Imagine what life would be like without cornerback Jimmy Smith in the Ravens secondary. What if the team decided to cut bait and give up on the young corner when he struggled through the early portion of his career?
As each season passed, coaches, fans and media anxiously watched to see if the player the Ravens boldly took with the 27th overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft would ever justify his draft stock.
Over the last few seasons, Smith has begun to slowly silence those critics who once doubted him and is finally making his mark around the NFL and on opposing teams’ number one wide receivers. Last season, Smith was well on his way to achieving “shut down” corner status, starting 16 games for the first time in his career while establishing career highs in tackles, passes defensed (16) and forced fumbles with two.
The veteran corner is clearly the leader of the unit on the field, but is quietly becoming a leader in the locker room as well.
“[Jimmy Smith] has [stepped up],” head coach John Harbaugh said following practice on Friday. “Jimmy really … He’s like all guys – he’s growing up, continues to do that, but he’s taking a big role. He’s a top player in our defense. I’ve said it many times: I think he’s one of the best players in the league, and he carries himself that way.”
Through six games this season, Smith is again playing lights out. Per Pro Football Focus, Smith is currently ranked as the NFL’s seventh best cornerback.
In 399 defensive snaps, the 6-2, 209 pound Smith has been targeted by opposing quarterbacks 34, times allowing 18 receptions (52.9%) for 135 yards including just 39 total YAC allowed and no touchdowns.
Smith is expected to face his biggest test of the season on Sunday when he will be responsible for the always dangerous Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones. John Harbaugh knows Jimmy is up to the test.
“He has really learned to take care of himself and study,” Harbs said about the way Smith has prepared himself each week. “He talked about that, as far as knowing what to do, studying your opponent, knowing how to apply your scheme and your technique, being completely prepared, taking care of himself physically.”
He has done a great job of that. He hasn’t had injury issues early on. I think he has learned how to take care of himself, and he has done a great job with that.”
There’s no telling just how the Ravens secondary would look without Jimmy each Sunday, but somehow visions of Frank Walker play in my mind and I’m thankful the Ravens stuck with Smith during some trying times.
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