When the Ravens released middle linebacker Daryl Smith in early March, they opened up a little more than $2.5 million in salary cap space. That's not all that much money when you consider Smith was the team's leading tackler in two of the past three years and one of the most respected players in the Ravens' locker room.
The Ravens certainly needed some salary cap flexibility ahead of their runs at tight end Benjamin Watson and safety Eric Weddle. But the move also signified an organization-wide effort to get quicker and more athletic on defense and in the middle of the field. Keep that in mind when considering the Ravens' middle linebacker options over the next couple of months.
I've gotten a lot of questions about A.J. Hawk, who is available after recently being let go by the Cincinnati Bengals, but he's 32 years old and would he be that much better in coverage than Smith was? Arthur Brown and Zachary Orr are obviously unproven as defensive regulars, but they both are quick linebackers with coverage skills. The Ravens pass defense was much improved over the second half of the season and that coincided with Orr being on the field more in obvious passing downs.
And if you're hung up by the fact that Orr was an undrafted free agent, remember the Ravens played a significant number of important games with undrafted free agents like Jameel McClain, Albert McClellan, Bart Scott and Dannell Ellerbe starting at inside linebacker. Yes, I know Ray Lewis was often the linebacker next to them, but there aren't too many teams nowadays who are lining up and featuring a power running game anyway.