Roquan Smith didn’t consider he can be traded, not even along with his Chicago Bears off to a shedding begin and his contractual future unresolved. If he was going to go, nevertheless, he needed to be “playing for a title.”
That explains why Smith, 25, wore a near-permanent grin Wednesday as he spoke with reporters after ending his first follow with the Ravens. The Bears have been headed nowhere this season and had by no means made it previous the wild-card spherical of the playoffs in Smith’s 4 1/2 seasons in Chicago. In Baltimore, the NFL’s main tackler believes he may have an opportunity to chase a Super Bowl trophy as fervently as he chases opposing ball carriers.
He loves the concept he is likely to be the ultimate piece.
“Yes, that means a lot,” he mentioned, nonetheless carrying his new purple No. 18 jersey. “I have a great deal of respect for this organization [and] the way they handle things. I’m excited, and I know they’re trying to get over the hump and win the big game. So, I feel like I can be one of the guys that can help with that.”
For Smith’s new teammates, the commerce, which value the Ravens a second- and fifth-round choose in subsequent 12 months’s draft, was one other signal that they’re all in on contending this 12 months. They have been already pointed in the correct route, coming off two straight wins and a positive schedule forward.
“We already knew what we were capable of,” outdoors linebacker Odafe Oweh mentioned. “But now that [general manager Eric DeCosta] is trying to slowly formulate the squad and make us really the contender that we’re supposed to be, it just lets you know the intentions of what we’re supposed to do at the end of the season. So it makes us feel good, and it actually kind of drives us to even want to play better.”
Defensive finish Calais Campbell agreed: “He brings a lot of energy, gives us just the confidence that allows us to go out there and do a whole lot more. I would love to be [defensive coordinator] Mike Macdonald with all these weapons, man. Just go out there and just draw up different ways to put us all on the field and make plays in different ways and take turns.”
Campbell mentioned the protection, at present twentieth in factors allowed and twenty fourth in yards allowed, may very well be “really, really special” with Smith at its coronary heart.
No one appeared extra enthused than linebacker Patrick Queen, who will play beside Smith on the sector and gown beside him within the Ravens locker room. Queen was a first-round pick of a vaunted SEC program two years after Smith match the identical description. When Queen was at LSU, he even requested coaches for movie of Smith as a result of he regarded the Georgia linebacker as a job mannequin.
He recalled one play on which the opponent ran a toss to Smith’s aspect and he beat a minimize block to drop the ball service by the sideline. “I was amazed,” he mentioned. “Ever since then, I’ve looked up to the guy.”
He believes they are going to be devastating as companions.
“Of course, two of the best linebackers in the league,” Queen mentioned. “I’m not trying to brag or anything, but I just feel like that’s how it’s going to be. [We’re] two guys that fly to the ball, get their hands on the ball, get in the backfield and disrupt stuff. So, we’re definitely going to wreak havoc.”
Smith reciprocated Queen’s reward: “The guy is lightning; the guy plays good ball. He runs and hits just like myself, so I’m excited for the duo. I think it’s going to be very special, especially once we get rolling.”
The Ravens have performed higher towards the run in current weeks however nonetheless permit 4.4 yards per carry, greater than they’re accustomed to. Smith may very well be the side-to-side, run-stuffing missile they’ve lacked in current seasons.
Ray Lewis was the prototype for such gamers, and Smith was requested if he appeared as much as No. 52.
“I went down to one of his camps. It was years ago; I think I was still in college then,” he mentioned. “But I have a great deal of respect for the guy. The guy is obviously a legend. [I] used to grow up in college and stuff watching all his hype videos, highlight videos.”
For the third time in 4 years, DeCosta made a major in-season commerce to bolster the crew’s protection. Cornerback Marcus Peters made first-team All-Pro in 2019, including rocket gasoline to the surging Ravens as they received their final 12 video games of the common season. He signed a three-year extension and stays one of many Ravens’ key defenders.
DeCosta went again to the nicely a 12 months later, buying and selling a third-round choose and fifth-round choose for edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue. That transfer didn’t pan out as the previous Terps star produced simply three sacks in 9 video games for the Ravens earlier than departing in free company.
Smith’s future can be an open query. He might be a free agent after this season and will change into the very best paid inside linebacker in soccer. Will the Ravens make such a hefty funding on the identical time they’re making an attempt to barter an extension with quarterback Lamar Jackson?
“I’m not really focused on that right now,” mentioned Smith, who like Jackson, represents himself in negotiations.
He appeared thrilled to simply accept the strain that comes with being a high-profile acquisition for a division-leading crew. He’s in for a busy week as he learns Macdonald’s protection forward of the Ravens’ recreation towards the New Orleans Saints on “Monday Night Football,” however he plans to make an influence in his Ravens debut.
“I don’t feel like it’s an all-out cram session,” he mentioned, waiting for the subsequent 5 days. “Because I feel like I have a nice understanding of everything that we’re doing here on defense. That’s part of being a pro, and those guys in the locker room are getting me right, as well as the coaching staff helping me out big time. So, I feel very comfortable with where I’m at right now, and by Monday, I know I’m going to feel even better.”
He likes to say he “cooks with grease,” which means the sport is scorching and popping when he’s within the neighborhood.
“I think it’s going to be a wild atmosphere, but I think we’re going to be ready for it and we’re going to come out flying around,” Smith mentioned of going through the Saints. “I know I’m going to control my part and fly around.”
Week 9
Ravens at Saints
Monday, 8:15 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
Line: Ravens by 2 1/2
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Source: www.bostonherald.com