[News] Jimmy Smith Healthy Again, Expects To Be Better In 2016

[BR News]

The starting cornerback dealt with a Lisfranc foot issue last year, and the injury was more difficult than he expected.

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[Halshayeji]

We desperately need J.Smith to play like we know he can! For a good year and a half, he was a top 5 CB and single handedly took out the opponents best WR.

get healthy and stay healthy and we'll be fine. Go gettem Jimmy!

[757RavensFan]

Smith's response to the following question from yesterday's press conference definitely stood out to me.  

Quote

On if it’s something he thinks he’ll kind of always have to play through or if he thinks he’ll get to a point that it doesn’t bother him at all: “I’m hoping that it doesn’t bother me at all, but I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t still get sore just from the amount of training I’ve already done. But it’s just kind of like with any injury: When it heals, it heals, and when it’s done, it’s done.”

So if you ask me, the title of this article is a little misleading b/c clearly he's not 100% healthy!

Edited April 20, 2016 by 757RavensFan

[Tobenna_MBA]

Idk man... Jimmy was my guy for a while... I just hope he shapes into form. IMHO there are a few guys on the team stealing money with inflated contracts and underwhelming performances on the field. (Webb, Pitta, Jimmys most recent year) I understand he was hurt but as a team tight against the cap and shackled by dead money we need out top paid guys to produce or free up cap space so we can bring in guys who will. Heres to a bounce back year for Jimmy and our secondary.

[jravens1313]

Jimmy definitely played better in the second half of the season. We need a legit starter to play opposite of him. Wright is not starting caliber, but if we want another Foxworth, Washington type fail lets give him the full year. We need to invest in the No. 2 corner spot through the draft.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Idk man... Jimmy was my guy for a while... I just hope he shapes into form. IMHO there are a few guys on the team stealing money with inflated contracts and underwhelming performances on the field. (Webb, Pitta, Jimmys most recent year) I understand he was hurt but as a team tight against the cap and shackled by dead money we need out top paid guys to produce or free up cap space so we can bring in guys who will. Heres to a bounce back year for Jimmy and our secondary.

So what then if a player gets hurt all of a sudden they lose out? It does not work that way for getting paid either so how things work is fair IMHO. If you want to be able to justify players being docked for getting injured, then you must also then pay them with the same swiftness they perform. That is just asking for more issues and poor spending. The top 6 CB in the back half of the season as he got more healthy show me he still has the skills that earned him the contract. The real concern is that the Ravens need more CB depth, something there are well aware of at this point. It could have helped get J Smith healthier a bit faster by not playing so many reps earlier in the season but that's 20/20. I fully expect this to be addressed in the draft.

[Ravenous_Ravens]

Jimmy is going to have a big season. I get the feeling a lot of players are hungry for W's after last season.

[steelcityraven]

I know he wasnt 100% but IDK... how much I want to blame on his injury. Jimmy, like all of our DBs, struggled under Dean Pees.... NONE of our DB's played well since Pees took over and I am not sure how much it has been Jimmy's injury and how much it was Pees system... (my guess is a little of both) but Jimmy (just like many of our DB's) is way better then he played last year. I am hoping that he is truly healthy (and remains that way) and that Leslie Fraziers presence helps Pees to get this problem corrected.

[steelcityraven]

Idk man... Jimmy was my guy for a while... I just hope he shapes into form. IMHO there are a few guys on the team stealing money with inflated contracts and underwhelming performances on the field. (Webb, Pitta, Jimmys most recent year) I understand he was hurt but as a team tight against the cap and shackled by dead money we need out top paid guys to produce or free up cap space so we can bring in guys who will. Heres to a bounce back year for Jimmy and our secondary.

What DB has played well under Pees? I really think that it is less about Jimmy and more about our system... but with that being said.... I agree that Jimmy needs to stay on the field (avoid injuries). We know that Jimmy has the talent and ability to be one of the top CB's in the NFL but that will require two things: 1. Him staying healthy 2. Pees getting his crap together!

