Roquan Smith’s streak of powerful Ravens speeches shows no signs of stopping

This is meant as a compliment, one handed to Roquan Smith and also the Baltimore Ravens. There's no way this organization knew what it was getting when it traded linebacker A.J. Klein and two draft picks (2023 second and fifth-round choices) to acquire him in 2022.

Sure, it was obvious that they valued him. Trading a player and two picks is a massive statement along those lines, but how could they have known that he was this special? Yes, he was good with the Chicago Bears, but when his playing days are over, everyone is going to remember him as a Raven.

With each passing season, he solidifies his case for a spot in Canton at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With each passing week, his leadership ability is on display with quotes like this one.

"It's just a bunch of dudes that are willing to go out there and put it all on the line for one another. Once you have [the communication], and then when you have the mindset, willing to put your face in the fan every single play. And you have those types of guys that's not worried about 'me, me, me, me, me' and more like 'us, us, us.' When you have that, it's the perfect combination for a really good defense."

Those were Smith's words following Baltimore's fifth consecutive win of the season. He, as always, gave defensive coordinator Zach Orr credit. He expressed his pride in his teammates for reaching the top of the AFC North. He described how cool it will be to play on Thanksgiving.

"You can't really focus on the past. You only can just focus on going forward in the moment right now. And that's something that we've been prioritizing like, 'Hey, it's the moment right now. Forget what has happened. You remember it, but you can't focus on it or dwell on it... I think you just have to control what you can control. As a defense, the only thing you can control is what product you go out and put on the field. We can't focus on what the offense is doing. I have a lot of respect for our offense. I know our offense is going to continue to keep putting up points, but at the end of the day it's about us on defense."

Somewhere, there's a motivational speaker, and he wishes he could break down a huddle. Somewhere else, there's a football player who hopes his team trusts and respects him enough to let him provide the pregame speech to fire up his opponents. Perhaps Mr. Smith, as is often the case, puts things in the best perspective.

"So, it's about us eleven coming together, because at the end of the day, if a team doesn't score, they don't win. [Just] having that mindset right there, but obviously, it's the NFL as well, so guys are going to make plays, but it's about wiping the lens clean."

Smith doesn't have to ask for respect. His teammates and coaches gave him that a while ago. Each of his first three seasons in town has ended with a First-Team All-Pro nod.

He has also made the Pro Bowl to punctuate each of his first three seasons in Baltimore. He has long earned his wings, but the beauty in his story is the role he has played in helping so many other Ravens earn theirs.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Roquan Smith’s run of elite Ravens hype speeches rolls on