ExtremeRavens Posted August 8 Posted August 8 Arron Smith doesn’t consider himself a man of many emotions. But the 57-year-old father of Ravens rookie linebacker Teddye Buchanan was brought to tears Thursday night when he witnessed his son run out of the tunnel for the first time at M&T Bank Stadium. To Smith, who donned a black Ravens jersey with Buchanan’s No. 40, Thursday wasn’t just the preseason opener. To him and his family, this was their Super Bowl. “This is a dream come true,” Smith said. “I used to not be emotional. But this year … I’ve had some really emotional moments.” Smith sat with a slight lean, his hands clasped and his eyes locked on the field as Buchanan, 22, made his unofficial debut in the first of three Baltimore exhibitions. Although the result, a 24-16 Ravens win, didn’t matter much, Smith cemented Thursday as a core memory. The events started the previous night, when Smith and Buchanan’s mother, Kimberly, boarded a redeye, cross-country flight in San Francisco. Throughout Buchanan’s childhood, Smith served as his youth coach. He recalled how a then-6-year-old Buchannan scored five touchdowns in his first organized game for the Mountain View (California) Marauders. “I was like, ‘I think we’ve got something,” Smith said of Buchanan’s early introduction to the sport. “He’s always been really disciplined. Started doing pushups at 5, started lifting weights at 11.” Despite being raised in Northern California, Buchanan actually grew up a Washington Commanders fan thanks to his father’s rooting interests. Smith was a self-proclaimed “die-hard” Washington fan and grew up in nearby Charlottesville, Virginia. It wasn’t difficult for him to ditch his Washington gear for No. 40 Baltimore jerseys after he witnessed his son achieve his dreams earlier in the year. “I told myself, ‘I’ve got to let it go,’” Buchanan jokingly belted regarding his Commanders fandom. “Honestly, when he put the Ravens jersey on, that was the best thing in my life.” Since he was selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft out of California, Buchanan feels as if he’s grown in a multitude of ways. Against the Colts, he sported the “green dot” on his helmet, signifying his role as the defensive play-caller in the huddle. Buchanan joins a loaded and talented roster in Baltimore with the starting linebacker spots currently manned by Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpson. Top rookie safety Malaki Starks labeled Buchanan a “natural leader.” “Teddye looked really good,” Starks said. “He has natural leadership skills. He’s just a natural when it comes to playing football. Just to be out there and be with him felt really good.” “I used to not be emotional. But this year … I’ve had some really emotional moments," Arron Smith, the father of Ravens rookie Teddye Buchanan, said of his son's journey to the NFL. (Kevin Richardson/Sun Staff) In addition to patrolling the defense’s second level, Buchanan appeared on special teams, a role he’ll need to embrace heading into Year 1. Last season at Cal, he led the Golden Bears in tackles (114), tackles for loss (12) and finished second in sacks (five). “Compared to OTA’s, I feel great,” Buchanan said. “It takes time to earn trust and respect from your teammates and also be able to trust yourself with knowing the defense, helping guys get lined up. Things have improved dramatically. “[Special teams] is different from college, the kickoffs and punts. It’s great to get reps. I look forward to doing that all season.” When Buchanan, who was named after his grandfather, recorded his lone tackle of Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren, Smith and Kimberly Buchanan rose to their feet and lifted their arms in the air. The moment felt like a culmination of their combined support — Buchanan’s parents are separated but amicable — and they flashed wide grins for the rest of the evening. Buchanan’s unofficial NFL debut was filled with some expected growing pains. On a couple of occasions, he was the closest defender in coverage following completions by Colts backup quarterback Daniel Jones. But he also flashed on a few instances. After he allowed a deep completion, Buchanan on the subsequent play rushed from the left side and forced an errant incompletion from Jones. “He played at a high level, talking and communicating,” Simpson said of Buchanan. “Just for a rookie to come do that in his first preseason game, it’s a great sign. … He’s definitely a calm guy. I didn’t sense any nervousness from him. He’s just ready to play.” Over the next several weeks, the Ravens will continue to evaluate the roster’s talent and eventually make tough decisions before they embark on the regular season, already overflowing with high expectations. Buchanan is aware that Thursday marked just the first step of what he hopes to be a long journey in the pros. For Smith, that evaluation is already complete. He too hopes Buchanan enjoys a prosperous NFL future, but Smith is unapologetically basking in pride, unafraid of the tears that might fall. “For them to come means a lot, to have parents to support me the way they have my whole life,” Buchanan said. “It’s not an easy flight. I’ve had to do it several times since being drafted but, I really appreciate them coming out and supporting me.” Have a news tip? Contact Josh Tolentino at jtolentino@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200, x.com/JCTSports and instagram.com/JCTSports. View the full article Quote
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