[757RavensFan]

36 minutes ago, steelcityraven said:

What DB has played well under Pees? I really think that it is less about Jimmy and more about our system... but with that being said.... I agree that Jimmy needs to stay on the field (avoid injuries). We know that Jimmy has the talent and ability to be one of the top CB's in the NFL but that will require two things: 1. Him staying healthy 2. Pees getting his crap together!

Hopefully, Coach Frazier will help overcome this!

[Crusader]

We shall see Jimmy with that coming cap hit on the team of yours just below Joe I hope you make it worth it.

[Bajan Raven]

I'm hoping that the other Lisfranc injury on the team heals just as well and that Wagner can show the improvement he hinted at.

[sticks999]

Jimmy runs his mouth. So to me, this means nothing. The truth is in the pudding.

[RavensDieHard21]

Not even worried about Smith, he'll be a stud for years. After week 7 or 8 you could see his confidence and abilities were completely 180 from the first few weeks. He needs one more partner though, maybe Norman lol if only...

[thecommish]

  8 hours ago, steelcityraven said:

What DB has played well under Pees? I really think that it is less about Jimmy and more about our system... but with that being said.... I agree that Jimmy needs to stay on the field (avoid injuries). We know that Jimmy has the talent and ability to be one of the top CB's in the NFL but that will require two things: 1. Him staying healthy 2. Pees getting his crap together!

Hopefully, Coach Frazier will help overcome this!

Agreed... if it were not for Frazier... I believe that We could sign Norman and draft Ramsey and our DBs would struggle. I do think that Fraizer will be exactly what Pees needed (what our defense needed).

[BmoreBird22]

9 hours ago, steelcityraven said:

What DB has played well under Pees? I really think that it is less about Jimmy and more about our system... but with that being said.... I agree that Jimmy needs to stay on the field (avoid injuries). We know that Jimmy has the talent and ability to be one of the top CB's in the NFL but that will require two things: 1. Him staying healthy 2. Pees getting his crap together!

Shareece Wright after his 49ers game, Jimmy in 2013, 2014, and the second half of 2015, Webb in 2012 prior to injury, Corey Graham in 2012.

Edited April 21, 2016 by BmoreBird22

[allblackraven]

35 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Shareece Wright after his 49ers game, Jimmy in 2013, 2014, and the second half of 2015, Webb in 2012 prior to injury, Corey Graham in 2012.

Reed?

Diggs was good not even Elam was tragic in '13.

[thecommish]

  16 hours ago, steelcityraven said:

What DB has played well under Pees? I really think that it is less about Jimmy and more about our system... but with that being said.... I agree that Jimmy needs to stay on the field (avoid injuries). We know that Jimmy has the talent and ability to be one of the top CB's in the NFL but that will require two things: 1. Him staying healthy 2. Pees getting his crap together!

Shareece Wright after his 49ers game, Jimmy in 2013, 2014, and the second half of 2015, Webb in 2012 prior to injury, Corey Graham in 2012.

LOL... BmoreBird22... you see how that sounds like a reach right? Sharece Wright for a couple of games... Jimmy in 2013 was very inconsistent... in 2014 he played great....in second half of 2015 is saying that he was inconsistent at best (not good for half the year and decent for half the year)... Webb in 2012 and Graham in 2012. So... out of 4 or 5 DBs playing at any time x 4 years (since 2012) that is 20 DBs and you named 3 that played well and 2 kinda well... so that (being generous) is saying at best 5 out of 20 since 2012 meaning 3/4 has not played well under Pees. and really more like 3 out of 20 for just over 10% meaning that nearly 90% of our DBs are not playing well since he arrived. I guess I didnt realize it either until you explained it that way! We really have to reach to find something that Pees has done well in our defensive backfield.

[thecommish]

  6 hours ago, BmoreBird22 said:

Shareece Wright after his 49ers game, Jimmy in 2013, 2014, and the second half of 2015, Webb in 2012 prior to injury, Corey Graham in 2012.

Reed?

Diggs was good not even Elam was tragic in '13.

