[News] Player Profile: Za'Darius Smith's Trip From Basketball To Football

[BR News]

The Ravens’ fourth-round linebacker came late to football, but has impressed ever since.

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[4evermore23]

I think were gonna wind up with the better of the two between him and bud dupree za darius did the dirty work to free dupree up now its gonna b his time to shine

[GO_Ravens]

This guy will be a stud just watch.

[ellicottraven]

I think were gonna wind up with the better of the two between him and bud dupree za darius did the dirty work to free dupree up now its gonna b his time to shine

That is the exact feeling I've been having since drafting him and the Steelers Dupree.

[757RavensFan]

I think were gonna wind up with the better of the two between him and bud dupree za darius did the dirty work to free dupree up now its gonna b his time to shine

 

I think we need to take our purple shades off when it comes to Smith being a better player than Dupree. If that was the case, the Ravens wouldn't have tried to select Dupree in the 1st round.  The front office publically stated that if Dupree was still there at 26, they would have taken him over Perriman.

Edited May 18, 2015 by 757RavensFan

[chuchu707]

I think he's going to be better than mcphee! He's quicker and has better techniques

[Nick04263]

I REALLY hope we get to go into the season healthy this year. Last year we lost a few REALLY good prospects. Urban and the Lewis-moore guy. Hopefully we get to see them on the field this year because we have the bodies. Just need to get the guys on the field. I really like the depth this year. I keep saying it but cuts will be particularly tough this year.

[sami]

why would the front office state that they would have taken Dupree over Perriman. That just doesn't sound like something Ozzie and the gang would say. Sounds more like something some "expert" over in Steelerland or ESPN would come out with.

[stixfix69]

I expect Smith to be worked into the rotation, but not rushed into it...He has a heck of a player in Suggs to learn from, as Suggs plays upright, or along the D-Line with his hand in the dirt as well.....Because we do rotate our front 7 a lot, he will have a chance to play in certain situations to get his feet wet, but we didn't draft him the 4th round with expectations of him being a McPhee from the get go, course he might, but that's not what the thinking was when we drafted him.....

[stixfix69]

Dupree is polished talent that will have a great shot at starting in Pit, Smith is raw talent that needs grooming....

[Drew P]

who cares about the Squeelers they have whiffed on Jarvis and Shazier is always hurt

[757RavensFan]

why would the front office state that they would have taken Dupree over Perriman. That just doesn't sound like something Ozzie and the gang would say. Sounds more like something some "expert" over in Steelerland or ESPN would come out with.

 

Ozzie/DeCosta stated that Perriman was the last person available on their list that they would have selected in the 1st round.  If Perriman was selected before the Ravens 26th pick, they stated they were going to trade back. 

[TXRavensFan]

Ozzie/DeCosta stated that Perriman was the last person available on their list that they would have selected in the 1st round.  If Perriman was selected before the Ravens 26th pick, they stated they were going to trade back. 

 

True, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they had Dupree ranked higher, just that he went first. For all we know, they had Dupree as the 26th player on their board (Perriman was 14/15), and if they were both on the board when the Ravens picked, they still would've gone with Perriman - it just turned out that Perriman was the last one still on the board for the pick.

 

Also don't forget that during Harbaugh's call with Perriman, he said they were sweating out him be available for about 10 picks - well before the Steelers took Dupree.

[sami]

I agree TXRavensFan, It sounds to me like maybe Dupree wasn't even on the list of 1st rounders for the Ravens.

[Purpleghost23]

That dude looks in incredible shape...looking forward to watch him crushing some qbs

[Postapocalypse Raven]

"“Right then, I knew he was going to be better than everybody else,” Blackmon said.

 

"Blackman simply told him to get the opposing quarterback. With Za’Darius’ athleticism, strength and quick feet, that wasn’t a problem."

 

 

Lol... So which is it already?

[Fastynart]

The Ravens do love to pick linebackers. Some are great, some average, some not so great. Arthur Brown is the not so great. Upshaw, who is average, will be gone next year, so Smith will get his shot. What he does with it is up to him.

[cigarjon68]

If Smith develops like Mcphee did the Ravens have found a gem again in the middle rounds . This season Smith will be a situational pass rusher giving T Sizzle and Elvis rest during games .

[LunarRover]

totally forgot we grabbed him in the 4th rd. hope he gets this playbook down and gets some reps. looks to have great mobile size and strength. cant wait to see him form into a raven on Defense