Jimmy Smith To Make “History,” Asa Jackson Injury Not Serious?

Sep 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is tackled after a catch by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith (22) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Lunchtime Links, where we round up all the latest Ravens news from around the web for your convenient consumption.  Today we find out that Jimmy Smith is expected to make “history,” Asa Jackson’s injury isn’t expected to be too serious, Justin Forsett has proven that he can be a starter, and how the Ravens took steps towards a more balanced offense on Thursday night.

Jimmy Smith “will make history”

Everybody expected cornerback Jimmy Smith to make the leap this season and become a true lock down presence in the secondary.  And through two games, he is delivering the goods by turning in excellent performances against the Bengals and Steelers.

Head coach John Harbaugh isn’t being shy with his praise of the fourth year player either.  Following Thursday’s win, Harbaugh was dishing it out.  “I believe Jimmy Smith is going to make history as a cornerback,” Harbaugh said. “I believed that from the day he got here.”

It’s a bold statement, but so far Jimmy Smith is delivering on the talent the Ravens saw in him when they drafted him in the first round despite character concerns coming out of college.  With the secondary in flux from injuries this year, it’s nice to have at least one steady presence back there.

Asa Jackson injury not serious?

Speaking of injuries in the secondary, Asa Jackson suffered yet another ailment by incurring a concussion.  Jackson’s absence leaves an already thin unit extremely thin.  At least for now, there is optimism that Jackson’s concussion isn’t serious and he is likely to be cleared for week three’s matchup against the Browns.

Lardarius Webb is expected to make his season debut against the Browns as well.  It’s great news, obviously, and we can only hope that this unit stays healthy for the rest of the season.

Justin Forsett proves he can be a starter

Justin Forsett has put in two strong performances in two games despite limited carries.  He didn’t get a chance to start in week two, even though many thought he would.  But at least a couple of people think that Forsett has proven that he deserves a shot, including Michelle Bruton at Bleacher Report.

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We don’t disagree that Forsett has earned the opportunity, or that smallish backs can be starters in the NFL.  The main issue is that the Ravens don’t seem to think that he has the size to be a lead back, and they are determined to keep Bernard Pierce as the bell cow.

Ravens find offensive balance

The key difference between game one’s loss to the Bengals and game two’s win over the Steelers was offensive balance.  Game one featured 62 pass attempts and only 20 rushing attempts, but game two saw only 29 pass attempts and 36 rushing attempts.  And as tight end Owen Daniels told Aaron Wilson at the Baltimore Sun, that’s more like what we will be seeing going forward.

“This was kind of a signature Kubiak game plan,” said Daniels, a two-time Pro Bowl tight end who played eight years for Kubiak with the Houston Texans. “I think we executed it pretty well.”

A lot of folks were worried after week one, because it did not resemble the kind of game planning that we expected to see, nor is it a recipe for success with Joe Flacco at the helm.  Thankfully the coaches seemed to realize this as well, and we hope it’s the last time we see Flacco throw the ball that much this season.