Meet Your Newest Raven (cont.)/Good Guys Links-Ravens

As we posted up here yesterday, per the Baltmo Sun, former Eagles TE L.J. Smith is set to join the purple and black, provided he passes a physical tomorrow. I posted my own opinions of Smith yesterday, but I figured I'd give you some legit facts about the new guy. Thankfully I had the Philadelphia Eagles 2008 media guide in my office at the day job. So here are some other facts about your soon-to-be newest Raven from the Eagles media guide:

- "An athletic, playmaking tight end with good pass catching ability..."

- "Partook in Russian Kettlebell training once a week during the 2008 offseason under the direction of Carlos Bradley, a former Chargers and Eagles linebacker. 'I could only do it one day per week. It's tough. I wouldn't recommend doing it twice or more in a week. You just can't do it. Sometimes I just wanted to quit during the workout. It's a total body workout.'"

- "Aspires to one day produce his own music and would like to learn more about the audio and technical parts of the business. 'The world would be a boring place without music. Music can inspire people in so many different ways.' Favorite artists include Biggie, 50 Cent/G Unit, Brian McKnight and T.I."

- "Started playing the guitar during the 2006 offseason. After mentioning to a friend that he wanted to learn to play, his friend gave him his first acoustic guitar."

"Let's duet L.J."

- "Is the proud owner of a miniature English bulldog named 'Jiggz.'"

"This almost makes up for the guitar L.J."

-"Enjoys watching 'The First 48' and 'Family Guy.'"

"It's game night. We're playin'...sex!"

- "Full name: John Smith III; L.J. stands for 'Little John.'"

"YEEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"

Other Ravens Links:

- Orlando Pace will also be in town to take a physical Thursday, although he has not been offered a contract.

- Chris Carr is signed, sealed and delivered. Alas, I did not have a media guide profile for him.

- Ravens blog Baltimore Beatdown on the Ravens draft prospects with the 26th pick.

Meet Your Newest Raven/Good Guys Links - Ravens

Welcome aboard to the purple and black, Mr. L.J. Smith!

According to Jamison at the Sun, it's a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. Smith will basically replace Dan Wilcox as the second tight end behind Todd Heap.


It's a fairly low-risk, high-reward signing for the Ravens. Smith had trouble staying healthy and consistent during his six years with the Philadelphia Eagles but here, he will be looked at as an additional down-the-middle threat for QB Jersey Joe Flacco. Smith has always looked the part of a great tight end but his production hasn't always matched the skill set. He should see more passes in Cam Cameron's offense but won't have the pressure of being a #1 TE. All told, like I said before, a very low-risk, high-reward kind of signing.

Additional Ravens stuff:

- The Ravens will meet with the recently released former St. Louis Rams all-pro Orlando Pace. Not sure where Pace fits into this picture, unless its as a backup to Jared Gaither. If Pace were to come aboard, the Ravens have a logjam at the tackle spots with Gaither, Adam Terry, Willie Anderson, Oniel Cousins and David Hale - the latter two were drafted last year but didn't play much. If Pace were signed, it would likely mean the end for Willie Anderson, which is a shame because I thought Willie played well there last year.


- Speaking of Big Willie Style, his equally large counterpart Big Mike Preston says Willie has something to prove this year.

- Former Titans and Raiders CB Chris Carr is officially a Raven.