LJ Smith Signs with Ravens
March 18, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Football
The Baltimore Ravens haven’t exactly featured high-powered offensive teams in the last decade. To help give quarterback Joe Flacco more options in 2009, the Ravens signed tight end LJ Smith. Smith spent the first six seasons of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Last season, Smith was slowed by injury for much of the season. In 13 games, Smith finished with 37 receptions for 298 yards and three touchdowns. The best seasons of his career came in 2005 and 2006 when he combined for 111 catches, 1293 yards and eight touchdowns.
With the Ravens, Smith will likely play alongside tight end Todd Heap in a lot of the team’s formations. However, with both players being injury prone, this move gives Baltimore added insurance at the tight end position.
Despite making the playoffs last season, the Ravens were 28th in the NFL in passing yards. Only two players on the entire team (Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton) recorded more than 35 receptions.
The contract is reportedly a one-year deal worth $1.5 million.
LJ Smith - Image: Newscom
