The primary reason the Ravens didn’t get past Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in the playoffs was their injury-riddled secondary. Brady aggressively targeted inexperienced cornerback Rashaan Melvin.
Starting cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb have recovered from a Lisfranc foot sprain and a chronic back injury, respectively. It’s been two years, though, since Webb played a full season. That was only the second time he’s done so in his six NFL seasons.
Smith played just eight games last season before injuring his foot against the Cincinnati Bengals and having to undergo surgery. He’s played 16 games just once in four seasons, but the Ravens are banking on Smith regaining his shutdown form and have signed him to a $48 million contract extension that included $21 million guaranteed.