Jimmy Smith - Shutdown Corner

[GrimCoconut]

two big catches were both on ihedigbo, the two balls he tipped into the air. That was two catches for at least 100 yards

Yeah I remembered those two on Ihedigbo. Those were the ones I was thinking of thanks. I couldn't recall them lol.

[Static]

Webb was actually on Green 90% of the time, so...

I was talking about webb. Make Jimmy our #1.

[Ed_Reed20]

I was talking about webb. Make Jimmy our #1.

 

The D, no matter the coordinator, has never really had CBs shadow WRs. 

[JoeyFlex5]

loved seeing him chew out ihedigbo. digs is a longtime nfl vet, and digs knew he deserved every bit of it, jimmy showed some fire and some leadership there by letting him know its unacceptable to make mistakes like that. jimmy's turning into the guy we drafted him to be, that's for sure

[NaveSenrag]

This is probably the best game I've seen our secondary play since I started watching Ravens games. Besides the two broken coverages on Green in the second half, and Ihedigbo's bonehead tip on the Hail Mary, they played as near perfect a game as could be hoped for.

 

Jimmy in particular played well. I wasn't always watching the jerseys, but, from what I saw, he had tight coverage and he came up out of the secondary to play the run as well. My main complaint about Jimmy has been his tendency to play the receiver instead of the ball, but today there were several plays where he clearly located the ball and made a play on it. I don't want to speak too soon, but he may very well be the best player in our secondary right now. It's been a long journey for him, but he's finally turned into the player we hoped for when we drafted him.

[Poes Crows]

A poster here had a very interesting avatar. It was a picture of a flock of Ravens picking the carcass of a Bengal Tiger.  An unidentified Raven player stood with his back to the view with a numberless jersey. The header was "A leader will emerge".

 

Never mentioned Jimmy Smith before, other than his stellar Championship Game plays, ( He made two of them when it counted most), but still wasn't sure he was a justified selection until yesterday.

 

A leader has emerged

[Gtown Purple]

He's playing alot better lately. He was burned some early in the year but I do like his physical nature.

[jdynamite]

No. Don't do it. Let's just watch him continue to grow, and get better with experience.
Don't develop these lofty expectations just yet of him being a "shutdown corner". Just feels like a jinx type moment.

Jimmy is playing so good because he is finally playing consistently in previous seasons he suffered injuries that nagged him, didn't get to start and play significant time for multiple stretches of games. He often had good coverage just poor recognition, getting lost on double moves or not turning his head when the ball came in that direction.

On here fans are usually too extreme, either the player is a bust and sucks or the next big thing future star.

[FerrariFan87]

Jimmy's been great, but he needs to get his head around! He'd have around 6 INTs if he was looking back for the ball!

[jdynamite]

Lets move him because A.J had 158 yards today. Even if freak catches they should have never happened.

Aj finished with 151 yards. And 51 of those were that HailMary pass. Wasn't one of those dominate games like stats would suggest.

[berad]

Jimmy was strictly on the outside. So, when Green moved into the slot, it was usually Webb matched up against him and Lardarius played well yesterday.

Jimmy has been good this year. Not great, he'd be great if he could start getting his head around more consistently and making plays on the ball.

[wademan2636]

i agree with almost everyone on here.  if he turned his head and played the ball more, he would have a ton of interceptions.  his coverage is almost always tight, but I wouldnt consider him elite until he starts picking off more passes.

 

however, he is definitely playing like a first rounder.  he doesnt get fooled easily, and he has all the physical skills to be an elite corner.  all he needs to do is start picking off passes and he'll be a pro bowler.

[izvoodoo]

i agree with almost everyone on here.  if he turned his head and played the ball more, he would have a ton of interceptions.  his coverage is almost always tight, but I wouldnt consider him elite until he starts picking off more passes.

 

however, he is definitely playing like a first rounder.  he doesnt get fooled easily, and he has all the physical skills to be an elite corner.  all he needs to do is start picking off passes and he'll be a pro bowler.

