OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens have proven the past two seasons that they can't finish the job and reach the playoffs without cornerback Jimmy Smith.
The Ravens' challenge this year is to make sure their season doesn't go off the rails in the first month of the season while Smith serves a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.
Smith often has been overlooked for a defense where the spotlight frequently shines on Terrell Suggs and Eric Weddle. But no one affects how the Ravens handle passing attacks the way Smith does, even though he never has reached the Pro Bowl in his seven-year NFL career or intercepted more than three passes in a season.