Roquan Smith is in the enterprise of making tackles, not excuses.
The All-Pro inside linebacker is setting a excessive bar for the way he expects the Ravens’ protection to play in 2024. It shall be Zach Orr’s first season as defensive coordinator and the first time Smith has performed in Baltimore with out his former working mate at inside linebacker, Patrick Queen, who signed with the Steelers in free company.
Smith is keen to get began, already collaborating in the offseason conditioning program and persevering with to embrace his position as a workforce chief on protection. He expects the Ravens, who led the league in sacks, takeaways and fewest factors allowed in 2023, to be ferocious once more on protection. That’s what Smith at all times expects.
“I’ve the utmost respect for ‘Z.O.’ [Orr] and the means he runs issues,” Smith mentioned. “He’s a fiery man, very intense, actually matches my persona, however I feel it matches the defensive persona in addition to the group, as being a Raven. I feel what he embodies is strictly what you need in a coordinator.
“I’m very grateful for (former Defensive Coordinator) Mike (Macdonald) and every part that he had carried out right here. But, the gamers, life goes on. [I] want all these guys the greatest who’re going on with their profession. But, do not something change right here. We’re nonetheless the Ravens, and we’re nonetheless going to get the job carried out and end it by any means essential. That’s our mindset.”
Smith joked about how he is dealing with Queen’s departure.
“I’ve received to tear his image down in the linebacker room – , we’ve linebackers throughout the partitions. So, I have to perhaps make a video of me punching it or one thing like that.
“I’m glad for him. I’m wishing him all the greatest, and it will be good to see him twice a 12 months. He’s nonetheless my man, however struggle is struggle. That’s what it’s.”
