Jimmy Smith - Pro Football Rumors

Ravens CB Jimmy Smith Facing Suspension

August 20th, 2018 at 7:15pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens are preparing for cornerback Jimmy Smith to receive a multi-game suspension for violation of the league’s personal conduct policy, sources tell Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. The 30-year-old is appealing the punishment, and after leaving the team this weekend, he isn’t expected to play during Monday’s game against the Colts. The organization had known about the impending suspension for some time, and Smith was set to meet with league officials today.

Specifics of Smith’s violation aren’t clear, but Zrebiec reports that the league had been monitoring a child custody case between the player and his first child’s mother. Last year, the woman had accused Smith of domestic violence and drug use, allegations that the cornerback denied.

The seven-year veteran has missed plenty of time since entering the league, and his 2017 campaign ended with a torn Achilles’ tendon. The NFL suspended Smith soon after for performance-enhancing drugs. The cornerback was banned for four games, but he was allowed to serve the suspension while he recovered from his injury. The cornerback ultimately finished the campaign having compiled 28 tackles, nine passes defended, and three interceptions.

The Ravens had worked out cornerback Bashaud Breeland back in July, and they could reconsider signing the free agent if Smith is indeed suspended. The Ravens could also roll with their current crop of cornerbacks, a grouping that includes Brandon Carr, former first-rounder Marlon Humphrey, and rookie fourth-rounder Anthony Averett.

North Notes: Vikes, Browns, Ravens, Sutton

May 26th, 2018 at 7:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

At Vikings OTAs this week, they placed Mike Remmers back at right tackle, per Michael Rand of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Remmers finished last season playing guard, and the Vikings used a second-round pick on tackle Brian O’Neill out of Pittsburgh. Minnesota had UFA signee Tom Compton working as its first-string right guard during OTAs, per Rand. Compton has never been a full-time starter in his six-year career, coming closest with the 2014 Redskins, who used him as a nine-game starter. Last season, the Bears started Compton in five of the 11 games he played. Minnesota lost its most effective blocker, Joe Berger, to retirement and did not make any notable additions beyond Compton at the guard spot.

Here’s more from the north:

The Browns have made some adjustments to their front office and scouting department, and Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com expects that to continue. She targets the VP of player personnel decision as a possible turnover spot. Alonzo Highsmith, Ken Kovash and Andrew Berry currently reside in that role. John Dorsey just hired Highsmith, and Cabot reports Berry is safe from a change despite being an integral part of the previous regime. The Browns promoted Kovash shortly after the Sashi Brown regime took over in 2016 after he’d previously worked as the franchise’s director of football research.
Converted cornerback Damarious Randall will be the Browns’ starter at free safety this season, relocating Jabrill Peppers to strong safety, per Cabot. Gregg Williams‘ deep placement of Peppers, sometimes more than 25 yards off the ball, became a constant source of discussion and derision among Browns fans, and Peppers himself may be a bit tired of the jokes. But the Browns will now place him closer to the line of scrimmage, which is similar to the role he had at Michigan.
Optimism exists around Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith, who saw a strong season end early in 2017 because of a torn Achilles, but Jeff Zreibec of the Baltimore Sun notes the veteran may not be ready for the start of training camp. The career-long Raven is going into his age-30 season.
Additional Ravens’ timelines are coming into focus as well. Defensive lineman Carl Davis, who started nine games last season, underwent surgery to repair a tear in his shoulder earlier this offseason, Zreibec reports. The former third-round pick is questionable to participate in minicamp. Offensive lineman Nico Siragusa also had an operation this offseason. The 2017 fourth-round pick missed all of last season because of ACL, MCL and PCL tears and required an additional knee surgery this year. Zreibec reports the goal for him is a training camp return. As for Alex Lewis, Baltimore’s projected guard starter opposite Marshal Yanda, he’s fully recovered from the shoulder injury that nixed all of his 2017 season, Zreibec notes.
The Steelers aren’t sure where to station Cameron Sutton. The 2017 third-round pick played 117 snaps as a rookie after an injury delayed his NFL debut. Pittsburgh may be planning to use him at outside or slot cornerback, or as a safety alongside Morgan Burnett, Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. But he notes that Artie Burns and Sean Davis will still have first crack at their respective jobs, outside cornerback and the non-Burnett safety starter, with the Steelers still hoping for the high draft picks’ upside to show. Mike Hilton remains the frontrunner to be the Steelers’ slot corner, where the former UDFA fared well in 2017.

