The longer Harrison Smith has played for Mike Zimmer, the more he has learned about the defensive backs who, the coach likes to remind him, still rank higher on Zimmer's all-time list than Smith does.
"He's always kind of let me know that Darren Woodson was his guy. His best safety," Smith said. "So I've always kind of been chasing Woody in that way, and continue to do so."
Smith, 32, spent three years as teammates with another player — cornerback Terence Newman — who ranks near the top of Zimmer's list. The two still stay in touch, and now that Smith is in his 10th season, Newman's longevity remains something of a gold standard for him.