More Great News: Ravens Sign Shutdown Corner Jimmy Smith To A Contract Extension

Ravens –  The Ravens have struck a long-term deal with veteran cornerback Jimmy Smith, an agreement that locks up one of the top young defensive backs in the NFL. The deal averages nearly $10 million annually, according to sources. Smith finished last season on injured reserve due to a left foot injury, a Lisfranc sprain, that required surgery. Before his injury, Smith was among the best cornerbacks in the NFL. Smith is expected to make a full recovery. In eight games last season this year, Smith had been targeted just 39 times and allowed 20 catches for 163 yards and no touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. Smith also had one interception, eight passes defended and 28 total tackles. The Ravens showed how much they value Smith during the offseason last year when they exercised their fifth-year option on the 2011 first-round draft pick from Colorado. Smith’s original four-year rookie contract was due to expire after this season. By exercising the fifth-year option, the Ravens ensured that Smith under contract through the 2015 season. He’s due a partially guaranteed $6.898 million base salary for next year, and that compensation becomes fully guaranteed if he’s on the roster on the first day of the 2015 league year.

Great, great news. Jimmy Smith has developed over the years into a premier corner in the National Football League, and he’s only 26. You could only reel off a handful of cover corners better than Smith, and even fewer still in their mid-20’s. He had one year left on his rookie deal, but he deserved a bigger payday. Now that’s out of the way and he can focus on just football in 2015. Ozzie loves to get ahead of the ball on these things and lock up players he deems irreplaceable. You’d be hard-pressed to find a position in the NFL in higher demand (outside of QB) than cover corner.

Now you might say that $10 million/yr sounds a little much, but that’s about spot on… even with the Ravens’ current cap issues. The structuring of the deal hasn’t been announced yet, but I’m sure it’s light in year one and a bit heavier down the road. That’s okay. Flacco will be re-structuring next off-season, and the Ravens won’t be tied down by Ngata and Ray Rice’s figures any longer come 2016. So no worries. Smith was the key to the defense last year. It sure as hell showed when his (5th-string or so) replacement got torched in New England to the tune of about 225 yards. With Jimmy around for years, that won’t happen again. Those are the guys you keep around for a long time, and that’s what Ozzie took care of today. Perfect.