In 2012 everybody complained that Reed was too old and inconsistent (as well as injury prone). So even a HOF like ED REED has not played well under Pees....SMH... unlike Steelcity however... I think that Pees inadequacy extends far beyond the DB's .... in fact I think the entire defense has been inconsistent at best under Pees. I think the DBs struggled the most but all positions seem to be inconsistent since he got here. SMH

[TDRavens52]

I watched every game and it wasn't Jimmy's foot, it was Jimmy not turning his head around, check the tape. He is a shutdown corner without question when he is on his game but the only time he seemed bothered by his foot was vs Amari Cooper when it was obvious his foot speed couldn't keep up.  Other than that, look at the tape and check him out not turning his head around when he was beat.   

[BmoreBird22]

1 hour ago, thecommish said:

LOL... BmoreBird22... you see how that sounds like a reach right? Sharece Wright for a couple of games... Jimmy in 2013 was very inconsistent... in 2014 he played great....in second half of 2015 is saying that he was inconsistent at best (not good for half the year and decent for half the year)... Webb in 2012 and Graham in 2012. So... out of 4 or 5 DBs playing at any time x 4 years (since 2012) that is 20 DBs and you named 3 that played well and 2 kinda well... so that (being generous) is saying at best 5 out of 20 since 2012 meaning 3/4 has not played well under Pees. and really more like 3 out of 20 for just over 10% meaning that nearly 90% of our DBs are not playing well since he arrived. I guess I didnt realize it either until you explained it that way! We really have to reach to find something that Pees has done well in our defensive backfield.

Jimmy played extremly well from week 2 of '13 to week 15 of '13, gets injured in 2014 by a possible career altering injury, and then returns healthy for the '15 season second half, so that explains that. 

Shareece was only here for like 11 games, so to play well in 10 of his 11 is enough for me.

 But we also have to remember who is getting thrown out there- Anthony Levine, Michael Huff, Danny Gorrer, Rashan Melvin, Cary Williams, etc. These aren't great players, so at some point, you have to consider overall talent as well. The talented ones (Smith, Graham, Webb) play well, but the not so talented ones  (Williams, Melvin, Levine) do not. Where's the misunderstanding here?

[BmoreBird22]

7 hours ago, allblackraven said:

Reed?

Diggs was good not even Elam was tragic in '13.

I was thinking of the corners only, but hell, Will Hill was a beast for his time here, too.

[usmccharles]

1 hour ago, TDRavens52 said:

I watched every game and it wasn't Jimmy's foot, it was Jimmy not turning his head around, check the tape. He is a shutdown corner without question when he is on his game but the only time he seemed bothered by his foot was vs Amari Cooper when it was obvious his foot speed couldn't keep up.  Other than that, look at the tape and check him out not turning his head around when he was beat.   

Don't understatement his injury.  Any injury will cause a lack of confidence because you cant do the things you were doing before it.  I have a lot of confidence in him this year

[Crusader]

"Recovering from the Lisfranc sprain took longer than Smith expected" seems to be common with the Ravens.

[steelcityraven]

  11 hours ago, allblackraven said:

Reed?

Diggs was good not even Elam was tragic in '13.

I was thinking of the corners only, but hell, Will Hill was a beast for his time here, too.

Will Hill was not a beast... He was solid and by comparison to how bad our other S played... he may have looked outstanding but was clearly not a beast. Will was wildly inconsistent also and Harbs had even pulled him in to find out what was wrong with the DB.... even if we said WHIII that would make 5 or 6 out of 20 (and that is being very generous). But we have greatly lowered out expectations if we are calling Will Hills play beastly. He had some beastly moments as a Raven but the majority of his time here would have to be described as inconsistent at best. Ohhhh and BTW...look at people like Ihedigbo and Darrian Stewart and how much better they played after they left here! (even Benard Pollard).... IDK I really think that our defensive backfield has suffered and played poorly and inconsistently since Pees got here. (and many times flat out bad)! I am hoping Leslie Frasier changes all of that!

