Daryl Smith looks good as he takes Ray Lewis’s spot in Baltimore

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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/12/daryl-smith-looks-good-as-he-takes-ray-lewiss-spot-in-baltimore/

 

No Ray Lewis? No problem.

OK, maybe no one can replace Lewis, the longtime Ravens middle linebacker who may have been the best ever to play the position. But the word out of Baltimore is that Daryl Smith, who is now starting at the same spot Lewis manned for 17 seasons, is playing very well.

“Daryl Smith, he looks really good,” quarterback Joe Flacco told the Baltimore Sun. “I don’t really notice those guys too much, but he’s seemed to impress me for some reason.”

Smith had a team-high five tackles in the preseason opener against the Buccaneers, and although he has only been with the Ravens for two months, head coach John Harbaugh says Smith is already comfortable running the show in the defensive huddle.

“Daryl is that kind of player,” Harbaugh said. “Nothing different than what he’s done all those years in Jacksonville. He played really well, becoming somewhat of a quarterback of the defense, because he calls the defenses.”

For his part, Smith doesn’t sound overly impressed with his own performance.

“I think we did a pretty good job,” Smith said. “We still have a long road ahead of us to really be where we want to be, but I think we did some good things. We’ll get in [the team facility] the next couple days and watch the film and grade it and see.”

Harbaugh has already given Smith an A for his first game in a Ravens uniform.

 

 

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Ray last year looked like he was running in cement shoes compared to Smith. Ray hadn't lost half a step...he had lost 2 or 3.

This may be the biggest off season acquisition. Tremendous find by Ozzie...he out smarted the GM's in the league.

 

Getting Clark before the Steelers did helps too.

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They didn't have the heart to cut ties with Ray. He hasn't been that guy for at least 4 yrs. The youth movement will do so much for the D.

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They didn't have the heart to cut ties with Ray. He hasn't been that guy for at least 4 yrs. The youth movement will do so much for the D.

 

Yea...it's been a long time since we saw "sideline to sideline" play from an ILB or somebody who was quick to the hole.

[Robjr83]

Seeing Smith out there makes me soooo happy that Rolando Headcase retired.

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Yea...it's been a long time since we saw "sideline to sideline" play from an ILB or somebody who was quick to the hole.

Forget sideline to sideline. That is a rarity. He was having trouble being tackle to tackle.

[Tornado700]

Darryl Smith was Jacksonville's Ray Lewis. We totally lucked out getting this guy.

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With no Jameel McClain sightings I'd say his career is over. Very unfortunate for him.

[Oldschool739]

One question, is anybody missing Ellerbe now ?????

DS is already better than him and Arthur Brown stepping on his heels....

I never could see the big deal with Ellerbe, so when he left I wasn't fazed at all...

I did think McClain would be healthy tho, and knew that the only reason Ellerbe was playing is because JM was injured.

I like our MLB situation better now than before.....You can't replace a Ray Lewis everyday, and maybe never, but you can fill the position with another great player....

 

SB Champs.....REPEAT !!!!

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That is why it is good to let guys walk. It is best to have lower priced young guys or undervalued vets than guys who will earn a premium.