Sunday’s game between the Baltimore Ravens and New York Giants just got a whole lot more interesting thanks to Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith.
That’s because Smith has delivered a message to Odell Beckham, Jr. that he isn’t going to put up with any of his shenanigans.
Speaking to ESPN…
“All of that extra hitting and talking, that’s not going to fly,” Smith said Wednesday. “That’s not my game. I like to line up and play. ‘Give me your best shot, and I’ll give you mine.'” “But if you hit me after the whistle, there’s going to be a fight.”
Of course, Smith really has nothing to fear should it actually come to fisticuffs. We’ve already seen that Beckham can be taken out by nothing more than a kicking net.
That being said, it should be very interesting to see how Smith’s “jam” style of covering receivers works against Beckham. And whether it will result in any of the frustration nonsense we’ve seen out of Beckham on more than one occasion, especially after the whistle blows.
“Odell Beckham Jr. is one of the most gifted players in the league,” coach John Harbaugh said. “We’ve all seen the catches he’s made. He obviously has a very fiery, competitive personality, which you respect. It’s a big challenge. I think we need to know where [No.] 13 is at all times with our defense.”
Smith, for his part, appears to be hoping for the best, “He’s a physical player, and I’m a physical player. So, I’m pretty sure we’ll have a good matchup.”
Of that I have no doubt.
[ESPN]