[BmoreBird22]

1 minute ago, steelcityraven said:

Will Hill was not a beast... He was solid and by comparison to how bad our other S played... he may have looked outstanding but was clearly not a beast. Will was wildly inconsistent also and Harbs had even pulled him in to find out what was wrong with the DB.... even if we said WHIII that would make 5 or 6 out of 20 (and that is being very generous). But we have greatly lowered out expectations if we are calling Will Hills play beastly. He had some beastly moments as a Raven but the majority of his time here would have to be described as inconsistent at best. Ohhhh and BTW...look at people like Ihedigbo and Darrian Stewart and how much better they played after they left here! (even Benard Pollard).... IDK I really think that our defensive backfield has suffered and played poorly and inconsistently since Pees got here. (and many times flat out bad)! I am hoping Leslie Frasier changes all of that!

Will Hill was a top 10 safety in his first year and played pretty well for most of the 2015 season. I do agree thay his play slipped in the last few weeks of 2015, but overall, his play was nothing short of stellar.

James Ihedigbo? The same one that can't find a job right now? Yeah, played REALLY well after leaving. 

As far as Stewart goes, he had probably the best pass rush in the NFL and best corners in the NFL. If that doesn't make your job easier and over inflate your value, I don't know what will. He was mediocre with the Rams, picked up his play with the Ravens, and explodes with the most talented players possible around him. Sounds about right. 

As far as Pollard goes, he played well here, he was just a locker room cancer. He played well with the Titans, but it was nothing more exceptional than when he was with the Ravens. He's also out of a job now. 

[steelcityraven]

  5 hours ago, thecommish said:

LOL... BmoreBird22... you see how that sounds like a reach right? Sharece Wright for a couple of games... Jimmy in 2013 was very inconsistent... in 2014 he played great....in second half of 2015 is saying that he was inconsistent at best (not good for half the year and decent for half the year)... Webb in 2012 and Graham in 2012. So... out of 4 or 5 DBs playing at any time x 4 years (since 2012) that is 20 DBs and you named 3 that played well and 2 kinda well... so that (being generous) is saying at best 5 out of 20 since 2012 meaning 3/4 has not played well under Pees. and really more like 3 out of 20 for just over 10% meaning that nearly 90% of our DBs are not playing well since he arrived. I guess I didnt realize it either until you explained it that way! We really have to reach to find something that Pees has done well in our defensive backfield.

Jimmy played extremly well from week 2 of '13 to week 15 of '13, gets injured in 2014 by a possible career altering injury, and then returns healthy for the '15 season second half, so that explains that. 

Shareece was only here for like 11 games, so to play well in 10 of his 11 is enough for me.

 But we also have to remember who is getting thrown out there- Anthony Levine, Michael Huff, Danny Gorrer, Rashan Melvin, Cary Williams, etc. These aren't great players, so at some point, you have to consider overall talent as well. The talented ones (Smith, Graham, Webb) play well, but the not so talented ones  (Williams, Melvin, Levine) do not. Where's the misunderstanding here?

Donny Goerer played well before the Ravens. Cary Williams has played great before and after his time in BMORE. Huff played very well before coming here and then looked like he never know how to play the game while here. DStewart and Ihedigbo were wildly inconsistent here and at times flat out stunk. They left here and magically played great again. KArrington was the most sought after CB FA last season (not named Reevis) and he was wildly inconsistent and at times flat out stunk here! Will Hill was considered one of the best S in the NFL when he was with the NYGiants... came here and was wildly inconsistent. Brooks was a 3rd round draft pick and thought to be a steal there. He has been wildly inconsistent and at times flat out stunk. Matt Elam was a 1st round draft pick... When he came into the league... the book on him was a sure bet... technically sound.... since coming here he has regressed and been wildly inconsistent... and at times flat out stunk! Most people are not calling them both a bust. Melvin was someone who stepped in during the playoffs and played great and the more time he spent in out system the more inconsistent and worse he played! Under Pees, Ed Reed was called too old and slow, and Webb has regressed. Jimmy has been wildly inconsistent and at times flat out stunk. Are we seeing a pattern yet? Are we seeing the bigger common denominator? While many of them has had a good game here or there for us... (that's proof that they have talent) None have been consistent or growing. All have been inconsistent, regressing and more times then not... flat out stink! SMH.... IDK why it is hard to see this? In fact... I even think our FO saw this - which is why they went out and brought a guy like Frazier in to help Pees out!

