Jimmy Smith is a cornerback in vogue in today’s NFL – tall (6-foot-2) and physical, able to match up with receivers of any size.
There was never a doubt the Ravens would pick up his fifth-year contract option by the May 3 deadline reported first by RSR on January 3. The Ravens did exactly that recently, according to multiple reports, and confirmed by a league source to CSN Baltimore. Smith is now signed through 2015, and the Ravens hope to work out a long-term deal that will keep Smith in Baltimore even longer.
The Ravens think Smith will develop into one of the league’s top corners. He took steps toward doing that last season. With Lardarius Webb having a full season under his belt following knee surgery, the Ravens feel very confident in their top two corners.
It took some time for Smith to develop after being a first-round draft choice in 2011 (No. 27), but his confidence has grown every season. The turning point for him was the 2012 playoff run, when Smith played well and prevented Michael Crabtree from catching a potential game-winning pass in the waning moments of Super Bowl XLVII.
