Report: Ravens have interest in Daryl Smith

[papasmurfbell]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/06/05/report-ravens-have-interest-in-daryl-smith/

 

 

 

The Ravens have made a couple of moves to round out their inside linebacking corps since the departures of Ray Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe, but there were snags with each one.

Rolando McClain was signed after his release in Oakland, got arrested again and announced his retirement from football in order to focus on getting his personal house in order. Arthur Brown was drafted in the second round, but will be out until training camp after sports hernia surgery.

With Jameel McClain coming off a spinal cord contusion that sidelined him 2012, it’s not all that surprising to learn that the Ravens are still sniffing around for more assistance at the position. Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports that the team has interest in former Jaguars linebacker Daryl Smith and that Smith is interested in joining the defending Super Bowl champions.

Smith joined the Jaguars as a second-round pick in 2004 and missed just four games in his first eight seasons before being sidelined for the first 14 games of last season with a groin injury. The timing of the injury was terrible for Smith, who turned 31 in March, and is likely the biggest reason why he’s still unemployed in June after nearly a decade of solid play in Jacksonville.

That works out well for the Ravens, who could add Smith as insurance against Brown not being healthy and/or ready without spending much money or taking a risk like the one they took on Rolando McClain.

 

 

 

[colincac]

Awesome, would be happy with him being the minimum salary addition to the MLB core.

[oldno82]

Lets get him.

[colincac]

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ravens-Sign-Veteran-LB-Daryl-Smith/d9f3b3a0-09b5-4967-a3ee-9ca41eeefd9d

 

 

It's done. Nice pick up. Awaiting $$$ value though. Interesting they gave up on McAdoo in the corresponding movie.

 

Smith graded as an 81 from ESPN Insider, tied with Barnet for the Best Available Linebacker left.

 

Scouts Inc.

Smith has the size and speed to make plays all over the field and the instincts to make quick decisions when diagnosing plays. He is quick to locate the ball and pull the trigger as he steps up to make the play. He is consistently a high-level producer who gives the Jaguars a solid run defender and good cover linebacker. He shows route awareness and the ability to read the quarterback's eyes to get a jump on the ball. He will step up to take on blockers and does a good job using his hands to defeat and shed blocks.

[papasmurfbell]

I guess the kid just can't do it after all the injuries.

[colincac]

More good stuff on Smith from PFF:

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/06/06/khaleds-nfl-daily-june-6-2013/

 

Looks like a perfect fit for our D. If he comes in healthy he could be a big difference-maker. He had practically the whole season off so you'd have to assume he'd be good to go given his good injury history before last year.