Ravens Notes: Smith, Wideouts, Draft, Humphrey

March 3rd, 2018 at 12:29pm CST by Ben Levine

The Ravens “continue to get positive reports” on cornerback Jimmy Smith‘s recovery from a torn left Achilles tendon. The veteran suffered the injury in a December win over the Lions. While there’s uncertainty if Smith will be ready in time for the start of the regular season, the defensive back has still been rehabbing the injury at the team facility “on a regular basis.”

“I see Jimmy. He’s there because he’s rehabbing. I see him in the building. He’s telling me he’s doing very well,” said general manager Ozzie Newsome (via Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun). “I spoke with Drew [Rosenhaus] earlier in the week and Drew indicated that he just spent some time with Jimmy and Jimmy was doing well.”

Before his injury, Smith had compiled 28 tackles, nine passes defended, and three interceptions. The 2011 first-round pick has spent his entire seven-year career with the Ravens.

Let’s check out some more notes out of Baltimore…

Newsome previously said that the team is expected to reset the wide receiver position this offseason, and Zrebiec tweets that the sentiment “doesn’t bode well” for the returns of wideouts Jeremy Maclin and Mike Wallace. The duo combined for only 92 receptions, 1,188 yards, and seven touchdowns last season. Maclin has one year remaining on his contract (along with a $7.5MM cap hit), while Wallace is an unrestricted free agent.
With the Ravens apparently seeking reinforcement at wide receiver, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora tweets that a reunion with Torrey Smith is a “very real possibility.” The Eagles are expected to decline the 29-year-old’s 2018 option. Smith started 14 games during his only season in Philly, hauling in 36 receptions for 430 yards and two touchdowns. The 2011 second-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career in Baltimore.
Despite Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti‘s assertion that his team wouldn’t select a successor to Joe Flacco, La Canfora believes the team could still “invest a high pick” on a quarterback in this year’s draft. The Ravens haven’t been in the market for backup quarterbacks, and the team is “most likely” to select a wideout with their first-round pick. However, the reporter notes that the team is doing “considerable work” on the rookie passers, and they “very well could use a top pick on a quarterback if the right guy is there.”
The felony robbery charge against cornerback Marlon Humphrey has been dismissed, reports ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley. The 2017 first-rounder was accused of stealing a phone charger from an Uber, but Judge Joanne Jannik ruled that there was no probable cause to prosecute. After being selected 16th-overall in last year’s draft, Humphrey filled in admirably for Jimmy Smith, compiling 34 tackles and two interceptions.

AFC North Notes: Shazier, Britt, McCarron

December 10th, 2017 at 12:22pm CST by Rory Parks

Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier underwent spinal stabilization surgery Wednesday night in Pittsburgh, and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that Shazier continues to show gradual improvement, though he remains hospitalized. Per Schefter, doctors are controlling and limiting Shazier’s movement as they wait for the swelling and bruising in his back to subside, and it is of course too soon to determine if he will be able to play again. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports adds that Shazier is expected to remain in the hospital for a few more days, but that his prognosis is “optimistic.”

Now let’s take a swing around the rest of the AFC North:

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes that, before Jimmy Smith‘s season-ending Achilles tear last week, there was talk that the Ravens could release Brandon Carr to create cap space and rely on Smith and the team’s cadre of young and talented corners. Zrebiec, though, thought that was a bad idea before the Smith injury, and he believes it’s even worse now. Carr has played reasonably well, and Smith’s latest injury is just further proof that Baltimore cannot count on him for a full season (he may not even be ready for the start of 2018). Zrebiec thinks the Ravens should not only retain Carr, but they should also continue to bolster their CB corps.
It does not sound as if the Browns will face any discipline for their alleged violation of the Rooney Rule in their hiring of John Dorsey. La Canfora reports that he spoke last night with John Wooten, chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, and Wooten indicated that his concerns with Cleveland’s GM search have been addressed. Wooten added that he has no issue with the hiring of the highly-qualified Dorsey (Twitter links).
The waiver period for claiming the contract of former Browns wide receiver Kenny Britt ends tomorrow at 4pm, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk observes. While Cleveland would love for someone to claim Britt off waivers, thereby absolving the Browns of the balance of his salary, that seems unlikely at this point. Florio writes that Britt wants to sign with a playoff contender if he clears waivers, and that the Patriots could be a team to watch in that scenario.
A ruling on A.J. McCarron‘s grievance will be made in February, as La Canfora reports. The Bengals‘ backup QB has argued that he should be an unrestricted free agent when the 2018 league year opens, while the league feels he should be a restricted free agent. In any event, the matter will be resolved before free agency gets underway.

