In its initial eight video games without him, the defense was giving up just under 23 points per game. The metrics reveal the defense has enhanced virtually throughout the board given that Smith became a DEEPERRoquan Smith makes the Ravens' defense a lot more formidable, hazardous and also versatileThere is absolutely a school of thought that several NFL organizations comply with that suggests costs huge bucks on a non-premium placement, like an off-ball linebacker, is not good lineup building. In describing their choice to not make Smith the highest-paid inside linebacker in the league, the Bears' decision-makers brought up an absence of ball manufacturing. Smith has 8 career interceptions and just one career compelled fumble and also fumble healing in 5 NFL linebacker, though, has actually constantly been a beauty position in Baltimore and the Ravens have commonly bought it, both in terms of cash and also draft picks. Probably, that's what occurs when probably the very best gamer to ever play the setting, Ray Lewis, spent all 17 seasons of his Hall of Fame profession with the , incidentally, is a big follower of Smith's, whom he satisfied years ago while running an Under Armour football camp. " That's the means the linebacker position is played. He's constructed to play the linebacker position," Lewis said Tuesday. "That's what he does quite possibly: Find it, reach it and also punish it. He's someone that I delight in watching play, and also his management. Although he's not a rah-rah person, his management is way beyond of what individuals offer him credit for. He challenges individuals to recognize it, to understand it, to feel it as well as to be accountable. That aligns with a great leader. I love Roquan Smith. " The Ravens feel similarly. But before this agreement involved fulfillment, they first had to guarantee Smith loved them back. Goal completed Ravens Jersey. Photo: Tommy Gilligan/ USA Today).