[manofsteel]

Not no where near worth $48 mil. Never will and never did. He is a CB who can not keep up with his man. Always getting hurt. He just plain su..s. Ravens should trade him off asap. But thats Ozzies little baby. Get rid of Ozzie too

[BmoreBird22]

1 hour ago, steelcityraven said:

Donny Goerer played well before the Ravens. Cary Williams has played great before and after his time in BMORE. Huff played very well before coming here and then looked like he never know how to play the game while here. DStewart and Ihedigbo were wildly inconsistent here and at times flat out stunk. They left here and magically played great again. KArrington was the most sought after CB FA last season (not named Reevis) and he was wildly inconsistent and at times flat out stunk here! Will Hill was considered one of the best S in the NFL when he was with the NYGiants... came here and was wildly inconsistent. Brooks was a 3rd round draft pick and thought to be a steal there. He has been wildly inconsistent and at times flat out stunk. Matt Elam was a 1st round draft pick... When he came into the league... the book on him was a sure bet... technically sound.... since coming here he has regressed and been wildly inconsistent... and at times flat out stunk! Most people are not calling them both a bust. Melvin was someone who stepped in during the playoffs and played great and the more time he spent in out system the more inconsistent and worse he played! Under Pees, Ed Reed was called too old and slow, and Webb has regressed. Jimmy has been wildly inconsistent and at times flat out stunk. Are we seeing a pattern yet? Are we seeing the bigger common denominator? While many of them has had a good game here or there for us... (that's proof that they have talent) None have been consistent or growing. All have been inconsistent, regressing and more times then not... flat out stink! SMH.... IDK why it is hard to see this? In fact... I even think our FO saw this - which is why they went out and brought a guy like Frazier in to help Pees out!

And this is where we know you have no idea what you're talking about because Gorrer made one start prior to the Ravens and don't play a snap for two teams prior to the Ravens (three teams total), then didn't play for three teams after. 

Williams did not play great and he played in four total games with like eight total tackles over the course of two years. He was a routine PS player and then he gets cut by the Eagles and flat out lost his starting job to DeSean Shead with the Seahawks prior to getting cut.

Most on here were livid that the Ravens signed Huff because he wasn't good. He had a decent year at corner, but one good year doesn't absolve how bad he was ar safety prior to that.

Kyle Arrington was the most sought after, but doesn't get signed until May after the draft? Right. Makes total sense.

Ed Reed was old and slow to the point that the Texans cut him, so.... pretty sure he also had a torn shoulder labrum. However, with Reed, he shouldn't be mentioned because he transcends scheme and any poor is on him. 

Jimmy is oft injured, so there's your reason for inconsistent play. When he's stayed healthy for a period of time, he's fine.

I can't even believe you'll try to defend Melvin because he got his first shot here and so his play is not indicative of Pees, especially when he can't stick with a team. 

Diggs was also not some elite player after Baltimore or before. He was a career special teams player before and played well for all of two or three weeks before sinking to mediocre play, again.

Elam was not a sure fire thing. He was the third safety taken in a very weak class where many, many of those first rounders look like busts. However, I like Elam and I want to see what he can do in year three when he's able to settle into one position and not have to try to do everything. 

Or Frazier is a well respected coach and if you have an opportunity to get a good one, you do so. The Ravens brought in Castillo when nothing was wrong with Moeller. It's what you do.

[allblackraven]

19 minutes ago, manofsteel said:

Not no where near worth $48 mil. Never will and never did. He is a CB who can not keep up with his man. Always getting hurt. He just plain su..s. Ravens should trade him off asap. But thats Ozzies little baby. Get rid of Ozzie too

Your Jimmy Smith BS is boring. Get a life.