Ravens LB off to similar start as Hall of Famer
The Ravens have developed some of the NFL's best defenders of all time and it seems history is repeating itself as one of their linebackers' careers is looking eerily similar to a Hall of Famer's.
According to NFL on CBS, LB Roquan Smith and Hall of Fame LB Ray Lewis have almost identical stat lines through their first six seasons in the league.
Smith, who Baltimore traded a second-round pick for in 2022, certainly finds himself in great company with Lewis but will need to continue stacking seasons playing at a high level to stick with him.
Lewis finished his career with 2,050 tackles, 41.5 sacks, 19 forced fumbles, 31 interceptions and three touchdowns while being named to 13 Pro Bowls and the NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice (2000, 2003).
However, Lewis would likely say that his biggest accomplishment in his 17-year NFL career was being a part of two Super Bowl championship teams.
Smith, similarly, has a chance to be a part of a championship squad in 2023. The Ravens are hosting the Chiefs in the AFC title game on Sunday and the six-year linebacker could play a massive role in determining the outcome of the game.
Smith could be given the role of covering future Hall of Fame TE Travis Kelce throughout the game. If he can help shut him down, the Ravens will have a chance to win and head to Super Bowl LVIII.
Good thing for Baltimore, the All-Pro linebacker prides himself on never crumbling under the pressure.
"I don't feel pressure at all. Some do say pressure bursts pipes and breaks diamonds," Smith told reporters. "So, I would say we're in the diamond-making business. At the end of the day, we just have to come out and be who we are."
Only time will tell if the Ravens win their franchise's third Vince Lombardi Trophy by the end of the season. But if they do, Smith will be a big reason why.
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