When general manager Ozzie Newsome addressed the media in a press conference back in January, he made it clear to Ravens fans that his number one priority was to add a high-caliber pass catcher in the offseason.
Mission accomplished.
Newsome kept his word when Baltimore signed wide receiver Steve Smith to a three-year deal last week after the Carolina Panthers released the veteran.
This move was the highlight of a busy first week of free agency for the Baltimore Ravens. And every move the front office has made to this point makes the team better.
The Smith signing fills a major void that was apparent for most of last season in Baltimore. Joe Flacco and the offense lacked a consistent go-to guy when clutch conversions needed to be made. The 13-year veteran brings a level of toughness and reliability to the Ravens receiving core, and should be a good complement to the speedy and explosive Torrey Smith and Jacoby Jones and the across-the-middle targets of tight end Dennis Pitta and Marlon Brown.
Some speculate that Smith's age will soon catch up to him, and that he's lost a step in recent years. But if a team was looking to add a top-notch receiver this offseason, he was by far the best option available. And the Ravens got him.
Surprisingly, Smith is the only player that the Ravens have signed this offseason that wasn't on last year's squad. But that doesn't mean that the team hasn't been making essential moves, as they've been re-signing key pieces for future success.
Perhaps their biggest in-house priority was locking up Dennis Pitta long term. They did so when they signed the tight end to a five year deal, avoiding the use of the franchise tag.
The team kept another dangerous downfield threat in purple in black when they re-signed Jacoby Jones to a three year contract. The team was unsure if Jones would return to Baltimore, as other clubs showed serious interest in the speedy receiver and return man. But in the end, Jones cited his love for the organization and the city of Baltimore as the reason for taking less money to return to the Ravens.
A move that has not gotten nearly as much attention is the Ravens keeping left tackle Eugene Monroe with a five-year deal. Baltimore has been searching for a quality blindside protector since Hall-of-Famer Jonathan Ogden retired. After acquiring the former first-round draft pick from Jacksonville in the middle of last season, Monroe was consistently effective in protecting Flacco's left side. Now the Ravens have their franchise left tackle for the foreseeable future.
And you can't say enough about the tremendous job linebacker Daryl Smith did; he stepped into the middle of the defense last year and filled the shoes of Ray Lewis better than anyone could've imagined, leading the team in tackles. The veteran brought an intensity and a consistency on defense, and will continue to do so, as the Ravens re-signed Smith to a four-year contract.
So while the Ravens haven't necessarily brought in a bunch of players from other teams thus far this offseason, their retaining of great players from last year's team was essential. And while the front office has done a good job locking up the players that needed to be back, they've also made smart moves in regards to letting players from last year's squad walk away.
Defensive lineman Arthur Jones, who had a breakout year rushing the passer last year, signed a five-year deal worth $33 million with the Indianapolis Colts. While Jones is a solid player, and it would've been nice to see him stay in Baltimore, it was smart of the team not to pay him that much.
This has become a near-annual practice for the Ravens: A pass rusher has the best year of his career and thrives in the Baltimore system, his production demands more money, and the team decides to let him get paid that money elsewhere. And historically, the Ravens seem smart each and every time; Adalius Thomas, Jarret Johnson and Paul Kruger highlight a list of outside pass rushers who have not yet matched their success in Baltimore with the team that decided to overpay them.
And that lost pass rusher has been replaced by another viable option every time; this season will be no different. With Arthur Jones gone, Pernell McPhee can be the next man in line if given the chance. This guy is special, and has the potential to be a beast of a pass rusher. Courtney Upshaw could also take a step up.
Michael Oher and Corey Graham have also signed with other teams. And to both I say "good riddance."
Ravens fans wanted to support Michael Oher after Baltimore drafted him, and cheered for him in his first couple of years whenever possible. But the tolerance for Oher's mistakes quickly faded, and he could never play consistently. When Oher wanted as much money to return to Baltimore as Monroe, the choice was simple: Pay the better player. The Ravens did that, and Oher ended up signing with the Tennessee Titans.
And Graham caught fire on the Ravens' run to the Super Bowl two postseasons ago after the team added him just before the playoffs, and was considered one of Baltimore's best defensive backs heading into last season. But Graham's play declined significantly, and there's no way he's worth the Buffalo Bills' offer of three years and $15 million.
Overall, the Ravens have done an excellent job just one week into free agency. And they're definitely not done yet.
