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Every successful NFL team needs star players. The best ones also have something else, trust. That trust often begins with the relationship between a head coach and the leaders inside the locker room. If early signs are any indication, the Baltimore Ravens appear to have plenty of it between Jesse Minter and Roquan Smith.
Following the first day of mandatory minicamp, both men were asked about one another. Their answers painted a picture of mutual respect and shared expectations.
Minter spoke with the Baltimore media following the first day of mandatory minicamp practice. He didn't hesitate when discussing Smith.
That's a strong statement, but it isn't difficult to understand why he made it. Smith has established himself as one of the league's premier defenders. Since arriving in Baltimore, he has become the centerpiece of the Ravens' defense while earning the respect of teammates, coaches, and opponents alike.
The Ravens don't simply view him as a productive player. They view him as a tone-setter, and after what he describes as a down year, Smith pledges he'll play like a new man under his new head coach's vision.
Smith's comments about Minter carried a similar level of enthusiasm. "I know he's very excited about [being head coach], so are we, and it's a great opportunity to show who we are."
The quote may seem simple, but it reveals something important. The Ravens' players appear eager to embrace Minter's leadership.
Transitions can be challenging when organizations move from one coaching staff to another. Buy-in isn't automatic. It has to be earned. Smith's remarks suggest that the process is already well underway.
Baltimore enters the season with legitimate championship aspirations. If the Ravens are going to achieve their goals, Minter will need to navigate the challenges of being a first-year head coach. Smith, meanwhile, will need to return to playing at an All-Pro level while helping set the standard for the defense. The encouraging part for Ravens fans is that both men appear to understand the assignment. One believes he's coaching one of the NFL's elite linebackers. The other believes his coach is ready for the opportunity before him. That's a strong foundation to build upon.
Minicamp practices rarely determine the outcome of a season, but they often reveal the health of an organization. Based on the comments shared Tuesday, the Ravens appear to have a head coach and defensive captain who are moving in the same direction, and that's exactly where every contender hopes to begin.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Roquan Smith and Jesse Minter are on the same page at Ravens minicamp
Continue reading...
Following the first day of mandatory minicamp, both men were asked about one another. Their answers painted a picture of mutual respect and shared expectations.
A coach's confidence in one of his captains
Minter spoke with the Baltimore media following the first day of mandatory minicamp practice. He didn't hesitate when discussing Smith.
That's a strong statement, but it isn't difficult to understand why he made it. Smith has established himself as one of the league's premier defenders. Since arriving in Baltimore, he has become the centerpiece of the Ravens' defense while earning the respect of teammates, coaches, and opponents alike.
The Ravens don't simply view him as a productive player. They view him as a tone-setter, and after what he describes as a down year, Smith pledges he'll play like a new man under his new head coach's vision.
Roquan Smith returns the favor
Smith's comments about Minter carried a similar level of enthusiasm. "I know he's very excited about [being head coach], so are we, and it's a great opportunity to show who we are."
The quote may seem simple, but it reveals something important. The Ravens' players appear eager to embrace Minter's leadership.
Transitions can be challenging when organizations move from one coaching staff to another. Buy-in isn't automatic. It has to be earned. Smith's remarks suggest that the process is already well underway.
The Ravens need Jesse Minter and Roquan Smith at their best
Baltimore enters the season with legitimate championship aspirations. If the Ravens are going to achieve their goals, Minter will need to navigate the challenges of being a first-year head coach. Smith, meanwhile, will need to return to playing at an All-Pro level while helping set the standard for the defense. The encouraging part for Ravens fans is that both men appear to understand the assignment. One believes he's coaching one of the NFL's elite linebackers. The other believes his coach is ready for the opportunity before him. That's a strong foundation to build upon.
Minicamp practices rarely determine the outcome of a season, but they often reveal the health of an organization. Based on the comments shared Tuesday, the Ravens appear to have a head coach and defensive captain who are moving in the same direction, and that's exactly where every contender hopes to begin.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Roquan Smith and Jesse Minter are on the same page at Ravens minicamp
Continue reading...
