Baltimore Ravens: LB Daryl Smith to be released
By Joe Serpico
A day after give Joe Flacco an extension, the Baltimore Ravens have released veteran linebacker Daryl Smith for salary cap purposes.
One of the more underrated linebackers in the NFL is looking for a new home as the Ravens have decided to release Daryl Smith after three years in Baltimore. Adam Shefter broke the news on Twitter, but the team has not made an official announcement yet.
Earlier this month, I wrote that the likelihood of Smith leaving was a good possibility:
“The future for Smith in Baltimore is murky. He has pondered retirement the past two off seasons and it’s possible that he decides that this past season was his last. The Ravens would also save over $2.6 million if they decide to cut him. If this season was the last we see of Smith, we certainly noticed how productive he was for the Ravens and thank him for his services.”
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He led the Ravens in tackles two of the past three seasons, including last year when he totaled 121 tackles. He also recorded three sacks in 2015, but was not on the field in passing situations. The regression was noticeable as Smith recorded a minus-9 grade from Pro Football Focus last season. That’s a huge drop off from the plus-14 mark he had a year ago.
The Ravens re-signed Albert McClellan to a three-year contract earlier in the week to solidify the depth, while undrafted free agent Zach Orr is likely to take Smith’s place on the starting lineup. C.J. Mosley will take over the leadership duties from the inside backer position. This also gives Arthur Brown, the Ravens’ second-round pick in 2013, an opportunity to maybe get some playing time.
The question now is whether Smith decides to play for another season or call it quits on his career. He has hinted at retirement in the past and the Ravens decision to cut him might be the end of the line.
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The Ravens will be thankful for Smith coming to Baltimore as he was a top priority for the team after Ray Lewis retired. He never got the notoriety that he deserved, but Baltimoreans should be appreciative for Smith keeping the tradition of phenomenal play from the inside linebackers alive.