OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Within minutes of the NFL announcing Jimmy Smith's four-game suspension Tuesday night, the Baltimore Ravens released a statement saying that they remained committed to their star cornerback.
This is a no-brainer for the franchise from a football and financial standpoint.
It is also a major risk for a franchise that was in the national spotlight less than four years ago because of a domestic abuse incident.
Since the Ray Rice incident, no team has taken a harder stance on violence against women than the Ravens.