NFL Suspends Ravens’ Jimmy Smith

December 4th, 2017 at 10:09am CST by Zachary Links

On Sunday, Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith suffered a season-ending injury. Now, Smith has been hit with a suspension for performance enhancing drugs (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com).

The good news – if there is good news in this situation – is that Smith can serve the suspension while injured. He has withdrawn his appeal of the four-game ban, so he will be able to take the field when he is healthy for Week 1 next year.

Smith, 30 this summer, tore his Achilles on a non-contact play on Sunday against the Lions. Unfortunately, the injury and the suspension will put a damper on what has been a career year for the veteran. So far this year, Pro Football Focus has Smith ranked as one of the 12 best corners in the entire NFL with a career-high overall score. We have yet to hear an explanation from Smith on his positive test, but critics will undoubtedly connect the dots between his alleged PED use and his improved play.

The playoffs are still within reach for the 7-5 Ravens, but they’ll have to find a way to get by without one of their top defenders the rest of the way.

Jimmy Smith Out For Season

December 3rd, 2017 at 3:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Ravens picked up a key win Sunday, keeping their wild-card hopes going strong. But their playoff push will have to unfold without a key performer the rest of the way.

Jimmy Smith will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn Achilles’ tendon against the Lions, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Smith sustained the injury on a non-contact play but had been dealing with Achilles trouble prior to this unfortunate setback.

John Harbaugh confirmed the diagnosis.

The seventh-year cornerback was operating as one of the best players at his position this season, rating as Pro Football Focus’ No. 12 corner coming into Week 13. This obviously isn’t the first time Smith’s encountered injury trouble. He finished last season on IR due to ankle issues, and a foot malady ended his 2014 campaign after eight games.

The Ravens are more prepared to handle a blow like this in 2017 than they were last season, having signed Brandon Carr in March and having drafted Marlon Humphrey in the first round. But neither were having the kind of season Smith was.

Ravens, Jimmy Smith Restructure Deal

August 10th, 2017 at 9:50am CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens and cornerback Jimmy Smith have agreed to a restructuring of his deal that will open up some cap room for the team. Smith will now have $7.725MM of his $8.5MM base salary converted into a signing bonus, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. The adjustment will create $5.15MM in cap space for Baltimore.

After suffering a rash of injuries this offseason, the Ravens likely wanted the extra breathing room so that they could explore reinforcements. For example, if Joe Flacco‘s back does not improve and Ryan Mallett continues to struggle in practice, the Ravens may want to look into adding a free agent quarterback. The Ravens may also want to look into tight end depth in the wake of Crockett Gillmore‘s injury (which followed Dennis Pitta‘s injury/release) and they could still use some offensive line help even after adding Austin Howard to the mix.

Smith also restructured his contract last offseason, so this marks the second time that he has adjusted his four-year, $48MM extension since signing it in 2015. Last year, the cornerback’s season ended in mid-December after he suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Patriots. In 11 games, the 29-year-old racked up 32 tackles and four passes defended.

The defensive back joined the Ravens as a first-round pick in 2011, and he’s started each of his 51 games over the past four seasons. This year, he returns as a starter alongside free agent addition Brandon Carr.

Ravens Place Jimmy Smith On IR, Promote Keenan Reynolds

December 30th, 2016 at 3:03pm CST by Ben Levine

Jimmy Smith‘s season is over. Ravens coach John Harbaugh announced earlier this week that the cornerback wouldn’t play this weekend, and Ryan Mink of BaltimoreRavens.com reports that the team has placed the veteran on the injured reserve. Wideout Keenan Reynolds has been promoted from the practice squad to take Smith’s roster spot.

Smith suffered a high-ankle sprain during his team’s mid-December matchup against the Patriots, and he hasn’t taken the field since that time. In 11 games this season, the 28-year-old compiled 32 tackles and four passes defended. The defensive back joined the Ravens as a first-round pick in 2011, and he’s started each of his 51 games over the past four seasons. The team inked Smith to a four-year, $48MM extension ($21MM guaranteed) in 2015, and the two sides restructured that contract last offseason.

