Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith made some headlines leading up to the team’s game in Week 4 against the Cleveland Browns. He riled some people up, making comments about the Dawg Pound and what he and his teammates were going to do to the Browns in front of their loved ones.
“I think they call it the dawg pound. I consider myself a dawg, so I’m right at home in that place.” He also stoked some controversy with phrases like “We going over to beat their tails in front of their wife and kids,” were the comments that caught the attention of the Browns, per WJZ sports.
Browns linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and defensive back Anthony Walker Jr. both said that Smith’s comments provided the team with bulletin board material heading into the game. It clearly wasn’t enough motivation, as the Ravens destroyed the Browns, 28-3.
Baltimore took full advantage of Deshaun Watson being sidelined because of injury, forcing three interceptions from rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson and sacking him four times. The dominant victory provided Smith another chance to take a shot at the Browns, which he did.
Not only did the star linebacker not walk back comments he made before the game, but he doubled down after it. Smith questioned why players needed any extra motivation to play the game.
“Honestly, if you need bulletin board material in this game, really? To like go play the game a different way? You playing the game for the wrong reasons,” Smith said following the Ravens victory.
That kind of mindset is what separates Smith from his peers, making him arguably the best linebacker in the NFL. He brings it on a weekly basis and playing in a rivalry game was all the extra motivation he needed to get the job done on Sunday afternoon.
Against the Browns, Smith recorded 10 tackles with one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit and two passes defended. It was the first time all season that he didn’t play 100 percent of the Ravens’ defensive snaps as he was able to get some rest as backups iced away the victory.
Smith and the Ravens will be looking to keep their momentum going in another stiff test next week. They will be on the road yet again against an AFC North rival, this time traveling to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