He's beating guys up too.  Receivers don't want to see Jimmy

[Guest Mr. Nobody]

He's beating guys up too.  Receivers don't want to see Jimmy

let's hope he'll get Marshall in check too

[izvoodoo]

let's hope he'll get Marshall in check too

Marshall or Jeffrey, both good players.

[GrimCoconut]

I don't think Jimmy will ever be a turnover machine. I just don't think that's him. I think he might get a few at best but that's about where I see his ceiling. That's not who he is.

Jimmy is a guy who likes to eliminate his guy. He's quietly becoming a very good run defender as well. I think those attributes have gone unnoticed. He does need to turn his head more and play the ball but that's one critique. I won't call you guys out because you know who you are but it seems like some of you just have tough expectations for him. I get it since he was a first round pick but I think some of you are a bit too hard on him.

Jimmy is playing lights out. I don't care what PFF or some of you say. He's had done absolutely ridiculous passes defended this year. Like freak athlete kind of stuff. He's defended eight passes this year. He could have more but teams haven't really thrown to him either.

[rmw10]

I don't think Jimmy will ever be a turnover machine. I just don't think that's him. I think he might get a few at best but that's about where I see his ceiling. That's not who he is.

Jimmy is a guy who likes to eliminate his guy. He's quietly becoming a very good run defender as well. I think those attributes have gone unnoticed. He does need to turn his head more and play the ball but that's one critique. I won't call you guys out because you know who you are but it seems like some of you just have tough expectations for him. I get it since he was a first round pick but I think some of you are a bit too hard on him.

Jimmy is playing lights out. I don't care what PFF or some of you say. He's had done absolutely ridiculous passes defended this year. Like freak athlete kind of stuff. He's defended eight passes this year. He could have more but teams haven't really thrown to him either.

 

^This.  People get way too caught up in numbers.  If people watch the games, they'll realize that Jimmy is shutting his man out.  There's not too much more you can ask.  Some interceptions would be nice, but that doesn't matter if he's taking the opposing team's best or second best receiver out of the game.  I'm thrilled with what Jimmy has given, and I know I was part of the group that was calling for his breakout season before it even started.  I'm glad some people are finally realizing how much he's grown.  It amazes me at all of the people who still think he sucks.

[GrimCoconut]

^This. People get way too caught up in numbers. If people watch the games, they'll realize that Jimmy is shutting his man out. There's not too much more you can ask. Some interceptions would be nice, but that doesn't matter if he's taking the opposing team's best or second best receiver out of the game. I'm thrilled with what Jimmy has given, and I know I was part of the group that was calling for his breakout season before it even started. I'm glad some people are finally realizing how much he's grown. It amazes me at all of the people who still think he sucks.

I can't forget about his pass defended in the end zone against Green Bay this year that even I thought was a DPI. That one of the best passes defended I've ever seen. It was literally perfect timing. I also can't forget his fingertip interception on Tom Brady in the AFCCG that was inches off the ground. That was ridiculous.

This guy is going to be good. We're going to extend him and have two of the best CB in the game.

[PeRK82]

Jimmy Smith has played really well this season, especially compared to  previous years. He has blossomed into a great corner back.

 

Today, he did not give up a memorable reception that I can recall. He consistently broke on the ball and actually turned his head around to impede more passes. I am extremely proud of him.

 

 

I wouldnt go that far.

 

BUT, i will say this, Dude has been playing pretty dam good as this season has been going.

 

VERY,VERY impressive.

 

I was one of the J.Smith haters but i just cant hate the way he has been playing the last few weeks. 

[Militant X 1]

I don't think Jimmy will ever be a turnover machine. I just don't think that's him. I think he might get a few at best but that's about where I see his ceiling. That's not who he is.

Jimmy is a guy who likes to eliminate his guy. He's quietly becoming a very good run defender as well. I think those attributes have gone unnoticed. He does need to turn his head more and play the ball but that's one critique. I won't call you guys out because you know who you are but it seems like some of you just have tough expectations for him. I get it since he was a first round pick but I think some of you are a bit too hard on him.

