Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is entering the final year of his contract, but he isn't too concerned about it.
There was a lot of talk this offseason that the Ravens would cut Smith, but they ultimately decided to keep him for 2019.
“The Ravens know how much I love them, and I know how much the Ravens love me, and I went through some stuff. It could have easily gone both ways, so I’m excited and happy to still be here,” Smith said, per Ryan Mink of the team's official site.
Mink writes that Smith “got no offseason assurances from the front office that his roster spot was safe,” and there was a lot of speculation the team wouldn't want him back at his hefty $15.85 million salary.
Smith was a first round pick back in 2011, and he got a huge extension a few years ago. He's usually been solid when on the field, but he was banged up in 2017 and suspended for four games last year. Meanwhile, Smith is saying he's just happy to have made it this far, all the way to the end of his deal.
“After you get your second contract here, you hope to stay, but to actually reach the end of it – this is my last year in it – so to reach the end of it is an accomplishment for me,” he explained.
Smith will turn 31 next month, so he's starting to take his health and body more seriously.
“When you’re young, you can eat chicken wings, hot wings, pizza, then go out and play a game and there’s no problem,” Smith said. “The older you get, you start to actually feel like one candy bar kind of slowed me down today.”
All kidding aside, he emphasized that he's feeling good.
“I feel great, though, to be honest. It’s a full offseason of being healthy, and every year I say the same. I’m actually healthy. I’m doing well, and I’m looking forward to doing well this year.”
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