Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) and Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) fight for the ball during the first quarter at AT&T Stadium. Baltimore beat Dallas 37-30. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The #Ravens announced a contract extension for CB Jimmy Smith, who was entering the final year of his deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 21, 2015
The Baltimore Ravens won’t be letting cornerback Jimmy Smith get out of town anytime soon. Instead, they have secured the long-term future of the best defensive back on their roster. The team announced Tuesday that the two sides have agreed in principal to a contract extension.
According to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, it’s a four-year deal, worth $48 million with $21 million guaranteed.
A first-round draft pick in 2011, Smith was in the final year of his rookie contract and the Ravens were smart to extend him now. Smith had been playing at Pro Bowl level for the first eight weeks of last year before he had to have Lisfranc surgery. The fact that the Ravens were willing to make such a commitment to Smith tells us that his rehab well from surgery is going well.
So well that head coach John Harbaugh hinted back in January that Smith would be ready for offseason workouts in May. So Smith, one of Baltimore’s most valuable defensive players, is locked up for the foreseeable future. He returns with fellow corner Ladarius Webb, strong safety Matt Elam and free safety Kendrick Lewis in the secondary.
Then with the front-seven having guys like inside linebacker C.J. Mosely, defensive end Timmy Jernigan and nose tackle Brandon Williams, the future looks bright for the defense. But right now, the defense still has Terrell Suggs, who was productive in 2014 on it so I would be disrespectful not to mention him.
Look for the Ravens defense to be great in 2015.