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Ravens extend CB Jimmy Smith

By CM Towle

Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) waves his arms at the crowd during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) waves his arms at the crowd during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Cornerback Jimmy Smith and the Baltimore Ravens have reached a contract agreement for four more years.

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The Ravens finally got around to locking up the future of their best defensive back on Tuesday when they reached an agreement with Jimmy Smith for four years and $48 million, according to NFL.com. The deal also includes $21 million in guaranteed money. The agreement by Smith is a verbal agreement, not yet signed and finalized.

The important thing is that the Ravens found a way to hang on to their best defensive back, which was an area they struggled with last year. Smith was a first-round pick in 2011 and would have been due to make nearly $7 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Smith had a breakout season in 2013 and was playing at high level for the first few months of the 2014 NFL season before a foot injury sidelined him for the rest of the year.

It would seem that the Ravens long-term commitment towards Smith speaks to how well he’s coming along from the injury and probably also a bit of the realization that their secondary was exposed late last year without him. Back in January, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh hinted that he thought Smith would be ready for offseason workouts in May.

With Smith out last year, the Ravens lost a couple of crucial games down the stretch that put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. Even though they did make it in, they beat the Steelers only to lose to the Patriots in a game that was ultimately about defensive failure.

It gives the future Ravens defense a pretty hopeful look with Smith locked up, linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive linemen Brandon Williams and Timmy Jernigan looking like future stars. GM Ozzie Newsome has worked his magic again in rebuilding a defense that was stripped bare after the Super Bowl win in 2013.

Smith told the Baltimore Sun that he felt he’s become more mature since becoming a father last year. He said he was happy to be a Raven and thankful that they extended him. He was noncommittal on offseason workouts, but said he feels he’s made a lot of progress recovering from the injury.

In playing eight games last season, Smith was targeted 39 times and allowed 20 catches for 163 and no touchdowns. He had one interception, 28 tackles and eight defensed passes.

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