Smith says he got life in order during suspension
alleged that Smith has a “history of substance abuse and illicit drug usage” and “a history of being physically violent” toward her.
Smith denied the allegations in court papers and to The Baltimore Sun in November. The Ravens said in their statement announcing Smith’s suspension that he had since resolved his “custody and support issues” with the ex-girlfriend, whom they did not identify. An attorney for Sanchez did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Smith, who in the Ravens’ statement acknowledged wrongdoing and took full responsibility for his behavior, is now engaged to another woman.
In the first week of his suspension, he said Thursday, they had an engagement party. The next week, they learned she was pregnant with their second child together.
Smith otherwise negotiated the monthlong wait for football by watching football, by training for football.
At home, he’d study the Ravens’ defensive schemes during game broadcasts and throw a remote if a play went sideways. Other nights, he’d take in a high school or college game in person. In Dallas, he worked with a trainer who revamped his approach to nutrition and strength and conditioning.
At 6 a.m. Monday, his suspension over, the Ravens’ win over the Pittsburgh Steelers just hours old, Smith awoke and wondered when the team facility would open. He waited it out, arriving two hours later.
“I was texting him every week, man,” said safety Eric Weddle, who’s close to Smith. “I was counting down the days: There’s three weeks, and then there’s two weeks, then it wasthe day before. I was like, ‘Forty-eight hours!’ ” Smith’s response, according to Weddle: “Actually, it’s 34 hours and 30minutes before I’m in the building.”
Smith’s absence was supposed to be a problem for the Ravens, who struggled without their top cornerback toward the end of last season. Now his return has caused what players have called a “great problem”: Who plays in the secondary?
On Thursday, defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale said starter Brandon Carr, the team’s top-rated cornerback, would continue to add to his streak of 164 consecutive starts Sunday against the Cleveland Browns, a mark second only to Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers’ (196 straight).
What that means for the rest of a pass defense that has allowed the NFL’s stingiest passer rating through four weeks will become clear over time. Martindale said Smith looked “fine” at practice Wednesday, his first since his ban ended, and was encouraged that Smith reported no soreness afterward.
But Smith, who has started all 16 games in a season just twice in his seven-plus-year career, was frank about his readiness.
“There’s only one way to get in football shape: It’s playing football,” he said. “I might run a thousand gassers, but until I get out there and cover somebody, that’s when you really get back into the groove.”
Weddle said Thursday that, given recent history, the organization’s decision on Smith’s future in Baltimore “could’ve easily been the other way.” A year after Ray Rice’s 2014 release and suspension for an incident in which he assaulted his then-fiancee, Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti told season-ticket holders that the organization considered domestic violence “something that’s just unacceptable.”
But the Ravens said in August that they “believe [Smith] is taking the proper steps to improve and that he can change.” Smith is not focused on his contract situation, he said Thursday, but neither he nor the Ravens can afford another slip-up.
Smith is in line for a salary cap hit of $15.85 million next season, behind only quarterback Joe Flacco, but the Ravens would save $9.5 million if they released him. He said he could concern himself only with helping the organization that has stood by him.
“Obviously, us as players, we know Jimmy and know what he went through and know what it means to him,” Weddle said. “As you get older, you appreciate certain things, little things, right? It’s the relationships, it’s your teammates, it’s the team that backed you. I think he’s come with a different appreciation to what this game has brought to him.”