Baltimore Ravens LB Roquan Smith Goes ‘100 Miles An Hour!’
The Baltimore Ravens made quite the splash by trading for linebacker Roquan Smith and an even bigger one when they signed him to a $100 million five-year extension.
In his first 16 games playing for the Ravens, Smith has racked up 71 tackles and three and a half sacks while bringing plenty of energy.
He’s even become popular among Baltimore observers for his tradition of sprinting onto the practice field.
“It’s his statement,” coach John Harbaugh said of the practice. “Everybody has their way of doing it, and I think it’s one of his things. He brings energy. Maybe it’s his way of saying, ‘When I step on the field, I’m 100 miles an hour. I’m full speed beginning to end, sideline to sideline, wall to wall.’ That’s the way he practices. It’s the way he plays. As a coach, of course you love that.”
Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (0) reacts after a play during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium.
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, the energy Smith brings is part of the reason the Ravens brought him over from the Chicago Bears last year in the first place.
The fact that his influence is being felt by younger teammates is a cherry on top that could have long-reaching benefits for the team.
“Ro’ is talkative. It’s a good thing,” second-year safety Kyle Hamilton says of his veteran teammate. “He loves to communicate, but he’s also nonstop talking in the locker room, too. If you’re coming in here tired, he’s going to call you out and wake you up, he’s a great guy…I have noticed (his tradition of sprinting onto the field) because I’m actually out there with special teams…I think it fits him…He’s our energy guy. If you’re going to be the energy guy, you have to do it all the time.”
That energy has helped Baltimore secure five wins so far this season with a chance to make it six against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8.
