Player Profiles: Jimmy Smith

88px-Jimmy_smith_2011_stadium_practiceUsually I do profiles on star players or players that have been with the Baltimore Ravens for a very long time. For my profile on Jimmy Smith I am changing it up a bit because he is a young up and coming player that is becoming one of the best cornerback’s in the NFL.

The Ravens drafted Smith in the first round of the 2011 draft out of Colorado, Smith was the 27th overall pick of that draft. Smith dropped in the draft because of some failed drug test and concerns about maturity. Since becoming a Raven Smith has never had any trouble with the law or the NFL and has been a model citizen.

Smith stays in the Baltimore area during the off season and spends a lot of time at the team facility.

In Smith’s rookie season he was the Ravens third cornerback and started in three games. Smith had two interceptions in the regular season and one in the playoffs.

The Ravens won the Super Bowl in Smith’s second year, although he was greatly criticized for his play.  The truth was that Smith was injured for most of his second season with a groin injury.  Smith came up big for the Ravens when it counted and was key in the the Ravens victory.  The Ravens may not have won the Super Bowl if Smith did not put a big hit on Michael Crabtree.

Smith finally became a Ravens starter in 2013 and started all 16 games.  The longer the season went on the better Smith got and his talents were highlighted on Monday Night Football against the Detroit Lions, he covered Calvin Johnson and more than held his own.  Smith had two interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Smith is big for a cornerback at 6’2” 205 pounds and hits extremely hard, he rarely misses a tackle.  Speed is not a factor for Smith as he can keep up with the fastest receivers.  The ball skills and awareness have been something that Smith has developed nicely, early in his career he really struggled with his ball awareness.

I expect Smith to get even better and I hope the Ravens keep him around for the long time.  Smith has shown to be tough playing through injuries and has done the right things off the field.  Big cornerbacks are hard to find and Smith can cover big receivers that give smaller cornerbacks trouble.

UPDATE: Smith was arrested in 2014 offseason, but it was for trying to help a woman and a misdemeanor.  I would not hold Smith’s arrest against him.

Here are Smith’s stats.

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Brian Hradsky

The owner of MSB, I created this website while in college and it has never died.

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