Ravens DC Mike Macdonald shares where new ILB Roquan Smith can have an impact for Baltimore defense
The Baltimore Ravens acquired inside linebacker Roquan Smith from the Chicago Bears in exchange for a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick and inside linebacker A.J. Klein. It was a move that gives Baltimore another talented playmaker in their front seven, and is another chess piece for defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald to use.
When asked about the addition of Smith and areas where he can impact the game the most, Macdonald talked about some of the things that the two-time All-Pro can do on the field. He mentioned his communication skills, as well as how he can’t pinpoint one specific area, which he said is a compliment do him due to all of the good things that he can do.
“It’s a great question. We’ll see when he gets out there. Obviously, like you said, he’s just such a dynamic player across the board, so it’s hard to kind of pinpoint it one way or another. Something really doesn’t come to mind initially. It’s probably a compliment to him and just all the good things he does bring to the table. But for a guy that hasn’t been in the system, and for how well he communicates and how well he’s picked it up so far … That’s something that we had a … Josh [Bynes] does a great job with [that] as well, so I don’t know if there’s going to be a drop off. But shoot, we’ll see Monday night.”
Smith will slot in next to fellow inside linebacker Patrick Queen, and should get ample opportunities right off of the bat with his new team. He is a needle-moving piece, and someone that could win Baltimore a few games with his high-level play.
