Since the days of Chris McAlister, the Baltimore Ravens have been consistently defunct of a true franchise cornerback; one that the secondary can be built around.
For a short period, Lardarius Webb flashed this potential, but injuries and a rapid regression prevented him from ever reaching this stature. In recent years, however, it looked like the Ravens finally found their true franchise cornerback.
After taking a chance on Jimmy Smith, a talented cornerback with off-field issues, in the 2011 draft, the organization took the long-term approach to his development. Instead of simply plugging and playing the first round pick, the coaching staff spent Smith’s first two season rotating him in on defense, as he proved on many occasions why he was considered a project coming out of college.
As the 2013 season progressed, however, Smith began to emerge as the shutdown cornerback the fan base envisioned he would eventually become. By 2014, he was a true shutdown cornerback and one of the defense’s most dynamic players.
Prior to a season-ending injury in 2014, the Jimmy Smith Project appeared to be complete. He was a physical, imposing defender with short-yardage burst and consistent tackling ability. The maturation process of Smith appeared to be in its final stages.
That prompted the front office to ink Smith to a new deal in the offseason, paying him money that is representative of a defense’s #1 cornerback.
But as we stand here in November of 2015, the previous narrative of Smith is dwindling. Aside from his pick-six in the season opener, Smith has rarely flashed this season.
What is contributing to Smith’s struggles? And can he return to his early 2014 form?
On Sunday against the St. Louis Rams, one play stood out as a microcosm of Smith’s regression. Something Smith did in his early years, but broke away from, only to resort back to this season.
During Smith’s early seasons, one of his weakest points was his lack of awareness. He rarely turned to locate the ball, and was often the recipient of a pass interference or holding call.
He began to clean up this tendency in recent years, but in 2015, it has occurred too many times for comfort.
Against the Rams, Smith rolls deep as tight end Jared Cook begins to take off downfield.
As quarterback Case Keenum locates the open Cook deep, Smith continues to carry himself toward the middle of the field. Exactly who Smith is planning to cover on this play is a mystery, since the only nearby receiver is Cook.
Keenum launches the pass, and it hangs in the air for quite some time, leaving Smith with a perfect opportunity to defend it or even force a turnover. Instead, while helplessly trying to locate the ball, Smith inexplicably runs into Cook.
As the ball reaches the tandem, Smith’s back is completely turned away from the play, while Cook falls to the ground as a result of shove from Smith.
Had Smith made any sort of play on the ball, he may not have drawn a flag on the penalty. But by blatantly spurning the ball in favor of eliminating Cook from the play, Smith earned a justified pass interference call.
Lack of awareness and marginal ball skills were among Smith’s early-career weak points. However, he proved in 2013 and 2014 that he had overcome these issues, only to resort back to them this season.
Another issue of Smith’s through the first 10 games of 2015 has been his inability to be effective in the short passing game.
On Jacksonville’s first touchdown in their win against the Ravens, this was evident.
Here, Smith is matched up against wide receiver Allen Hurns in the slot.
Hurns plays more of the big-body game than that of a quick, nimble slot receiver, making Smith an ideal candidate to take the receiver on and utilize his physicality.
As the play ensues, Hurns works toward the outside, and cuts back inward, leaving Smith looking for his jockstrap as he simply cannot turn as swiftly as Hurns.
Hurns effortlessly gains several yards of separation en route to an easy touchdown.
Plays like these simply cannot happen in the red zone. Smith’s agility and short-area quickness have not been up to par this season, and this play is one example of many.
There is no denying the fact that Smith can be a defensive cornerstone for the Ravens. He has already proved he is capable of doing so. But in 2015, he has been a far cry from his former self, and the secondary is paying for it.
The entire defense has failed to consistently defend the pass this season, and Smith is no exception.
Is he simply mailing it after getting paid? Is his foot injury not fully healed?
It is hard to pinpoint the reason for his regression, but Smith must step things up during the final six games.