Reynolds, a former standout quarterback at Navy, was taken in the sixth-round of this past year’s draft. The rookie has spent the entire season on the practice squad as he’s made his transition to receiver, and the organization is rewarding the player for “a year of hard work.”

Reynolds is expected to make his NFL debut this weekend, and the organization is considering the contest “a one-game audition for next year.” The rookie struggled during camp and the preseason, recording a number of drops at receiver and as a return man. As a result, the rookie landed on the practice squad.

“It’s been a great challenge, but also an opportunity for me to get a lot better,” Reynolds said. “I feel like a wide receiver now. My arm hurts if I throw too much.”

The former quarterback ran for 88 rushing touchdowns during his four-year collegiate career, the most in NCAA FBS history. Reynolds also threw for 4,001 yards, 31 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Ravens’ Jimmy Smith Restructures Contract

March 10th, 2016 at 7:44am CST by Luke Adams

Veteran cornerback Jimmy Smith has become the latest Raven to restructure his contract, freeing up a little extra cap room for the team for the 2016 season. According to Brian McFarland of RussellStreetReport.com (via Twitter), Smith converted $6MM of his base salary for 2016 to a signing bonus.

Smith had initially been set to earn a fully guaranteed $7MM base salary for 2016, with a cap hit of $9.6MM. By reducing his salary to $1MM and spreading that new $6MM bonus evenly over the remaining four years on his contract, the Ravens free up $4.5MM in cap room, reducing Smith’s cap number to $5.1MM.

Smith’s is the latest in line of contracat restructures for the Ravens, who also reworked Marshal Yanda‘s contract, extended Joe Flacco, and had Kyle Arrington take a pay cut. As Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun observes (via Twitter), those moves ultimately created more than $15MM in cap savings.

While Smith’s new-look contract helps the Ravens out in the short term, the team may need to address the deal again as soon as next year. By adding $1.5MM to the cornerback’s cap hit in each year from 2017 to 2019, Baltimore increases his future cap charges to $12.6MM (2017), $13.1MM (2018), and $13.6MM (2019).

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Ravens Sign Jimmy Smith To Extension

April 21st, 2015 at 2:30pm CST by Luke Adams

2:30pm: The Ravens officially announced the completion deal at a press conference with local reporters.

2:04pm: It’s a four-year extension worth $48MM, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk (on Twitter). The deal includes $21MM in fully guaranteed cash.

1:54pm: Smith’s new deal will average just under $10MM per year, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter).

1:42pm: The Ravens and cornerback Jimmy Smith have reached a verbal agreement on a contract extension that will keep Smith in Baltimore beyond the 2015 season, the team announced today in a press release. Smith’s deal had been set to expire next March.

Smith, 26, has spent the first four years of his career with the Ravens, though injuries have limited his playing time since he entered the league as the 27th overall pick in 2011. In his four NFL seasons, Smith has missed 16 regular season contests, including eight in 2014. A Baltimore secondary hit hard by injuries last season struggled when he wasn’t in the lineup.

When he has been healthy, Smith has quickly developed into one of the more reliable cornerbacks in the NFL. During the 2013 campaign, the only season in which Smith played all 16 games, he recorded a +4.1 grade on Pro Football Focus (subscription required), limiting opposing quarterbacks to a 54.3% completion percentage and a 76.3 passer rating on throws into his coverage.

As a former first-round pick, Smith had a fifth-year option included on his rookie contract, and had been set to play the coming season on that option-year salary of $6.898MM. We’ll have to wait and see whether the new deal alters that figure, but the Colorado product figures to be in line for a raise for future seasons. Annual salaries for the top free agent corners this offseason – including Byron Maxwell, Brandon Flowers, Kareem Jackson, and Chris Culliver – ranged from $8-11MM, and I’d expect Smith to land in that neighborhood as well.

Heading into the 2015 season, Smith figures to start across from Lardarius Webb, who reworked his contract last month in order to remain in Baltimore. The two veteran corners will join safeties Matt Elam and newly-signed Kendrick Lewis in the Ravens’ starting lineup.

Of the 2011 first-round picks who had their fifth-year options picked up last spring, Smith is the second one to sign an extension in 2015, on the heels of Mike Pouncey‘s new deal with the Dolphins. A handful of 2011 first-rounders, including J.J. Watt, Tyron Smith, and Patrick Peterson, inked new contracts with their respective teams in 2014.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.