Underrated But Dominant: Jimmy Smith
Here in Charm City both fans and players alike are used to being the underdog or underrated. It is almost an annual occurrence and everyone uses it as motivation to outperform what is expected outside of the Baltimore sports region. But, there is one player that represents and outperforms the underrated label. Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith. This season Smith has shutdown every receiver he has been put up against.
This includes the likes of AJ Green, Antonio Brown, Jarvis Landry, Amari Cooper, and Michael Crabtree. All five of the receivers listed are former pro bowlers and are recognized as some of the best in the game. Jimmy Smith loves to matchup with the best because he believes that he can shut them down week in and week out and he lives up to his, the fans’ and the Ravens’ expectations every single game. Just to prove how dominate he has actually been listen to this. Jimmy has allowed only 141 receiving yards to opposing receivers, while he himself has ninety-seven return yards on interceptions and fumbles. Jimmy has also yet to allow a receiving touchdown this season. Jimmy has two touchdowns of his own on the year. This past week Smith allowed only three receptions for forty-one yards against the Tennessee Titans, with twenty-nine of those yards coming on the first play of the game. Jimmy was not only the highest graded Raven, but also the highest graded player of the game, finishing with a 88.4 rating according to Pro Football Focus (via @profootballfocus).
The highest graded players in Ravens vs. Titans pic.twitter.com/vjWJbqQfGX
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 5, 2017
After Sunday’s game Smith is second in the NFL in passer rating allowed with a 34.5 rating. With only have allowing fifteen receptions this season, opposing teams’ quarterbacks are now becoming hesitant to challenge the lockdown defender. Overall, this season Jimmy is the seventh ranked corner in the NFL with a rating of 88.3 according to PFF.
A main reason Jimmy has not received the credit he deserves is because of his longstanding injury history. In every year since 2013, Smith has fought some type of injury or another. Injuries anywhere from his ankle to his back have hindered Jimmy from being recognized as one of the best cornerbacks in football.
However, so far this season Jimmy has played in every game, although he is dealing with a lingering Achilles injury. The injury has not altered his performance proved by the stats and his astounding play every Sunday. Ravens fans have known for years that Jimmy is a top three cornerback when healthy. It is about time the rest of the NFL takes notice that Jimmy is one of the best this game has to offer.
This article goes out to all of the opposing quarterbacks that will see Jimmy for the remainder of the season. Take this as your one and only warning.
