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Baltimore Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome has done it again. In yet another low-risk high-reward move, Newsome signed veteran LB Daryl Smith, formerly of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The deal is for one year and of course, a very minimal financial commitment.
There are a few red flags to speak of. First of all, Smith comes from a 4-3 defense, so he’ll have to learn a new scheme. Secondly, Smith only played in two games last year due to a nasty sports hernia injury. The positives of the signing outweigh the negatives.
Smith is essentially replacing Rolando McClain. I think even Matt Birk could admit that the relationship between the Ravens and McClain needed to go to Planned Parenthood (Yeah I went there, I’m just so edgy). All jokes aside, Smith provides great insurance in a shallow inside linebacker core for the Ravens. I would assume the Ravens are hoping for Jameel McClain and rookie Arthur Brown to be the starters, but both are coming off of injuries and Smith could be a great plug and play backup for both guys.
The signing of Smith is very reminiscent of last year’s signings of Jacoby Jones and Corey Graham. Jones and Graham were both just sitting in the free agent market and were taken under the radar by the Ravens. Those signings paid huge dividends for the Ravens, as Jones and Graham were instrumental in the Ravens Super Bowl run. Low-risk high-reward, can’t talk about that point enough. Smith just might be another to add to the club. Keep ‘em coming Mr. Newsome. Dan Abeshouse is a Baltimore Ravens writer for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Danabeshouse82. Like him on Facebook and Add him to your network on Google.