Jimmy is playing lights out. I don't care what PFF or some of you say. He's had done absolutely ridiculous passes defended this year. Like freak athlete kind of stuff. He's defended eight passes this year. He could have more but teams haven't really thrown to him either.

agreed!  I've always like Jimmy and see his tremendous potential.  I noticed that although he doesn't look for the ball (which I wish he'd do at times) he is a physical corner!  he loves getting in your face and taking the receiver out of the play as you mentioned.  that...in and of itself is a skill!  and he will get better over time as long as he can avoid those groin injuries.  ouch!  lol!

 

#Mili

[SuggsBarber]

He was worth the pick alone for that Super Bowl play, we wouldn't have won without it.

You could argue that it was Danelle Ellerbee that made the game saving tackle.

[Ravens1991]

You could argue that it was Danelle Ellerbee that made the game saving tackle.

Jimmy was our only CB who didnt give up a completion in the super bowl. He needs to get a lot of credit for that performance.

But on the other hand Ellerbe seems to get no credit for that stop on Gore. But re-watch the tape so many other players would have given up once Gore broke it to the outside. Ellerbe showed the heart of a lion when he turned around and booked it hoping to catch up to Gore. That was all hustle on his part.

[The Mom Gene]

i didn't mind his emotion yesterday... as long as he can harness it.  We need more raw emotion over there on that bench sometimes.  The guy is coming into his own. I love him this year. He is what we drafted him to be, and will develop into even more.  I was one of the skeptical ones all through last season, and wondered what everyone saw in him.  I think with time, you will see that "ball hawking" skill.  Once he gets the other stuff down, it will be just like Ihedigbo (even tho he's a safety) and Webb.  It will second-nature.  Look how Cary Williams started picking balls off.  I see Jimmy doing the same thing.

[admartian]

Lets move him because A.J had 158 yards today. Even if freak catches they should have never happened.

And usually guys like Sanu and Marvin Jones would be basting if Green is having a subpar day (save for 2 massive yardage chunkers) by his standards.

 

So I'd say SMith did a good job on the other guys, and not allowing other outlets for Red.

[blitzking33]

He's playing like a beast now because he's back at his natural position. He was a RCB in college, failed at LCB in the NFL and now after moving back to the right side, he's playing like his draft position, a first round pick.

[Underdogsontop!]

I thought smith was more cold then hot last year. He still has to keep his feet, he trips and falls once in a while. But I have to admit he's improving a lot through out this season. I hope he continues to improve and stay healthy....... Go Ravens!

[Militant X 1]

I thought smith was more cold then hot last year. He still has to keep his feet, he trips and falls once in a while. But I have to admit he's improving a lot through out this season. I hope he continues to improve and stay healthy....... Go Ravens!

I think he does at least about 2xs per game. lol!

 

#Mili

[Bullrush]

I'm glad I defended him over the offseason and preseason. He is really playing lights out and it's good to see people eat some crow now and be honest enough and admit that they were wrong about him. He is still progressing so he is still getting better, still learning the game, getting more and more confident. And he doesn't even have a full season under his belt. He will be an elite corner within 1-2 years. He'll never be a ball hawk but who cares, if he covers his guy well he will not get any balls thrown his way anyway.

[Poes Crows]

You could argue that it was Danelle Ellerbee that made the game saving tackle.

Have the game taped and will have to look again, but my recollection is though Ellerbee made a great pursuit it was Ed Reed who actually knocked Gore out at the 7 yard line.

 

Reed is poisoning the water now down in Houston.

 

How easy it is for a good team to go bad.

[SeaHawk]

There are 3 types of corners. 1, a guy who completely shuts down his man, but never gets much recognition for it because he isn't a ballhawk. 2, one that is a ballhawk, but gives up yardage because he's trying for that game changing play. 3, a guy who is both a shutdown corner and a ballhawk. There are only 2, maybe 3, CB's I would consider putting in that third category. Right now, Smith is a category 1 CB. Can he make it to 3?? I think so. He's put in the work to be good at this stage of his career even through several injuries. So who's to say he can't become a complete CB?