Paul Alexander. “He’s getting to start from the beginning this year with the base techniques and then learn the offense as he goes. If we all of the sudden picked him up a week before the season and said, ‘Go play right guard,’ I don’t think he could do it. But going through this progression I think he’ll be fine.”

Smith said the biggest difference between playing guard and tackle is that he has to think and move a lot faster along the interior of the offensive line:

“Everything happens a lot faster at guard – that’s one thing that I’ve noticed – but it’s been a fun experience transitioning from tackle to guard,” said Smith. “Physically everything happens a little faster and mentally you have to think about a lot more than you do at tackle.”

Smith has appeared in 86 games, starting 77. He was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft.